Gay Lawless guide

Summary

Characters

• CarltonAlso MackrellSuitorFrom Chapter 1
• ChrisAlso HannenLoveFrom Chapter 1
• FrankAlso LawlessHelperFrom Chapter 1
• GayAlso LawlessLeadFrom Chapter 1
• MinAlso TopladyHelperFrom Chapter 1
• BobAlso TopladyOtherFrom Chapter 1
• The ProfessorHelperFrom Chapter 2
• EffieAlso BulteelHelperFrom Chapter 2
• LossieAlso HoldenSuitorFrom Chapter 2
• TomAlso BulteelOtherFrom Chapter 2
• TugwoodHelperFrom Chapter 3
• ScottyOtherFrom Chapter 4
• SummersOtherFrom Chapter 4
• LaviniaHelperFrom Chapter 4
• RensslaerHelperFrom Chapter 5
• GeorgeAlso ConantOtherFrom Chapter 5
• Mr. VanderbiltOtherFrom Chapter 22

Chapter by chapter

Storylines

• Carlton is pleased by Gay's attention but uncertain about his romantic prospects and whether Chris has a claim on her.

  • Carlton recognizes Gay's wish to visit the stables with him, and she accepts the opportunity to go together; his romantic prospects remain unsettled.
  • Gay offers Carlton solidarity and comfort as a fellow supporter of trotting.
  • Carlton infers that Chris has proposed unsuccessfully, while his own wish to propose is frustrated by Gay's avoidance.
  • Carlton regrets introducing Rensslaer as the latter displaces him as Gay's principal trotting mentor, while winning Gay becomes Carlton's overriding goal.
  • Carlton assists Gay during the race, responds protectively to her distress, and takes her home beside him.
  • Carlton's delight at finding no engagement gives way to acceptance that Gay loves Chris, but he sees their disagreement as an opportunity.
  • Gay accepts Carlton, but her cold reception of his kiss disappoints him and exposes a lack of reciprocal happiness.

• Gay and her former nurse Min renew their affectionate connection, and Gay intends to visit her again.

  • Gay publicly maintains her affectionate connection with Min, renews her promise to visit, shares a racing tip, and receives Min's delight in her success.
  • Min praises Gay's performance and agrees to go immediately to support her.
  • Min gains access to Gay's bedroom, settles her in bed and comforts her sufficiently to laugh.

• Gay becomes acquainted with Min's husband Bob, whose confidence she restores through her enthusiasm.

• Gay intends to learn more about trotting by visiting Min again and asking Carlton about Bob's explanation.

  • Carlton supplies further information about her horses' times and handicaps and confirms she can watch their exercise; another visit to Min remains unfulfilled.
  • Gay gains further knowledge of trotting through Rensslaer, including its American following and the international standard of speed.
  • Gay deepens her practical understanding of trotting through driving and Rensslaer's instruction, although the earlier proposed consultations are not recorded here.
  • Gay gains further knowledge of trotting horses' specialized care and equipment, although her earlier proposed inquiries to Min and Carlton are not fulfilled here.

• Gay wants to buy and race trotting horses and may drive them herself; she commits despite Carlton's objections.

  • Gay declares her settled intention to race and identifies obtaining horses as the prerequisite to starting, maintaining her commitment despite Frank's refusal.
  • Gay specifies that she wants a horse capable of competing for the Champion Vase and dreams of record-breaking horses and winning the trophy.
  • Gay remains eager to begin trotting, and Carlton believes he has found two useful trotters for her.
  • Gay now owns two trotters and makes concrete arrangements to race and watch their training.
  • Gay now has horses under training and completes her first solo drive, finding it exhilarating despite difficulty stopping. She abandons a disguise-based scheme to drive at the next meeting and agrees to postpone driving Maudie, but continues considering racing entries.
  • Gay's horse wins both his heat and the final, earning prize money and public acclaim; her ambition to race trotters becomes a successful practice.
  • Despite disappointment at her horses' comparative performance, Gay refuses to abandon trotting and seeks private advice about driving herself.
  • Gay completes a practice race, gains driving experience and feels an increasingly intense desire to drive in a real race.
  • Chris's accident produces an aversion to racing of every kind, putting Gay's enthusiasm for her own racing venture in doubt without establishing that she abandons it.
  • Gay's horse qualifies for the final, and she takes the driver's place herself to public acclaim; the final's outcome remains pending.
  • Gay personally drives her horse to victory and receives the Gold Vase, fulfilling her ambition to compete as a driver.
  • Gay's victory loses its pleasure, and her recognition of the sport's danger, vulgarity and acquisitiveness undermines her enthusiasm for pursuing it.
  • Gay insists on fulfilling her horses' engagements and continuing to attend meetings. She briefly entertains giving up trotting but makes no promise.
  • Public discomfort, the driver's serious injury and her horse's defeat undermine Gay's enthusiasm, leaving her disgusted with the surroundings and without her former pleasure in trotting.
  • Gay questions her sporting ambitions, recalls evidence that trotting is dangerous, and becomes thoroughly disillusioned with the sport.
  • Gay abandons trotting and her horses are sold, ending her racing ambition.

• Gay intends to proceed with taking up trotting without consulting Frank.

  • Gay discloses the venture to Frank as an already settled decision, carrying through her intention to decide without consulting him.

• Gay seeks Carlton's help in buying trotting horses, and he commits to making his advice available.

  • Carlton's promised assistance and advice become part of Gay's stated arrangements for proceeding.
  • Carlton promises to look for a suitable horse and inform Gay.
  • Carlton's promised assistance becomes a concrete prospect: he believes he has located two suitable horses for Gay.
  • Carlton has bought Silver Streak and Maudie T. for Gay.

• Carlton objects to Gay's proposed entry into trotting, while Gay remains determined to proceed.

  • Carlton abandons his intention to enter Gay's horses for five distant meetings and accepts Chris's view that current trotting circles are unsuitable for young women, reinforcing his reservations about her involvement.
  • Carlton yields an advantage to Gay and explicitly expresses strong approval of her driving, reversing his earlier opposition.

• Gay and Frank share a home after their parents' deaths; he occasionally accompanies her socially and fears losing her companionship through marriage.

  • Min makes Frank recognize Gay's loneliness and his neglected duty to her, presenting her admirers as possible sources of happiness. He feels crushed by his failure to congratulate Gay on her victory.
  • Frank recognizes that Gay may find companionship elsewhere and leave him without hers.
  • Gay cites Frank's dependence on her as an obstacle to marriage, making their household bond an explicit constraint on her future.
  • Gay threatens to leave home over Frank's opposition, then feels contrition and reassures him through affection and care.
  • Gay travels abroad with Frank, returns at his insistence and nurses him through a prolonged illness, before preparing to leave those duties for marriage.

• The drunken cook attacks Sanders, creating a household confrontation that Frank evades and Gay undertakes to handle.

• Frank refuses consent to Gay's racing venture, while Gay insists she has decided; his disparagement of Carlton, Chris and sportsmen further antagonizes her.

  • Lossie reinforces Frank's opposition, and he acts on it by visiting Min and complaining about Gay's trotting enthusiasm. Min challenges his position, but no withdrawal of his opposition is recorded.
  • Gay's sporting publicity shocks and humiliates Frank, while she enjoys it and hopes it promotes trotting; his anger subsequently begins to diminish.
  • Frank discovers Gay driving, learns that Rensslaer enabled her participation, and vows to prevent a repetition.
  • Frank demands withdrawal of the horses and a journey abroad. Gay refuses and threatens to leave home; he abandons his immediate attempt to compel obedience, without securing her agreement to stop.
  • Frank continues opposing Gay's Trotting and recruits Chris to discourage her.

• Gay plans to win Frank over by inviting Carlton alone to dinner, discarding her invitations to Chris and Lossie and requesting that Carlton's invitation be posted.

  • Gay recognises that the hoped-for conversion has not occurred, and Carlton leaves without any recorded change in Frank's opposition.

• Carlton aims to win this year's Champion Vase.

  • Carlton's horse wins its heat and semi-final and becomes the overwhelming favourite for the final.
  • Carlton finishes last, Gay wins the Vase, and his permanent exclusion from Clubhouse driving closes his route to winning it.

• Gay asks Carlton to find her a trainer; he privately intends to transfer his trainer Tugwood to her.

  • Carlton has arranged to lend Gay his trainer, although he privately regards the arrangement as lasting only while her enthusiasm continues.
  • The proposed transfer is accomplished: Tugwood has left Carlton's employment and become Gay's trainer.

• Chris pursues horse training as a devoted hobby.

• Scotty commits to backing the promising young horse and urges Chris to bet heavily when betting opens.

• Chris plans to run the unreliable mare in a Selling Hurdle at Wye next week and sell her afterward regardless of the result; Scotty supports selling her.

• Chris welcomes Gay's attention but feels uneasy about her trotting enthusiasm and jealous of Carlton's increased opportunities to be with her.

  • Chris checks his fantasy of a shared life with Gay, learns of her arrangements with Carlton, commits to attending her race and resents Lossie's interruption.
  • Chris anticipates seeing Gay and welcomes an excuse to buy her gloves. Gay questions the depth of her affection, bets on him, follows him closely during the race, and feels anxiety followed by rapture at his victory; Effie notices her attention centres on Chris.
  • Chris is disappointed to find Gay with visitors and alarmed by encouragement of her independence. Her rebuff strains their connection, though she softens it by mentioning Friday's dance; he strengthens his resolve to propose.
  • Chris secures time with Gay and declares his wish to marry her. Her refusal deeply disappoints him, but he continues his courtship.
  • Chris fears Carlton's apparent sacrifice will bind Gay to his rival, while his concern for her prompts discreet practical support.

• Chris has confided in Gay about his deceased mother, his closest companion, and his regret that he did not do more for her.

  • Gay shows concern for Chris's safety, and he responds by reassuring her about Beeswing.
  • Lavinia leads Chris to recognise that his mother's unselfish example can continue to influence his conduct after her death.

• Chris intends to lose another pound or two before racing at Kempton.

• Summers resents the stable lads' gossip about her and the butcher and threatens to box the ears of any lad she hears discussing her affairs.

• Gay intends to race one of her horses at Waterloo Park on Monday and hopes to win.

  • Gay races Silver Streak at Waterloo Park, where he wins both his heat and the final.

• Chris intends to attend Gay's race on Monday.

  • Chris attends Gay's race, watches Silver Streak compete, and accompanies the party to the horse after the victory.

• Chris intends to ride Beeswing at Kempton on Wednesday.

  • Chris rides Beeswing at Kempton and wins the steeplechase by three lengths.

• Lossie has fallen genuinely in love with Carlton.

  • Lossie's longing for Carlton intensifies, and news of his return delights her.
  • Lossie's overwhelming joy at Carlton's return and discouragement at his renewed pursuit of Gay reveal her continuing attachment.
  • Lossie imagines riding behind a fine pair with Carlton, but her hope of winning him declines as his hopes of Gay increase.
  • Confirmation of Carlton's engagement causes Lossie anguish; fear of his resentment prevents her from approaching him herself.
  • Lossie's former declaration increasingly occupies Carlton, while her engagement to George causes him acute distress; her current feelings toward Carlton remain uncertain.
  • Lossie's enduring love culminates in engagement and marriage to Carlton despite her pain over his concern for Gay.

• Lossie resents Gay's advantages and the men's attention to her, and sees trotting as bringing Gay closer to Carlton.

  • Lossie's renewed insecurity about her prospects is compounded by hearing another man's praise of Gay's growing attractiveness.
  • Lossie delights in Gay's despondency over her horse's prospects.
  • Lossie welcomes Gay's driving as a possible means of ending Carlton's affection, but he openly approves Gay and takes charge of escorting her home.
  • Min's taunts and defence of Gay provoke Lossie's fury.

• Gay intends to keep her trotters at Flytton and watch their morning exercise.

• Frank perceives Lossie as sympathetic to his disapproval of the horse conversation.

  • Lossie actively encourages Frank to stop Gay's trotting and influences him against it, while becoming exasperated by his failure to assert himself.

• Lossie plans to pursue Carlton after Gay marries Chris, treating Frank as an unwelcome alternative.

  • Lossie's expectation that Gay's conduct will alienate Carlton is contradicted by his approval and protective attention to Gay.
  • Carlton's return and Chris's prospective reunion with Gay renew Lossie's optimism about her prospects, although neither marriage is secured.
  • Her attempt to direct Carlton toward accepting Gay's attachment to Chris fails to deter him; she anticipates waiting for his rejection and return.
  • Gay is engaged to Carlton, and Lossie retreats from the opportunity Gay offers to declare her love.
  • Gay's wedding to Carlton is fixed for December, while Lossie becomes engaged to George, further obstructing her earlier plan to obtain Carlton after Gay married Chris.

• Heron seeks Gay's help in persuading Chris to abandon racing.

• Gay is troubled by the danger of Chris's racing but takes increasing delight in watching him compete.

  • Gay backs Chris and watches him race, but his severe accident realizes the danger she feared; learning that he is alive brings her comfort.
  • Gay's distress becomes a resolve against sharing a life exposed to Chris's racing danger, while Chris already plans his return.
  • Gay gains a fuller appreciation of Chris's devotion to horses while the fearless young horseman's injuries and resemblance to Chris renew the connection between sporting mastery and physical danger.
  • Chris's accident has transformed Gay's understanding of racing danger; his casual attitude irritates her, and fear of his death returns.
  • Chris's praise of racing irritates Gay, and his absorption in jumping repeatedly deprives her of the happiness his attention gives her.
  • Chris's absorption in dangerous riding and envy of a reckless competitor renew Gay's unhappiness about his attachment to racing.

• Heron reacts with horror and disgust to Gay's intention to drive her own trotting horse.

• Gay intends to return soon for further driving practice, and Tugwood promises to prepare for her visits if she writes.

  • Gay returns to Inigo Court and undertakes further driving practice, this time in a race with Rensslaer.

• Rensslaer intends to obtain an introduction to Gay through Carlton after watching her first drive and learning her identity.

  • Carlton brings Rensslaer to tea, and Rensslaer becomes personally acquainted with Gay.

• Gay considers entering Silver Streak for the Champion Vase.

  • Gay's contemplated Vase entry has become participation: her horse reaches the final despite interference and damaged equipment. Rensslaer revives the exhausted horse, and Gay replaces the drunken driver.
  • Gay's contemplated Champion Vase entry culminates in victory and receipt of the trophy.

• Lossie disapproves of Gay's public friendship with Min, whose cold reception prompts Chris to side publicly with Min.

  • Gay reports Lossie's disparagement of Min to Frank, carrying the disagreement over their friendship into the household.
  • Lossie's hostility toward Min intensifies during Min's defence of Gay.

• Lossie vows never to attend Waterloo Park or another trotting meeting again.

  • Lossie attends Waterloo Park despite her vow never to return.

• Tugwood directs that his eight pounds in heat winnings be staked on Silver Streak in the final across several bookmakers.

• Carlton advises Tugwood to treat the crimson-jacketed competitor as the principal danger in the final; Tugwood follows the advice and Silver Streak wins.

• Frank seeks Min's help in persuading Gay to abandon trotting.

• Frank feels an unusual attraction to Lossie, although she is exasperated by his passivity.

  • Frank dances with Lossie despite becoming exhausted and commits to further dances with her.
  • Learning that Lossie would marry him if she cannot secure someone else terrifies Frank, who flees and locks himself in his laboratory.

• Frank's appeal to Min encounters her defence of trotting and criticism of his neglect of Gay; he recognizes Gay's loneliness and feels remorse.

  • Min's warning continues to affect Frank: as his anger subsides, he recognizes the prospect of losing Gay's companionship.
  • Min again challenges interference with Gay, advising Frank to leave her alone and restrain Lossie.

• Gay hopes her public identification as a trotting enthusiast will help promote the sport.

  • Gay is recognized on the journey and receives enthusiastic public acclaim when she appears as a driver, increasing her public identification with trotting; an effect on the sport's wider popularity is not yet established.
  • Gay's driving attracts cheers and illustrated press coverage, but the papers present her appearance as scandalous, complicating her hope of promoting trotting.
  • Gay's modest appearance contradicts spectators' expectations, while the trotting community credits her with winning Rensslaer's support for the sport.
  • Sensational press treatment continues while Gay's own enthusiasm for promoting trotting has given way to disillusionment.

• The sender of the annotated newspaper and the meaning of its blue-pencil question mark remain unknown; Gay tries to explain both.

• Gay and Rensslaer become acquainted; his liking for her increases, and she seeks another visit.

  • Their friendship grows through Gay's appreciation of Rensslaer's character, her disclosure of her driving ambition and his practical support and instruction.
  • Rensslaer understands Gay's distress, and she values his tactful sympathy; he also offers further companionship through the Waterloo Park outing.
  • Their companionship develops through the outing, his instruction and reassurance, his aid to her horse, and his lending her the wagon for her own drive.
  • Rensslaer helps Gay through the aftermath, looks after her trophy, escorts her to Frank, and acknowledges supplying the vehicle and suggesting she use it.
  • Rensslaer visits, brings reassuring news of Carlton and renews his offers of personal assistance and companionship.
  • Rensslaer accompanies Gay, investigates the injured driver's condition for her and supplies her with a racing stopwatch, continuing their friendship through practical attention.
  • Gay recognizes Rensslaer's tact, while his liking develops into admiration and sympathy for her changed condition.
  • The visit deepens Gay's admiration and warmth toward Rensslaer: she discovers his artistic gifts, family history and emotional depth, and appreciates his consideration for her feelings.
  • Rensslaer's tour gives Gay a fuller acquaintance with his horses, methods and breeding ambitions, extending their shared interest.
  • Rensslaer renews his invitation and offer of driving opportunities, while their association has prompted newspaper reports of an engagement.
  • Rensslaer's regular company and intellectual influence broaden Gay's sympathies and address needs Carlton had overlooked.

• Rensslaer intends to arrange an International Horse Show with proper classes for American trotters.

  • The forthcoming Olympia show attracts widespread interest, and Rensslaer enthusiastically prepares his intended exhibits.
  • The Horse Show includes the intended trotting competition; Rensslaer wins it, and Carlton recognizes the American trotters' capabilities and beauty.

• Chris wants to restrain Gay's trotting involvement, while Gay resents his apparent support for discouraging her and reasserts her independence.

  • Chris recognizes that his own dangerous racing causes Gay distress comparable to his concern over her trotting.
  • Chris's reproof and arguments about driving accidents provoke renewed resistance; Gay denies his authority to criticize Trotting while he continues racing.
  • Their disagreement over sporting interests produces mutual hurt and Gay's private grief; Chris's attempt to avoid horse talk does not restore their ease.
  • Chris abandons steeplechasing to marry Gay, meeting the condition she had proposed for giving up Trotting.

• Gay intends to discuss driving her own trotter privately with Rensslaer and invites him to return soon.

  • Gay discusses her ambition to drive with Rensslaer, and the conversation produces a concrete arrangement for a practice race.

• Chris resolves to propose to Gay at Friday's dance, partly to secure what he considers a right to protect her.

  • Chris carries out his planned proposal at the dance. Gay declines marriage for now, although he asks her to reconsider.

• Chris wants to marry Gay, but she refuses marriage for a long time, citing Frank's dependence and her wish to remain a girl; Chris keeps his suit open.

  • Seeing Chris motionless makes Gay certain that she loves him, and Effie recognizes her strengthened attachment. Gay has not yet withdrawn her refusal of marriage.
  • Gay now privately makes a shared future conditional on Chris abandoning racing, while his intention to resume it creates a further obstacle. Rensslaer infers that she loves Chris.
  • Chris interprets abandoning racing as Gay's condition for accepting him, while Gay begins questioning the selfishness of that demand.
  • Gay and Chris love each other, but marriage remains obstructed because neither yields over his racing.
  • Lavinia reassures Chris that Gay loves him, but her earlier rejection still hurts him, and he postpones the choice that obstructs their union.
  • Gay's irritation and alternating happiness and disappointment with Chris deepen their unresolved romantic difficulty; Effie and Lossie anticipate the developing romantic outcome.
  • Chris commits to sacrificing his sport for Gay and intends to tell her that his love has prevailed; her response remains unknown.
  • Chris intends to propose after giving up racing, but Gay has promised to marry Carlton and refuses to break that promise herself.
  • Chris proposes an early marriage, but Gay confirms her engagement to Carlton, rejects Chris's marital claim and sends him away.
  • Gay becomes free to marry Chris, but his refusal to forgive her delays their reunion until they finally reconcile; no marriage agreement is recorded.

• Carlton wants to propose to Gay, but her avoidance of opportunities frustrates him.

  • Carlton's determination to win Gay intensifies as his former position as her principal trotting mentor diminishes; no proposal is recorded.
  • Gay interprets Carlton's conduct as creating a debt of honour, but these events establish neither a proposal nor her romantic acceptance.
  • Chris's accusation that Carlton is exploiting Gay's obligation leaves Carlton feeling unable to propose; he commits to await her summons.
  • Carlton renews his determination to pursue Gay despite recognizing her love for Chris.
  • Carlton proposes and Gay accepts.

• Rensslaer commits to taking Gay to Inigo Court and driving a practice race with her.

  • Rensslaer brings Gay to Elsinore, explains his training track and demonstrates his horses, then leads her to the stables. Their proposed practice race has not yet occurred.

• Gay conceals her driving outing from Frank and Lossie by using a Flytton invitation as cover.

  • The concealment of Gay's driving involvement ends when Frank and Lossie recognize her racing, and Rensslaer confirms his assistance to Frank.

• Chris's racing accident leaves him severely injured, making his recovery an immediate concern for Gay and Frank.

  • Chris regains consciousness and is reported to be progressing satisfactorily under medical care, but continued supervision and Gay's anxious pursuit of news show that recovery remains an active concern.
  • Chris recovers enough to use a sofa and dismiss his nurses, but anxiety brings feverishness and renewed depression despite temporary reassurance.
  • Chris remains incapacitated and is distressed that his injuries restrict his ability to support Gay.
  • Chris's health improves enough for him to hope to visit Gay next week; his recovery remains incomplete.
  • Chris has recovered sufficiently to visit Gay, although their differing responses to his accident create fresh strain.
  • Chris's unhealthy appearance shocks Carlton, while a passing woman's description and glance at Chris hurt Gay.

• Frank plans to take Chris home to Epsom by ambulance, stay overnight, and entrust him to a local doctor if no complications arise.

  • Care under an Epsom doctor confirms the local-treatment part of the arrangement; the Professor continues supervising and plans another visit. Frank's overnight stay is not confirmed.

• Gay resolves that Chris must choose between racing and a shared life with her, because she cannot endure the continual danger of his death or disablement.

  • Gay's demand that Chris abandon racing becomes apparent to him; she then questions her selfishness without overcoming her fear for his life.
  • Gay would marry Chris if he abandoned racing, but neither will surrender their position.
  • Chris retains an extensive autumn programme, refuses the alternative employment, and defers choosing between Gay and steeplechasing.
  • Chris chooses Gay over racing, meeting her desired condition in intention, but has yet to communicate his decision.
  • Chris chooses to abandon steeplechasing for a future with Gay, and she learns of his decision.

• Lossie's unpaid dressmaker threatens legal action; Gay gives her thirty pounds to meet the account, although Lossie's wider financial and marriage prospects remain insecure.

  • Lossie's engagement to the newly wealthy George materially improves her financial and marriage prospects, though the events do not establish settlement of her debts.

• Chris intends to return to racing before steeplechasing ends this month.

  • Chris's continuing incapacity prevents his intended return to racing.
  • Chris's commitment to relinquish racing supersedes his intention to return before the season ends.
  • Chris abandons his intention to return to steeplechasing.

• Rensslaer offers to drive Gay to Waterloo Park and intends to drive his own entry outside the Vase competition.

  • Rensslaer takes Gay to Waterloo Park and drives Hettie C. in a separate timed trial, establishing an English pacing record.

• With her driver incapacitated by drink, Gay undertakes to drive her horse in the final using Rensslaer's speed wagon.

  • Gay completes the final herself, wins it, and receives the Gold Vase.

• Gay's public appearance as a driver becomes a press scandal despite her victory and the spectators' cheers.

  • Criticism makes Gay question her appearance and resent its treatment; she feels her family's pain, explains the circumstances to Frank, and the press account reaches Chris.
  • A misleading illustration intensifies the scandal. Gay appears publicly with Effie, leading observers to conclude that she is unashamed rather than penitent.
  • Gay remains an object of public curiosity and photographic attention, and experiences the meeting as an acute public ordeal.
  • Newspaper editors continue turning Gay's circumstances into sensational material through selective editing.
  • Gay's extensive press exposure brings crowds, new acquaintances, altered treatment by men and speculation about an engagement.

• Carlton's deliberate tampering with his horse's toe-weight screw is exposed by the inquiry, and he is permanently barred from Clubhouse driving.

  • Gay, Lossie and Chris learn the specific charge and permanent punishment; Gay interprets Carlton's disgrace as a sacrifice for her and feels guilt and obligation.
  • Carlton's cheating is exposed and his exclusion from trotting is confirmed.

• Gay believes Carlton sacrificed himself to secure her victory and feels bound to repay a debt of honour.

  • Carlton's sacrificed reputation remains salient, and Gay contrasts his devotion with Chris's disapproving tone.
  • Gay confides that she feels she is mistreating Carlton despite his self-sacrifice, sustaining her sense of obligation to him.
  • Gay rewards Carlton's devotion by accepting him and treats her promise as binding despite her love for Chris.
  • Carlton's release of Gay renews her recognition of his sacrifices and her wish to express gratitude.

• Chris fears that Gay's sense of obligation to Carlton will threaten his own hopes of marrying her.

  • Chris confronts Carlton over exploiting Gay's obligation and anticipates Min promoting Carlton's suit. Carlton withdraws from proposing, and the men reconcile, but Chris's concern about Min remains.
  • Lavinia addresses Chris's fear directly by assuring him that Gay loves him rather than Carlton, while conveying Gay's continuing guilt over Carlton.
  • The threat Chris feared materializes: Gay's wish to reward Carlton leads to an engagement she feels obliged to maintain.
  • Chris's feared obstacle becomes explicit: Gay confirms that she is bound to Carlton and rejects Chris.
  • Carlton releases Gay and marries Lossie, removing his engagement as an obstacle to Chris.

• Chris secretly enlists Min to support Gay immediately and, if possible, report her condition to him; Min agrees without revealing his intervention.

  • Min carries out the requested visit and comforts Gay. Gay then learns that Chris sent her, ending the concealment of his intervention.

• Chris wants company and especially a conversation with Carlton; Carlton's arrival provides an opportunity.

  • Chris has the desired conversation with Carlton; despite their confrontation, they reconcile and Chris offers support.

• Carlton commits not to approach Gay unless she sends for him.

  • Carlton has resumed his pursuit and proposed; the earlier undertaking to refrain from approaching Gay no longer governs his conduct.

• Gay requests Carlton's visit the next morning, but he announces plans to go to Paris and says he cannot come.

  • Gay seeks news of Carlton, but his express letter confirms that he leaves that day and cannot visit before departing.

• Gay feels abandoned when Min joins the opposition to her trotting.

  • Gay remains acutely friendless and intends to make Min accompany her to meetings despite Min's opposition.
  • The photographers strengthen Min's conviction that trotting is a mistake for Gay and has diminished her standing.

• Gay urgently wants to see and speak with Chris, but Frank refuses her repeated requests to accompany his visits.

  • Gay learns that Chris hopes to visit her next week, creating a prospect of the meeting she has been denied.
  • Chris visits Gay, giving her the meeting and conversation she had urgently wanted.

• Min exposes Lossie's conditional intention to marry Frank, frightening him into retreat.

  • Frank remains shocked by Min's remarks about Lossie the following morning.

• Min urges Frank to leave Gay alone and prevent Lossie from interfering.

• Gay plans to secure Min as her companion at trotting meetings.

• Carlton blames Rensslaer for allowing Gay to drive instead of replacing her incapacitated driver himself.

• Carlton considers racing his horses in Vienna and Paris with Rensslaer's assistance and plans an immediate trip abroad, possibly for a cure at Aix.

  • Carlton has left England and now announces an intended return for the Horse Show; his proposed foreign racing and cure remain unconfirmed.

• Rensslaer urges Gay to stop entering her horses after their existing engagements, although he continues to offer her driving opportunities and his company.

  • Gay's disillusionment moves her toward the withdrawal Rensslaer urged; he learns of it, and she recognizes his tact in delaying his invitation.

• Rensslaer renews his invitation for Gay to drive in Vienna and promises to return from wherever he is to escort her to meetings.

  • Rensslaer's Vienna invitation and offer of a Trotter remain active, and Gay's wish for recognition abroad strengthens their appeal.

• Gay demands Effie's support despite Effie's reservations; Effie responds to her reproaches by offering conditional support and accompanying her publicly.

  • Effie follows through on her offer of public companionship by attending and leaving the meeting with Gay.

• Effie promises to persuade Tom to drive them to Gay's next trotting meeting and to stand by Gay if he agrees.

  • Tom brings the party to the meeting by coach, and Effie attends with Gay, fulfilling her conditional promise.

• Gay grows closer to Lavinia through frequent visits and shared charitable work; Lavinia's praise of Chris deepens Gay's pleasure in his generosity.

  • Lavinia comforts Gay, tells her of Chris's charitable gifts and provides an example that challenges Gay's priorities.
  • Gay continues visiting Lavinia and responds with alarm to her illness and attitude toward old age.
  • Gay remains close to Lavinia through her final illness, and Lavinia's death ends their living companionship.

• Gay's encounters with poverty undermine her confidence in her spending and sporting ambitions.

  • Learning more about charity and considering Lavinia's example lead Gay to question her ambitions and expenditure.

• Concerned by Gay's decline, Min wants Carlton to return, marry Gay and establish a country household.

• Tugwood resents Gay's waning enthusiasm and blames her for failing to obtain Rensslaer's practical involvement.

• Gay wants to travel on and drive a fine coach.

• Carlton intends to return to England for the Horse Show.

  • Carlton has returned to England and rejoins the group.

• Chris hopes to recover sufficiently to visit Gay next week.

  • Chris recovers sufficiently to make the hoped-for visit.

• Gay's tenderness toward Chris deepens during his absence and suffering.

  • The display draws Gay's thoughts repeatedly to Chris, deepens her understanding of his world and makes her long for his companionship.
  • Gay recognizes that she loves Chris and needs his companionship, despite the coldness and anger she displays.
  • Gay's resentment at Chris's apparent neglect gives way to grief over their lost future and explicit recognition of her love for him.
  • Gay welcomes Chris's kiss, suffers at his departure and explicitly declares that she loves him.
  • Chris's devotion to Lavinia and grief deepen Gay's love and concern, culminating in their mutual reconciliation.

• Rensslaer cultivates Frank's goodwill through his interest in rare books and the offer of a coveted edition as a gift.

  • Rensslaer comes to stay with Gay and Frank at Elsinore, extending his association with the household during Frank's recovery.

• Gay promises to invite Chris to Elsinore later and prevent him from meeting the young rider.

  • Gay tells Chris that Rensslaer wants him to visit Elsinore; no arrangement concerning the young rider is established.
  • Chris has visited Elsinore, and Gay correctly concludes that Rensslaer kept the young rider out of sight.

• Rensslaer decides to make Chris an offer whose terms remain unspecified.

  • Rensslaer makes the proposed offer concrete: a land-agency paying a thousand a year, with a house and restricted riding privileges. Chris refuses it.
  • Chris intends to tell Rensslaer that he accepts the offer of St. Swithin's.
  • Rensslaer's offer is specified as a thousand a year and a house at Elsinore conditional on abandoning steeplechasing, and Chris accepts.

• Rensslaer aims to improve English hackneys by crossing them with trotters.

• Gay's growing passion for horses is troubled by her fear that they may compete with her happiness with Chris.

  • Their sporting commitments produce mutual hurt and resistance, followed by Gay's reconsideration of her demand and Chris's acceptance that all three share similar selfishness.
  • Sport remains entangled with their unhappiness: Gay grieves over loving someone who causes her sorrow, and Chris explicitly postpones choosing between racing and her.
  • Chris removes racing as the obstacle to their marriage; Gay's existing promise to Carlton now prevents their union.

• Gay and Frank plan to go abroad early in July.

  • Gay and Frank make their planned journey abroad and subsequently return to England.

• Gay seeks recognition abroad to compensate for the ridicule she has received in England.

• Newspapers represent Gay as engaged to Rensslaer, introducing a public account of their relationship that she learns from Chris.

• Frank asks Chris to persuade Gay to abandon Trotting.

• Carlton mistakenly believes Rensslaer loves Gay and suspects she reciprocates, making their friendship an apparent obstacle to his pursuit.

• Lossie seeks to discourage Carlton's pursuit of Gay by telling him that Gay and Chris love each other and are divided only by his racing.

  • Gay concludes that Lossie's attempt has failed, and Carlton renews his determination to retain the engagement despite knowing Gay loves Chris.

• Carlton resolves to win Gay at all hazards by exploiting her disagreement with Chris over steeplechasing.

  • Carlton recognizes Gay's dissatisfaction with Chris, increasing his hope of winning her through their disagreement.
  • Carlton obtains Gay's promise of marriage while her estrangement from Chris makes her receptive to his devotion.
  • Carlton asserts his engagement and keeps Gay's promise even after hearing her love for Chris, although his success leaves him bitter.
  • Carlton seeks time alone with Gay, acquires a house, gives her jewels and secures a wedding date, but experiences humiliation over his exploitation of her and both women's indifference.
  • Carlton abandons his determination to possess Gay, recognizes her exclusive love for Chris, and releases her.

• Chris resents Rensslaer's attempt to redirect him from racing into a serious career and suspects Gay's involvement; Rensslaer is disappointed by his refusal.

  • Chris reverses his refusal and plans to accept Rensslaer's offer, although he has not yet conveyed that acceptance.
  • Chris reverses his refusal and accepts Rensslaer's offer, committing to give up steeplechasing.
  • Chris's earlier refusal is superseded by his acceptance of employment at Elsinore and abandonment of steeplechasing.

• Chris postpones deciding between steeplechasing and Gay until after the Horse Show.

  • Chris ends his deferral by deciding to relinquish steeplechasing for Gay.

• Rensslaer intends to give Gay her choice of his horses as a wedding present, initially assuming she will marry Chris.

• Gay and Carlton become engaged, although Gay accepts him to reward his devotion and subsequently regrets losing her future with Chris.

  • Gay publicly confirms the engagement, and Carlton insists on retaining it despite her love for Chris and her evident distress.
  • The engagement advances toward a December wedding and a shared home, while Gay increasingly regrets accepting Carlton and longs for domestic life with Chris.
  • Carlton ends their engagement, and Gay recognizes her release with renewed happiness.

• Gay feels bound by her promise to Carlton despite loving Chris; she will leave release to Carlton without telling him whom she loves.

  • Gay honours her promise by rejecting Chris, then tells Carlton explicitly that she loves Chris. Carlton nevertheless resolves to hold her to the engagement.
  • Gay continues toward marriage despite regretting her acceptance, imagining a family with Chris and feeling distress at the prospect of living with Carlton.
  • Carlton voluntarily releases Gay after recognizing whom she loves, ending her obligation to marry him.

• Chris intends to tell Gay that he has abandoned steeplechasing and ask her to marry him.

  • Chris announces that he has abandoned steeplechasing and proposes marriage, but Gay rejects his claim because she is engaged to Carlton.

• Gay recognizes Lossie's love for Carlton and sympathizes with her suffering, permitting her to offer him her love.

  • Gay's understanding of Lossie deepens into closer friendship and a less severe judgment, although she sometimes suspects calculation behind Lossie's engagement.
  • Gay helps leave Carlton and Lossie alone and subsequently recognizes their engagement and her own release.

• Gay and Carlton fix their wedding for December, with Gay expected to leave her nursing duties as Frank recovers.

  • The planned wedding between Gay and Carlton is cancelled; Carlton marries Lossie.

• Carlton becomes increasingly preoccupied with Lossie and suffers rage, heartache and loneliness after her engagement to George, despite convincing himself that her earlier declaration was mercenary and her interest has ended.

  • Carlton's renewed warmth toward Lossie leads to engagement and marriage; he becomes resigned to the marriage and proud of her.

• Mrs Elkins intends to sign a replacement will disinheriting George, but an incapacitating attack prevents her from carrying out the change.

• After acquiring a fortune, George approaches Lossie and becomes engaged to her, overjoyed by her acceptance.

  • Lossie ends her engagement to George and marries Carlton.

• Lavinia's declining health alarms Gay, particularly when Lavinia suggests that old people may welcome illness.

  • Lavinia's decline becomes a grave final illness and ends in her death.

• Gay intermittently suspects that Lossie is using George as a pawn in a calculated game, but Lossie's purpose remains unconfirmed.

  • Lossie's abandonment of George to marry Carlton strengthens the grounds for Gay's earlier suspicion, but no event confirms that the original engagement was a calculated device.

• Rensslaer arranges for Carlton and Lossie to meet without George, while he and Gay withdraw to leave them alone.

• Gay intends to express her affection and gratitude to Carlton privately after he releases her.

• Summers increasingly blames Gay for Chris's deterioration and becomes more protective of him.

• Chris's bitterness prevents reconciliation after Gay becomes free; his intimacy with Mrs. Guest leads Gay to believe she has been replaced.

• Lavinia's final illness brings Gay and Chris together; his devoted care deepens Gay's love, and after Lavinia's death he relinquishes his bitterness and they reconcile.

Places

Inigo Court, Flytton, England, London, Connaught Square, Southend, America, Epsom Downs, The Breezes, Epsom, Kempton, Waterloo Park, South Street, Eaton Square, Ireland, The Park, Camberwell, British Museum, Ranelagh, Vienna, Olympia, Paris, Aix, Bond Street, Piccadilly, Local hospital, Elsinore, Berkeley Hotel, Brighton, Berkeley Square, Norfolk Street