The Woman of Colour: A Tale

While Olivia and Caroline Lumley are walking in the park, they meet up with two couples: Miss Singleton and Frederic Ingot, and Miss Danby and Mr. Waller. Olivia notes that Miss Singleton is dressed like a shepherdess and that Mr. Waller and Miss Danby seem to be flirting, which clearly makes Caroline uncomfortable. Miss Danby asks Olivia if she has met the mysterious woman in the cottage yet, to which Olivia says she has not. Miss Singleton says that the Colonel will use his gallantry to meet her and report back on her identity, particularly whether or not she is beautiful. Miss Singleton goes on to praise her brother’s charm and says that if they had not been related, she might have been “one of his victims” (130).

Olivia interrupts her story to say that Mrs. Milbanke must be as tired of reading about this conversation as Olivia was of participating in it. After the six of them say goodbye, Caroline asks Olivia whether Miss Danby seems overly bold for a genteel lady. Olivia assures her that Mr. Waller does not like Miss Danby and is actually in love with Caroline. Caroline finally admits that her parents are aware of her and Mr. Waller’s love for each other but that they suspect Mr. Waller might have better romantic prospects available to him through his connection to Sir Marmaduke. She does not believe Sir Marmaduke will actually follow through on any promises to find Mr. Waller a wealthy wife and bemoans Frederic’s hopelessness as a student; neither Sir Marmaduke nor Lady Ingot is genuinely interested in their son’s improvement, and they both know Frederic will inherit Sir Marmaduke’s fortune regardless of whether or not he is educated. Olivia acknowledges that talented and virtuous people like Mr. Waller often have to deal with ridiculous situations such as these.

Olivia shares Caroline’s story with Augustus, who is just as interested in it as Olivia. She feels grateful for having a husband who listens to and cares about her.

Augustus invites Mr. Waller to New Park for dinner, and Waller shares Mr. Bellfield’s story with Augustus and Olivia. Mr. Bellfield was a successful merchant who was known for his virtuous character. After his only sister was left a widow, Mr. Bellfield supported her and her children, sending the eldest boy to India. The boy made his fortune and returned as Sir Marmaduke Ingot. In the intervening years, Mr. Bellfield had lost much of his own money. Rather than offer his uncle financial support, Sir Marmaduke simply offered to let him live at the Pagoda, and, having no other options, Mr. Bellfield agreed. The two men have accepted that they have very different personalities and avoid conversations that might result in arguments. Lady Ingot detests Mr. Bellfield, as he is uneducated and thus does not, she believes, deserve her company. Mr. Waller does his best to support Mr. Bellfield, which includes protecting him from Frederic’s bullying. Olivia concludes that this story demonstrates the gap that often exists between appearance and reality.

Letitia has arrived at New Park and is being overly civil toward and enthusiastic about seeing Olivia and Augustus. She also claims she will be continuously strolling around the grounds during her stay, which Olivia acknowledges would be a change for her.

Olivia, Augustus, and Letitia will attend a dinner party the following evening at the Pagoda. Olivia prays she will become more compassionate and less judgmental toward her fellow humans.

After a long gap in the middle of this letter, Olivia begins writing again, saying that Mrs. Milbanke must prepare to hear her “tale of sorrow” (136). She prays that God will help her survive her recent adversities, but ends the letter without providing any further details.

Olivia bemoans the loss of her happy life, hinting that she has been separated from someone or something but not explaining to whom or to what she is referring. She wishes her father had never sent her to England and says that the prejudices he hoped she would avoid by leaving Jamaica have found her tenfold. Mr. Lumley and Dido, she says, are truly loyal friends who are still by her side. She stops writing, saying that she feels faint and that the events of the past six weeks have unnerved her physically and emotionally.

Olivia recalls the tranquility she felt at New Park prior to Letitia’s visit, comparing it to that of the Garden of Eden. When Letitia arrives, she seems happy and civil, and the Singletons often join them for long walks around the grounds. Olivia notes that Letitia seems more active and energetic than she had in London. She adds that no one had seen the mysterious woman in the cottage yet.

One night during Letitia’s visit, a terrible storm strikes New Park, destroying a number of trees around the property. After the sun comes out the following morning, Letitia hints to Olivia and Augustus that they should check on the woman in the cottage. Miss Danby and Miss Singleton arrive and tell them that part of the Pagoda had been destroyed in the storm. They accompany Olivia, Augustus, and Letitia on their walk to the local village, checking on the residents. When they finally reach the woman’s cottage, they hear a shriek from inside and the door flies open. A woman rushes out, shouting for Augustus to save her; Colonel Singleton follows her out, looking confused. Olivia realizes that the woman is Angelina, Augustus’s first wife. She also notes that Letitia and Miss Danby both recognize Angelina.

Olivia faints from shock, eventually waking in her bed to see Caroline and Dido watching over her. She asks who the woman in the park is, to which Dido replies that Olivia has been the victim of a plot and that they should never have left Jamaica. Caroline finally admits that the woman is indeed Augustus’s wife, but she insists that they must pity Augustus, too. Olivia insists she cannot, describing him as “the destroyer of my peace” (142).

Mr. Lumley visits Olivia that evening and encourages her to find consolation in her religion. When she asks about Augustus, he echoes Caroline in saying that Augustus is heartbroken and that they should pity him. He claims that Augustus truly thought his wife was dead and that the only crime he committed was the concealment of his marriage to Angelina. He also insists that both Augustus and Angelina are miserable knowing that they have hurt Olivia.