Table of Contents
FROM THE PAGES OF WIVES AND DAUGHTERS
Title Page
Copyright Page
ELIZABETH GASKELL
THE WORLD OF ELIZABETH GASKELL AND WIVES AND DAUGHTERS
Introduction
CHAPTER 1 - The Dawn of a Gala Day
CHAPTER 2 - A Novice among the Great Folk
CHAPTER 3 - Molly Gibson’s Childhood
CHAPTER 4 - Mr. Gibson’s Neighbours
CHAPTER 5 - Calf-Love
CHAPTER 6 - A Visit to the Hamleys
CHAPTER 7 - Foreshadows of Love Perils
CHAPTER 8 - Drifting into Danger
CHAPTER 9 - The Widower and The Widow
CHAPTER 10 - A Crisis
CHAPTER 11 - Making Friendship
CHAPTER 12 - Preparing for the Wedding
CHAPTER 13 - Molly Gibson’s New Friends
CHAPTER 14 - Molly Finds Herself Patronized
CHAPTER 15 - The New Mamma
CHAPTER 16 - The Bride at Home
CHAPTER 17 - Trouble at Hamley Hall
CHAPTER 18 - Mr. Osborne’s Secret
CHAPTER 19 - Cynthia’s Arrival
CHAPTER 20 - Mrs. Gibson’s Visitors
CHAPTER 21 - The Half-Sisters
CHAPTER 22 - The Old Squire’s Troubles
CHAPTER 23 - Osborne Hamley Reviews His Position
CHAPTER 24 - Mrs. Gibson’s Little Dinner
CHAPTER 25 - Hollingford in a Bustle
CHAPTER 26 - A Charity Ball
CHAPTER 27 - Father and Sons
CHAPTER 28 - Rivalry
CHAPTER 29 - Bush-Fighting
CHAPTER 30 - Old Ways and New Ways
CHAPTER 31 - A Passive Coquette
CHAPTER 32 - Coming Events
CHAPTER 33 - Brightening Prospects
CHAPTER 34 - A Lover’s Mistake
CHAPTER 35 - The Mother’s Manœuvre
CHAPTER 36 - Domestic Diplomacy
CHAPTER 37 - A Fluke, and What Came of It
CHAPTER 38 - Mr. Kirkpatrick, Q.C.
CHAPTER 39 - Secret Thoughts Ooze Out
CHAPTER 40 - Molly Gibson Breathes Freely
CHAPTER 41 - Gathering Clouds
CHAPTER 42 - The Storm Bursts
CHAPTER 43 - Cynthia’s Confession
CHAPTER 44 - Molly Gibson to the Rescue
CHAPTER 45 - Confidences
CHAPTER 46 - Hollingford Gossips
CHAPTER 47 - Scandal and Its Victims
CHAPTER 48 - An Innocent Culprit
CHAPTER 49 - Molly Gibson Finds a Champion
CHAPTER 50 - Cynthia at Bay
CHAPTER 51 - ‘Troubles Never Come Alone’
CHAPTER 52 - Squire Hamley’s Sorrow
CHAPTER 53 - Unlooked-For Arrivals
CHAPTER 54 - Molly Gibson’s Worth is Discovered
CHAPTER 55 - An Absent Lover Returns
CHAPTER 56 - ‘Off with the Old Love, and On with the New’
CHAPTER 57 - Bridal Visits and Adieux
CHAPTER 58 - Reviving Hopes and Brightening Prospects
CHAPTER 59 - Molly Gibson at Hamley Hall
CHAPTER 60 - Roger Hamley’s Confession
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE EDITOR OF THE CORNHILL MAGAZINE
ENDNOTES
INSPIRED BY WIVES AND DAUGHTERS
COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
FOR FURTHER READING
FROM THE PAGES OF WIVES AND DAUGHTERS
For the first time in her life, Molly Gibson was to be included among the guests at the Towers. (page 9)
He had not an ounce of superfluous flesh on his bones; and leanness goes a great way to gentility. (page 38)
“To be sure, a stepmother to a girl is a different thing to a second wife to a man!” (page 75)
“She’s at school in France, picking up airs and graces.” (page 123)
She was sent home in the carriage, loaded with true thanks from every one of the family. Osborne ransacked the houses for flowers for her; Roger had chosen her out books of every kind. The squire himself kept shaking her hand, without being able to speak his gratitude, till at last he had taken her in his arms, and kissed her as he would have done a daughter. (page 212)
“Such a shabby thing for a duchess I never saw; not a bit of a diamond near her! They’re none of ’em worth looking at except the countess, and she’s always a personable woman, and not so lusty as she was. But they’re not worth waiting up for till this time o’ night.” (pages 291-292)
During all the months that had elapsed since Mrs. Hamley’s death, Molly had wondered many a time about the secret she had so unwittingly become possessed of that last day in the Hall library. It seemed so utterly strange and unheard-of a thing to her inexperienced mind, that a man should be married, and yet not live with his wife—that a son should have entered into the holy state of matrimony without his father’s knowledge, and without being recognized as the husband of some one known or unknown by all those with whom he came in daily contact, that she felt occasionally as if that little ten minutes of revelation must have been a vision in a dream. (page 318)
Just then she heard nearer sounds; an opened door, steps on the lower flight of stairs. He could not have gone without even seeing her. He never, never would have done so cruel a thing—never would have forgotten poor little Molly, however happy he might be. (page 371)
“Madam your wife and I didn’t hit it off the only time I ever saw her. I won’t say she was silly, but I think one of us was silly, and it wasn’t me.” (page 390)
“I wish I could give you a little of my own sensitiveness, for I have too much for my happiness.” (page 425)
Having anything to conceal was so unusual—almost so unprecedented a circumstance with her that it preyed upon her in every way. (page 482)
“People may flatter themselves just as much by thinking that their faults are always present to other people’s minds as if they believe that the world is always contemplating their individual charms and virtues.” (page 534)
“Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.” (page 582)
“My dear, if you must have the last word, don’t let it be a truism.” (page 634)
BARNES & NOBLE CLASSICS
NEW YORK.
Published by Barnes & Noble Books
122 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
www.barnesandnoble.com/classics
Wives and Daughters was serialized in Cornhill Magazine between August 1864 and January 1866, and then published in volume form in 1866.
Published in 2005 by Barnes & Noble Classics with new
Introduction, Notes, Biography, Chronology, Inspired By,
Comments & Questions, and For Further Reading.
Introduction, Notes, and For Further Reading
Copyright © 2005 by Amy M. King.
Note on Elizabeth Gaskell, The World of Elizabeth Gaskell and
Wives and Daughters, Inspired by Wives and Daughters, and Comments & Questions
Copyright © 2005 by Barnes & Noble, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Barnes & Noble Classics and the Barnes & Noble Classics colophon are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Wives and Daughters
ISBN-13: 978-1-59308-257-4 ISBN-10: 1-59308-257-6
eISBN : 978-1-411-43352-6
LC Control Number 2004112107