The First Countess of Wessex (from A Group of Noble Dames) hosted by Pamela

[Pamela]

And so our tale ends, happily for the married couple, perhaps because of the challenges that they faced, which I feel did show each other their characters and personality.

It is sad in a way that Mrs. Dornell, who did achieve what she had planned, would be so upset at the result. Perhaps with time she grew more understanding that those visits between the two individuals cemented a livelong loving relationship.

Reading this a third time, I am struck by how fate played into things for all the characters. Squire Dornell stuck to his guns and sadly missed the chance to see the happiness of his daughter, even though it was not to the man of his choosing. And Mrs. Dornell grew, a bit too late, to appreciate her husband's wishes and concerns. But mostly because instead of going to a stranger, Betty had the opportunity to see Reynard for himself and to grow to not only appreciate him but to love him.

Do you agree? What are your thoughts?

[Connie]

Reynard was a diplomat, and had good instincts on how to deal with other people. He didn't pick a fight with Mrs Dornell, but used that extra year to form a relationship with Betty. She was still a teenager, and he was twice her age. He didn't want her thinking of him as a father figure. So he wrote her loving letters. She also had the fun of sneaking off with him behind her mother's back, and forbidden fruit is always the sweetest, especially to a teenager. So she fell in love with Reynard. Her mother really couldn't complain much since they were married, and Reynard got the titles she coveted.

Her mother also took the time to teach Betty how perform the role of the lady of the house with duties to the community around them. So they had some special time together after the father's death which was probably a comfort to both of them.

Thank you, Pamela, for your excellent summaries and lovely illustrations. Hardy did a great job with his characterizations in this story.

[Pamela]

Thank you, Connie. I have to say that at first reading I was not so pleased with the characters but with subsequent reading, the story grew on me.

The ending was particularly sweet with Betty and Reynard truly in love and devoted to each other.

[Erich C]

Thank you, Pamela, for leading the story. I enjoyed it!

[Bridget, Moderator]

I'm adding my thanks to Pamela too! Great job leading. Loved all the illustrations.

The ending sort of surprised me. It was happier than I expected from Hardy. I had wondered all along if Reynard might me a nice person. I loved how he spent the last year "wooing" Betty by letter and by meeting her in secret. How fun that would be for a young girl.

[Erich C]

Bridget wrote: "The ending sort of surprised me. It was happier than I expected from Hardy. I had wondered all along if Reynard might be a nice person. I loved how he spent the last year "wooing" Betty by letter and by meeting her in secret. How fun that would be for a young girl."

Great comment, Bridget. I was surprised, too, especially since I had written Betty off as a character with little agency earlier in our reading.

Hardy takes advantage of the reader's limited perspective, which only allows us to see Reynard through the Dornells' eyes: a man too old for Betty, from a socially connected family with little independent wealth. It's easy to infer that Reynard is fortune-hunting even though there is no real evidence of that!

[Pamela]

Bridget wrote: "I'm adding my thanks to Pamela too! Great job leading. Loved all the illustrations.

The ending sort of surprised me. It was happier than I expected from Hardy. I had wondered all along if Reynard ..."

I agree, Bridget (and Erich). It is unusual for Hardy to have such a happy ending. I read all the stories in A Group of Noble Dames and I don't remember if the other tales end happily as well. I know that I did like several of the stories.

Thanks so much every one. This really stretched my skill set! (And now that my son has solved the internet issues, I am really able to enjoy this finish!)

[Bridget, Moderator]

This story has peeked my interest. I'm looking forward to reading more from A Group of Noble Dames :-)