East Lynne

Isabel arrives at East Lynne, and no one recognizes her. When Isabel and Barbara speak, it emerges that Barbara is not overly interested in nurturing her stepchildren and is also not concerned about William’s health. Isabel claims that she is a widow who has also lost several children; this cover story helps to explain why she seems sad when she sees the loving relationship between Barbara and Archibald.

Isabel meets the children, who do not recognize her. She also notices that William does seem to be suffering from a severe illness; while Barbara and Wilson (the servant in charge of the children) are unconcerned, Archibald is more unsure about his son’s health. Isabel immediately begins to tend to William more carefully.

Mrs. Hare visits Isabel, and the two of them reminisce about the pain of losing and missing a child. Mrs. Hare also admits that Archibald loved his first wife intensely. Increasingly, Isabel is tormented by regret and suffering when she sees Barbara as a wife and mother.

Isabel has been at East Lynne for 6 months; she has nursed little William but remains afraid that he is not healthy. West Lynne is in need of a new member of Parliament, and many people suggest that Archibald run for office. Archibald is surprised at first but comes to like the idea. Barbara is supportive but adamant that she does not want to spend long periods of time separated from her husband; she wants to accompany him to London when he is required to go there for official duties.

Despite his inheritance, Francis has run out of money and gone into debt again. He and his wife, Lady Alice, have a very unhappy marriage, and she often wishes she could leave him. Francis has gotten involved in politics and is given the chance to run as MP for West Lynne, opposing Archibald. At first, Francis hesitates, but he needs the position (which will ensure he doesn’t get sent to prison for debt). Before agreeing to run, he sends a message, and an undisclosed recipient confirms that Otway Bethel (one of the men who was nearby on the night Hallijohn was killed) is not in West Lynne.

Archibald and the other residents of West Lynne learn that Francis Levinson is also running for office; many people are very angry and offended. Lord Mount Severn and his young son, William Vane, come to stay at East Lynne; William has a crush on Lucy and hopes to marry her one day. Isabel is very shocked and agitated when she learns Francis will be running for office since she fears that he will recognize her. One day, Isabel’s glasses fall off, and Cornelia is struck by her resemblance her former sister-in-law.

When Francis first arrives in West Lynne to begin campaigning, local men drag him through the streets and throw him into a pond. After seeing Isabel without her glasses, Cornelia is suspicious; she questions Joyce as to whether Joyce has ever noticed a resemblance between the governess and the former Lady Isabel and even asks whether Isabel’s death was verified. Meanwhile, Archibald gives Isabel permission to take William to a specialist since they are both still concerned about the young boy’s health.

As the campaigning continues, Otway unexpectedly returns to West Lynne. He seems confused when he sees Francis, and Francis seems very uncomfortable. Another man, seeing the confrontation, jokes about Francis having once used the pseudonym Thorn while wooing Afy; Mr. Dill, Archibald’s assistant (who knows all about Richard’s case and the mystery of a man named Thorn) overhears. Dill rushes to tell Archibald that Francis is the man who was wooing Afy and whom Richard believes to be the murderer.

Meanwhile, Barbara has become more convinced that Francis is the man who went by Thorn, and she summons Richard to West Lynne to confirm this. Barbara then tells her theory to her husband, and Barbara and Archibald agree that Francis must be the man in question. However, Archibald points out that he can’t make claims against Francis because people will assume he is just trying to get revenge on his first wife’s lover.

William confides to Isabel that he knows he is dying; Isabel tries to reassure him, but continues to be very afraid for her son’s health. Barbara confides to Isabel the mystery around Hallijohn’s murder and her efforts to clear Richard’s name. She also tells Isabel that it is now more or less certain that Francis was the man who actually killed Hallijohn. Isabel is more horrified than ever to learn that she threw away her happiness to be with a murderer.

Richard arrives at East Lynne, and Barbara shares all of the information and conclusions indicating that Francis is the man who went by the name Thorn and murdered Hallijohn. Richard is frightened by the idea of making an accusation against Levinson. Before taking any action, Richard observes Levinson from a distance and confirms his identity at last. Archibald goes to see another local lawyer named Mr. Ball and explains to him that Richard wants to reopen the murder case; he confirms that the lawyer will not immediately press any charges against Richard himself and arranges for Richard to meet with Ball.

Richard meets with Ball and explains his story. Ball does further investigation and gets confirmation from another man that Levinson used the pseudonym Thorn while courting Afy. Ball eventually decides to prosecute the case and goes to meet with the local magistrates.

A specialist confirms that William is fatally ill and will die within months. Isabel is devastated. Meanwhile, Justice Hare is shocked to hear that Francis is going to be investigated for Hallijohn’s murder; he wonders whether it is possible that his own son, Richard, could have been innocent all along.