Victorians! discussion

Welcome to Week Four of The Fate of Fenella

Ch. 12- Frank Danby (Julia Frankau (née Davis), “To live or die?”
Ch. 13- Mrs. Edward Kennard, "The scars remained"
Ch. 14- Richard Dowling, “Derelict”
Ch. 15- Mrs. Hungerford, “Another Rift”

Summary Ch. 12-15

Fenella falls ill and Frank rushes to her side. She relives the murder and trial in her delirium. Frank attempts to bring Ronny and his mother together, but instead discovers the revenge plot of his mistress.

When he contacts Scotland Yard, Frank learns that she is known to them, is wanted by the French police, has committed bigammy, and has left for America with his son under an alias. Due to haste and miscommunication, Frank heads for America, but it is unlikely that Lucille will be in custody or his son awaiting him. Fenella recovers enough to begin receiving her mail, which includes a letter claiming that her husband has left her and she will never see her son again.

Although still weak from illness, Fenella gets up at once and writes to Clitheroe Jacynthe, who seeks more information from Castleton. Lord C. confides what he knows about Frank’s trances and the night of the murder. Jacynthe goes to Fenella and she admits all.

-In what ways was the plot advanced in this section?
-Were there any surprises?

This section felt to me like a bit more of a bumpy ride compared to the previous three.

Well Frank and Fenella did get back together again after a lot of soul searching on both sides but……., it was for such a very short moment in time it felt to me a missed opportunity. Fenella’s descent into illness left Frank alone and bereft once more and by the time she had recovered she was mistrusting him again.

The following chapters made me feel uneasy as if the story was going down a path I personally did not want it to go. To me the ever faithful (to Fenella) and loved up Jacynth has suddenly become Frank’s enemy and could become the number one wedge driver between the couple.

Why was Fenella not disgusted with Jacynth for the way he had paved the way for her son to be kidnapped? Instead her disgust once more settled on Frank.

It was ominous that in Chapter fifteen Fenella suddenly became disgusted with the blood that was on Frank’s hands.

’ “His hands!” she said. She seemed to shrink visibly. She shuddered. “The blood! I was unconscious then, I think—and it is only now—now—— But his hands! and his face! Great Heavens, how he held him. He choked him! It was as if he was over there now,” staring wildly at the far part of the room. “His fingers closed round his throat, and there was such a sound—a gurgle—Heaven, what a sound! and then he stabbed, and stabbed, and stabbed—he was mad. Oh!” with a long-drawn, piercing sigh, “I shall go mad if I think of it!”
“Then don’t think,” said Jacynth. He caught hold of her arm and shook her sharply.
“Whenever I see him I see blood,” said she, still trembling.’

Even more shocking, after Jacynth had fed Fenella with a series of questions seemingly in support of Frank, but really designed so that she might malign him, her final utterance was….

’ “Tell him (Ronnie), too, that his mother will forever love the one who will restore him to her.” ‘

Frank now has another adversary to deal with. And although less evil than his kidnapping former ‘mistress,’ Jacynth’s obsession with Fenella will make him a very dangerous enemy.

Trev wrote: "This section felt to me like a bit more of a bumpy ride compared to the previous three.

Well Frank and Fenella did get back together again after a lot of soul searching on both sides but……., it wa..."

I agree that this section felt more awkward than most of those we’ve previously read. They also seemed more like filler to me. Perhaps these authors did not get on well or felt the need to redeem Jacynthe for abandoning Fenella after the inquest because he is handy for keeping Fenella’s part in the story moving along.

Certainly, you are correct in saying that his insistence on separating mother and son made Ronnie more susceptible to the kidnapping.

It will be interesting to see what the upcoming writers decide to do with the Fenella/Jacynthe relationship by the end. Surely, she and her husband will be reunited. Will they kill off Frank’s rival? Marry him off. Have him step aside for Fenella’s happiness? Or turn him evil? So many plot-twisting possibilities!

I agree that these chapters don't flow and the characters aren't consistent-and I'm not expecting much in that department.

This book certainly has lots of drama!

What can possibly happen next to these poor people? I picture Fenella tied to the railroad tracks while Snidely Whiplash twirls his moustache and chortles with evil delight and Frank rides desperately to rescue his beloved! This may not be great literature, but it's certainly a fun read.

Nancy wrote: "What can possibly happen next to these poor people? I picture Fenella tied to the railroad tracks while Snidely Whiplash twirls his moustache and chortles with evil delight and Frank rides desperat..."

Heheh. This reminded me of “The Perils of Pauline” and its cartoon grandchild “The Perils of Penelope Pitstop,” which I remember with great nostalgic fondness. A Hanna-Barbers classic!

For a little background on the reference:

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Per...

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Per...