The Anthony Trollope Library

In which the delicate undercurrents of social scandal and familial expectations swirl around Mr. Plantagenet Palliser, as he navigates whispered rumours and the prudent remonstrances of his uncle, the Duke of Omnium, concerning his attentions to Lady Dumbello. Amidst the rigid decorum of country gatherings and the looming responsibilities of Parliament, an unspoken tension unfolds, revealing the s...

In which tender attentions and the frostiest of February mornings set the stage for a day long contemplated yet deeply melancholy at the Small House, where Lily's fragile spirit asserts a quiet sovereignty even as her thoughts dwell persistently on a distant marriage that cannot be altered. As she struggles to distract herself with books and bittersweet conversation, the household hums with subdue...

In which the wedding of Lady Alexandrina De Courcy and Mr. Crosbie is solemnly celebrated in a London church under the cloud of family discord and enforced simplicity, with the new couple departing for their modest honeymoon at Folkestone amidst the chill and unease that shadows their union. The narrative quietly observes the gentleman’s inward reflections on his future life and the somber realiti...

In which the impending marriage of Mr. Crosbie and Lady Alexandrina is arranged with much attention to the practicalities of furnishing their new London home and the bridal trousseau, revealing the subtle tensions and hierarchies within the De Courcy family. The chapter gently explores Crosbie's uneasy adjustment to his changed social standing and domestic future, tempered by the august influence...

In which an episode of domestic turmoil unfolds at Mrs. Roper’s lodging, with the disappearance of Mrs. Lupex stirring suspicion and sorrow among its inhabitants, and Mr. Lupex's despair manifesting in dramatic confrontations. The scene closes upon a return that unsettles the household further, provoking Mrs. Roper to contemplate decisive action regarding her troublesome boarders.

In which Lily Dale, newly convalescent and spirited, gently asserts her independence amidst the kindly attentions of Dr. Crofts, while her sister Bell harbours tender thoughts unspoken and unconfirmed. The household exchanges quietly weighty confidences as affection and uncertainty intermingle, leaving the doctor resolved to seek a second opportunity where first refusals seem less than final.

In which Bernard Dale renews his suit to his cousin Bell, pressing the family’s hopes upon her consent, whilst she firmly remains true to her own heart and principles. Meanwhile, the squire’s uneasy relationship with his sister-in-law reveals the complex tensions of duty, affection, and authority that shape the fortunes of the Dale family.

In which the Dales contemplate leaving their beloved Small House amid troubling rumours and illness, while Dr. Crofts—long a friend to the family—ventures to confess a heartfelt and unreciprocated affection to Bell Dale. The intimate dialogue by the fire reveals delicate shifts in affection and duty, couched in the gentle melancholy of a household beset by adversity.

In which the Dale family contemplates a reluctant departure from their beloved Small House at Allington, as differences with their uncle, Mr. Dale, come to a quiet but firm head concerning expectations and independence. Amidst these domestic deliberations and the gentle encroachment of winter, the household settles into an uneasy acceptance of change and the necessity of new arrangements.

In which Mr. Crosbie endeavours to carry himself with as much dignity as possible while nursing a black eye that provokes much speculation and sympathy among his acquaintances, though he remains resolute in limiting the truths he divulges. The scene unfolds amidst delicate social interactions at St. John's Wood, where Crosbie's relations with the Gazebee family are marked by whispered concerns and...

In which John Eames encounters his adversary Crosbie quite unexpectedly on a railway carriage, and despite the tension of their past, the meeting escalates to a public altercation that attracts the attention of authorities and onlookers alike. The episode delicately unveils their conflicting demeanours and the ensuing consequences of Eames's impulsive attack, observed with the quiet judgement befi...

In which young John Eames, having boldly confronted and bested his adversary Crosbie at the railway station, finds himself summoned before the stern Sir Raffle Buffle, chairman of the Income-tax Office, to answer for his breach of the peace, only to emerge with his reputation curiously untarnished. Meanwhile, the office buzzes with gossip and the favour of Lord De Guest elevates Eames’s standing,...

In which the holiday air at Allington is tinged with quiet unease as the squire contemplates the presence of young John Eames at a neighbouring manor, while conversations reveal the gentle ambitions and apprehensions surrounding future prospects and alliances. The arrival of the earl and his earnest discourse open a hopeful, if tentative, avenue towards consolation and new beginnings for Lily, as...

In which the Christmas season at Allington brings a subdued atmosphere for the Dale family, as young Lily Dale grapples with the deep sorrow of a love betrayed, demonstrating both a woman's quiet endurance and the tender anxieties of those around her. Meanwhile, the machinations and social obligations of Crosbie and his impending marriage cast a shadow, illustrating the complex interplay of honour...

In which Lord De Guest proudly displays his prize bullock at the London show and entertains John Eames and his brother-in-law, Colonel Dale, to a somewhat dreary dinner at Pawkins's, where conversation turns to the disgraced Mr. Crosbie and Lily Dale's suitors. Amidst their discourse, the earl warmly encourages Eames to assert himself and visit the Dale family in hopes of winning favour, igniting...

In which John Eames, returning to his London lodgings, faces the uneasy prospect of encounters with Mrs. Lupex, Amelia Roper, and the complicated social atmosphere of Burton Crescent, all while wrestling with the weight of past affections and present dilemmas. The evening unfolds with delicate tensions and guarded conversations, culminating in a charged and uneasy meeting with Amelia that blurs th...

In which the arrival of a most unwelcome letter brings a sudden and grievous alteration to the quiet fortunes of the Dale family, revealing painful truths that call for delicate endurance and tempered forgiveness. The characters navigate the early shock with a mixture of strength and sorrow, while the community’s sympathy and the prospects of social reprisal linger uneasily in the air.

In which Crosbie returns to his office burdened with troubled reflections despite his recent promotion, finding little solace even among the congratulations of his colleagues and the familiarity of his official duties. The weight of his private sorrow gnaws at him through the day and night, compelling him to compose a difficult letter under the deep shadow of his own conscience.

In which Lady Alexandrina weighs the merits of a prospective match with Mr. Crosbie, balancing considerations of rank and affection with sober resolve, while Lily Dale patiently awaits letters from her lover amid family reflections on love and duty. Meanwhile, the return of the squire to Allington brings grave news conveyed in harsh truth, plunging those involved into sombre contemplation and unce...

In which Crosbie, caught between his duties and his desires, reflects with a heavy heart on the consequences of his recent engagements and finds himself compelled to confide in his old friend Pratt. Meanwhile, a confrontation looms as Mr. Dale, wrought with disbelief and indignation, seeks an explanation that may yet alter the course of these entangled lives.

In which the arrival of a cautionary letter from Lady Julia De Guest sets in motion a series of uneasy revelations and strained dispositions among the families of Allington and Courcy, as well as the De Courcy household’s internal tensions come to the fore in their uneasy domestic arrangements. Meanwhile, the Earl's cantankerous temper and financial grievances underscore the undercurrents of disco...

In which Mr. Plantagenet Palliser attends to his political duties with punctual precision, while at Courcy Castle delicate social manoeuvres unfold, centred on Crosbie’s uneasy courtship with Lady Alexandrina and the countess’s gentle yet firm counsel regarding his past indiscretions. The narrative quietly reveals Crosbie’s rising tensions as he navigates the expectations of high society, familial...

In which a perilous encounter with a bull leads young Eames to dine unexpectedly at the earl's manor, where amidst discussions of shooting and society, the earl presents him with a token of gratitude. The evening unfolds with gentle banter and glimpses into character, concluding with Eames’ homecoming marked by pride and reflection on the honour bestowed upon him.

In which the subtle stratagems of the heart and the intricate manoeuvres of society intertwine at Courcy Castle, revealing the delicate tensions between duty, desire, and ambition as Mr. Crosbie confronts conflicting promises and the expectations of those around him. Meanwhile, the gentle hum of drawing-room gossip and the quiet observations of family and acquaintances cast a measured light upon t...

In which Dr. Crofts, a diligent but modestly prosperous physician, reflects upon his unspoken affection for Bell Dale, amid the quiet rhythms of his small-town medical practice and social ties to the Dale family. An unexpected summons to attend Lord De Guest leads to a revealing conversation that gently exposes the social intricacies and considerations quietly shaping the lives of those at Allingt...