📖 About This Book · Starvecrow Farm · by Stanley J. Weyman
First published in 1905 by LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. NEW YORK LONDON AND BOMBAY
Setting: Lake District, November 1819 – a period of post-war economic depression, political unrest, and radical agitation.
Key Themes: elopement and romantic idealism · class conflict · political radicalism · surveillance and authority · women's independence.
Major Characters: Henrietta (young heroine) · Captain Anthony Clyne (naval officer, conservative, Henrietta's former suitor).
Plot Arc: The novel follows the elopement of Henrietta and Alan Stewart, their flight through the Lake District, and the shadow of pursuit and political conspiracy that hangs over their romance.
Chapter XXVII · Bishop Caught Napping
Summary
- Clyne refuses to let Henrietta go to Walterson, insisting she tell him where the man is so he can go himself.
- Henrietta refuses to tell him, and Clyne is called away to follow another false clue.
- Henrietta resolves to go to Walterson on her own, determined to clear herself and find the child.
- She learns that Nadin and the other officer are away, leaving only Bishop and Mr. Sutton to watch her.
- She persuades Modest Ann to help her by luring Bishop upstairs with a false message.
- Henrietta slips out the back door but is spotted by Mrs. Gilson, who tries to stop her.
- Henrietta defies the landlady and escapes through the gate.
- Mrs. Gilson tries to get Sutton and Bishop to follow, but Sutton refuses to interfere, having regretted his earlier meddling.
- Bishop eventually follows, but he is confused by the footprints and takes the wrong path, heading down toward Calgarth while Henrietta has gone the other way.
📖 Glossary of Period Terms
- Cerberus
- A guardian or watchman; from the three-headed dog that guards the underworld in Greek mythology.
- trollop
- A disreputable or promiscuous woman; a slattern.
Analysis
- Henrietta's Determination: Henrietta shows remarkable resourcefulness and courage in this chapter. She is no longer the passive victim of events but takes active control of her situation. Her decision to go to Walterson, despite Clyne's prohibition, reveals her growing independence and her desire to prove herself innocent.
- The Use of Manipulation: Henrietta's manipulation of Modest Ann is a practical, if morally ambiguous, tactic. She uses Ann's affection for her to get the help she needs, promising to protect her from consequences. This shows a pragmatic side to her character, willing to use whatever means are available to achieve her goal.
- Sutton's Refusal to Act: Sutton's decision not to follow Henrietta is a significant moment. It shows that he has learned from his earlier mistakes and is no longer willing to interfere in her affairs. His refusal, however, also reveals his hurt pride; he feels that his earlier efforts were unappreciated, and he is unwilling to put himself in that position again.
- Mrs. Gilson's Frustration: The landlady's reaction to Henrietta's escape highlights her role as a practical, no-nonsense figure. She is angry because she sees the situation as reckless, but she is also powerless to stop it. Her frustration underscores the limits of her authority over the young woman.
- Bishop's Blunder: Bishop's failure to track Henrietta effectively is a comic element in the chapter. His city-bred incompetence in the countryside contrasts with Henrietta's cleverness. His confusion over the footprints and his decision to take the wrong path show that he is out of his depth.
In Greek mythology, Cerberus is the three-headed dog that guards the gates of the underworld, preventing the dead from leaving. Henrietta uses the term to describe Bishop, who has been left to watch her and prevent her from leaving the inn. The comparison suggests that Bishop is a formidable guardian, though in practice he proves to be easily outwitted.
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