The Woodlanders · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Grace discovers that Fitzpiers has been secretly visiting Mrs.
What happens
Grace discovers that Fitzpiers has been secretly visiting Mrs. Charmond at Middleton Abbey, using a patient as a pretext. She realizes her love for him was based on awe rather than deep affection. Later, while walking with Giles Winterborne, he absentmindedly caresses a flower she wears, revealing his lingering feelings and confirming the affair between Fitzpiers and Mrs. Charmond.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Grace's disillusionment with her marriage to Fitzpiers, realizing her love was based on awe rather than genuine affection, and the unraveling of their union due to his infidelity.
Isolation and Community
Grace's emotional isolation within her marriage, contrasted with the community's gossip about Darling's exhaustion and the affair.
Fate and Irony
The irony of Grace's situation: the horse chosen for her by Giles is used by Fitzpiers to visit his lover, and her loyalty is tested by his betrayal.
Characters to notice
- Grace Melbury
Discovers Fitzpiers's deception and reflects on the nature of her love for him; walks with Giles and learns of the affair.
- Edgar Fitzpiers
Secretly visits Mrs. Charmond at Middleton Abbey, using a patient as a cover; grows distant from Grace.
- Giles Winterborne
Walks with Grace and inadvertently caresses a flower she wears, revealing his feelings and confirming the affair.
- Felice Charmond
Staying at Middleton Abbey; the object of Fitzpiers's secret visits.
- George Melbury
Mentioned as the source of Fitzpiers's horse and money; Grace asks Giles not to tell him about the affair.
Key passages
“Grace was amazed at the mildness of the passion which the suspicion engendered in her. She was but little excited, and her jealousy was languid even to death. It told tales of the nature of her affection for him.”
Grace was surprised at how little jealousy she felt upon suspecting Fitzpiers's infidelity, which revealed that her love for him was not deeply passionate.
Reflects Grace's emotional detachment and the shallow foundation of her marriage.
“In all this proud show some kernels were unsound as her own situation, and she wondered if there were one world in the universe where the fruit had no worm, and marriage no sorrow.”
Amid the abundant autumn harvest, Grace reflects that some things are rotten, just like her marriage, and wonders if any world exists without such sorrow.
Uses natural imagery to parallel Grace's disillusionment with her marriage.
“Almost with the abstraction of a somnambulist he stretched out his hand and gently caressed the flower. She drew back.”
Giles, lost in thought, reached out and touched the flower Grace wore, as if in a trance, causing her to recoil.
Highlights Giles's lingering affection and the tension between them.