Short Fiction · Chapter
III: Anastasia Fitzapplejohn explained
Mary Tomkins receives a letter from Anastasia Fitzapplejohn claiming that John Thomas loves her and urging Mary to release him.
What happens
Mary Tomkins receives a letter from Anastasia Fitzapplejohn claiming that John Thomas loves her and urging Mary to release him. Mary confronts John, who insists his heart belongs only to her, but she is deeply distressed and refuses to hear his explanation.
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 Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Bessy Pryor’s internal struggle reaches its emotional and psychological peak as she wrestles with the conflict…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Marriage
The chapter revolves around a love triangle and questions of fidelity and commitment.
- Gender Roles and Women's Agency
Mary asserts her demand for truth and confronts John, while Anastasia boldly writes to claim John's heart.
Characters to notice
- Mary Crofts
Receives a letter from Anastasia Fitzapplejohn and confronts John Thomas about his fidelity.
- John Smith
Denies Anastasia's claims and tries to explain himself to Mary.
Key passages
“Only that he pleads a previous promise to you, John Thomas would be my bridegroom.”
Anastasia claims that John Thomas would marry her if not for his prior commitment to Mary.
Anastasia's letter asserts her belief that John loves her.
“Be noble and make him free, and enjoy the undying friendship of Anastasia Fitzapplejohn.”
Anastasia asks Mary to release John from his promise and offers her friendship in return.
Anastasia appeals to Mary's sense of nobility.
“Or keep him in your mercenary bonds, and then you shall know what a raging woman can do.”
Anastasia threatens Mary with her wrath if she refuses to let John go.
Anastasia warns of retaliation if Mary does not comply.
“Who but you, my poppet?”
John insists that Mary is the only one who has his heart.
John reassures Mary of his devotion.
