The Marriage Settlement
The narrative follows a man reflecting on his domestic life and the introduction of a governess, Edith Willoughby, for his daughters. Initially, he is skeptical about the need for a governess, but soon finds himself impressed by Edith's qualifications and charm. As time passes, he notices a growing connection between Edith and Mr. Harlowe, a wealthy widower who becomes enamored with her. Despite the man's polished demeanor, the protagonist harbors an instinctive distrust of him. Edith accepts Harlowe's marriage proposal, much to the protagonist's dismay. He attempts to secure a marriage settlement for her, believing it will protect her from potential future misfortunes. The marriage occurs, but soon after, Edith's demeanor changes drastically, revealing the emotional and physical toll of her new life. The protagonist learns of Harlowe's abusive nature and the existence of a previous wife, which complicates Edith's situation. After a brief encounter with Edith, who seeks refuge from Harlowe, the protagonist confronts Harlowe, who displays a mix of arrogance and desperation. The protagonist vows to protect Edith, but she refuses to pursue legal action against Harlowe, despite the injustices she faces. The story escalates when Harlowe dies unexpectedly, leading to a confrontation over his estate. The protagonist and his legal associate, Mr. Ferret, investigate Harlowe's affairs, discovering that the supposed will bequeathing his property to a woman named Giulletta Corelli is a sham. Instead, they find a marriage settlement that secures Edith's rights to Harlowe's estate. The narrative concludes with Edith reclaiming her life and finding joy in her daughter, Helen, who embodies the hope and future that Edith had longed for amidst her trials. The story explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
By Samuel Warren · First published 1856 · Genre: Domestic Fiction, Drama, Romance · 6,910 words
First lines
"It is really time that a properly-qualified governess had charge of those girls," observed my wife, as Mary and Kate after a more than usually boisterous romp with their papa, left the room for bed. I may here remark, _inter alia_, that I once surprised a dignified and highly-distinguished judge at a game of blindman's buff with his children, and very heartily he appeared to enjoy it too. "It is really time that a properly-qualified governess had charge of those girls. Susan May did very well as a nursery teacher, but they are now far beyond her control. _I_ cannot attend to their education, and as for you" -- The sentence was concluded by a shrug of the shoulders and a toss of the head, eloquently expressive of the degree of estimation in which _my_ governing powers were held.
What this Textopian page supports
The Marriage Settlement is listed on Textopian as a novel by Samuel Warren, dated 1856 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Samuel Warren
- Date: 1856 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Domestic Fiction, Drama, Romance, Legal Fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 6,910 words
- Structure: 1 section, 109 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Marriage Settlement by Samuel Warren
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Marriage Settlement?
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Genres
- Domestic Fiction — The narrative centers around family dynamics, marriage, and domestic life, exploring the roles and responsibilities within a household.
- Drama — The story contains intense emotional conflicts, particularly surrounding marriage, betrayal, and societal expectations.
- Romance — Romantic relationships and their complexities are central to the plot, particularly the relationship between Edith Willoughby and Mr. Harlowe.
- Legal Fiction — The plot involves legal matters, including marriage settlements and the implications of legal contracts on personal relationships.
Tags
marriage · settlement · romance · drama · society · class · conflict · relationships · family · wealth · inheritance · tradition