Orley Farm · Chapter
Another Fall explained
Peregrine Orme, seeing that Felix Graham is recovering, resolves to propose to Madeline Staveley before leaving Noningsby.
What happens
Peregrine Orme, seeing that Felix Graham is recovering, resolves to propose to Madeline Staveley before leaving Noningsby. He finds an opportunity and declares his love, but Madeline is taken by surprise. Meanwhile, Mrs. Arbuthnot warns Madeline about showing too much concern for Felix, which only deepens Madeline's introspection about her feelings.
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
- Love and Marriage
Peregrine's proposal to Madeline and the family's concern over her potential attachment to Felix highlight the complexities of love and marriage in Victorian society.
- Reputation and Scandal
Mrs. Arbuthnot warns Madeline about appearing too concerned for Felix, fearing gossip and damage to reputation.
Characters to notice
- Young Peregrine
Resolves to propose to Madeline Staveley before leaving Noningsby; declares his love to her.
- Madeline Staveley
Receives Peregrine's proposal with surprise; is cautioned by her sister about her concern for Felix Graham.
- Felix Graham
Recovering from his accident; his condition improves, prompting Peregrine to act.
- Lady Staveley
Observes her daughter's solicitude for Felix and approves of Peregrine as a potential son-in-law.
- Marian Arbuthnot
Warns Madeline about being too demonstrative in her concern for Felix.
- Sophia Furnival
Mentioned as someone who might gossip about Madeline's attention to Felix.
Key passages
“I shall be leaving Noningsby tomorrow, Miss Staveley... It will depend entirely upon you whether I may have the happiness of returning soon to Noningsby.”
Peregrine tells Madeline he is leaving and implies that his return depends on her acceptance of his proposal.
Peregrine's proposal is framed as a condition for his return.
“I think mamma would be more comfortable in his remaining here if your charity towards him were—what shall I say?—less demonstrative.”
Mrs. Arbuthnot suggests that Madeline's visible concern for Felix might make her mother uneasy.
A sisterly warning about social appearances.
