I
The new minister of Salem Chapel, young and idealistic, who expects to move in high society but is discomfited by the homely reality of his congregation.
II
The young minister begins the chapter in a state of disillusionment, feeling trapped by his congregation and yearning for a more refined society.
III
Visits the Tufton household, receives unsolicited advice from Mr. Tufton, and later becomes infatuated with Lady Western after seeing her alight from a carriage.
IV
Visits the Tozers, listens to their advice and gossip, and grows disgusted with the petty concerns of his congregation.
V
Receives news of Susan's engagement with jealousy and suspicion; becomes infatuated with Lady Western during a visit to Mrs. Hilyard.
VI
Visits Masters's bookshop, becomes flustered and infatuated upon encountering Lady Western, accepts her invitation to a party.
VII
Neglects his sermons and duties, lost in dreams of Lady Western; attends her party where he feels isolated and humiliated; leaves in bitter disappointment, vowing to raise Salem's fame.
VIII
Delivers a series of lectures on Church and State, motivated by personal injury from Lady Western's neglect. He is flustered by her attendance and later conflicted by her flirtation.
IX
Leaves Tozer's house after his lecture, meets Mrs. Hilyard, and is disturbed by her hints of danger to his family.
X
Obsessed with the face of Lady Western's companion; delivers a strange, emotional speech at the tea-meeting; overhears Mrs. Hilyard's confrontation with Colonel Mildmay.
XI
Awakens with a sense of personal occupation; visits Mrs. Hilyard to report; feels shame for eavesdropping; spends the day visiting the poor; accepts Lady Western's dinner invitation.
XII
Returns home to find his mother in distress; learns of the anonymous letter about Fordham; reveals his own involvement with Mrs. Hilyard and Colonel Mildmay; resolves to go to London to investigate Fordham; conflicted about his dinner engagement with Lady Western.
XIII
Torn between jealousy over Fordham, anxiety for Susan, and eager anticipation of visiting Lady Western.
Chapter XIV
Irritable and restless after a bad night; insists on visiting Mrs. Hilyard; presses for information about Fordham; bitter about Lady Western's trust in Fordham.
XV
Furious and anguished upon learning that the man who ruined Susan is Lady Western's brother; feels trapped by his ministerial duties and conflicted about his feelings for Lady Western.
Chapter XVI
Returns to Lonsdale with his mother, learns of Susan's disappearance with Fordham, and struggles with fury and helplessness.
Chapter XVII
Stands speechless by his mother's side, confronts Mrs. Hilyard about her intentions, and leads his mother into the darkness toward the train.
XVIII
Returns to Carlingford with his mother, consumed by anxiety over Susan's disappearance; plans to leave again for London to search for her.
The Midnight Train
Confronts Fordham in a lodging house, raging and desperate about Susan's disappearance; reluctantly agrees to travel with Fordham to Northumberland.
XX
Overwhelmed by rage and despair, he pursues Susan after learning of her deception, confronts Fordham, and searches a remote house in vain.
XXI
Mentioned as having written a letter stating he is going to Northumberland to bring Susan back.
Chapter XXIII
Expected but absent; Mrs. Vincent repeatedly calls for him.
Chapter XXIV
Arrives at the scene of Mildmay's shooting, desperately seeking Susan, and returns to Carlingford to face the scandal.
XXV
Overwhelmed by despair and horror at Susan's condition; feels his reputation is ruined and considers giving up.
Chapter XXVI
Returns from London, consults a lawyer, and is deeply moved by Lady Western's sympathy, misreading it as love.
Chapter XXVII
Agrees to preach despite his misery; spots Mrs. Hilyard in the congregation and rushes to find her after the service.
Chapter XXVIII
Struggles with his desire for vengeance against Mrs. Hilyard; ultimately allows Lady Western to intervene and learns of Susan's exoneration.
XXIX
Returns home, reads the deposition clearing Susan, and brings the news to his mother.
XXXI
Visits Lady Western, experiences jealousy upon seeing Fordham, and later visits the Tozers, struggling with his emotions and duties.
XXXII
Loiters near Lady Western's house, confronts Mrs. Hilyard, and forces her to return; witnesses Lady Western with Mr. Fordham, deepening his despair.
XXXIII
Gloomy and absorbed in his own thoughts, he is irritated by his mother's attention to the lamp and resentful of Tozer's demands, though he takes pride in his recent sermon.
Chapter XXXIV
Withdraws from conflict, devotes himself to writing sermons; feels unwelcome at Tozer's after overhearing a committee discussing him; returns home to finish a dull sermon with sharp final sentences.
XXXV
Preaches a dull sermon, humiliated by Lady Western's presence; counters Tozer's meeting notice with his own invitation; becomes alert and writes with fire afterward.
Mrs. Hilyard's Confession
Mentioned as the one who took Mrs. Hilyard's parole; Mrs. Vincent fears he may be entangled with her.
XXXVIII
Distracted and impatient, Vincent struggles to focus on his sister's recovery while preoccupied with his own troubles at Salem.
XXXIX
Finds Miss Smith's presence vexatious. Confronts Mrs. Mildmay and Mr. Fordham with restrained hostility, but ultimately allows Mrs. Mildmay to see her child, releasing her from his power.
XL
Watches Lady Western's wedding carriage pass, feeling profound anguish and disillusionment; later dismisses Tozer's pleas about the church meeting.
XLI
Returns from a long walk and visits the Tuftons, where he is discomfited by Adelaide's questions about Lady Western's marriage.
XLII
Resigns his pulpit before the Salem congregation, refusing to preside over the tea meeting and delivering a speech on the impossibility of serving two masters.
XLIII
Resigns his pulpit at Salem Chapel despite offers of increased salary and a silver salver; delivers a moving final sermon; later becomes a writer and founder of the Philosophical Review; meets his mother, Susan, and Alice at Folkestone, where he is stunned by Susan's transformation.
