• chapter list

[34-36]   [40-42]

Chapter 37
An Old Man's Complaint

Chapter 38
Doctor Crofts is Called in

Chapter 39
Doctor Crofts is Turned out

Basked in the sunshine of his manliness
Lily is here described as enjoying Crosbie's presence like the sunshine, which links him to Apollo through Apollo's association with the sun.  This passage also describes Lily as having "tuned her ears to the tone of [Crosbie's] voice," recalling Apollo's dominion over music.  [EB]

Slaughtered hecatombs
Trollope uses this phrase to refer to the prowess of gentlemen hunters.  It is a humorous exaggeration, since the word "hecatombs" literally refers to the ancient practice of sacrificing one hundred animals.  This phrase can also be found in The Warden Chapter 16 and The Small House at Allington Chapter 23.
OED  [EB]

Certain halcyon days
This is how Bell describes memories of times when she felt that she loved Dr. Crofts.  The phrase "halcyon days" refers to the myth of Ceyx and Alcyone, told in Ovid's Metamorphoses (11.410-11.748).  Alcyone warned her beloved husband Ceyx that she felt that he would be in danger if he went on a planned sea voyage.  He sailed despite her concern and was drowned in a storm.  Alcyone continued sacrificing to Hera for Ceyx's safety so the goddess took pity on her and sent Morpheus to reveal her husband's fate in a dream.  Alcyone found Ceyx's body on the shore, and the gods turned them both into halcyon birds, kingfishers who mate during seven days in the winter known as "halcyon days" when the sea is perfectly calm.  Though the phrase is common in English, Trollope's usage retains a reference to the original myth by relating it to the situation of these two potential lovers.  [EB]

She might sit and triumph –- and thus triumphant she sat
Here Bell "triumphs" in the knowledge that Crofts loves her.  This word recalls the triumphal processions celebrating Roman military victories.  Bell, however, does not experience a public victory but rather enjoys a private, internal celebration.  [EB]

[34-36]   [40-42]

• chapter list