Phineas Finn Part II

Phineas is a Roman Catholic which makes him unusual in Victorian upper class England. He is hard working and intelligent - but his lack of money means he has to rely on influential friends to give him a start in politics. He is upset when Laura turns him down and tells him she's going to marry Robert Kennedy. However, soon after they marry, she begins to realise she has made a mistake. Kennedy is very puritanical and a Presbyterian, and he is a strict husband. He is suspicious of Phineas and does not like his wife being friendly with him. He also grows resentful of Laura's wanting a role as a political hostess, and tries to curb her, and she becomes angrier with him. Phineas is not quite forbidden the house but he has a stroke of luck when Kennedy is attacked by garotters in the street one night, and he happens to be around and is able to rescue the older man. Kennedy feels he owes Phineas some gratitude so he allows the friendship with Laura to continue. Phineas then meets Violet Effingham, a cousin of Laura's, who is very pretty and charming and he begins to pay court to her. However Violet has always been in love with Lord Chiltern, but has not pursued the relationship because she is afraid of him. He is wild and selfish and she is quiet and shy. She likes Phineas and is a little tempted by him. Chiltern does not take this well and he challenges his friend to a duel. After the duel, they get over their differences and remain friends. Phineas still has problems since he is an MP but he needs a government job to support him, as MPs were not paid then. He also has become friendly with Marie Goesler, a wealthy Viennese widow who has become part of the upper crust circle in recent months. She has attracted the attention of the old Duke of Omnium, who wants to marry her. However she ends by promising Glencora Palliser that she will not marry him, as Glencora's son is his heir. But she has been attracted to Phineas, and offers him herself and her fortune in order to help him with his political career. He is attracted to her, but is still loosely involved with Mary Jones, and in the end decides to go back to Ireland and marry her. He turns down Mme Goesler. Through his connextions in England he gets a job in Ireland which will provide him with a thousand a year and that's enough for him to marry on. He returns to Ireland and marries Mary.