# The Woodlanders — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy.

- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/i.md): A stranger, later identified as Mr. Percombe, a master-barber from Sherton Abbas, arrives at the secluded hamlet of Little Hintock on a winter evening. He hitches a ride with Mrs. Dollery's carrier van and inquires about
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/ii.md): Barber Percombe visits Marty South at her cottage to persuade her to sell her hair to Mrs. Charmond, who wants it for a wig to wear abroad. Marty resists, valuing her appearance and independence, but Percombe leaves two 
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/iii.md): Melbury reveals to his wife his plan to marry his daughter Grace to Giles Winterborne as a way to atone for a past wrong he did to Giles's father. Marty South overhears this conversation and realizes Giles is not for her
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/iv.md): Mr. Melbury prepares for Grace's return from school, ensuring everything is presentable. He sends Giles Winterborne to meet her in Sherton, hoping to encourage their union. The chapter describes the Melbury homestead and
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/v.md): Giles Winterborne travels to Sherton Abbas, where he meets Grace Melbury after a year apart. Marty South, having sold her hair, walks to town and is given a ride by Giles, then later by Mrs. Charmond's carriage. The chap

> 43 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_woodlanders_se_1175kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [The Party at Winterborne's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/x.md)
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xiii.md)
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xiv.md)
- [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xv.md)
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xvi.md)
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xvii.md)
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xviii.md)
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xix.md)
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xx.md)
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxi.md)
- [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxii.md)
- [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxiii.md)
- [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxiv.md)
- [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxv.md)
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxvi.md)
- [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxvii.md)
- [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxviii.md)
- [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxix.md)
- [Chapter 31](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxx.md)
- [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxi.md)
- [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxii.md)
- [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxiii.md)
- [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxiv.md)
- [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxv.md)
- [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxvi.md)
- [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxvii.md)
- [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxviii.md)
- [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxix.md)
- [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xl.md)
- [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xli.md)
- [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlii.md)
- [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xliii.md)
- [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xliv.md)
- [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlv.md)
- [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlvi.md)
- [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlvii.md)
- [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlviii.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters