Daniel Deronda, Chapter 26 summary

What happens

1. Mr. Gascoigne announces Tuesday’s interview with Mrs. Mompert and urges Gwendolen to accept her changed circumstances.
2. Alone, Gwendolen grieves over her prospects, then imagines her mother aging and feels a new tenderness toward her.
3. Mrs. Davilow brings Grandcourt’s note requesting a private visit, which stirs both triumph and fear in Gwendolen.
4. Gwendolen recalls a troubling encounter with a woman and boy, but reasons that receiving Grandcourt commits her to nothing.
5. Her mother’s comments suggest that Grandcourt could help the family, and Gwendolen writes permission for his visit.
6. Gwendolen warns her mother against expecting an engagement and claims she wants the pleasure of rejecting him.

In this chapter

What to notice

Gwendolen asserts control over the proposed visit, although her private thoughts reveal competing fears, desires, and hopes for her mother.

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