Mildred involved--almost as a 'Fifth Business' character--in a variety of couples. Julian, the rector whom many thought M. would marry--has proposed to Allegra, the widow of a churchman. Allegra wants Winifred away from her brother Julian and tells Mildred she'd like her to take Winifred as a roommate. Rocky and Helena have big argument--Helena moves out, expecting to move in (it seems) with Everard Bone, the anthropologist whom she seems to love. But Bone has asked Mildred to tell Helena--though she doesn't do it in time--that he does not love Helena and that she must stop acting foolish. It sounds like a comedy, but isn't, because there is a general unhappiness/longing in Mildred. Mousy, unadventurous--she doesn't expect love to come her way . . . but she wouldn't mind. I'm thinking this is headed toward a "she lives alone" ending, not a cheery surprise love/marriage.
February 1895 (Alice died in 1892) Money problems, jealousy of Wilde; time spent with Lord Wolseley1; off to Ireland to lick his wounds; Irish unrest--Irish landlords boycott all social events; much time spent with manservant Hammond (homosexual attraction again); fancy dress ball, appalling to James, who is only happy in company of Hammond, though Hammond remains a servant and no more; little girl alone on the grounds--inspiration for Turn of the Screw?; conflict with Webster who alludes to Wilde's successful play and HJ's failure; Wolseley was an Anglo-Irish officer in the British Army . He became one of the most influential and admired British generals after a series of successes in Canada, West Africa, and Egypt, followed by a central role in modernizing the British Army in promoting efficiency. He served in Burma, the Crimean War , the Indian Mutiny , China, Canada and widely throughout Africa—including his Ashanti campaign (18...
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