The Vicar of Bullhampton · Chapter
LXIV: If I Were Your Sister! explained
Harry Gilmore, determined to confront Mary Lowther after receiving Fenwick's message ending their engagement, forces a meeting at the vicarage.
What happens
Harry Gilmore, determined to confront Mary Lowther after receiving Fenwick's message ending their engagement, forces a meeting at the vicarage. During their heated exchange, Mary confesses her love for Captain Marrable and asks Gilmore what he would advise if she were his sister. Gilmore responds that his ears would tingle with shame, deeply insulting her. Mary declares she will never willingly speak to him again and leaves. Gilmore, realizing his insult was unforgivable, writes a note to Mrs. Fenwick with a final offer and departs for London, his hopes shattered.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Mary's confession of love for Captain Marrable and her refusal to marry without love contrast with Gilmore's insistence on honour and possession.
Justice and Prejudice
Gilmore's sense of injustice over the broken engagement and his prejudiced insult to Mary's honour drive the confrontation.
Hypocrisy and Moral Courage
Mary's moral courage in ending the engagement despite social pressure is met with Gilmore's hypocritical claim of shame.
Characters to notice
- Harry Gilmore
Determined to confront Mary, he forces a meeting and insults her, then flees to London in despair.
- Mary Lowther
Confronted by Gilmore, she confesses her love for Captain Marrable and is deeply wounded by his insult.
- Mr. Fenwick
Delivered the message ending the engagement; Gilmore ignores his advice and seeks Mary directly.
- Janet Fenwick
Gilmore writes a note to her after the confrontation, asking her to relay his final offer to Mary.
Key passages
“If you were my sister, my ears would tingle with shame when your name was mentioned in my presence.”
Gilmore tells Mary that if she were his sister, he would be so ashamed of her behaviour that he would blush to hear her name spoken.
This insult is the climax of the confrontation, leading Mary to sever all communication.
“I will never willingly speak to you again.”
Mary declares that she will never again choose to have a conversation with Gilmore.
Mary's final words to Gilmore, ending their relationship permanently.
“Tell Mary that in a matter which to me is of life and death, I was forced to speak plainly.”
Gilmore asks Mrs. Fenwick to tell Mary that he had to be brutally honest because the situation was so critical to him.
Gilmore's attempt to justify his insult and make a final offer through a note.