The Wyvern Mystery · Chapter
Conclusion explained
The novel concludes with the resolution of the Fairfield inheritance.
What happens
The novel concludes with the resolution of the Fairfield inheritance. Harry Fairfield, dying from a gunshot wound, confesses that he swapped the infant heir with a changeling from a workhouse, intending to pass the boy off as his own illegitimate son. The true heir, Henry Fairfield, is reunited with his mother Alice and his nurse Marjory Trevellian. With ample proof, he is accepted as the rightful heir to Wyvern. The epilogue describes the happy futures of the main characters: Henry will marry his adopted sister, Tom Orange prospers in Australia, and Mildred Tarnley and Dulcibella Crane live out their days in comfort.
Themes in this chapter
Inheritance and Legacy
The entire resolution hinges on the rightful heir to Wyvern being restored, with the changeling plot exposed and the estate secured for Henry Fairfield.
Secrecy and Deception
Harry's long-held secret of the baby swap is finally confessed, unraveling the deception that drove much of the plot.
Family and Dysfunction
The Fairfield family's dysfunction culminates in Harry's deathbed confession, but the conclusion offers a hopeful resolution with the reunion of mother and son.
Characters to notice
- Harry Fairfield
Dies from a gunshot wound; confesses the changeling plot and his intention to make the boy his heir.
- Alice Maybell
Reunited with her son Henry; returns to Wyvern to see the dying Harry; later lives at Wyvern with the family.
- Tom Orange
Helps the boy escape the Sergeant-Major; later prospers as a tavern owner in Melbourne; accused by Harry of being the shooter.
- Marjory Trevellian
Cared for the true heir as a child; lives with the family at Wyvern at the end.
- Lady Wyndale
Mentioned as a source of comfort for Alice, though she is no longer living.
- Mildred Tarnley
Very old and made comfortable at Carwell Grange.
Key passages
“Harry Fairfield had asserted, in his vehement way, while lying in his last hours at Wyvern, that the fellow with the handkerchief over his face who shot him was, he could all but swear, his old friend Tom Orange.”
On his deathbed, Harry Fairfield insisted that the man who shot him, whose face was covered by a handkerchief, was almost certainly his former friend Tom Orange.
Harry's dying accusation against Tom Orange, though Tom denies it.
“The boy, Henry Fairfield, was as happy as mortal can be, henceforward. His little playmate, the pretty little girl whom Alice had adopted, who called her 'mamma,' and yet was the daughter of a distant cousin only, has now grown up, and is as a girl even more beautiful than she was as a child. Henry will be of age in a few months, and they are then to be married.”
Henry Fairfield lived happily ever after. The little girl Alice adopted, who called Alice 'mamma' but was actually the daughter of a distant cousin, grew up even more beautiful. Henry will soon come of age, and they plan to marry.
The happy ending for Henry and his adopted sister, who will marry.
“Tom Orange, with a very handsome sum presented by those whom he had served, preferred Australia to the old country.”
Tom Orange, given a generous sum of money by those he had helped, chose to emigrate to Australia rather than stay in England.
Tom Orange's departure for Australia with a reward.