IV: There Is No One Else explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Marriage

  Mary's refusal highlights the tension between romantic love and practical marriage, as she seeks a passion like Janet's but feels only esteem for Gilmore.

• Class and Social Power

  Gilmore's status as Squire is implicitly part of his suit, and Mary resents the implication that his home and income should make the decision easy.

Characters to notice

• Mary Lowther

  Mary rejects Gilmore's proposal, citing lack of love, and decides to return to Loring.

• Harry Gilmore

  Gilmore proposes again, is refused, but insists on waiting three months to try again.

• Janet Fenwick

  Janet advises Mary, arguing that love can grow after marriage and that Mary is being too romantic.

• Mr. Fenwick

  Mentioned as having been in a row the previous night, striking some men.

Key passages

• “I respect and esteem you most honestly. I have so much liking for you that I do not mind owning that I wish that it were more. Mr. Gilmore, I like you so much that I would make a great sacrifice for you; but I cannot sacrifice my own honesty or your happiness by making believe that I love you.”

  Mary tells Gilmore she genuinely likes and respects him, and wishes she could love him, but she cannot pretend to feel a passion she does not have.

  This is the core of Mary's refusal, balancing kindness with honesty.

• “I cannot live here without you. I have thought about you till you have become mixed with every tree and every cottage about the place.”

  Gilmore confesses that Mary has become so central to his life that he cannot imagine staying in Bullhampton without her.

  Gilmore's romantic desperation contrasts with Mary's more measured feelings.