Orley Farm · Chapter
Dinner at the Cleeve explained
Lady Mason and Lucius dine at The Cleeve, where Lady Mason seeks to strengthen her friendship with Mrs.
What happens
Lady Mason and Lucius dine at The Cleeve, where Lady Mason seeks to strengthen her friendship with Mrs. Orme and secure Sir Peregrine's favor, while Lucius struggles with his democratic ideals in the aristocratic setting.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it depicts the emotional and psychological peak of Madeline and…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Social Class and Ambition
Lucius's internal conflict between democratic ideals and the awe inspired by the Ormes' rank; Lady Mason's careful cultivation of Sir Peregrine's favor.
- Family and Loyalty
Lady Mason's fear of losing Lucius to marriage; Mrs. Orme's devotion to Sir Peregrine and her son.
Characters to notice
- Lady Mason
Anxious about her friendship with Sir Peregrine and Mrs. Orme; asks Lucius to be forbearing with Sir Peregrine.
- Lucius Mason
Reluctantly agrees to be forbearing; feels awed by the Ormes despite his democratic principles.
- Sir Peregrine Orme
Hosts the dinner; intends to lecture Lucius on farming; shows majesty and authority.
- Mrs. Orme
Desires friendship with Lady Mason; speaks of loneliness and hopes for Peregrine's early marriage.
- Young Peregrine
Converses about hunting and farming; encourages Lucius to hunt.
Key passages
“Lucius, my dear, I want you to do me a great favour... It is that you will bear with Sir Peregrine tonight.”
Lady Mason asks Lucius to be patient and not contradict Sir Peregrine during dinner.
Shows Lady Mason's anxiety about maintaining Sir Peregrine's goodwill.
“It is always so in England... Sir Peregrine is a man of family, and a baronet; of course all the world, the world of Hamworth that is, should bow down at his feet.”
Lucius sarcastically criticizes the deference shown to Sir Peregrine due to his title.
Highlights Lucius's democratic resentment of social hierarchy.
“I also am very much alone, though perhaps not so much as you are, Lady Mason.”
Mrs. Orme expresses her own loneliness, comparing it to Lady Mason's.
Reveals Mrs. Orme's desire for a close friendship.
