# Sir Gregory Marrable Has a Headache explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

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

## What happens

Mary Lowther returns to her aunt, Miss Marrable, after breaking her engagement with Harry Gilmore. She reveals that she is now engaged to her cousin Walter Marrable, despite Sir Gregory's disapproval. Walter informs his father, Parson John, that Sir Gregory reacted with a headache and has not yet given his blessing, leaving their future uncertain.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Mary's broken engagement to Gilmore and her renewed engagement to Walter Marrable highlight the tension between duty, family expectations, and personal love.

### Family Duty and Forgiveness

Miss Marrable's concern for Mary's future and Sir Gregory's disapproval of Walter's marriage reflect family duty and the struggle for acceptance.

### Class and Social Power

Sir Gregory's control over the Dunripple estate and Walter's financial dependence illustrate the power dynamics of class and inheritance.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Lowther

Returns to her aunt's home after breaking off her engagement with Mr. Gilmore; reveals her renewed engagement to Walter Marrable.

### Miss Marrable

Aunt Sarah is distressed by Mary's broken engagement but learns of Mary's new engagement to Walter Marrable.

### Harry Gilmore

Mentioned as the jilted suitor; Mary's engagement to him has been broken off forever.

### Captain Walter Marrable

Now engaged to Mary Lowther; informs his father of Sir Gregory's displeasure and his intention to wait.

### Parson John Marrable

Walter's father; discusses Sir Gregory's reaction and the financial implications of Walter's marriage.

### Sir Gregory Marrable

The baronet who disapproves of Walter's engagement to Mary; complains of a headache.

## Key lines

> Everything has been broken off between me and Mr. Gilmore⁠—forever.

Mary informs her aunt that her engagement to Harry Gilmore is permanently over.

_This postscript in Mary's letter reveals the rupture and sets the chapter's conflict in motion._

> As the pelican loveth her young do I love thee; and therefore will I give thee away in marriage to someone strong enough to hold thee, even though my heartstrings be torn asunder by the parting.

A mother's love compels her to see her daughter married, even at great personal cost.

_The narrator reflects on the selfless nature of maternal matchmaking._

> He complained of headache. Sir Gregory very often does complain of headache.

Sir Gregory's headache is a euphemism for his displeasure at Walter's engagement to Mary.

_Walter reports Sir Gregory's reaction to his father, indicating the baronet's disapproval._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxvii-sir-gregory-marrable-has-a-headache
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters