# IX: A Proposale explained — The Young Visiters

> Chapter companion for The Young Visiters by Daisy Ashford.

## What happens

Bernard decides to propose to Ethel and takes her on a day trip to Windsor. After a picnic by the river, he passionately declares his love, and Ethel accepts. They become engaged and plan to marry the following week.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The entire chapter centers on Bernard's proposal to Ethel, highlighting the romantic ideal of marriage as the culmination of passionate love.

### Innocence and Naivete

Ethel's fainting from joy and Bernard's melodramatic threats reflect a naive, almost fairy-tale view of love and courtship.

## Character check-ins

### Bernard Clark

Bernard resolves to marry Ethel and arranges a romantic day at Windsor to propose. He is ardent and emotional, threatening to throw himself into the river if rejected.

### Ethel Monticue

Ethel accepts Bernard's proposal, faints from joy, and expresses her love for him, calling him a 'Heathen god'.

## Key lines

> I love the girl he said to himself and she must be mine but I somehow feel I can not propose in London it would not be seemly in the city of London.

Bernard decides that proposing in London would be improper, so he plans a countryside outing.

_Highlights Bernard's sense of propriety and romanticism._

> Oh Bernard she sighed fervently I certinly love you madly you are to me like a Heathen god she cried looking at his manly form and handsome flashing face I will indeed marry you.

Ethel passionately declares her love for Bernard and agrees to marry him.

_Shows Ethel's intense, almost hyperbolic affection._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_young_visiters_se/chapters/ix-a-proposale
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_young_visiters_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_young_visiters_se/chapters