Orley Farm · Character

Mrs. Furnival

A stout, wounded wife who trails her husband's letters and his client through Lincoln's Inn, certain that Orley Farm is a rival's name.

supporting

Also known as poor Mrs. Furnival, XI Mrs. Furnival, Poor Mrs. Furnival, dear Mrs. Furnival, XLIX Mrs. Furnival, LI Mrs. Furnival, Mrs. Furnival⁠—and, Mrs. ¬†Furnival

First appearance: XI: Mrs. Furnival at Home

As a supporting figure in Orley Farm, Mrs. Furnival is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The stout, sensible wife who supported her husband through poverty but now feels neglected and jealous of his attention to Lady Mason.

In the storyX: Mr., Mrs., and Miss FurnivalOpen this moment free

Mrs. Furnival presides over Cavendish Square as the neglected wife of a rising barrister, her dignity propped up by the sympathetic Miss Biggs. Convinced that Lady Mason's postmarks and private conferences with Tom Furnival mean something more than law, she resolves to leave her house rather than endure it. Her jealous vigilance turns the Orley Farm case into a domestic siege, giving the legal plot a wounded, very human shadow.

See Mrs. Furnival in X: Mr., Mrs., and Miss Furnival Book page

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

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In the story

Mrs. Furnival appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

X: Mr., Mrs., and Miss Furnival
The stout, sensible wife who supported her husband through poverty but now feels neglected and jealous of his attention to Lady Mason.
XI: Mrs. Furnival at Home
Feels deserted by her husband, returns early from Brighton, and expresses her discontent about his absences.
Guilty, or Not Guilty
Confronts her husband and Lady Mason out of jealousy, but briefly considers being sympathetic before hardening her heart.
XL: I Call It Awful
Determined to keep Martha Biggs as a witness to her husband's behavior, preparing for marital conflict.
How Can I Save Him?
Confronts Mr. Furnival, refuses to live with him, and leaves the drawing-room; sends a message that she will not come down to breakfast.
XLIX: Mrs. Furnival Can't Put Up with It
Leaves her home in Harley Street after suspecting her husband of infidelity with Lady Mason; takes lodgings in Orange Street and plans to confront Lady Mason at Orley Farm.
Mrs. Furnival's Journey to Hamworth
Travels to Hamworth and The Cleeve, driven by jealousy, but gradually becomes sympathetic after learning of Lady Mason's trial.
What Took Place in Harley Street
Discusses Lady Mason's situation with Sophia, expressing sympathy and changing her view of Lady Mason.
The Last of the Lawyers
Reconciled with her husband; expresses gladness at Lady Mason's acquittal.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Furnival unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Furnival in XI: Mrs. Furnival at Home

See Mrs. Furnival in X: Mr., Mrs., and Miss Furnival