It’s snowing, and the snow slows their journey. Bucket
seems to lose some of his confidence and eventually admits that
he has lost the trail. At an inn, Esther faints and is then cared
for by the landlady and her daughters. Later, when they stop again
to change horses, Bucket realizes something and says he finally
understands. He excitedly orders the driver to return to London,
which shocks Esther. He says he is going to follow Jenny. Esther
protests that they shouldn’t abandon Lady Dedlock, but Bucket tells
her not to worry.
Summary: Chapter 58, “A Wintry Day and Night”
The narrator says that at the Dedlock town house, people
are told that Lady Dedlock has gone to Lincolnshire, but rumors
abound about where she really is and what has happened between her
and Sir Leicester. Sir Leicester is still bedridden. In the morning,
he instructs Mrs. Rouncewell to have Lady Dedlock’s rooms prepared for
her. Mrs. Rouncewell admits to George that she thinks Lady Dedlock
will not be returning to Chesney Wold or anywhere else. She says
that Lady Dedlock told her yesterday that the footsteps on the Ghost’s
Walk had “almost walked her down.”
The narrator describes the abandoned appearance of Lady
Dedlock’s rooms. Mrs. Rouncewell and George help the servants light fires
and prepare for her return. Volumnia sits with Sir Leicester. When
Mrs. Rouncewell returns, Volumnia praises George, and Mrs. Rouncewell
explains to Sir Leicester that George is her long-lost son. Sir
Leicester seems hopeful at the news and asks to see George immediately.
George appears and helps arrange Sir Leicester more comfortably
in his bed. Sir Leicester tells George he is unwell, that he has
had an attack that “deadens” and “confuses” (most likely a stroke).
He tells everyone in the room—Volumnia, Mrs. Rouncewell, and George—that
if he gets worse and becomes unable to communicate, then they should
make it known that his feelings for Lady Dedlock have not changed
whatsoever and that he harbors no anger toward her. After his speech
he lays back. George stays with him.
The narrator says that the day is coming to an end, but
that Sir Leicester is unwilling to admit it. Mrs. Rouncewell convinces
him to rest. He maintains his hopes by thinking that her rooms are
prepared for her arrival. Eventually, everyone goes to bed, except
for Mrs. Rouncewell and George. Volumnia can’t sleep, worrying that if
Sir Leicester dies she will have no income. George runs into her
as he walks around the house and convinces her to go to bed.
The morning comes.
