# A Party of Three explained — The Wyvern Mystery

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

## What happens

Harry Fairfield visits Charles and Alice at Carwell Grange, discussing the sale of a gray hunter and Charles's financial troubles. After Harry leaves, Alice is left with a sense of unease, feeling that her husband and brother-in-law are keeping secrets from her. She contemplates her loneliness and the growing distance between her and Charles.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Alice senses that Charles and Harry are hiding something from her, leading to her anxiety and feelings of isolation.

### Isolation and Entrapment

Alice feels lonely and trapped in her new home, left alone while Charles walks with Harry, and contemplates the melancholy of her situation.

### Love and Marriage

The chapter explores the strains in Charles and Alice's marriage, with hints of regret and financial pressure affecting their relationship.

## Character check-ins

### Harry Fairfield

Visits Charles and Alice at Carwell Grange, discusses horse sale, and leaves after a short stay.

### Charles Fairfield

Anxious about money, discusses selling a horse with Harry, and shows affection to Alice but hints at regret.

### Alice Maybell

Feels isolated and anxious after Harry's visit, suspects secrets, and longs for Charles's confidence.

### Dulcibella Crane

Alice goes upstairs to visit her after being left alone.

### Tom Ward

Lets out Harry's horse and opens the gate, observed by Alice.

## Key lines

> I’d tip you a stave, only I’ve got a hoarseness since yesterday, and I’d ask Alice to play a bit, only there’s no piano here to kick up a jingle with, and Charlie never sang a note in his life, and—standing before the fire, he yawned long and loud—by Jove, that wasn’t over civil of me, but old friends need not be stiff, and I vote we yawn all round for company; and I’ll forgive ye, for my hour’s come, and I’ll be taking the road.

Harry jokes about the lack of entertainment at the Grange, then announces it's time for him to leave.

_Harry's boisterous manner contrasts with the tense atmosphere._

> Was it fancy, or did Alice’s pretty ear hear truly? It seemed to her that the tone in which Charlie spoke was a little more sour than need be, that it seemed to blame her as the cause of altered circumstances, and to hint, though very faintly, an unkind repentance.

Alice perceives a hint of resentment in Charles's voice, as if he blames her for their financial troubles.

_Alice's growing suspicion of Charles's feelings._

> How soon in the possession of our heart’s desire comes the sense of disappointment, and the presence of the worm, and promise of the blight among the flowers of our vernal days.

Alice reflects on how quickly the joy of achieving her dreams has turned to disappointment and worry.

_Narrator's commentary on Alice's disillusionment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xvi-a-party-of-three
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters