The Vicar of Bullhampton · Chapter
Mr. Gilmore's Rubies explained
Mary Lowther struggles with her engagement to Harry Gilmore, feeling unable to reciprocate his love.
What happens
Mary Lowther struggles with her engagement to Harry Gilmore, feeling unable to reciprocate his love. Despite advice from Mrs. Fenwick and a letter from her aunt suggesting Walter Marrable may marry Edith Brownlow, Mary resolves to proceed after receiving a magnificent set of rubies from Gilmore. She meets him and promises to love him, though she cannot yet say she does.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Mary's internal conflict about marrying without love versus duty and social expectation.
Family Duty and Forgiveness
Mary's sense of duty to Gilmore and her aunt's advice influence her decision to proceed.
Hypocrisy and Moral Courage
Mary struggles with the moral implications of marrying a man she does not love while possibly loving another.
Characters to notice
- Mary Lowther
Struggles with her engagement to Harry Gilmore, feeling unable to love him; receives a set of rubies and resolves to continue.
- Harry Gilmore
Presents Mary with a set of rubies; briefly feels happy when she responds warmly.
- Janet Fenwick
Advises Mary to be kind to Gilmore and encourages her to accept the rubies.
- Miss Marrable
Writes to Mary from Dunripple, suggesting Walter Marrable may marry Edith Brownlow.
- Captain Walter Marrable
Mentioned in Miss Marrable's letter as likely to marry Edith Brownlow.
- Edith Brownlow
Mentioned as a possible match for Walter Marrable.
- Sir Gregory Marrable
Mentioned as host at Dunripple; his son Gregory is ill.
- Mrs. Brownlow
Mentioned as confident that Walter Marrable will be asked to Dunripple as heir.
Key passages
“Could he have been light in hand, could he have talked to her about ordinary subjects, could he have behaved towards her with any even of the light courtesies of the everyday lover, she would have been better able to fight her battle.”
If Gilmore had been more casual and cheerful, Mary would have found it easier to cope with her feelings.
Mary wishes Gilmore would act less burdened, which would help her manage her own emotional struggle.
“One hour of frank kindness on your part would dispel his gloom. He is not gloomy by nature.”
A single hour of genuine warmth from Mary would lift Gilmore's spirits, as he is not naturally melancholy.
Mrs. Fenwick urges Mary to show kindness to improve Gilmore's mood.
“If love will beget love, I think that you must love me at last.”
If my love can inspire love in return, then surely you will come to love me eventually.
Gilmore expresses hope that Mary's affection will grow over time.