Uneasy Money · Chapter
XV explained
Bill visits Lady Wetherby's home under the pretense of reporting a sighting of the escaped monkey Eustace, but his true motive is to see Claire.
What happens
Bill visits Lady Wetherby's home under the pretense of reporting a sighting of the escaped monkey Eustace, but his true motive is to see Claire. Lady Wetherby inadvertently reveals that Claire is engaged to Dudley Pickering, a wealthy automobile magnate. Later, Dudley becomes suspicious of Bill, believing him to be a burglar, and Claire denies knowing Bill to protect her secret. She later confesses to Lady Wetherby that she was once engaged to Bill.
Themes in this chapter
Honesty and Deception
Claire deceives Dudley by denying knowing Bill, and later confesses the truth to Lady Wetherby. Bill also uses a pretext (the monkey) to gain entry to the house.
Money and Social Class
Dudley Pickering's wealth (thirty million dollars) is emphasized as a key factor in Claire's engagement, contrasting with Bill's relative poverty.
Characters to notice
- Lord Dawlish
Visits Lady Wetherby's home under the pretext of reporting the monkey Eustace, but is actually seeking Claire. He learns of Claire's engagement to Dudley Pickering.
- Claire Fenwick
Returns home to find Dudley suspicious of Bill. She denies knowing Bill to protect her secret, but later confesses to Lady Wetherby that she was once engaged to him.
- Dudley Pickering
Becomes suspicious of Bill, believing him to be a burglar. He examines a revolver and declares he will take steps to protect the house.
- Lady Pauline Wetherby
Receives Bill warmly and inadvertently reveals Claire's engagement. Later, she listens to Claire's confession about her past engagement to Bill.
Key passages
““I’m tickled to death about it,” she went on, as it were, over her hearer’s prostrate body. “It was I who brought them together, you know.””
Lady Wetherby cheerfully reveals that she orchestrated Claire's meeting with Dudley Pickering, unaware of the pain she is causing Bill.
Highlights Lady Wetherby's obliviousness to Bill's feelings and her role in Claire's new engagement.
““I am going,” he said with determination, “to take steps.””
Dudley Pickering declares his intention to act on his suspicions about Bill, implying he will confront or investigate him.
Shows Dudley's resolve and his belief that Bill is a criminal.