Ch 50-52
Charles has arrived at Mrs. Tranter’s house and is prepared to tell Ernestina his news. On his way over, he practiced his speech. When he isalonewith Ernestina, he begins by saying he is not worthy of her. He tells her that though he had not consciously done so, he has recently realized that he was marrying her not for love but for her money. It was his visit with her father that brought this to light. She is beautiful and pleasant and would make a wonderful wife, but his affections for her are not love.
This news shocks Ernestina at first, but she is in a state of denial. Maybe the engagement could be saved. Maybe what Charles is saying is not as serious as she had thought. She tells him that she can change. She knows that she is inexperienced in life, that she sometimes grates on his nerves with her childish manner, and that she does not always understand him and his needs—but she can learn. She asks him to give her a chance. Charles does not offer her this chance. After a while, Ernestina has an intuitive feeling that there must be something more affecting his change of heart. She believes that Charles is hiding something from her. She announces this belief to him.
Charles wanted to avoid mentioning his relationship with Sarah, but Ernestina demands a more thorough explanation. He offers her a half-truth and says that while in London, he chanced upon a woman with whom he had a previous relationship. He had thought his feelings for her were finished. However, upon meeting her, he discovered that he was still very much attracted to her. This attraction made him realize that he was not in love with Ernestina.
At this news, Ernestina becomes angry. She tells Charles he has broken his promise to her, so her father will ruin his name and his friends will drive him out of England. Then she tells him to leave. When she does this, she falls to the floor as if fainting. Charles reads her motions as inauthentic, as if she were putting on a performance. He leaves the room but calls to Mary and insists that Mary stay with Ernestina until Dr. Grogan arrives. Charles will contact the doctor to make sure he stops in to see to Ernestina’s welfare.
When Dr. Grogan sees Charles and hears what has happened, he assumes correctly that his actions have something to do with Sarah. Charles does not answer any of Grogan’s questions, but he insists that Grogan not mention Sarah’s name. Charles says that Ernestina knows there is another woman, but she does not and should not know the other woman’s name.
Charles then watches Grogan walk over to Mrs. Tranter’s house. A few minutes later, when Sam appears in Charles’s room, Charles tells him to get him a drink. Sam balks at the command and refuses to leave. Sam was at Mrs. Tranter’s house and knows what happened. Sam tells Charles that he will no longer work for him. This throws Charles into a rage. He realizes that this is just the beginning of the world’s reaction to what he has done to Ernestina; everyone will finally turn against him. Charles begins to question his decisions. He even thinks that maybe it is not too late to go back to Ernestina and beg for forgiveness. But he knows he cannot do this. Instead he thinks of Sarah and wonders if he should return to Exeter. First, though, he must write a letter to Ernestina’s father.
The scene switches back to Mrs. Tranter, who has come home to find her household in disarray. The doctor has sedated Ernestina, who is now asleep. He assures Mrs. Tranter that Ernestina’s exuberance for life will return within six months. He has never had a patient die of a broken heart.
Mrs. Tranter consoles Mary, who tells her that Sam has quit his employment with Charles. Mrs. Tranter promises to help Sam find a new job and to continue employing Mary until she is married.