Phineas Finn Proposes to Stand for Loughshane
The protagonist, a young barrister, who is offered and accepts the chance to stand for Parliament in Loughshane, driven by ambition and encouraged by his family.
Phineas Finn Is Elected for Loughshane
Elected as MP for Loughshane; asserts his independence in Parliament, causing concern for Barrington Erle.
Phineas Finn Takes His Seat
Newly elected MP for Loughshane, traveling to London with serious thoughts about his parliamentary duties and the challenges ahead.
IV: Lady Laura Standish
Visits Lady Laura seeking encouragement after being warned by Mr. Low about his financial ruin; reflects on his admiration for Lady Laura and his uncertain feelings about Mary Flood Jones.
Mr. and Mrs. Low
The protagonist, now a member of Parliament, discusses his political ambitions with Mr. Low and reflects on his feelings for Lady Laura.
Lord Brentford's Dinner
Struggling with the decision to leave Parliament or pursue his legal career; attends Lord Brentford's dinner and feels jealous of Mr. Kennedy's attention to Lady Laura.
Mr. and Mrs. Bunce
Decides to stay at his lodgings; writes to Mr. Low about giving up law; visits the Reform Club to discuss political crisis.
The News About Mr. Mildmay and Sir Everard
Visits Lady Laura to celebrate the political success, feels overshadowed by Mr. Kennedy, and later accepts Lord Chiltern's dinner invitation at Lady Laura's request.
The New Government
Feels left out as the new government is formed without any offer to him; discusses Mr. Kennedy's refusal with Lady Laura; agrees to go to Mayo with Laurence Fitzgibbon.
Autumnal Prospects
Struggles with parliamentary silence, accepts Kennedy's invitation under Lady Laura's persuasion, and reluctantly endorses Fitzgibbon's bill.
XIII: Saulsby Wood
Phineas prepares for his visit to Loughlinter, hires a servant, and travels to Saulsby Wood. He rides with Violet Effingham and discusses Lord Chiltern.
XIV: Loughlinter
Arrives at Loughlinter, explores the grounds, and reflects on his social and romantic prospects.
Donald Bean's Pony
Confesses his poverty to Lady Laura and resolves to propose to her, but is too late as she has accepted Mr. Kennedy.
Phineas Finn Returns to Killaloe
Returns to Killaloe after his first session, torn between agony over Lady Laura and pride in his political connections; asks his father for money and resolves to speak in the next session.
Phineas Finn Returns to London
Returns to London and his old lodgings; receives letters from Lady Laura and Mrs. Bunce; summoned to a political meeting; reflects on his love for Lady Laura and his concerns about Violet Effingham and Lord Chiltern.
Mr. Turnbull
Phineas is a guest at Mr. Monk's dinner, engaging in political debate with Mr. Turnbull and defending the ambition of a Cabinet seat.
Lord Chiltern Rides His Horse Bonebreaker
Visits Lord Chiltern, delivers message from Lord Brentford, and discusses his upcoming maiden speech on the ballot.
The Debate on the Ballot
Struggles with intense stage fright and self-doubt before the ballot debate, ultimately declines to speak and later visits Lady Laura to confess his failure.
Do Be Punctual
Struggles with debt from endorsing Fitzgibbon's bill, feels trapped by Clarkson's visit, and regrets his political choices.
Lady Baldock at Home
Attends Lady Baldock's evenings, converses with Violet Effingham about Lord Chiltern, and reflects on his feelings for Violet and Lady Laura.
The Willingford Bull
Visits Lord Chiltern at the Willingford Bull, rides Bonebreaker during the hunt, and assists Chiltern after his horse falls into a brook.
Mr. Turnbull’s Carriage Stops the Way
Returns to London, reports on Lord Chiltern's accident, and promises to help Mr. Bunce after his arrest.
The First Speech
Defends Bunce in court, considers an offer from Mr. Quintus Slide to write for the People's Banner, and resolves to speak in the House.
Phineas Discussed
Feels like an impostor after his failed speech; is harassed by debt collector Mr. Clarkson; thinks of Mary Flood Jones with regret.
The Second Reading Is Carried
Embarrassed by Mr. Clarkson's public demand for payment in the lobby; confronts Laurence Fitzgibbon about the debt; advises Bunce against litigation.
Mr. Kennedy's Luck
Heroically rescues Mr. Kennedy from garrotters; continues to mediate between Lord Chiltern and Violet Effingham; receives advice from Mr. Quintus Slide about joining the People's Banner.
Finn for Loughton
Learns he cannot stand for Loughshane; is offered and accepts the nomination for Loughton.
Lady Laura Kennedy’s Headache
Visits Loughlinter, feels restless and bored, resolves to propose to Violet Effingham.
Mr. Slide's Grievance
Receives a letter from Mr. Slide accusing him of betrayal; visits the People's Banner office to confront Slide; reflects on his loneliness in London and his feelings for Lady Laura and Violet Effingham.
Was He Honest?
Returns to Loughton and Saulsby Castle, writes an honest letter to Lord Chiltern, and seeks a private moment with Violet Effingham.
Mr. Monk Upon Reform
Broods over his failed proposal to Violet Effingham; returns to Ireland; corresponds with Lady Laura; receives a legacy; returns to London.
XXXVI: Phineas Finn Makes Progress
Phineas calls on Lady Laura, senses discord in her marriage, and prepares for his speech on the Reform Bill. He successfully speaks in the House, receiving commendation from Barrington Erle.
A Rough Encounter
Reflects on his speech and the impending meeting with Lord Chiltern; receives Lady Laura's note; confronts Lord Chiltern and refuses to withdraw his letter; attends the gathering at Portman Square.
The Duel
Wounded in a duel with Lord Chiltern; keeps the affair secret and is absent from Parliament.
Lady Laura Is Told
Recovering from his wound, he seeks Lady Laura's help in winning Violet Effingham's hand.
Madame Max Goesler
Works diligently on the Reform Bill, gains reputation for practical usefulness, and attends a dinner at Lady Glencora Palliser's.
Lord Fawn
Strives to reach Violet Effingham at the party, discusses Madame Max Goesler, and helps her with her carriage.
Lady Baldock Does Not Send a Card to Phineas Finn
The subject of gossip; his card is not sent to Lady Baldock's evening due to rumors about his relationship with Violet.
Promotion
Receives a letter from Lord Brentford offering him a junior lordship at the Treasury; initially disappointed at not being made Undersecretary but later accepts the position; meets with Lord Brentford and discusses his seat at Loughton and Clause 72; resolves to write to Lord Chiltern and remains conflicted about Violet Effingham.
Phineas and His Friends
Newly appointed junior lord of the Treasury; receives congratulations and condolements from friends; decides to change lodgings; feels lost in amazement at his promotion and his relationship with Lady Laura.
Miss Effingham’s Four Lovers
Advocated by Lady Laura as a worthy suitor; Violet lists his poverty, Irish background, and Roman Catholic faith as objections.
The Mousetrap
Visits Violet Effingham to propose marriage, having been set up by Lady Laura. He is refused but vows to try again.
Mr. Mildmay's Bill
Re-elected at Loughton, reads Mr. Slide's abusive speech, and is offered a new position by Mr. Gresham after the bill passes.
The Duke
Attends the party at Matching Priory, feels conflicted about the Duke of Omnium's grandeur, and learns about the potential reconciliation between Lord Brentford and Lord Chiltern.
The Duellists Meet
Nervous about meeting Lord Chiltern after the duel; relieved by their friendly reconciliation; anxious about his political career and his feelings for Violet.
Again Successful
Anxious about losing his seat, he seeks a new constituency and writes to his father about Loughshane.
Troubles at Loughlinter
Discussed as the object of Lady Laura's and Violet's affections; Violet suspects he proposed to Lady Laura and now pursues Madame Goesler.
The First Blow
Is informed of Violet's engagement by Lady Laura.
LIII: Showing How Phineas Bore the Blow
Receives the devastating news of Violet's acceptance of Chiltern; struggles to focus on work, then walks out, feeling his 'back is broken'.
Consolation
Heartbroken over Violet Effingham's engagement, struggles with work, seeks consolation from Madame Goesler.
What the People in Marylebone Thought
Works diligently on the Canada bill; confides in Madame Goesler about his past loves; visits Lady Laura and is reproached by her; feels disillusioned with parliamentary life and constrained by party discipline.
LVIII: Rara Avis in Terris
Dines with Mr. Monk, discusses political honesty and a trip to Ireland; struggles to avoid Mr. Kennedy's invitations and is cornered into a difficult conversation.
The Earl's Wrath
Confronted by Lord Brentford about the duel with Lord Chiltern; defends his actions and learns of the broken engagement between Chiltern and Violet.
LXI: Another Duel
Visits Madame Goesler to discuss his renewed hopes with Violet Effingham after her quarrel with Lord Chiltern.
Showing How the Duke Stood His Ground
Attends the Duke's garden party, hoping to meet Violet Effingham; later speaks with Lady Laura, who whispers that she has something to say to him.
The Horns
Attends the Duke's garden party, seeks Violet Effingham, converses with Madame Goesler and Lady Laura, and feels desolate after learning of Lady Laura's separation.
The Cabinet Minister at Killaloe
Returns to Killaloe with Mr. Monk, reflecting on his failed pursuit of Violet Effingham and his political career.
Victrix
Accompanies Mr. Monk to Limerick and Dublin, makes speeches on tenant-right, and later confesses his love for Violet Effingham to Mary Flood Jones before proposing to Mary.
Job’s Comforters
Struggles with the decision to resign his office, seeks counsel from various friends, and reaffirms his engagement to Mary Flood Jones.
LXVIII: The Joint Attack
Receives and accepts Lord Brentford's dinner invitation; encounters Mr. Kennedy and agrees to act as intermediary; attends the dinner and is later pressed by friends to re-enter politics.
The Temptress
Struggles with the decision to resign his office, receives a supportive letter from Mary, endures taunts from Bonteen and Ratler, and visits Lady Laura to discuss their respective futures.
LXX: The Prime Minister’s House
Navigates the crowded party, discusses resignation with Mr. Monk, and assists Lady Laura.
LXXI: Comparing Notes
Discussed by Violet and Lady Laura; Violet questions his romantic constancy, while Lady Laura defends him as capable of loyalty.
Madame Goesler's Generosity
Resolves to resign from office, visits Madame Goesler, and rejects her offer of marriage and wealth out of loyalty to Mary Flood Jones.
The Beginning of the End
Resigns his office, surrenders his armchair to Bonteen, and reflects on the end of his political career.
LXXV: P.P.C.
Bids farewell to Violet and Chiltern, visits Lady Laura, confronts Quintus Slide, and delivers a speech in the House.
Conclusion
Returns to Ireland, accepts a poor-law inspector position, and reaffirms his love for Mary.
