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Chapter companions for The Duke’s Children by Anthony Trollope.

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  1. Chapter 1

    When the Duchess Was Dead

    The Duke of Omnium is left utterly bereft and helpless after the sudden death of the Duchess. He reflects on their year abroad and his own sense of isolation. Mrs. Finn, who had been with the Duchess during her final illness, prepares to leave Matching Priory. The Duke, struggling with grief and the practical care of his daughter Lady Mary, discusses with Mrs. Finn the need for a suitable companion for the girl, ultimately considering Lady Cantrip.

  2. Chapter 2

    Lady Mary Palliser

    Mrs. Finn learns of Lady Mary's secret engagement to Frank Tregear, a secret kept from the Duke of Omnium. Lady Mary refuses to tell her father, citing a promise to Tregear. Mrs. Finn, feeling a duty to the Duke, persuades Lady Mary to let her meet Tregear to discuss the matter. The chapter also reveals the Duchess's earlier confidences to Mrs. Finn about Mary's potential marriage to a poor man, and the Duke's decision to keep Mary at home rather than send her to Lady Cantrip.

  3. Chapter 3

    Francis Oliphant Tregear

    This chapter introduces Francis Oliphant Tregear, a clever and handsome young man of good birth but limited means, who has become the intimate friend of Lord Silverbridge and has won the heart of the Duchess of Omnium. It reveals that Tregear is secretly engaged to Lady Mary Palliser, the Duke's daughter, and that the Duchess had planned to inform the Duke upon their return to England. The chapter also depicts a conversation between Tregear and Lord Silverbridge, where Silverbridge warns him that the Duke will never consent to the match, but Tregear remains resolute. Tregear then arranges to meet Mrs. Finn, who has requested to see him about the matter.

  4. Chapter 4

    Park Lane

    Tregear visits Mrs. Finn in Park Lane to discuss his engagement to Lady Mary. Mrs. Finn insists that the Duke must be informed, pressing Tregear to act quickly. Tregear resists but ultimately agrees to speak to the Duke within a week. Later, he learns from Silverbridge that the Duke is coming to London, allowing him to postpone his visit to Matching.

  5. Chapter 5

    It Is Impossible

    Frank Tregear formally asks the Duke of Omnium for permission to marry Lady Mary Palliser. The Duke reacts with disbelief and scorn, declaring the match 'impossible' due to Tregear's lack of fortune and station. Tregear reveals that the Duchess and Mrs. Finn knew of the engagement, deepening the Duke's sense of betrayal. After Tregear leaves, the Duke broods over his misery and later, in conversation with Lady Mary, suggests she might benefit from the company of Lady Cantrip, revealing his continued ignorance of his daughter's true feelings.

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  1. Chapter 6Major Tifto
  2. Chapter 7Conservative Convictions
  3. Chapter 8He Is a Gentleman
  4. Chapter 9IX: “In Medias Res”
  5. Chapter 10Why Not Like Romeo if I Feel Like Romeo?
  6. Chapter 11Cruel
  7. Chapter 12At Richmond
  8. Chapter 13The Duke's Injustice
  9. Chapter 14The New Member for Silverbridge
  10. Chapter 15The Duke Receives a Letter—and Writes One
  11. Chapter 16Poor Boy
  12. Chapter 17The Derby
  13. Chapter 18One of the Results of the Derby
  14. Chapter 19No; My Lord, I Do Not
  15. Chapter 20Then He Will Come Again
  16. Chapter 21Sir Timothy Beeswax
  17. Chapter 22The Duke in His Study
  18. Chapter 23Frank Tregear Wants a Friend
  19. Chapter 24She Must Be Made to Obey
  20. Chapter 25A Family Breakfast-Table
  21. Chapter 26Dinner at the Beargarden
  22. Chapter 27Major Tifto and the Duke
  23. Chapter 28Mrs. Montacute Jones's Garden-Party
  24. Chapter 29The Lovers Meet
  25. Chapter 30What Came of the Meeting
  26. Chapter 31Miss Boncassen's River-Party. No. 1
  27. Chapter 32Miss Boncassen's River-Party. No. 2
  28. Chapter 33The Langham Hotel
  29. Chapter 34Lord Popplecourt
  30. Chapter 35Don’t You Think—?
  31. Chapter 36Tallyho Lodge
  32. Chapter 37Grex
  33. Chapter 38Crummie-Toddie
  34. Chapter 39Killancodlem
  35. Chapter 40XL: “And Then!”
  36. Chapter 41Ischl
  37. Chapter 42Again at Killancodlem
  38. Chapter 43What Happened at Doncaster
  39. Chapter 44XLIV: How It Was Done
  40. Chapter 45There Shall Not Be Another Word About It
  41. Chapter 46Lady Mary's Dream
  42. Chapter 47Miss Boncassen's Idea of Heaven
  43. Chapter 48The Party at Custins Is Broken Up
  44. Chapter 49XLIX: The Major’s Fate
  45. Chapter 50L: The Duke’s Arguments
  46. Chapter 51The Duke's Guests
  47. Chapter 52Miss Boncassen Tells the Truth
  48. Chapter 53LIII: “Then I Am as Proud as a Queen”
  49. Chapter 54I Don't Think She Is a Snake
  50. Chapter 55Polpenno
  51. Chapter 56The News Is Sent to Matching
  52. Chapter 57The Meeting at The Bobtailed Fox
  53. Chapter 58LVIII: The Major Is Deposed
  54. Chapter 59No One Can Tell What May Come to Pass
  55. Chapter 60Lord Gerald in Further Trouble
  56. Chapter 61LXI: “Bone of My Bone”
  57. Chapter 62The Brake Country
  58. Chapter 63LXIII: “I’ve Seen ’Em Like That Before”
  59. Chapter 64I Believe Him to Be a Worthy Young Man
  60. Chapter 65Do You Ever Think What Money Is?
  61. Chapter 66The Three Attacks
  62. Chapter 67He Is Such a Beast
  63. Chapter 68Brook Street
  64. Chapter 69Pert Poppet!
  65. Chapter 70Love May Be a Great Misfortune
  66. Chapter 71What Am I to Say, Sir?
  67. Chapter 72Carlton Terrace
  68. Chapter 73LXXIII: “I Have Never Loved You”
  69. Chapter 74Let Us Drink a Glass of Wine Together
  70. Chapter 75LXXV: The Major’s Story
  71. Chapter 76On Deportment
  72. Chapter 77Mabel, Goodbye
  73. Chapter 78The First Wedding
  74. Chapter 79The Second Wedding
The Duke’s Children — Chapters Explained