The Woman in White: The First Epoch: Part 3, Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

The story is continued through excerpts from the diary of Marian Halcombe. These excerpts begin on the 8th of November, just after Mr. Gilmore’s first visit to Limmeridge House when he came to discuss the marriage settlement with Laura. Marian, who feels unusually anxious and uncertain about how to proceed, approaches Laura in her room after Mr. Gilmore has had his discussion with her. Laura is pacing distractedly and tells Marian that she is going to confess “all” to Sir Percival so that he may break off his engagement to her if he wishes. Laura feels that she cannot break off the engagement herself because of the promise she made to her father, but she is resolved to speak to Sir Percival the next morning.

Laura seems more relaxed that evening and joins Sir Percival, Marian, and Mrs. Vesey for dinner. After they have eaten, she tells Sir Percival that she wishes to speak to him the next day, after breakfast, and that she will wait for him in the study. Sir Percival turns pale when he hears this and Marian notices that his hands shake slightly. When Marian pops into Laura’s room that night to check on her, she finds Laura preparing to sleep with the book of Walter’s sketches under her pillow for what she thinks may be the last time.

The next day Marian receives a worrying letter from Walter Hartright. He writes in reply to a letter that Marian sent him detailing the explanation that Sir Percival provided for the letter sent by Anne Catherick to Laura. Walter bitterly replies that it is not his place to question the actions of noble men like Sir Percival. Marian is concerned that Walter’s mental health is deteriorating; he writes that he cannot pursue his normal work and that he feels he is being followed around London. He asks for Marian’s help to secure a passage abroad and she readily agrees, feeling that a change will be good for him.

That morning, after breakfast, Marian and Laura wait for Sir Percival in the study. Marian is surprised to find Laura in such a state of calm resolve; she has never seen this side of her sister and feels that they have switched roles. Sir Percival, who did not join them for breakfast, appears and seems very anxious to hear what Laura has to say.

Laura explains to Sir Percival that, although she agreed to the engagement—on her father’s wish—with the best intentions, her circumstances have changed since then. She understands that Sir Percival may wish to end the engagement with her, since she is in love with another, but that she does not intend to marry this other man and will remain single for the rest of her life even if Sir Percival will not marry her. She feels the need to tell him and to be honest, as she believes that women should honor and respect their husbands above all, and she does not wish to marry him with a lie on her conscience.

Rather than rejecting Laura, however, Sir Percival leaps up and announces that she has done nothing but increase his desire to marry her because she has proved herself so honest and good. Marian sees that Laura’s honesty, which she hoped would free her from the engagement, has really sealed her fate. Laura insists that although she will marry Sir Percival, she will never love him, but Sir Percival suggests that she may learn to love him in time, and seems delighted to continue the engagement.

Sir Percival leaves the women alone and Marian watches anxiously as Laura dejectedly resigns herself to what has passed. She cuts out a lock of her hair and places it in Walter’s sketchbook. Aware that Marian sometimes corresponds with Walter, Laura begs her to write and tell him that she is happy. If she dies young, however, Laura wants Marian to tell Walter that she loved him. With that she breaks down sobbing and, saddened by the day’s events, Marian leaves her to cry herself to sleep and puts Walter’s sketchbook out of sight.

The next day, Sir Percival takes Marian aside and assures her of his good intentions towards Laura; he will never mention her confession again and will do his utmost to win her regard as a husband. Marian is deeply aware of how biased she is against Sir Percival and tries to resist speaking her mind. She does tell him, however, that she wishes he had ended the engagement. Again, she feels “disarmed” when Sir Percival responds kindly and begs her to understand that Laura’s confession has only strengthened the attachment that he feels towards her.

When Marian is still cold towards him, Sir Percival asks if she thinks Laura’s future would be better as single woman or as the wife of a noble and devoted man. Marian answers him civilly but, writing in her dairy later that day, feels certain that he has taken advantage of Laura’s vulnerability and has used it to further his own ends. She can only hope that his motives are not as monstrous as she suspects and that he truly loves her sister. She also briefly notes that she has reached out to some contacts to get Walter a position abroad, as she is terribly worried about him and what will happen to him if he remains in London.

The next morning, Marian and Sir Percival are called to Mr. Fairlie’s room to discuss the date of the wedding. Marian feels that Laura should get to decide when the marriage will take place, but Mr. Fairlie says that Laura has caused enough trouble and that it should be up to Sir Percival. Sir Percival good humoredly refuses this responsibility and Marian says that she will not press Laura on the matter. When she sees Laura, however, and describes the interview, Laura despondently says that she has indeed caused everyone enough trouble and gives Sir Percival final say over the timing of the wedding.

Marian watches Laura interact with Sir Percival and observes the change that has come over her sister. She feels that, since Walter’s departure, Laura has lost all her hope and vivacity but seems quietly determined to keep her promise. Sir Percival wants to marry Laura by the end of the year and Marian acknowledges, bitterly, that there is nothing she can do to stop this. After finalizing the date with Laura, Sir Percival leaves Limmeridge to prepare his house in Hampshire for his new bride.

Marian decides that a change of scenery will be good for Laura and invites her to visit some friends of theirs in Yorkshire. Laura—in her new “coldly passive” state—agrees. Marian sends a quick note to Mr. Gilmore to inform him about the upcoming wedding. She also hears that a place has been found for Walter on an expedition to Honduras, and, saddened that their dear friend will be so far away, Marian sets out with Laura for Yorkshire.

After a week in Yorkshire, Marian hears that Walter has departed on his expedition to America. The next day she receives a letter from Mr. Fairlie that asks her and Laura to return to Limmeridge house at the request of Sir Percival.