# Mrs. Hurtle Goes to the Play explained — The Way We Live Now > Chapter companion for The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens Paul Montague receives a passionate letter from Mrs. Hurtle, who insists he honor their engagement and warns of dire consequences if he abandons her. Despite his love for Hetta Carbury, he agrees to take Mrs. Hurtle to the theater, where they share a pleasant evening. Afterward, she renews her emotional claim on him, and he leaves without resolving the conflict. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love vs. Practicality Paul is torn between his genuine love for Hetta and the practical, legal, and moral claims of Mrs. Hurtle, whom he once promised to marry. ### Deception and Hypocrisy Mrs. Hurtle's letter and her behavior at the theater reveal a calculated effort to manipulate Paul's emotions while outwardly maintaining a pleasant demeanor. ### Gender and Power Mrs. Hurtle asserts her agency through her letter and actions, challenging the passive role expected of women, while Paul feels trapped by his past promises. ## Character check-ins ### Paul Montague Receives Mrs. Hurtle's letter, struggles with his obligations to her and his love for Hetta, and reluctantly accompanies her to the play. ### Mrs. Hurtle Writes a forceful letter to Paul, attends the theater with him, and passionately reaffirms her determination not to lose him. ### Hetta Carbury Mentioned as the object of Paul's love, though she is not present in the chapter. ### Roger Carbury Referenced as Paul's former mentor who warned him against Mrs. Hurtle; Paul now hesitates to confide in him due to their rivalry over Hetta. ### Mrs. Pipkin The respectable widow who runs Mrs. Hurtle's lodging-house; she smiles knowingly as Paul enters late. ## Key lines > My devotion to you has separated me from everything. But I scorn to come to you as a suppliant. Mrs. Hurtle declares that her love for Paul has cost her everything, yet she refuses to beg him to stay. _Highlights her pride and desperation._ > I think you are too good a man to cast aside a woman you have loved⁠—like a soiled glove⁠—because ill-natured words have been spoken of her by men, or perhaps by women, who know nothing of her life. She appeals to his sense of honor, urging him not to abandon her based on rumors. _Shows her rhetorical skill and emotional manipulation._ > He should marry her⁠—or there should be something done which should make the name of Winifrid Hurtle known to the world! Mrs. Hurtle resolves that if Paul does not marry her, she will publicly expose him. _Reveals her vengeful determination._ > There could be no better companion for such a festival. She could talk⁠—and she could listen as well as talk. And she could sit silent, conveying to her neighbour the sense of her feminine charms by her simple proximity. Paul recalls how enjoyable Mrs. Hurtle's company used to be, acknowledging her social grace and allure. _Shows his lingering attraction despite his fear of the situation._ > I will not bear to be separated from you. No, no;⁠—never. I swear it, and you may believe me. There is nothing I cannot do for love of you⁠—but to lose you. Mrs. Hurtle passionately vows never to let Paul go, claiming she will do anything to keep him. _Climactic emotional appeal at the end of the chapter._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxvii-mrs-hurtle-goes-to-the-play - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters