# Mary Lowther Returns to Bullhampton explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton > Chapter companion for The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens A month has passed and Mary Lowther returns to Bullhampton in late May. The case against Sam Brattle remains unresolved with multiple remands, and the Marquis of Trowbridge escalates his conflict with Mr. Fenwick by writing to the bishop, who rebuffs him. Mary faces the awkwardness of meeting Harry Gilmore again, and though she tries to remain aloof, her friend Janet Fenwick senses a possible change in her feelings. ## Themes in this chapter ### Hypocrisy and Moral Courage Lord Trowbridge's self-righteous accusations against Fenwick contrast with Fenwick's moral courage in defending Carry Brattle and seeking justice. ### Justice and Prejudice The legal proceedings against Sam Brattle are hampered by prejudice and lack of evidence, while the Marquis's campaign against Fenwick is driven by bias rather than facts. ### Love and Marriage Mary Lowther's internal struggle over whether to accept Harry Gilmore's proposal reflects the tension between personal inclination and social expectation. ## Character check-ins ### Mary Lowther Returns to Bullhampton and must confront her feelings for Harry Gilmore, though she remains conflicted. ### Mr. Fenwick Writes an angry letter to Lord Trowbridge demanding an apology, and continues to be involved in the Brattle case. ### Harry Gilmore Meets Mary again at the vicarage and later walks with her, hoping for a change in her feelings. ### Janet Fenwick Visits Carry Brattle in Salisbury and reports her sullen state; encourages Mary to consider Gilmore. ### Lord Trowbridge Writes to the bishop complaining about Fenwick, but is rebuffed; his son Lord St. George mocks him. ### Lord St. George Reads the bishop's reply to his father and sarcastically remarks about the hornet's nest. ### Carry Brattle Remains in Salisbury, sullen and idle, visited by Mrs. Fenwick but not by the Vicar. ### Sam Brattle Still missing; his bail may be forfeited if he does not appear by June 5th. ## Key lines > A month went by after the scenes described in the last chapter, and summer had come at Bullhampton. It was now the end of May, and, with the summer, Mary Lowther had arrived. After a month, summer arrives at Bullhampton and Mary Lowther returns. _Sets the temporal context for the chapter._ > The police declared that this was rendered necessary by the absence of Sam Brattle—that the magistrates were anxious to give all reasonable time for the production of the man who was out upon bail—and that, as he was undoubtedly concerned in the murder, they were determined to have him. The police claimed they needed more time because Sam Brattle was missing, insisting he was involved in the murder. _Explains the legal delay in the case._ > I am informed by my friend, Mr. Gilmore, that your lordship has stated openly that I have made visits to a young woman in Salisbury which are disgraceful to me, to my cloth, and to the parish of which I am the incumbent. Fenwick writes to Lord Trowbridge accusing him of slander regarding visits to a young woman in Salisbury. _Highlights the conflict between Fenwick and the Marquis._ > The bishop felt himself to be very much bullied. He had no doubt whatsoever about his parson. He knew that Fenwick was too strong a man to be acted upon beneficially by such advice as to his private conduct as a bishop might give, and too good a man to need any caution as to his conduct. The bishop, though feeling bullied, firmly supports Fenwick as a moral and capable clergyman. _Shows the bishop's endorsement of Fenwick despite the Marquis's complaints._ > Carry Brattle was still at Salisbury, but had not been seen by the Vicar for more than a fortnight. The Marquis’s letter, backed as it was in part by his wife’s counsel, had, much to his own disgust, deterred him from seeing the girl. Fenwick has avoided visiting Carry Brattle due to the Marquis's accusations, much to his own frustration. _Illustrates the personal cost of the public dispute._ > She knew—she thought she knew—that she must refuse him, and in doing so would simply be making fresh trouble. Would it not have been better for her to have remained at Loring—to have put herself at once on a par with her aunt, and have commenced her life of solitary spinsterhood and dull routine? Mary considers refusing Gilmore again, wondering if she should have stayed in Loring to begin a quiet, solitary life. _Reveals Mary's internal conflict about marriage and independence._ > Thus for an hour or two the peculiar awkwardness of the meeting between Harry Gilmore and Mary was removed. He was enabled to talk with energy on a matter of interest, and she could join the conversation. The awkwardness of Mary and Gilmore's meeting is temporarily eased by discussing the Brattle case. _Shows how shared concerns can bridge personal tension._ > The Squire was walking between the two, and it seemed to him as he walked that Mary at least had no desire to avoid him. He became high in hope, and began to wish that even now, at this moment, he might be left alone with her and might learn his fate. Gilmore feels hopeful as Mary does not avoid him during their walk, wishing to be alone with her to learn her decision. _Captures Gilmore's renewed optimism about Mary's feelings._ > “Janet,” said Mary, after pausing awhile, “you had better leave me alone. Don’t be angry with me; but really it will be better that you should leave me alone.” Mary asks Janet to stop pressing her about Gilmore, preferring to be left alone. _Indicates Mary's desire for autonomy in her romantic decisions._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlviii-mary-lowther-returns-to-bullhampton - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters