# LV: How Fares the Child? explained — The Wyvern Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Wyvern Mystery by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

## What happens

Alice Fairfield lies gravely ill at Carwell Grange, attended by Dr. Willett and Lady Wyndale, while the baby sent to Twyford for safety is reported dead. Harry Fairfield arrives with a troubling suspicion that the child at Twyford may not be the same one, and he insists Mildred Tarnley accompany him to investigate. The chapter explores grief, suspicion, and the looming sense of a curse over the Fairfield family.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Aging

Alice's near-death illness, the baby's reported death, and the pervasive atmosphere of death at the Grange highlight the fragility of life.

### Secrecy and Deception

Harry's suspicion that the child at Twyford is not the same one introduces a secret that could have profound consequences.

### Family and Dysfunction

The Fairfield family is marked by death, suspicion, and a potential crisis of inheritance, reflecting deep dysfunction.

## Character check-ins

### Alice Maybell

Lying ill at Carwell Grange, near death, attended by Dr. Willett and Lady Wyndale; her recovery is slow and uncertain.

### Harry Fairfield

Visits the Grange, expresses suspicion about the child at Twyford, and insists Mildred Tarnley accompany him to investigate; he vows to work for the boy's claim to Wyvern.

### Mildred Tarnley

Nervous and foreboding, she fears Alice's death and is shocked by Harry's suspicion about the child; agrees to go to Twyford with him.

### Lady Wyndale

Kindly attends Alice daily, following the doctor's directions; later takes Alice to Oulton to recover.

### Doctor Willett

Attends Alice, perplexed by her illness; argues with Mildred about the child's health and seems despondent.

### Lilly Dogger

Grieves the child's death, afraid to show emotion before Mrs. Tarnley; runs out crying under the trees.

## Key lines

> but you mustn’t tell poor Mrs. Fairfield. It may cost her her life, if she begins to fret about it, and just tell her it’s quite well, for it’s true, you know⁠—it’s nearer heaven, and best of all when it gets there.

Do not inform Mrs. Fairfield of the child's death, as the shock could kill her; instead, tell her the child is well because it is in heaven.

_The decision to conceal the child's death from Alice to protect her health._

> I say I misdoubt it’s not the same child, and ye must come over and look at it.

I suspect the child at Twyford is not the one we left there; you need to come and see for yourself.

_Harry expresses his suspicion that the baby has been swapped._

> Poor little thing! said Harry. I blame myself; but what could I do? If aught’s gone wrong wi’ the child, poor lady! ’tis well she were gone too.

Harry laments the situation, feeling guilty but helpless, and suggests that if the child has been harmed, it might be merciful for Alice to die as well.

_Harry's conflicted feelings of guilt and resignation regarding the child's fate._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/lv-how-fares-the-child
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters