The Parson's Daughter of Oxney Colne

The Parson's Daughter of Oxney Colne

Anthony Trollope's "The Parson's Daughter of Oxney Colne" is set in the Devonshire parish of Oxney Colne, on the borders of Dartmoor, where the only two decent houses are the parsonage, home to the Rev. Saul Woolsworthy and his daughter Patience, and Oxney Combe, the residence of the fifty-year-old spinster Miss Le Smyrger, who owns land bordering the parson's and lets a hundred acres to Farmer Cloysey. Patience, called Miss Patty, is a tall, dark-eyed, black-haired young woman of strong will who effectively runs the household, since her father — the antiquarian "Jonathan Oldbuck of Devonshire" — is absorbed in Dartmoor lore. Patience has few advantages of fortune or society, but has schooled herself to a self-reliant contentment. Miss Le Smyrger's nephew, Captain John Broughton — son of the wealthy, well-connected Alfonso Broughton of Eaton Square — visits his aunt, ostensibly so she may consider leaving him her Oxney Colne property. During a first, fortnight-long visit in spring he and Patience grow close, though little is said of it to Miss Le Smyrger. Before leaving, he proposes, but in a manner that does not fully satisfy Patience's pride; she asks him to think further and return in the autumn if he still means it. He promises to come back "with a certain purpose." Through the summer Patience waits and broods, visibly changed though she hides it from all but Miss Le Smyrger, who guesses the truth without asking. When Broughton returns in August, Patience deliberately avoids seeming eager, going about her usual duties and even walking to visit a sick old woman at Helpholme rather than wait for him. He follows and, after teasing exchanges, forces from her a full, passionate declaration of love. They walk back engaged, and she tells her father, who gives his blessing, not admitting he is surprised such a grand match sought his portionless daughter. Broughton tells his aunt the next morning; Miss Le Smyrger reveals she has always meant to leave Patience her property, which visibly displeases Broughton, who has his own notions about property and rank. Alone that night, Broughton reconsiders the engagement, uneasy that he has committed himself to a woman without fortune or fashionable polish, and begins privately assessing whether Patience is "good enough" for his London world. Over the following days he starts instructing her in manners and remarks pointedly on the "leap upward" she is making by marrying him. Patience endures this in company but is wounded, and when he presses the point again on a walk toward Helpholme, she confronts him directly, saying his implication that her love is worth less than his rank dishonors them both. He is unmoved and cold. The next day, sensing his true reluctance, Patience goes to him and releases him from the engagement, telling him plainly he has half-repented his bargain and that she will not hold a man who cannot give his whole heart. Though hurt and still proud, she insists they part as friends; he accepts her release with evident relief rather than protest. She kisses his hand and leaves; the next morning she declines to see him when he calls, sending only a written line that they should not meet again. He departs for London. Patience tells her father the engagement is over, comforts him, and resumes her parish life without outward complaint, though her private suffering is great. Miss Le Smyrger is furious with her nephew and vows not to receive him again unless he begs Patience's pardon; he never does, and the two families have no further contact. Years pass: Patience remains unmarried, living quietly, helping her aging father (who now has a curate) and Miss Le Smyrger with parish work, regarded by herself and others as a confirmed old maid whose one romance is over. Broughton eventually marries the wealthy heiress once earlier associated with his name, becomes an active Member of Parliament, and only occasionally recalls Patience Woolsworthy with a faint, satisfied smile.

By Anthony Trollope · First published 1849 · Genre: Romance, Classic Literature, Short Stories · 13,546 words

First lines

The prettiest scenery in all England -- and if I am contradicted in that assertion, I will say in all Europe -- is in Devonshire, on the southern and southeastern skirts of Dartmoor, where the rivers Dart, and Avon, and Teign form themselves, and where the broken moor is half cultivated, and the wild-looking upland fields are half moor. In making this assertion I am often met with much doubt, but it is by persons who do not really know the locality. Men and women talk to me on the matter, who have travelled down the line of railway from Exeter to Plymouth, who have spent a fortnight at Torquay, and perhaps made an excursion from Tavistock to the convict prison on Dartmoor. But who knows the glories of Chagford? Who has walked through the parish of Manaton? Who is conversant with Lustleigh Cleeves and Withycombe in the moor? Who has explored Holne Chase? Gentle reader, believe me that you will be rash in contradicting me, unless you have done these things.

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The Parson's Daughter of Oxney Colne is listed on Textopian as a novella by Anthony Trollope, dated 1849 CE.

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Victorian literature · social class · gender roles · rural life · family dynamics · romance · religion · moral dilemmas · community · character development · English countryside · tradition vs. modernity

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