East Lynne guide

Summary

Characters

• WilliamAlso VaneGuardianFrom Chapter 1
• IsabelAlso Vane, Carlyle, VineLeadFrom Chapter 1
• ArchibaldAlso CarlyleLoveFrom Chapter 1
• BarbaraAlso Carlyle, HareRivalFrom Chapter 1
• CorneliaAlso Carlyle, CornyGuardianFrom Chapter 1
• FrancisAlso Levison, ThornVillainFrom Chapter 1
• LevisonGuardianFrom Chapter 1
• PeterAlso LevisonHelperFrom Chapter 1
• AnneAlso HareChildFrom Chapter 3
• RichardAlso HareReturnerFrom Chapter 3
• Mrs. HareGuardianFrom Chapter 3
• OtwayAlso BethelHelperFrom Chapter 3
• AfyAlso HallijohnSuitorFrom Chapter 3
• DillHelperFrom Chapter 5
• JoyceHelperFrom Chapter 6
• WilsonHelperFrom Chapter 17
• TomAlso HerbertOtherFrom Chapter 19
• AliceAlso ChallonerSuitorFrom Chapter 21
• BlancheAlso ChallonerSuitorFrom Chapter 21
• BallGatekeeperFrom Chapter 36
• EbenezerAlso JamesSuitorFrom Chapter 36
• JiffinSuitorFrom Chapter 39

Chapter by chapter

Storylines

• William's extravagance leaves him heavily indebted and distressed, while creditors threaten his access to ready money.

  • William's death brings creditors to East Lynne, exposes the extent of his unpaid debts, and prompts claims against effects and custody of his corpse.
  • The ruin extends to an overdrawn bank account; creditors pursue claims after William's death, and Warburton confirms Anstey's substantial debt.

• Isabel has no property settled on her despite her father's financial troubles.

  • Her father's financial situation now has a concrete consequence for Isabel's marriage prospects: the young earl rejects pursuing her on that ground.
  • Isabel learns that East Lynne belongs to Archibald and receives confirmation that she has no settlement, home, or money, although her clothes remain hers.
  • Isabel's lack of provision leaves her without money for necessities; Raymond supplies only three pounds, while Archibald privately supplies a hundred.

• William and Mary form a love match through elopement and marriage, ending with Mary's death.

• Mary believes her elopement caused her father's death and suffers lasting unhappiness before her own death.

• Archibald seeks to buy East Lynne for himself.

  • Archibald acquires ownership of East Lynne and its furniture.

• East Lynne is privately offered for sale, and William requires secrecy so creditors cannot seize the proceeds; Archibald knows this.

  • Archibald discloses the completed sale to the creditors; his explanation eventually secures their departure.

• William seeks ready money by selling East Lynne for at least seventy thousand pounds.

  • William has sold East Lynne and its furniture to Archibald, but the sale price and receipt of ready money are not specified.
  • The completed sale and payment of the purchase money are confirmed, although these events do not specify the price.

• Archibald will confer with Warburton and Ware the next morning as the next step toward purchasing East Lynne.

• Mrs. Vane comes to London to present Isabel at the drawing-room, where Isabel attracts considerable attention.

• Archibald feels overwhelming admiration for Isabel's beauty and attends courteously to her; reciprocal attraction is not established.

  • Archibald declares his love and wins Isabel's acceptance of marriage, but she explicitly says she does not love him.

• Francis singles Isabel out for admiring, intimate attention; she responds with bashfulness and gratified emotional stirring, and absolves him of sole blame for breaking her cross.

  • Francis again accompanies Isabel, but his refusal to contemplate marriage makes her first suspect that he is false and heartless.
  • The earl infers that Isabel loves Francis, but Isabel has dropped the acquaintance and commits not to renew it.
  • Francis renews acquaintance with Isabel and becomes her frequent companion; she recognizes a continuing attraction that grows during their outings.

• Isabel grieves over the breaking of her mother's cross, which she was instructed to preserve, and believes the accident is an evil omen; the reception subsequently distracts her from her immediate grief.

• Emma resents Francis's absorption in Isabel and neglect of herself, while Isabel attributes Emma's sneer to bad temper without recognizing its jealous cause.

  • Emma's resentment escalates into accusations and physical assault; Isabel's accusation of flirting further enrages her.

• Emma responds impatiently to Isabel's distress and threatens to send her home if she continues crying.

• The young earl seeks a wife to satisfy his father's condition for reform, but rejects Isabel as a prospective pursuit because of her father's financial situation.

• The young earl's father withholds financial support and payment of his debts until he reforms.

• Mrs. Hare's illness and desire for comfort meet her husband's resistance and anger at her nervousness; he eventually permits early tea.

  • Anne suffers renewed illness and fright at her husband's appearance, briefly recovers, then exhausts herself walking to East Lynne.

• Barbara loves Archibald and interprets his replacement chain and kiss as evidence that he loves her; his romantic intentions remain unconfirmed.

  • Barbara's distress at Archibald's departure with Isabel exposes her emotional investment; learning of their earlier acquaintance adds uncertainty to her assumption of his love.
  • Barbara's love becomes known to Archibald. He explains that his gifts and attentions expressed friendship and sibling-like affection, although he privately acknowledges that his manner may have exceeded that warmth.
  • Archibald explicitly confirms his love and desire to marry Barbara, establishing reciprocal attachment.

• Archibald defers his private business with Beauchamp until tomorrow after learning that Hare and Pinner are visiting him.

• The mention of Barbara's treasured lock of her brother Richard's hair revives Mrs. Hare's grief over her son.

  • Richard's continued absence and silence renew his mother's distress.

• Mrs. Hare treats her dream of Bethel standing over Hallijohn while Afy watches as a warning of approaching evil; her resulting anxiety provokes her husband's anger and Barbara's impatience.

  • Further nightmares about the murderer cause illness and distress. Barbara's appeals to reason fail to dispel Anne's persistent belief that the murderer is in West Lynne.

• Barbara longs for an explicit declaration of love from Archibald and expects one after his gift and kiss.

  • Archibald explicitly disclaims courtship, defeating Barbara's expectation of reciprocated love, while she declares continued attachment.
  • Barbara receives and accepts the declaration and proposal she had long desired.

• Barbara resolves to investigate the unidentified figure signaling from the lawn without summoning the servants, despite her terror and growing fear that the encounter fulfills her mother's ominous dream.

  • Barbara carries out her investigation, enters the grove despite her fear, and identifies the signaling visitor as Richard.

• Richard is alive and secretly visiting Barbara while others suppose him dead or in Australia; Barbara conceals their meeting from their father with a false account of her presence outside.

  • Archibald learns of Richard's secret return and later discloses it to Cornelia. Barbara has concealed his presence from her mother through a messenger story but resolves to correct it; concealment from his father continues.
  • Richard's presence becomes known to his mother and Archibald, who promises confidentiality. He enters unseen, meets his mother and departs without public disclosure.
  • Barbara explicitly promises not to reveal the family's secret concerning Richard to her father.
  • Anne receives Richard's covert message, Barbara and Mrs. Hare learn of his intended return, and Archibald is informed while continuing to restrict disclosure.
  • Barbara and Archibald facilitate another concealed visit, including a reunion with Richard's mother, without his father learning of it.
  • Mount Severn discloses Richard's secret visit to Isabel, extending her knowledge of his continued presence and the precautions taken to conceal him from his father.
  • Richard's secret visit circulates locally as a rumor, alarming Barbara; Archibald attempts to discredit it to Tom.
  • Richard returns secretly and is hidden at East Lynne; Cornelia and Joyce now learn of his presence, while his earlier visit is no longer concealed from the neighborhood.
  • Richard's appearance as a witness publicly establishes that he is alive.

• Richard seeks one hundred pounds from his mother to obtain better work after supporting himself in a London stable-yard.

  • Mrs. Hare undertakes to obtain the £100 through Archibald, and Barbara presents the request and proposed repayment; payment is not established.
  • Archibald supplies Mrs. Hare with money for Richard and assures Richard he will receive it; Richard's receipt and acquisition of better work are not established.

• Richard denies murdering Hallijohn despite the coroner's verdict against him; Barbara remains doubtful, and his accusation against Thorn lacks an established identity or supporting proof.

  • Barbara now believes Richard's sworn accusation against Thorn and brings his account to Archibald, who tentatively agrees to interview him. His innocence remains unproved.
  • Richard gives Archibald his account of lending the loaded gun, seeing Thorn flee and discovering the body. His panic and flight explain incriminating appearances, but the adverse testimony remains and Thorn's identity and responsibility are unproved. Archibald undertakes further inquiry.
  • Bethel confirms that Richard asked him about Thorn, but denies seeing Thorn. His account places him near the gunshot without supplying corroboration of Richard's accusation.
  • Barbara becomes convinced the visiting Captain Thorn is Hallijohn's murderer, and Archibald nearly identifies him with Richard's Thorn. Anne believes Richard's denial, but neither the visitor's identity as Afy's suitor nor his guilt is proved.
  • Barbara recognizes the suspected Thorn and obtains confirmation of his name and local presence. His guilt remains unproved; the coincidence with Anne's dream strengthens Barbara's conviction rather than supplying evidence.
  • Archibald now has little or no doubt of Richard's innocence and becomes convinced of Captain Thorn's identity as Afy's suitor, but public exoneration still requires further evidence.
  • Richard excludes the visiting Captain Thorn but reports recognizing the real Thorn by distinctive physical details. Barbara and Archibald accept his account, though his innocence and the other man's guilt remain unproved.
  • Archibald maintains doubts about Richard's guilt, but Afy contests the accusation against Thorn with an asserted alibi and continues accusing Richard without disclosing her supporting grounds.
  • Richard maintains his innocence despite Cornelia's doubts; Archibald affirms his longstanding belief in him, and Joyce accepts his account, although the incriminating circumstances remain unresolved.
  • Richard identifies the man he accuses as Francis Levison, correcting his earlier confusion about Thorn's companion. Archibald increasingly believes Richard innocent, and Ball offers a safe hearing with conditional assistance; Richard is not yet cleared.
  • Ball broadly credits Richard's account; Ebenezer corroborates Francis's identity as Thorn and undertakes to testify, while further evidence prompts a judicial application. Richard has not yet been publicly cleared.
  • The arrests provide a concrete alternative accusation, and Archibald confirms that the opportunity to prove Richard innocent has arrived; Richard is not yet formally cleared.
  • The evidence establishes the alternative account of Hallijohn's murder, and Ball reports that the accused have cleared Richard.

• Richard's father suppresses mention of his son and has sworn to surrender him to justice; Richard's secret return exposes him and Barbara to the danger of discovery.

  • Barbara hides to avoid possible discovery by her father. Archibald secures his promise to attend the evening gathering to draw him away from home; Cornelia reacts with alarm to Richard's return.
  • Richard enters the family home unseen while his father is kept occupied elsewhere, then leaves again. The immediate visit avoids discovery, but his father's threat remains.
  • Richard's father's renewed vow to bring him to justice sustains the danger and prompts Barbara's promise of secrecy.
  • Richard's proposed return renews the risk of discovery; Mrs. Hare wants the incriminating letter destroyed, and Cornelia fears reopening the affair.
  • Richard's return requires concealment and a watch against his father's arrival. He escapes discovery, but fear prevents him from remaining to pursue the suspect.
  • Rumor exposes Richard's disguised return to his father, who threatens police action; Archibald secures only a provisional agreement to disregard further rumors.
  • Richard learns that his earlier disguised visit has become public knowledge and reached his father, increasing the danger attached to returning.
  • An anonymous warning brings Justice Hare to East Lynne, where he reaffirms his intention to arrest his son; Richard later encounters him and flees.
  • Richard is legally discharged, and his father replaces his determination to surrender him with remorse and reconciliation.

• Richard seeks an interview with his mother tonight, but Barbara refuses because their father may return.

  • Barbara resolves to tell their mother Richard is present, and arrangements begin to remove their father's interference. An interview between mother and son has not occurred.
  • Mrs. Hare insists on seeing Richard, and he is brought inside and left with her for their reunion.

• Barbara asks Richard to return to the grove tomorrow night and undertakes to investigate what help can be arranged.

  • Barbara follows through on seeking help: she requests money and an interview, supplies Richard's disguise and hiding place, and obtains Archibald's tentative agreement to meet him in the grove tonight.
  • Richard returns to the grove as arranged, receives assurance of financial help and is brought in to meet his mother.

• Barbara urges Richard to confide the circumstances to Archibald Carlyle so that proof of his innocence can be sought; Richard's agreement is not established.

  • Barbara conveys Richard's account to Archibald and seeks a direct meeting to establish his innocence. Archibald tentatively agrees, but Richard's agreement and the interview remain unestablished.
  • After Archibald promises confidentiality, Richard agrees to disclose his account and does so; Archibald undertakes to continue considering the case.

• Cornelia has reared her half-brother Archibald as a mother since his birth.

• Mrs. Hare seeks a £100 loan from Archibald for Richard, offering to arrange repayment; Barbara conveys the request.

  • Archibald provides Mrs. Hare with the money intended for Richard and confirms to Richard that he will get it.

• Barbara resolves to tell her mother that Richard is present, following Archibald's advice.

  • Mrs. Hare's agitation and insistence on seeing her son establish that she now knows he is present.

• Archibald arranges an evening gathering of magistrates to keep Richard's father away from home and facilitate the secret meeting with Richard.

  • The magistrates gather at Archibald's house, allowing Richard to meet his mother while his father is occupied; Archibald returns before the gathering disperses.

• Cornelia seeks the truth about Barbara's private visit, rejecting the explanations and demanding disclosure until Archibald tells her.

• Cornelia opposes smoking in the house, complicating Archibald's arrangements for the magistrates; he offers replacement curtains if they are spoiled.

  • Cornelia allows the smoky gathering and initially attends it, but retires with a headache and smarting eyes. The meeting proceeds and ends.

• Archibald investigates Richard's account and the identity of Afy's suitor to determine whether Richard can be cleared.

  • Archibald questions Bethel and learns his account of being near the murder. This inquiry produces no corroboration concerning Thorn; Bethel learns that Archibald seeks to help Richard and suspects another murderer.
  • Archibald questions the visitor, tests Joyce's recognition and questions Bethel, then reports to Barbara. Joyce supplies no identification, Bethel supplies no corroboration, and Thorn leaves; Archibald has continuing suspicion but no proof and sees only waiting as available.
  • Thorn's confirmed return and association with Major Herbert give the stalled investigation a concrete opening. Archibald receives Barbara's report and continues their discussion beyond Levison's hearing.
  • Barbara's inquiries, Archibald's questioning and Dill's evidence strengthen the case against Thorn; Richard's expected visit offers a possible next investigative step.
  • The arranged viewing eliminates Captain Thorn as the murderer. Richard's subsequent sighting supplies a different suspect description and a means of contacting Richard for further investigation.
  • Barbara learns Archibald does not share her suspicion about Thorn and withholds it; identifying the rejected Major Thorn as their acquaintance supplies no proof of the murderer's identity.
  • Archibald questions Afy about Thorn, but her apparently sincere claim that Thorn was with her at the murder undermines his reconstruction. She withholds her grounds for accusing Richard.
  • Richard reports recent encounters with the man he identifies as Thorn, and Archibald recognizes a contradiction in Afy's evidence and gains Joyce's support; Thorn's identity and Richard's innocence remain unproved.
  • Archibald learns of Thorn's alleged association with Levison and obtains Major Thorn's account of a separate encounter with Captain Thorn, but the suspect's identity remains unproved.
  • Ebenezer's identification and Bethel's recognition connect Francis to the name Thorn. Archibald receives the evidence, suspects Francis killed Hallijohn and awaits Richard before deciding what to do; Richard is not yet cleared.
  • Other recognitions and Richard's own sighting establish Thorn's identity as Francis. Archibald brings the case to Ball and arranges a direct interview with Richard.
  • Independent corroboration identifies Francis as Thorn, and Dill carries additional evidence to Ball, who brings the matter before the justices.
  • The investigation reaches arrests for Hallijohn's murder, and Archibald privately states his belief in Francis's guilt.
  • Multiple witnesses establish Francis's identity as Thorn, and the accumulated evidence clears Richard.

• Richard's attachment to Afy brings him into rivalry with her favored suitor Thorn; after Hallijohn's death, Afy accuses Richard of murdering her father.

  • Afy angrily rejects association with Richard and passionately defends Thorn, claiming personal knowledge that he was with her when her father was murdered.
  • Richard's passionate attachment to Afy has ended, and he now recognizes her faults.

• Afy's suitor is known as Lieutenant Thorn and claims elevated social connections, but his identity remains unestablished to Archibald; inquiries exclude a family connection to the local Thorn brothers.

  • A visiting Captain Thorn is located through his Herbert connection and admits a former stay at Swainson. These details strengthen the suspected connection to Afy's suitor, but Joyce cannot recognize him and the identification remains uncertain.
  • Major Herbert formally identifies the suspected man as Captain Thorn; Barbara learns his account of his earlier visit and current leave, and informs Archibald. His deeper identity remains unestablished.
  • Thorn's admissions, inconsistent answers and Dill's evidence establish his identity as Afy's former suitor to Archibald's satisfaction; his guilt in the murder remains unproved.

• Afy's whereabouts after her disappearance remain unknown: the neighborhood believes she joined Richard, while Richard denies contact and suggests she followed Thorn; Archibald briefly suspects Richard is withholding information.

  • Afy returns and identifies her current employment and whereabouts. Her denial of having joined Richard persuades Joyce and reaches Archibald, although her earlier movements remain incompletely explained.

• William requests a visit of one or two weeks to East Lynne; Archibald agrees to host him, and William arrives with Isabel and his retinue.

  • Gout confines William to East Lynne, and Archibald offers hospitality for as long as convenient; William improves and grows attached to his host.
  • William intends to end his visit on Saturday, but his death ends the stay before the planned departure.

• Barbara's wish to appear suitably dressed before the earl's family gives way to embarrassment at her ostentatious bonnet beside Isabel's refinement.

• William invites Archibald to spend the rest of the day at East Lynne to discuss matters; Archibald accepts, commits to dining there, and leaves in the earl's carriage.

• Barbara is distressed by Archibald's familiarity with Isabel and his departure with her; she learns that they had already met in London.

  • Witnessing the marriage's affection intensifies Barbara's jealousy into a hysterical attack and confession; she also reveals her humiliation before local gossip and subsequently regrets her disclosure.

• William develops strong affection for Archibald through his frequent companionship during William's illness.

• Kane struggles to support seven children amid inadequate nourishment and threatened eviction; concert receipts begin to relieve his financial distress.

• Isabel seeks to help Kane by securing her father's patronage, buying tickets, encouraging attendance and making their support public; Archibald joins her effort, generating strong ticket sales.

  • Isabel maintains her public support for Kane by securing permission to attend with the Ducies and taking her reserved seat.
  • Despite her destitution, Isabel entrusts half her immediate allowance to Archibald for Kane and has instructed Marvel to arrange payment.

• William agrees to attend Kane's concert with Isabel for half an hour, while Isabel resolves to remain for the entire concert.

  • William's illness prevents him from accompanying Isabel. She attends with the Ducies and initially insists on staying, but the urgent summons brings her away before the concert ends.

• Cornelia resents Archibald's expenditure on concert tickets and becomes more irritated when he suggests buying a new cap.

• Bethel commits to withholding words that would injure Richard after Archibald questions him about the murder.

• William's recurrent attacks become a fatal illness despite medical attendance, leaving Isabel bereaved.

  • William's death completes the fatal course of his illness.

• Isabel turns to Archibald for support during her father's last illness; he accompanies her home, promises to remain, tells her the truth and undertakes to seek access to her father.

  • Archibald continues supporting Isabel after her father's death, deals with the creditors, learns of the seizure of the body, and offers her continued shelter.
  • Archibald renews his offer of help, receives Isabel's fish and accompanies her departure. His secret financial gift initially offends her, but she comes to appreciate his kindness.
  • Isabel welcomes Archibald as a trusted source of kindness, confides her misery, and accepts his offer of marriage and a return to East Lynne.
  • Archibald responds to Isabel's distress by offering different rooms, remaining upstairs with her and promising companionship and arrangements that prioritize her happiness.

• Isabel seeks truthful knowledge of her father's condition and a final farewell, while the physicians seek to keep her away from his final struggle; she learns the danger but William dies before she can return.

• Isabel suffers overwhelming grief at the loss of her father.

  • Visits to her father's body partly lessen Isabel's initial dread, but discovering its seizure intensifies her bereavement into terror, hysterical grief, and sleeplessness.
  • Isabel's grief remains intense and breaks out again as she leaves her home and dead father.
  • Returning to East Lynne revives Isabel's grief and alienation, and memories of her father's death contribute to her terror in his former rooms.
  • Visiting her father's tomb renews Isabel's overwhelming grief, although she regains control of its immediate expression.

• Creditors seize and guard William's corpse to enforce their claims; Archibald cannot remove the custodians, whose watch threatens to interfere with closing the coffin.

  • Archibald establishes his ownership against other creditors but cannot remove the corpse's guards. The claimant and validity of his debt are established; the funeral subsequently occurs, without these events explaining how the seizure was settled.

• Isabel undertakes to pay her father's creditors if she ever acquires the means.

• Isabel's terror and shame over the custodians deprive her of sleep and lead her to refuse visitors and companionship.

• Isabel must find a home and means of support after learning she has neither money nor a settlement; she rejects living with Emma.

  • Raymond provides a destination and Isabel reaches Castle Marling, reluctantly accepting its necessity. Archibald relieves her immediate poverty, but Emma's refusal makes the promised home insecure.
  • Her need for another refuge becomes urgent after sustained humiliation and assault. Engagement to Archibald offers a prospective home at East Lynne, though she has not yet moved.
  • Isabel's marriage to Archibald and his preparations at East Lynne establish a marital home and provision for her.

• Isabel accepts Archibald's offer to remain temporarily at East Lynne while she considers her position.

  • Isabel's temporary stay at East Lynne ends with her departure for Castle Marling.

• Archibald instructs Mrs. Mason to keep from Isabel the concern that the custodians may prevent the coffin from being sealed.

• Archibald instructs Mrs. Mason to notify him when the new earl arrives.

  • The new earl arrives and Archibald joins him, fulfilling the practical purpose of the requested notification.

• Raymond undertakes to provide Isabel a home with his family and sends her to Castle Marling.

  • Raymond and Emma return to Castle Marling, but Emma's treatment makes the intended family refuge intolerable; Isabel plans to await Raymond's return before leaving.
  • Isabel marries at Castle Marling, ending the need for Raymond's family to provide her continuing home.

• Raymond's commitment to house Isabel meets Emma's angry, categorical refusal to receive her, although Isabel has already arrived at Castle Marling.

  • Emma's opposition becomes repeated humiliation and physical violence. Isabel resolves to leave, Archibald learns of the assault, and Emma welcomes his proposal as a means of removing Isabel.
  • Marriage ends Isabel's dependence on residence with Raymond and Emma, removing the immediate dispute over receiving her.
  • The retrospective account reveals that Emma's hostility extended to physical assault, prompting Archibald to offer marriage as an escape; Isabel is now his wife and has left that home.

• Emma vows to make Isabel marry the first man who proposes.

  • Emma recruits Mrs. Levison to press Isabel to accept Archibald, and Isabel becomes engaged to him; the marriage itself remains pending.
  • Isabel marries Archibald, fulfilling Emma's intended outcome, although these events do not establish that Emma compelled it.

• Isabel intends to endure Castle Marling until the earl returns, but refuses to continue living with his wife.

  • Isabel's marriage ends Castle Marling's role as her temporary refuge.

• Isabel accepts Archibald's proposal and becomes engaged to him, while explicitly distinguishing her respect and liking from love.

  • Their engagement culminates in marriage; no change in Isabel's stated distinction between liking and love is established.
  • The engagement culminates in marriage. Archibald's passionate love is established, while the earl abandons his assumption that Isabel married for love.

• Francis promises to keep the prospective marriage between Isabel and Archibald within the family.

  • Following the wedding, Archibald announces the marriage to Cornelia and Dill, and Dill sends announcements to the county newspapers, ending its secrecy.
  • The marriage becomes public through the newspapers, and both Isabel and Archibald discover that the earl had not known of the arrangements.

• Archibald undertakes to earn Isabel's love, and she agrees to let him try.

  • Archibald gives Isabel a piano and provides attentive reassurance; she recognizes his kindness and sincerely trusts his concern for her happiness, although love is not established.
  • Isabel's affectionate care and desire for Archibald's company show growing attachment, while their shared music, kisses and his renewed declaration strengthen the marriage; her explicit acknowledgment of love is not recorded.

• Archibald conceals his impending marriage and preparations for East Lynne from Cornelia and Barbara; Barbara mistakenly attributes the purchases to the Carews.

  • Cornelia now knows of the marriage and learns that the new piano was purchased for Isabel. Barbara's knowledge and mistaken explanation of the purchases remain unaddressed.

• The Carews agree to rent furnished East Lynne for three years, but Archibald declines their proposed tenancy without informing Cornelia.

• Archibald promises to replace Barbara's broken parasol with a brown one and records a reminder.

• Cornelia responds to Archibald's marriage with disbelief and rage, destroys its formal announcement, and vows never to forgive him or tolerate Isabel.

  • Cornelia's anger subsides into a determination to make the best of the marriage; she recognizes Isabel as mistress and seeks an agreed place in their household.
  • Cornelia revises her hostile expectations, praises Isabel's lack of pretension and recognizes the spouses' devotion, qualifying her former vow never to tolerate Isabel.

• Archibald promises Cornelia a fuller letter explaining his marriage.

• The earl suspects Archibald concealed the marriage and acted dishonorably, but withdraws his accusation and reconciles with him after learning of the attempted notification and Isabel's ill-treatment.

• Lady Mount Severn receives Archibald's letter for forwarding and misleadingly assures him that the earl's silence signifies approval; the earl's actual ignorance becomes known to Isabel and Archibald.

• Isabel commits to avoiding renewed acquaintance with Francis and to being a good and faithful wife to Archibald.

  • Isabel renews the acquaintance she intended to avoid. Her resolve to suppress her attraction gives way to fear of deeper attachment, and her attempt to secure separation through an early return home is refused.
  • Isabel rejects Francis's declaration and returns home to escape him, but her longing persists and Archibald brings Francis into their household despite her opposition.
  • Isabel's commitment to avoid Francis and remain faithful ends in failure: she leaves her husband and children after Francis urges her to go with him.

• The earl confronts his wife after learning that she physically ill-treated Isabel; their stormy quarrel ends with his angry departure from Castle Marling.

• Archibald undertakes to keep Isabel's ill-treatment private and put it behind them.

• Cornelia moves into East Lynne, dismisses Archibald's servants and lets her own house, intending to remain as household manager while acknowledging Isabel as mistress; Isabel consents and Archibald agrees to a trial of a month or two.

  • Cornelia exercises her household authority by assigning Joyce to assist Isabel after Marvel leaves.
  • Archibald explicitly prohibits Cornelia's continued residence, and she subsequently tells Joyce she intends to leave.

• Cornelia's management and scrutiny embarrass Isabel, who is dismayed at the prospect of her permanent residence but consents in the belief that Archibald will protect her peace.

  • Cornelia's presence costs Isabel her maid, and Archibald suspects that Cornelia has discussed expenses within Isabel's hearing.
  • Cornelia continues to condition household arrangements and requires Joyce's history to be disclosed, but Isabel asserts that the history does not disqualify Joyce and her gardening wishes prevail over Cornelia's orders.
  • Isabel believes her marriage has strained Archibald's finances and consequently determines to tolerate Cornelia.
  • Cornelia cancels the child's frock order and dressmaker's visit, provoking Isabel's resistance and humiliation; concern about Archibald's means ultimately makes Isabel abandon both new dresses.
  • Cornelia's interference extends to forbidding Isabel's dress and countermanding her daughter's frock. Joyce reveals the resulting distress to Archibald.

• Being alone in her father's former rooms terrifies Isabel with thoughts of his death and a possible apparition; she declines Archibald's proposed change of rooms and resolves to overcome her nervousness.

• Isabel increasingly seeks Archibald's company and protection, feels distressed at separation and trusts his commitment to her happiness.

  • Isabel seeks Archibald's return and company; he responds to her loss of a maid and shields her grief at the tomb from possible onlookers.
  • Isabel tends Archibald affectionately, shares intimate companionship with him and goes out to meet him; he reassures her of his exclusive love.
  • The childbirth crisis reveals Archibald's profound emotion, while Isabel's attachment to him and desire to secure his love grow stronger.
  • Isabel asks for Archibald during her continuing illness; he promises to attend her after his visitors leave.
  • Isabel's trust in Archibald collapses under her false belief in his betrayal; she rejects his kiss and abandons the marriage.

• Isabel intends to learn housekeeping while initially entrusting the household food orders to Cornelia.

• Cornelia's presence drives Marvel to leave Isabel's service; Isabel accepts her departure, and Joyce provides temporary assistance.

  • Joyce's temporary assistance develops into the agreed replacement arrangement, with Cornelia's consent and Isabel's acceptance after disclosure.

• Archibald urges Isabel to replace Marvel promptly; Isabel identifies a former maid of Lady Mount Severn as a possible replacement, whom Archibald urges her to contact.

  • Isabel chooses Joyce rather than the previously considered maid; Joyce welcomes the appointment, Cornelia consents subject to continued gown-making, and Isabel rejects the disclosed family history as an objection.

• Archibald promises to have railings installed around Isabel's father's tomb.

• Learning of Barbara's love for Archibald makes Isabel jealous; Barbara's blush, Archibald's prolonged escort and his praise of Barbara's beauty deepen her concern, which he answers with a denial of past love and an assurance of exclusive devotion.

  • Overheard accounts convince Isabel that Archibald loved Barbara and married herself from ambition. She briefly accepts his denial but renews her suspicion, preferring Wilson's revelations.
  • Isabel's partly serious warning about Barbara shows that her jealousy persists, while Archibald mistakes it for an entirely playful joke.
  • News that Barbara is visiting East Lynne renews Isabel's jealousy and stops her from confiding in Archibald.
  • Isabel mistakes confidential investigative meetings for stolen intimacy. Archibald's tender glance, the repeated withdrawal with Barbara and Francis's insinuation intensify her jealousy to its strongest point in the marriage.
  • Observed meetings, Francis's exaggerated reports and Isabel's mistaken reading of the 'old affair' intensify her jealousy into resentment and reckless anger toward Archibald.
  • Isabel interprets Barbara's office visit and the innocent garden watch as proof of an affair. Francis intensifies her jealousy until it contributes to her flight.
  • Although recalling the garden walk briefly revives her jealousy, Isabel learns the purpose of Archibald's meetings with Barbara and recognizes that she misread them.

• Isabel develops affection for Anne Hare.

• Barbara confesses her love and suffering to Archibald and understands that he will keep the disclosure from Isabel; Wilson's proximity leaves uncertain how much the servant overheard.

  • Wilson's account establishes that she heard Archibald prescribe a brother-and-sister relationship while Barbara cried; Isabel now overhears gossip revealing Barbara's attachment and suffering.

• Archibald commits to putting Barbara's confession aside and preserving their friendship.

  • The reported conversation makes Archibald's intended boundary explicit: his future relationship with Barbara can only be that of brother and sister.

• Barbara declares that she will remain unmarried and faithful to her love for Archibald.

  • Barbara's repeated secret watching for Archibald shows her continuing attachment, though it does not establish whether she will remain unmarried.
  • Barbara abandons remaining unmarried when she accepts a mutually loving union with Archibald.

• Isabel suffers a nearly fatal childbirth illness; she survives and passes out of immediate danger.

• The newborn daughter's life is endangered, prompting an urgent baptism under the name Isabel Lucy; her subsequent recovery is not established.

• Wilson is hired as the baby's nurse under Joyce's authority after Cornelia checks her account of leaving the Hares; she is to begin the following morning.

• Wilson's gossip and scrutiny of private relationships bring her into conflict with Joyce, who threatens to report her as unsuitable; Wilson promises to stop.

• Isabel conceals that overheard gossip caused her suspicions about Barbara, leaving Archibald to believe her distress arose from a feverish dream and will pass.

• Archibald promises that the woman Isabel fears will not replace her after her death, subsequently learning that she means Barbara.

• Captain Thorn cuts short his visit and says he will return when John Herbert is present.

  • Thorn returns in Major Herbert's company, fulfilling his stated intention to return when John Herbert is present.

• Archibald suspects Bethel conceals information about Thorn and Afy because of his repeated irritation and apparent lack of candor; what he knows remains unestablished.

  • Bethel recognizes Francis as the man known as Thorn, and Francis reacts with alarm. This establishes relevant knowledge in Bethel's possession without establishing the full extent of what he knows.
  • Dill's account reveals the incriminating knowledge Bethel concealed and the hush money he accepted.

• Unable to establish Thorn's identity conclusively, Archibald adopts waiting for further developments.

  • The awaited further development occurs: Barbara encounters Thorn, receives formal confirmation of his name and brings the news to Archibald.
  • The awaited developments arrive: Archibald identifies Captain Thorn as Afy's suitor and begins considering how Richard can see him.

• Barbara despairs at the indefinite delay in clearing Richard while he remains poor and exiled.

  • Richard's illness, debt and careworn appearance deepen the stakes. Barbara's disappointment at the failed identification gives way to renewed excitement when she believes his account of the real Thorn.
  • Barbara abandons disclosing her vague suspicion and begins to despair of discovering the murderer.
  • Richard's continued inability to clear himself is compounded by destitution, flight from London and distress when his account is doubted.
  • Barbara relinquishes her identification of Levison as Thorn, substitutes an unproved association between two men, and grieves at Richard's renewed departure.
  • Richard loses hope when neither Carlyle will lead proceedings and recognizes that seeking a warrant would expose him to imprisonment. Ball's promise of a safe hearing provides a possible route forward.
  • The prolonged failure to clear Richard ends with corroborated testimony, his discharge and public recognition of his innocence.

• Isabel remains alarmingly weak after an illness and travels to Boulogne for her health; sea bathing proves unsuitable, but her health and strength subsequently improve substantially.

  • Isabel's health continues to improve, and she returns to East Lynne in restored bodily health.

• Joyce undertakes to care for Isabel's children during her absence and, should Isabel die, to remain with them, protect them and preserve their mother's memory.

  • Isabel renews Joyce's promise to remain with the children if she is gone. Joyce subsequently learns that the anticipated absence is Isabel's flight with Francis.
  • Cornelia's possible removal of Joyce threatens her promise to Isabel, but Archibald expressly authorizes and desires her continued care of the children.

• Isabel recognizes her renewed romantic attraction to Francis and its wrong to her husband; Archibald learns of their companionship but remains unaware of its emotional significance to her.

  • Isabel recognizes the danger of her pleasure in Francis's declaration and continues to long for him. Her attempts to disclose her feelings fail, leaving Archibald to interpret her relief as marital love and her opposition to Francis's visit as prejudice.

• Francis faces pressing debts and diminished credit as his uncle's remarriage threatens his inheritance; his uncle refuses additional support, and Francis leaves England and his creditors behind.

  • Sir Peter's repeated financial rescues are disclosed, and Archibald secures his agreement to meet Francis, who returns to stay at East Lynne; settlement of the debts is not established.
  • Sir Peter's death gives Francis the baronetcy and estates, materially changing his financial position; settlement of his existing debts is not established.
  • The account adds gambling losses and default despite his eventual inheritance; renewed debt pressure drives concealment and makes parliamentary protection attractive.

• Isabel seeks to overcome her attraction by separating permanently from Francis; her attempt to leave Boulogne with Archibald fails when he insists she complete her stay and entrusts her continued care to Francis.

  • Isabel avoids Francis and succeeds in returning home with Archibald, but separation does not end her attachment. Archibald refuses to cancel Francis's visit, and his arrival defeats her effort to keep them apart.
  • Isabel finally separates from Francis, renouncing marriage and ending their personal relationship, although her abandonment of her own marriage cannot be undone.

• Archibald undertakes to intercede personally with Sir Peter on Francis's behalf after a delay, while refusing to act as Francis's solicitor.

  • Archibald fulfills his promise to intercede personally, obtains Sir Peter's agreement to see Francis and dispatches an invitation and advice.

• Francis declares continuing passionate love to Isabel; she condemns his address, withdraws her trust and rejects his physical familiarity, although she privately finds his love dangerously gratifying.

  • Francis renews his declaration and urges elopement. Isabel leaves, and his simultaneous absence and the household's report identify him as her companion.
  • Recognition of Francis's character and deception ends Isabel's attachment in an explicit separation, which Francis accepts with relief.

• Francis seeks restoration as Isabel's trusted companion and promises not to repeat his declaration, but his subsequent attempt to visit meets her refusal.

  • Isabel admits Francis to private companionship in the carriage, and he abandons his promised restraint by again professing love and urging her to leave her husband.

• Archibald arranges for Francis to stay at East Lynne while seeking reconciliation with Sir Peter; he refuses Isabel's request to withdraw the invitation, and Francis arrives.

• Lady Levison excludes Francis after his deception over accommodation bills ruined her friends; she tells Archibald the grounds for her hostility, while Isabel accepts Francis's account that Lady Levison is prejudiced.

• Barbara conceals her suspicion of Captain Thorn from her mother to avoid increasing her agitation.

• Joyce's severe fall leaves her expected to spend weeks in bed, impairing her ability to care for the children.

• Barbara fears Captain Levison has overheard the private investigation of Thorn and begins to distrust his repeated proximity to her conversations with Archibald.

• Barbara commits to doing everything possible to establish Captain Thorn's guilt if he returns to West Lynne.

  • Barbara actively gathers and conveys information despite personal reluctance, then proposes Richard's identification of Thorn and promises immediate notice of Richard's arrival.
  • Barbara helps arrange the identification, accepts its negative result and immediately brings Richard's later sighting of the real Thorn to Archibald.
  • Barbara identifies Francis through the distinctive gesture, learns of corroborating identification and summons Richard to test the discovery, while accepting limits on Archibald's direct involvement.
  • Barbara acts on Richard's description, recognizes Francis's distinctive gesture, summons Richard and helps secure his verification of the suspected identity.
  • The effort to establish the real Thorn's guilt culminates in Francis's conviction and admission.

• Francis insinuates that Archibald and Barbara share an improper intimacy, provoking Isabel's offended hauteur.

  • Francis covertly watches Archibald's meetings with Barbara and repeatedly exaggerates them to Isabel, exploiting her jealousy and deepening her estrangement from her husband.
  • Francis turns insinuation into apparent confirmation by directing Isabel's attention to Archibald and Barbara together, then uses her conviction of betrayal to urge flight.
  • Francis admits that the overheard conversations indicated Hare family business, exposing his promotion of Isabel's jealousy despite evidence against his insinuations.

• Richard plans another secret night visit when the moon becomes bright and asks Barbara to watch the grove.

  • Richard returns secretly and Barbara recognizes his signal and meets him.

• Barbara proposes having Richard see Captain Thorn to establish his innocence; Archibald undertakes to consider the arrangement, and Barbara will notify him immediately upon Richard's arrival.

  • Barbara notifies Archibald, who arranges and completes the concealed viewing. Richard decisively excludes Captain Thorn, so the proposed identification does not establish his innocence.

• Archibald undertakes to supply Richard with money if Mrs. Hare cannot provide it.

  • Archibald fulfills his undertaking by giving Richard thirty pounds.

• Archibald deliberately withholds his suspicions of Thorn and Richard's expected visit from Isabel; she mistakes his concealment for evidence of an intimacy with Barbara.

  • Archibald continues to conceal the investigation behind a business explanation. Isabel reads the resulting secrecy as adultery, while he misreads her resentment and remains unable to understand her accusations after she leaves.
  • Isabel learns that Francis understood the concealed meetings to concern Hare family business rather than an affair, undermining her mistaken interpretation without disclosing the investigation's full particulars.
  • Mount Severn reveals the secret Hare family business and Richard's visit, removing the concealment that Isabel had mistaken for evidence of an affair.

• Isabel accepts Mrs. Jefferson's invitation to dinner on Tuesday; Cornelia intends to decline.

  • Isabel attends Mrs. Jefferson's dinner without Archibald and leaves at her chosen early hour.

• Archibald resolves to help Captain Thorn with his legal difficulty after Richard excludes him as Hallijohn's murderer, and promises a decision on continued assistance tomorrow.

• Anne, Barbara and Archibald arrange a warning and delaying watch to protect Richard's meeting with his mother from discovery by his father; Richard leaves without being discovered.

  • The retrospective explanation confirms that Archibald and Barbara guarded the path during Richard's visit to protect him from discovery by his father.

• Francis exploits Isabel's belief that her husband is betraying her, renews his profession of love and urges her to abandon her marriage for him.

  • Francis's persuasion has resulted in Isabel's flight, but his manipulation is exposed and she terminates their relationship.

• Richard asks Archibald and Barbara to watch for the man he identifies as the real Thorn and supplies a London contact address; he refuses to remain nearby to track the man himself.

  • Richard himself follows and confronts the man he identifies as the real Thorn, attempting to establish his name before seeking arrest; the inquiries fail to establish his identity.
  • Richard supplies further sightings and an alleged connection to Levison, promises a new address, and Major Thorn becomes a prospective source of identification.
  • The watch for Richard's Thorn produces independent identifications of Francis, replacing the previously fruitless search with a specific suspect.
  • The watch for the real Thorn succeeds: Barbara and Archibald identify Francis, other witnesses recognize him, and Richard confirms the identification himself.

• Joyce's account of Cornelia's persistent mistreatment of Isabel damages Archibald's trust in his sister; Cornelia is subsequently overwhelmed by grief, remorse and horror.

  • Archibald acts on the lessons of Isabel's treatment by excluding Cornelia from his future married household; recalling Joyce's revelation subdues Cornelia.
  • Cornelia acknowledges her lasting regret for her treatment of Isabel and seeks forgiveness; Isabel relieves her of responsibility for the flight.

• Archibald instructs Joyce to keep Isabel's farewell note private.

• Isabel abandons her husband and children; her accusatory letter leaves Archibald aware of her flight but unable to understand its grounds, while Francis's absence supports his suspicion that they left together.

  • Archibald obtains an unopposed divorce, formally ending the marriage; Isabel recognizes her losses and suffers continuing despair. Archibald's understanding of her original grounds for flight remains unestablished.
  • Mount Severn investigates the flight and learns Isabel's jealous explanation, though Archibald had interpreted her accusation as a pretext. Francis pays the damages awarded to Archibald, who donates them to the county hospital.
  • Archibald finally learns that jealousy and Francis's persuasion prompted Isabel's flight. Isabel accepts his denial of infidelity, and he explicitly forgives her.

• Joyce and Isabel's daughter learn that Isabel has fled with Francis; Joyce suffers anguish, and Archibald directs that the daughter henceforth be called Miss Lucy.

• Isabel recognizes the guilt and lasting losses of her flight and suffers enduring remorse, intensified by memories and dreams of her former family life.

  • Isabel's yearning to see Archibald, shame before her relative and recognition of Archibald's fidelity deepen her remorse; Mount Severn's reproaches overwhelm her into hysterical distress.
  • News of her children's lives and Archibald's new family intensifies Isabel's remorse and longing; returning makes her losses immediately visible, and she resolves to bear the resulting suffering.
  • Learning of Archibald's former love, grief and refusal to remarry while she lived deepens Isabel's remorse; worship and her father's tomb provoke hopeless self-condemnation and a wish for death.
  • Isabel learns that the meetings and moonlit walk she treated as betrayal concerned Richard's protection. Recognition of her disastrous mistake, followed by the allegation that Francis is a murderer, intensifies her remorse into despair and a wish to die.
  • William's fading memory, Francis's disgrace and memories of her marriage intensify Isabel's remorse; she wishes for death and blames herself for Barbara's replacement of her.
  • Isabel struggles against imagining Archibald still her husband; Francis's accusation, remarks about her former identity and memories of her marriage intensify her remorse until she longs for death.
  • Isabel's remorse culminates in an urgent plea for forgiveness. Archibald grants it completely, and she reports spiritual relief before dying.

• Francis controls Isabel's access to newspapers and conceals notice that her divorce has been granted; Isabel later discovers the letter and exposes his concealment.

• Isabel seeks marriage to Francis before their child's birth, but he leaves despite her attempts to delay him; after discovering his deception, she renounces marriage to him.

  • Isabel confirms that her association with Francis has ended permanently and learns that he has married Alice, closing the abandoned prospect of their marriage.

• Isabel suffers prolonged illness ending in low fever and subsequently recovers sufficiently to sit up.

  • Isabel still anticipates further recovery before leaving town, and the interview causes acute hysterical distress.
  • Isabel grows stronger and becomes able to prepare her departure, ending the earlier illness's immediate restriction on her.

• Isabel establishes a separate household with her child, ends personal relations with Francis, requires removal of his belongings and commits to refusing his money for either herself or the child.

  • Isabel confirms the permanent break with Francis, intends to refuse any financial representative of his, and pursues an economical separate household through selling possessions, considering teaching and reducing servants.

• Francis offers continuing financial support for Isabel and their child; despite her refusal, he pays the servants' wages and the apartments' rent a year in advance before departing.

• Francis marries Alice Challoner after reportedly encouraging Blanche to expect marriage; Isabel learns of the marriage from Mount Severn.

  • The retrospective account establishes Blanche's actual engagement and Francis's repudiation; his marriage to Alice develops into her contempt and a desire to leave constrained by fear of losing her child.

• Isabel seeks to support herself and her child, probably by teaching, before the proceeds from selling her trinkets are exhausted; she initially refuses financial assistance but subsequently accepts help from Mount Severn.

  • Her child's death ends the need to support the child, while her decision to cease accepting Mount Severn's allowance renews the question of her own independent support.
  • Isabel obtains paid work as Helena's daily governess and subsequently becomes resident governess.

• Isabel plans to leave the town after recovering and to reduce her household from two servants to one.

  • Isabel closes her Grenoble household and departs with her child and one replacement nurse after Susanne refuses to accompany her.

• Mount Severn undertakes to provide Isabel £400 annually in quarterly payments beginning immediately; she requests a smaller allowance, and he supplies additional banknotes for her immediate needs.

  • Mount Severn accepts Isabel's reported death, and Isabel deliberately decides to cease receiving his financial support.

• Barbara's father reprimands her for rejecting Major Thorn and other suitors; she suffers under his accusations and attempts to leave.

• Anne urges Archibald to remarry, especially to Louisa Dobede, but he intends to remain unmarried because he regards marriage while Isabel lives as religiously forbidden.

  • Archibald abandons his intention to remain unmarried and becomes engaged to Barbara.

• A railway accident kills Isabel's child and the replacement nurse and dangerously injures Isabel; anticipated amputation is avoided, and she subsequently recovers.

  • Isabel has recovered from the acute railway injuries, although substantial permanent impairments remain.

• Expecting to die, Isabel asks Mount Severn to convey her plea for forgiveness to Archibald and their children.

  • Isabel obtains Archibald's forgiveness directly rather than through Mount Severn. Forgiveness from the children is not established.

• Isabel survives, but her prematurely posted letter produces a false report of her death, accepted by Archibald, Mount Severn and the public and reinforced by mistaken official confirmation; Isabel learns of the error and deliberately preserves it.

  • Acquaintances fail to recognize Isabel, and she sustains her concealed survival through a false account of her identity.
  • Isabel continues preserving the belief that she is dead, fears exposing herself in delirium and directs conversation toward her supposed death; Barbara and Archibald receive her without recognizing her.
  • Lucy and Anne continue to believe Isabel dead. Isabel learns that the false report removed Archibald's stated bar to remarriage and continues to conceal her survival.
  • Cornelia briefly doubts Isabel's death, but accepts Mount Severn's mistaken verification as convincing evidence, preserving the false belief.
  • Joyce recognizes Isabel alive beneath her assumed identity, and Isabel learns of the recognition; Archibald remains unaware.
  • Cornelia and Archibald discover that Isabel survived the accident, ending their belief in her earlier death. Her actual death follows.

• Isabel adopts the name Madame Vine to avoid recognition and resolves to retain that identity while allowing everyone to believe her dead.

  • Isabel's altered appearance reassures her against recognition, and she establishes herself in the Crosby household under her cover identity.
  • Isabel strengthens her Madame Vine identity by altering her wardrobe and handwriting, removing recognizable possessions and controlling her speech. She passes unrecognized at East Lynne, although Archibald notices an unidentified facial resemblance.
  • Isabel actively protects her assumed identity through explanations, concealed prior knowledge, restrained emotion and avoidance of scrutiny. Wilson mistakes her behavior for madness rather than recognizing her.
  • Isabel continues appearing before Archibald as Madame Vine and loses most of her initial fear of recognition.
  • Isabel sustains her assumed identity through misleading claims and replacement spectacles, but losing her veil and glasses exposes her resemblance to Isabel to Cornelia, corroborated by Joyce, and she fears recognition by Francis.
  • Isabel denies knowing Francis or the elopement's details. Her extreme reaction briefly arouses Barbara's suspicion, but she regains control and supplies an explanation that preserves her disguise.
  • Isabel deliberately encourages others to regard her as French and promptly replaces her concealing spectacles after Martin removes them. Her distress is attributed to illness and affection for William rather than recognized maternity.
  • Isabel checks herself before revealing intimate knowledge of the ornament's earlier damage, actively protecting her assumed identity.
  • Isabel's intimate knowledge of William's mother strains her disguise. She stops short of revealing herself to William, then seeks Joyce's silence after learning Joyce knows her identity.
  • Isabel explains away revealing knowledge, stops herself from disclosing William's maternal inheritance and seeks to escape discovery; Archibald continues to misunderstand her distress.
  • Cornelia and Archibald recognize Madame Vine as Isabel, and her return under the assumed identity is explained. Her death ends the disguise.

• Afy intends to leave Lady Mount Severn's service before long.

• Afy withholds the grounds for her conviction that Richard murdered her father, preventing Archibald from examining them.

  • Afy supplies an alibi for Thorn, but its contradiction with her inquest testimony leaves her account unresolved; she also claims ignorance of his present movements.
  • Afy learns that Francis is accused and Richard reported innocent, but resists the summons to give evidence and attempts to flee; the grounds of her earlier certainty remain undisclosed.
  • Afy discloses the circumstances and Francis's account supporting her accusation of Richard, then abandons that accusation and her belief in Francis's innocence.

• Richard is concealed at East Lynne with Archibald, Cornelia and Joyce's knowledge; the other servants are led to believe the private visitor is Dill.

  • The warning threatens the concealment, Barbara joins those who know, and Richard's departure ends his hidden residence without an established exposure.

• Richard's pursuit of Thorn's identity brings a threat of arrest and police surveillance, forcing him to flee London in disguise, leaving his belongings behind.

  • Archibald accepts that the earlier officer may have been meant to frighten Richard; a fresh anonymous warning renews the threat, and Richard attributes it to Thorn without proof.
  • Richard answers the outstanding accusation in court and is discharged without evidence offered against him, ending the legal threat that forced his flight.

• Richard seeks money to settle in another large town and find employment after exhausting his funds and fleeing London.

  • Richard receives money for immediate needs and leaves East Lynne, promising to send an address; settlement and employment remain unestablished.

• Afy's asserted alibi for Thorn contradicts her inquest testimony, leaving Archibald with an unresolved obstacle to establishing who killed Hallijohn.

  • Afy's evidence is formally sought, but her refusal and attempted flight obstruct examination of the contradictory accounts; compulsory attendance is secured.
  • Her testimony shows that Francis left her before the shot and supplied his own account afterward; she can no longer sustain his supposed alibi.

• Archibald undertakes to shelter Richard overnight; Cornelia arranges a concealed bedroom, and Joyce prepares it and escorts Richard there.

  • Richard is sheltered through the night and following day and leaves without being discovered inside East Lynne.

• Joyce abandons her belief that Richard murdered her father, accepts his protestations and helps conceal him, redirecting her suspicion toward Thorn.

  • Joyce's conviction of Richard's innocence is reaffirmed, and Barbara confides her evidence and revised theory concerning Thorn and Levison.

• Justice Hare intends to consult Beauchamp about the anonymous warning; Archibald urges him to restrict disclosure and keep it from Mrs. Hare.

• Richard wishes to see his mother before leaving, but Archibald opposes the visit to protect her peace of mind; Richard leaves a conditional farewell message through Barbara.

  • Richard renews his insistence on seeing his mother during this visit and learns that she remains unaware of his whereabouts; no meeting is established.

• Archibald and Barbara agree to marry after he dispels her fear that his proposal arises only from her earlier confession; both parents approve the match.

  • Archibald and Barbara marry, fulfilling their agreement.
  • Archibald and Barbara's agreed marriage is confirmed as accomplished; they have a son, Arthur Archibald, and display mutual domestic affection.

• Archibald promises to cherish Barbara and make her happy.

  • Archibald recognizes Barbara's distress and restores her confidence in his continuing love.

• Archibald requires Cornelia to leave East Lynne before his remarriage to prevent renewed household interference; she initially insists on remaining, then reports an intention to leave and proposes that he move into her house.

  • Cornelia permanently returns to her own house, fulfilling Archibald's requirement that she leave East Lynne before his remarriage.
  • Afy confirms that Cornelia no longer lives at East Lynne, establishing that the required departure occurred.

• Major Thorn promises to inform Archibald if he encounters the man known as Captain Thorn and discovers his real name.

• Cornelia resents Archibald's second marriage, refuses to attend the wedding and rejects Dill's congratulations.

• Barbara solemnly commits to lifelong fidelity to Archibald, reaffirming privately that she will observe her marriage vows in spirit and letter.

• Crosby's financial losses prevent him from maintaining his former style of living and lead him to prefer remaining abroad.

• Otto pursues Helena after learning of her fortune; their welcome companionship develops into an accepted marriage proposal.

  • Helena's projected marriage is communicated to Isabel and Crosby, and its practical consequence is the ending of Isabel's governess position.

• Crosby repeatedly objects that Helena is too young to marry, while her engagement proceeds and her mother authorizes the immediate end of her studies.

• The Crosbys esteem Isabel in her assumed identity and bring her into their household as resident governess despite her lack of references.

  • Isabel's employment in the Crosby household ends following Helena's projected marriage, and she leaves Stalkenberg for her new position.

• Mrs. Crosby and Mrs. Latimer form an intense friendship and profess lasting sisterhood.

• Isabel seeks renewed proximity to her children by returning to East Lynne as their governess, accepting the pain of witnessing Archibald's marriage to Barbara; she arrives and assumes her post, but has not yet met the children.

  • Isabel meets her children, holds Archie, converses with the older children and begins assuming the governess's duties under Barbara's instructions.
  • Isabel has established close contact with the children, who strongly love their governess, and gains authority to provide for William's needs.
  • Her proximity to William ends in his death without her acknowledging herself as his mother, and she promises to leave the household to preserve her secret.
  • Isabel remains hoping to spend Barbara's absence with her children, but Archibald takes them to Cornelia's house and Joyce refuses a farewell meeting for fear of recognition. Isabel dies without obtaining that access.

• William's lingering cough after measles causes concern, worsens after an evening outing and prompts Archibald to require that he remain indoors in the evenings; Isabel learns of his condition alongside a reassuring prognosis.

  • William appears progressively weaker; Hannah's remark raises Isabel's fear that he is dying, and Archibald commits to further medical advice.
  • William receives treatment for affected lungs. Martin gives no decisive prognosis, but Isabel interprets the consultation as indicating a fatal illness.
  • Martin confirms that William has incurable consumption, with an uncertain remaining lifespan, and rules out a warmer climate as a means of saving him.
  • Despite Barbara's immediate protection from the cold, William's exposure worsens his lung disease; London physicians confirm a terminal prognosis and he rapidly approaches death.
  • William's illness progresses through attacks and increasing respiratory distress to death.

• Isabel's return exposes her to the daily anguish of serving Barbara, seeing her former rooms occupied and witnessing Archibald's affection for his new wife and baby; she resolves to endure this suffering as the consequence of her own actions.

  • Her subordinate position, the children's altered family life and direct observation of Archibald's intimacy with Barbara intensify her suffering, culminating in regret that she returned.
  • Repeatedly witnessing Archibald's embraces of Barbara intensifies Isabel's jealousy and self-reproach; fear for William compounds her despair at exclusion from her former family.
  • Encounters with her former connections and news of Francis intensify Isabel's distress; after speaking with Archibald, she retreats to her room in despair over her continuing love and their permanent separation.
  • Her concealed motherhood makes William's assertion that he is not her child agonizing, subjects her gifts to Barbara's authority and forces her to hear her own history while denying personal knowledge.
  • Isabel seeks physical discomfort to relieve her distress. Her brief suspicion of Barbara's infidelity collapses when she recognizes the visitor as Barbara's brother, and witnessing the married couple's happiness renews her desolation.
  • Serving as William's governess forces Isabel to hear his fatal prognosis without revealing her motherhood; proximity to Archibald and reminders of Francis and her disgrace compound her anguish.
  • Archibald's accidental touch causes Isabel intense inward agitation, renewing the emotional suffering of her concealed return.
  • Repairing an ornament from her former marriage and witnessing Barbara's intimacy with Archibald renew Isabel's anguish; the sustained suffering contributes to her physical decline.
  • Isabel's concealed position prevents her from claiming maternal comfort or recognition during William's final hours and compounds her grief and self-reproach.
  • Her love for Archibald becomes more intense while her strength fails. Another fortnight with her children brings relief, but contact with Barbara's baby and Archibald's tenderness deepen her anguish.

• Barbara directs Madame Vine to discourage the children's recollections of their mother and teach Lucy principles against a similar fate; Isabel promises to try and accepts full charge of Lucy, including companionship outside lessons.

• Barbara wishes to bring her mother to East Lynne during her father's planned absence, and Archibald supports arranging the visit.

  • Barbara brings Anne from the Grove to East Lynne, where Anne visits the governess.

• Isabel seeks to protect Archie from Wilson's harsh handling but cannot exercise maternal authority without endangering her disguise.

• Archibald plans for Kane to teach William Latin once William's cough has ended.

• Lucy retains love for her absent mother despite Wilson and Cornelia's instructions to cease loving her; her mistaken account of Isabel's departure and death causes Isabel renewed distress.

  • Lucy continues asking about her mother despite instructions never to mention her to Archibald. Isabel learns that William knows she ran away and rejects Lucy's kidnapping explanation.

• Archibald pursues his parliamentary ambition by accepting the proposed candidacy for West Lynne and beginning a public campaign.

  • Archibald learns that Francis is his opponent and firmly maintains his candidacy, although he refuses to canvass; vigorous popular and organized support strengthens his campaign.
  • Archibald continues his campaign through a public address and attendance at an election committee.
  • Archibald progresses from formal nomination and victory in the show of hands to election as West Lynne's member of Parliament.

• Barbara supports Archibald's candidacy and plans to accompany him to London rather than endure separation; Archibald confirms that she will go.

  • Barbara accompanies Archibald to London as planned.

• Isabel seeks intervention for William's apparent decline; Archibald agrees to examine him and obtain further medical advice, while Barbara authorizes Isabel to order anything beneficial.

  • Archibald proposes a consultation with Dr. Martin, and Isabel agrees to accompany William and explain his mother's constitution; the consultation has not yet occurred.
  • Further medical consultation has occurred, treatment is prescribed and another appointment is arranged so Archibald can speak with Martin; Barbara undertakes to take William herself.
  • The promised further medical advice is obtained from Martin, who gives a definitive prognosis and agrees to visit East Lynne if requested.
  • William receives further medical assessment in London, fulfilling the undertaking to obtain additional advice, although the prognosis is terminal.

• Cornelia opposes Archibald's parliamentary candidacy and learns that Barbara has encouraged his decision, which he maintains.

  • Cornelia withdraws her opposition, insists that Archibald stand against Francis and offers money to support his election.

• Francis seeks a lucrative government appointment requiring little work; his trial secretaryship makes entering Parliament and supporting the ministry conditions of his advancement.

  • Francis's murder arrest and withdrawal from the election prevent him from obtaining the parliamentary seat required for his anticipated advancement.

• Francis's secret engagement to Blanche ends in his repudiation of her claim and marriage to Alice, leaving Blanche heartbroken.

• Blanche attempts to stop Alice's marriage by disclosing Francis's broken engagement and mistreatment of Isabel; Alice privately believes her but proceeds with the marriage.

• Alice sacrifices solidarity with Blanche to marry Francis, answering her sister's appeal with taunts and triumph.

• Alice comes to despise Francis and wishes to leave him permanently, but fear of losing her child prevents her departure.

  • Alice explicitly desires divorce and a different name for her son, but has no available redress; learning the criminal case intensifies her resentment and determination to disown Francis.

• Francis conceals himself from debt-related pressure behind a false report of dangerous illness, misleading his ministry office and callers.

• Francis agrees to contest West Lynne against Archibald after initially refusing, seeking parliamentary protection and his anticipated government post.

  • Francis actively canvasses but encounters organized opposition, eviction, public violence and refusal of transport. After surviving the ducking, he concludes that campaigning in West Lynne was a mistake; withdrawal is not established.
  • Francis actively campaigns as the rival parliamentary candidate, addressing the crowd at the Raven.
  • Despite Francis's determination to continue, his supporters withdraw his candidacy and Archibald is elected, ending their contest.

• After agreeing to stand for West Lynne, Francis makes a secret police inquiry into Otway's whereabouts and learns that he is absent with no certain return date; the purpose remains undisclosed.

  • Otway Bethel returns and recognizes Francis, frightening him. Their mutual recognition gives the earlier inquiry new significance, although its purpose remains undisclosed.
  • Francis attributes his arrest to Otway, who is himself arrested as an alleged accomplice; the purpose of Francis's earlier secret inquiry remains undisclosed.

• Lucy and Lord Vane promise to marry when Lucy is old enough; Lucy renews her commitment, and Isabel learns of their compact.

  • Young Vane reaffirms his intention to marry Lucy, plans to secure parental approval through honorable conduct and persuasion, and promises lasting affection and respect for Lucy's mother's memory.

• Mrs. Hare interprets another dream as warning of danger to Richard, becomes frightened and unwell, and remains unreassured by Cornelia; Barbara shares her alarm and goes to visit her.

  • Barbara tells Archibald that Anne's distressing dream included Richard and Bethel and that Anne expected news about the murder to emerge; the identification of Francis lends the prediction apparent significance.
  • News of the arrests and the report that Richard was framed painfully shocks Anne; Archibald offers explicit hope of proving Richard innocent, and Barbara is asked to remain with her and exclude visitors.

• Cornelia interprets Francis's greeting as mockery and becomes intensely angry.

• Archibald believes personally pursuing Francis would appear to be revenge for Isabel's elopement, constraining his participation in clearing Richard; Barbara accepts this difficulty.

  • Archibald explicitly refuses to conduct proceedings against Francis because his personal injury compromises his position. He nevertheless secures Ball's agreement to receive Richard and consider taking the case.
  • Archibald directs Dill's evidence to Ball while deliberately avoiding further knowledge of the proceedings and expressly refusing to help capture or punish Francis.

• Barbara summons Richard for Saturday evening to clarify Thorn's identity, sending money for his journey; Archibald agrees to shelter him and await his arrival before deciding further steps.

  • Richard arrives, meets Barbara and Archibald, and carries out the proposed sighting of Francis to settle Thorn's identity before returning toward East Lynne to report.

• William becomes convinced that he is dying after overhearing Hannah and observing the adults' distress; Isabel attempts reassurance and comforts his grief at leaving his father and Lucy.

  • William anticipates heavenly reunion with his mother, takes leave of his siblings and dies.

• Isabel agrees to reduce her gifts to the children after Barbara conveys both Carlyles' disapproval and threatens to forbid costly presents.

• Archibald and Ball arrange for Richard to visit Ball's house that night under a promise of safety; Ball will hear his account and assist him if persuaded of his innocence.

  • Richard's safe interview takes place, Ball records and broadly credits his account, and the inquiry proceeds through corroborating witnesses.

• Ball undertakes to keep Archibald's disclosure of Richard's case confidential even if he declines to act.

• Ball undertakes to pursue the case against Francis if his identification as Thorn is secure, obtains corroboration from Ebenezer, receives Dill's evidence and makes a confidential application to the justices.

  • The case proceeds to warranted arrests of Francis and Otway and the service of a subpoena requiring Afy's evidence.
  • Ball presents corroborating identification and incriminating testimony, securing committal of Francis and Otway for trial.
  • The examination produces mutual incrimination, Afy's admission that she was with Francis rather than Richard, and the committal of Francis and Otway for trial.
  • The prosecution establishes Francis's identity and guilt, while Richard is cleared.

• Ebenezer promises to keep Ball's inquiry confidential.

• Justice Hare's certainty that Richard murdered Hallijohn gives way to bewildered doubt when he hears of the allegation against Francis and Archibald's longstanding belief in Richard's innocence.

  • Justice Hare relinquishes his belief that Afy lived with Richard, recognizes his son's possible innocence and fears judgment of his own treatment of him.
  • Justice Hare accepts his son's innocence, acknowledges his own wrong and receives Richard's forgiveness.

• Francis and Otway are arrested for Hallijohn's murder, Francis as the alleged murderer and Otway as an alleged accomplice; their guilt remains unproved.

  • Incriminating evidence leads to refused bail and formal committal for trial; Francis faces public hostility during removal. No trial verdict has yet occurred.
  • Francis and Otway implicate one another and are committed for trial; neither has yet been convicted.
  • Francis is convicted, admits killing Hallijohn and receives a death sentence. Otway testifies for the prosecution, but these events establish no final disposition of his own accusation.
  • The trial establishes Francis as Hallijohn's murderer and sentences him to death; Otway is released.

• Jiffin expresses admiration for Afy, who recognizes his sincerity.

  • Afy breaks their engagement, causing Jiffin acute distress; she subsequently restores it, and he joyfully accepts her false explanation that the rejection was a joke.
  • Afy and Jiffin marry.

• Afy resents Ebenezer's insinuations about her past and blames him personally for serving the subpoena, declaring lasting resentment.

• Afy refuses to testify against Francis and attempts to leave town to evade attendance, but a policeman intercepts her and compels her to accompany him to the witness-room.

  • Her attempt to avoid testimony fails: threatened with imprisonment for refusing the oath, she swears and gives evidence identifying Francis as Thorn.

• Ebenezer resolves to warn Ball that Afy is likely to flee rather than attend as a witness.

• Afy obtains Mrs. Latimer's permission to leave by inventing a dying aunt who requires an urgent visit, concealing her intention to evade testimony.

• Public exposure of Afy's former life with Francis threatens her reputation; she resolves to defy gossip, then collapses on becoming convinced that her former lover murdered her father.

  • Afy's connection with Francis remains part of the public evidence, and his conviction and admission confirm that her former lover killed her father and deceived her by blaming Richard.

• Otway Bethel accepted fifty pounds from Francis to conceal knowledge exonerating Richard and implicating Francis in Hallijohn's murder; Dill's testimony exposes their arrangement.

  • Otway and Francis incriminate each other during examination, and both are committed for trial, advancing the judicial exposure of their concealed involvement.
  • Otway's testimony exposes his acceptance of the bribe, concealment of Francis's flight and false denial to Richard, together with his subsequent knowledge and guilt.

• Isabel seeks Lucy's pardon and undertakes to repair Barbara's ornament as the condition for restoring Lucy's drawing-room visit.

• Justice Hare suffers a paralytic stroke that prompts an urgent summons for Barbara and Archibald; he subsequently recovers sufficiently to be pronounced out of danger.

  • Justice Hare suffers a second paralytic stroke immediately after reconciling with Richard; his subsequent condition is not established.
  • Justice Hare suffers a second stroke in court and is brought back to West Lynne, prompting Barbara's visit.
  • Justice Hare can come downstairs and is permitted a drive, but his latest attack has diminished his mental capacity and habitual self-will.

• Joyce sees something she calls a spectre and develops persistent fear; what she saw remains undisclosed, while Afy suspects that she carries a dreadful secret.

  • The supposed spectre is explained: Joyce recognized the living Isabel by her undisguised face in moonlight.

• Alice seeks particulars of the criminal accusation against Francis; Mount Severn and Archibald refuse them, but Barbara supplies an outline while withholding Afy's later involvement.

• Alice vows publicly to repudiate Francis and deny complicity in his wrongdoing.

• The jury recommends Francis to mercy, and the judge undertakes to forward the recommendation despite sentencing him to death.

  • Francis receives a reprieve, and transportation replaces execution.

• Justice Hare acknowledges his injustice toward Richard and his need for forgiveness; Richard explicitly forgives him and reassures him of family happiness.

  • Reconciliation develops into restored domestic life: Richard commits to caring for his parents, assumes effective household authority and regains public favor, while his mother rejoices.

• Archibald promises William a quick return with Barbara and to remain with him afterward, but William dies before he returns.

• William's death leaves Isabel grieving without public acknowledgment as his mother and Archibald mourning his son in private.

  • William is buried and a memorial inscription commissioned. Isabel's maternal grief remains unrecognized, even when Archibald perceives her distress as mourning his son.
  • Isabel tells Archibald that William died with her alone beside him, revealing her previously unacknowledged presence as his mother at his death.

• Isabel promises to leave East Lynne in exchange for Joyce's continued secrecy about her identity.

  • Isabel repeatedly seeks departure before discovery or death, and Joyce urges her to leave, but she accepts a fortnight's postponement to supervise Lucy and remain near her children.
  • Isabel still intends to leave East Lynne before dying, but her deterioration makes removal impossible and she dies there.
  • Isabel dies at East Lynne without carrying out her promised departure; Archibald subsequently tells Barbara her identity.

• Joyce promises not to betray Isabel's identity and removes her from William's room before Archibald arrives.

  • Joyce urges departure while Isabel's identity remains concealed; the household attributes her decline to nursing fatigue, and Archibald mistakes her outcry for grief over William.
  • Joyce tries to preserve the secret by obstructing visits, but Cornelia recognizes Isabel independently. Joyce then explains her prior knowledge and, at Cornelia's direction, brings Archibald, who also recognizes Isabel.

• Isabel's health declines toward death; she believes treatment powerless and initially refuses a doctor, while Archibald becomes alarmed and insists on medical attendance.

  • Isabel's terminal decline ends in her death, which Cornelia reports to Archibald.
  • Isabel's decline ends in death, followed by burial.

• Barbara plans a restorative seaside visit with her baby on Monday; Isabel agrees to remain at East Lynne for a fortnight supervising Lucy without teaching, with permission to leave afterward.

  • The seaside arrangements are confirmed as a Monday departure with Archibald for a fortnight; the events do not establish their departure or Isabel's supervision of Lucy.
  • Barbara's seaside visit proceeds, but the children are taken to Cornelia's home and Isabel becomes incapable of fulfilling the agreed supervision or leaving afterward.
  • Isabel's death ends the supervision arrangement, and Barbara returns early from her seaside visit because of the news.

• Barbara and Archibald agree to name their baby Anne Barbara, called Anne; Barbara intends to hold the delayed christening with Richard as sponsor.

• Archibald undertakes to send Wainwright to examine Madame Vine, with Martin to attend if Wainwright considers it necessary; Isabel agrees to the consultation.

  • Learning that Martin has not been summoned, Archibald orders an immediate telegram for medical advice and later seeks assistance. No completed consultation is established before Isabel dies.
  • Isabel dies; these events establish no completion of the proposed medical consultation.

• Afy abandons her engagement to Jiffin to pursue marriage to Richard Hare and possession of the Grove, mistakenly interpreting Richard's testimony as evidence of continuing love; Richard rejects renewed intimacy.

  • Afy marries Jiffin, ending her pursuit of marriage to Richard.

• After Richard rejects her, Afy restores her engagement to Jiffin by falsely representing her earlier rejection as a joke; Jiffin believes her.

• Justice Hare wishes to visit the seaside; his wife agrees conditionally on his recovery, and Richard promises a later visit together, potentially with the Carlyles after Anne's stay.

• Richard undertakes to drive his father's carriage after Wainwright permits a drive the next day.

• Richard reassures his mother against renewed involvement with Afy and commits himself for several years to their home, her companionship and his father's amusement.

• Francis faces transportation with agony and wishes he had been executed, although the turnkey tells him that a ticket-of-leave may eventually be possible.

• Francis's reprieve preserves Alice's and her son's connection to him, destroying her anticipated release through his execution and provoking horror and rebellion.

• Cornelia and Isabel reconcile: Isabel absolves Cornelia of causing her flight, while Cornelia acknowledges her harshness, asks forgiveness and helps Isabel obtain an interview with Archibald.

• Recognizing Isabel alive, Archibald believes that he now has two wives; this perceived predicament remains unexamined before her death.

  • Isabel's death ends Archibald's perceived predicament of having two living wives without establishing whether his interpretation was correct.

• Archibald promises to retain affection for Isabel.

  • Archibald grants Isabel full forgiveness and attends her burial.

• Archibald undertakes to summon Lord Mount Severn by telegram as Isabel approaches death.

  • Archibald sends the telegram, and Mount Severn arrives and learns Isabel's identity and death, although he arrives too late to see her alive.

• Mount Severn proposes a small white-marble gravestone for Isabel bearing only the initials I. M. V. and the year.

• Learning that Madame Vine was Isabel makes Barbara fear that Isabel's death has displaced Archibald's love for her; his assurances restore her trust and dispel the fear.

• Archibald asks that Isabel's name remain unmentioned between himself and Barbara, and Barbara agrees.

• Barbara commits herself to overcoming jealousy of Isabel's children and loving them as her own; she believes her jealousy nearly overcome and discloses the struggle to Archibald.

Places

Mount Severn, West Lynne, East Lynne, Castle Marling, The Grove, London, Liverpool, Carlyle offices, Carlyle residence, Abbey Wood, Swainson, Lynneborough, The East Lynne pew, France, Germany, Paris, England, Boulogne, Hotel des Bains, Ems, Petit Camp, Richmond, Grand Rue, Levison Park, Bean Lane, Grenoble, Savoy, Switzerland, Place Grenette, Tross Dauphins, Hotel des Ambassadeurs, Cammere, Scotland, Mount Severn Arms, India, Ireland, Stalkenberg, Castle of Stalkenberg, Ludwig Bad, Heaven, Eaton Square, Scotland Yard, Norway, Raven Inn, The Raven, Swainson road, Eton, Paddington