Plot
John Gordon, a young man of good birth and
education but no money, fell in love with Mary Lawrie,
but before he offered himself, Mary's stepmother ordered him from the house,
believing that since Mary had no fortune she must marry someone with a proper
income. Determined to acquire money so that he might be accepted, Gordon went
to
Mary had been received with some reluctance, as
Mr. Whittlestaff was an elderly bachelor whose pattern of life did not include
the presence of a young girl in his staid menage. However, he soon found
himself in love with her and asked her to be his wife. She confessed her love
for John Gordon, but admitted that he had never spoken of his love for her and
that she had not heard from him for three years. On the day after she had
promised to marry her benefactor, John returned, only to learn that he was too
late. Mr. Whittlestaff was reluctant to give her up as he felt that she would
be safer with him, but on mature thought he accused himself of selfishness in
holding her to her word when he knew that for years she had loved the younger
man. Accordingly, he sought John out and told him he would release Mary from
her engagement, generously offering his assistance in establishing them in
their new life together.
GEROULD,
WINIFRED GREGORY;
A GUIDE TO TROLLOPE.
© 1948 Princeton University Press,
1976 renewed PUP
Reprinted by permission of
Url: http://www.anthonytrollope.com/
Academic year 2008/2009
© a.r.e.a./Dr.Vicente Forés
López
©Davinia Moreno Arroyo
Universitat de Valčncia
Press
damoa2@alumni.uv.es