Lady Audley's Secret

Among the letters that Robert finds is one from George’s father, Harcourt Talboys. Robert had written to him following George’s disappearance but his reply merely reiterates that he has cut all ties with George and that this “disappearance” is typically preposterous behavior. Robert is inclined to give up on Mr. Talboys but feels the need to ask for his advice. First, however, he needs to pay a visit to George’s father-in-law.

Mr. Maldon is not at home, but Robert talks with the young George and asks him how he would like to go to school. George replies that he would like it very much. Throughout this conversation, George is overseen by a woman, Mrs. Plowson, who seems nervous.

George shows Robert the watch given to him by “the pretty lady” (142). He says that his grandfather told him not to talk about her, but, because he likes Robert, he will tell him the story. The woman came to the house one night a long time ago and sat upon his bed, crying and subsequently leaving the watch under his pillow.

Mrs. Plowson tries to hush the child, and Robert remarks that one would think some sort of conspiracy was going on. However, George tells Robert that Mrs. Plowson is Matilda’s mother. He begins describing Matilda, saying that she was always crying and was ill, but he is interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Maldon. Robert muses that, whatever the mystery is, Mrs. Plowson plays a significant role in it.

When Robert announces that he is going to take George’s son away, Mr. Maldon says that he had thought that either Robert or the child’s father would do so. Robert reminds Mr. Maldon that he had previously said George was in Australia. Flustered, Mr. Maldon replies that he might have returned. Robert expresses his certainty that, not only did George not set sail for Australia, he never came to Southampton. Moreover, Robert knows that the lie that Mr. Maldon had told him was dictated by telegraph. Robert then reveals that he possesses part of this telegraph.

Robert states that, on the day that George was supposedly in Southampton, he had been spotted in Essex. This was the last time that anyone could account for him. Robert concludes that George is dead, and Mr. Maldon is overcome with fear and grief.

Mr. Maldon starts berating Robert for scaring him. He says that if he had known how things would turn out, he might have spared George from such a fate. Robert pities the old man but his thoughts turn to another man who might come to feel similar anguish: his own uncle.

Robert tells Mr. Maldon that the truth about George will come out eventually, and he feels impelled to uncover it. He says that Mr. Maldon is free to tell anyone involved that they may flee, for Robert will not pursue them. If they do not heed such warnings, however, they will not be spared. Mr. Maldon says that he does not understand and does not believe that George is dead.

Mrs. Plowson then returns with Mr. Maldon’s grandson, who starts talking about the watch and “pretty lady” again, saying that his grandfather complains that she uses him so hard and that he cannot keep the wolves from the door. Whenever he talks in such a way, the child gives him the watch and he cries at having to rob his “blessed angel” (149).

Robert feels it his duty to take the boy into his care, but he promises that he will attend a good school. Mr. Maldon agrees to this, adding that he never did any willful wrong to his son-in-law and does not believe he is dead.

After securing his admission at a suitable school, Robert asks if George would like some lunch at the hotel where they are staying. He leaves the child in the waiter’s care, saying that he has business to attend to. However, he spends the afternoon walking along the riverbank, having “purposely avoided the society of the child” (154).

When Robert returns, he makes inquiries at the train station and decides to set off for Dorsetshire the next morning to visit George’s father.

Later that evening, a carriage takes George’s son to his new school, and Robert encloses a check to cover his outfit. The boy is happy that he will no longer need his old worn-out clothes and that Billy can have them. Robert asks who Billy is, and the boy replies that he is Matilda’s younger brother. Before he can continue, the carriage departs.

Harcourt Talboys is inflexible and merciless. George had never tried to change his father’s opinion, as he knew that doing so would be futile. Helen, however, had a taste for luxury and struggled to live a thrifty lifestyle.

Mr. Talboys’ house is immaculate, with its owner insisting on perfect order. When Robert meets Mr. Talboys, he is surprised to find no family resemblance with George, yet he can see a similarity between George and the young woman present in the room. He is sure that she is George’s sister.

Mr. Talboys reiterates that his son is dead to him, but Robert says that there is a strong chance that George really is dead. Mr. Talboys assures him that this is not so; rather, George’s disappearance is a “clever trick” (163) intended to alarm his father. Robert observes that Mr. Talboys is a man who traces everything back to himself.

Despite his disapproval of his son, Mr. Talboys tells Robert that he will forgive him when he returns. Robert says he is glad to hear this but believes George has been murdered. Mr. Talboys replies that Robert is either mad or has been sent to stir up trouble. Robert says that he wishes he were wrong but fears the worst and wants to ask for advice. This appeals to Mr. Talboys’ vanity, and he agrees to listen.

Robert recounts his investigations, though he conceals the names of his uncle and aunt. When he finishes, Mr. Talboys remains of the opinion that George’s disappearance is a conspiracy against his father. He consequently says that, if Robert pursues his investigations, it should be for his own satisfaction. Robert then exclaims that he washes his hands of the whole business. He hopes that Mr. Talboys is right and George is not dead, but he believes that Mr. Talboys will one day come to regret his apathy towards his son.

Upon leaving, Robert thinks of the lack of emotion or interest displayed by George’s sister and feels sorry that George had so few people to love him.

As he leaves to return to the city, Robert wonders how George grew up to be so amiable given the atmosphere at his family home. However, as he looks back at the house, he is startled to see a woman running towards him. He thinks that he must have left something behind, and asks the driver to stop. It is Clara Talboys, George’s sister; her manner has changed and she begs to speak to Robert, saying that she must avenge George’s death. 

Clara is not surprised that Robert thought she did not care for her brother. She explains that any affection that she showed him was turned to disadvantage by their father. Robert can see that Clara is trembling, and he tries to reassure her that he might have been mistaken about George’s fate. However, she is sure that George has been murdered.

Clara pleads with Robert to resume his investigations, and says that, if he does not, she will do so herself. She says that she has been stifled throughout her life and denied any companions other than her brother. This makes her all the most desperate to find his murderer. Robert is awestruck and notices how beautiful this woman is. He replies that it is his destiny to uncover the truth.

Robert asks if she has any letters written by her brother, and she says that she does and that she will send them to him. She adds that she is going to be away for two or three months, and, when she reveals that she will be in Essex, Robert is startled. She says that she knows that her brother disappeared there, and Robert does not try to pretend otherwise.

The possibility that her brother is dead overwhelms Clara and she breaks down sobbing. Robert realizes that she is very similar to George. He tries to calm her by saying that George might not be dead, but Clara tells him that they best they can hope for is revenge. Robert is similarly vengeful, thinking, “Heaven help those who stand between me and the secret” (173).