# LXI: Mary Lowther’s Treachery explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

> Chapter companion for The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mary Lowther confesses to Mrs. Fenwick that she cannot marry Mr. Gilmore, having received a letter from Captain Marrable. She seeks help to break the engagement, but Mrs. Fenwick and the Vicar are reluctant to assist, fearing the effect on Gilmore.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Mary's internal conflict between her love for Walter Marrable and her promise to marry Mr. Gilmore drives the chapter's central dilemma.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Courage

Mary accuses herself of falsehood and struggles with the courage to break her engagement, while Mrs. Fenwick and the Vicar grapple with their own complicity.

### Family Duty and Forgiveness

The Fenwicks' sense of duty to their friend Mr. Gilmore conflicts with their affection for Mary, highlighting themes of loyalty and forgiveness.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Lowther

Confesses her determination not to marry Mr. Gilmore and seeks help from Mrs. Fenwick.

### Janet Fenwick

Listens to Mary's confession and struggles with how to support her without betraying Mr. Gilmore.

### Mr. Fenwick

Returns from the chapel and is later told of Mary's decision; he refuses to be the one to tell Gilmore.

### Harry Gilmore

The man Mary has agreed to marry but now intends to leave; his potential reaction is a major concern.

### Captain Walter Marrable

The man Mary loves; his letter prompts her to break her engagement.

### Mr. Puddleham

Mentioned as having preached eloquently in the chapel, maintaining his indignation.

## Key lines

> I cannot and I will not marry Mr. Gilmore.

Mary declares her firm decision to break her engagement to Mr. Gilmore.

_This is the pivotal moment of the chapter, setting off the conflict._

> I told him that if ever this thing happened I should leave him. It has happened, and I must leave him.

Mary reminds Mrs. Fenwick that she had warned Mr. Gilmore she would leave if Captain Marrable returned.

_Mary justifies her decision by referencing her prior honesty with Gilmore._

> I am not quite sure, Frank, whether we have behaved wisely.

Mrs. Fenwick questions whether she and the Vicar acted wisely in encouraging Mary's engagement.

_This reflects the Fenwicks' growing doubt about their role in the situation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxi-mary-lowther-s-treachery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters