Civil Contract Part VIII

Jenny is recovering from her confinement when Julia and Lady Oversley pay a visit, to see the baby. Julia is now a married lady with 2 young step daughters, and introduces them to Adam. They seem very fond of her, and Julia admits to Adam that she "can't live if she's not loved" and that the children's love and Rockhill's adoration are necessary to her. He feels uneasy at this realization that Julia has feet of clay but is kept busy by his work and keeping an eye on Jenny and the European situation. Napoleon's return to France has caused uproar but many English Whigs do not want to fight him, having sympathized with his regime. Britain has been at war for so long. Adam's family like many very rich noblemen, are Whigs but he has forsaken his family allegiance to support the Tories because of the war issue. He is sure that if Bonaparte is not stopped, he will soon engage Europe in more wars of conquest. To Adam's irritation, Mr Chawleigh suggests that he should fund his son in law to have an experimental farm. He is annoyed as he usually is when Chawleigh offers or all but forces expensive and luxurious gifts on him... but he laughs it off to Jenny. Lydia is now having her first season in London and Adam realises that his little sister has attracted the attention of Lord Brough, his own best friend. Jenny tells him that Brough wants to marry her. Although she is very young, Adam can see the couple are in love and works on his mother to persuade her to agree to the marriage. Adam goes to London to take part in a debate on the War issue, and to cast his vote, and amazes Jenny by returning after only a couple of days. Before, he often stayed away a bit longer when he went on a visit. He is growing to depend more on her and on their life in Fontley. Charlotte is due to have her baby in June and Lady Lynton comes to stay with her to support her through the birth, and she consents to Lydia's marriage. Lydia writes to Jenny telling her that she wants to have a small betrothal party at Fontley rather than a bigger one. She would like to invite Lord Rockhill and his wife, because Rockhill is related to Brough and has been very kind to him. Jenny feels uneasy but agrees to this, because she is fond of Lydia. Adam agrees to the party but, as a former soldier, he feels a little depressed and annoyed at the idea of having a party, when the country is at war. Lydia comes to stay, with her fiance and Lord and Lady Adversane, Brough's parents. Then Adam receives a messenger sent by his father in law which throws him into turmoil. Mr Chawleigh sends one of his clerks with a note, urgently ordering him to come to London though it is a Sunday, and to meet him as soon as possible. He doesn't want to go, but finally agrees and sets off for London.