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Chapter 28
The Doctor Hears Something to His Advantage

Libations
A libation is usually wine given as a sacrifice to the gods.  In this case Trollope uses the word somewhat mockingly to mean brandy, which is Sir Louis' drink of choice.  [JC]

Alpha and omega
Dr. Thorne cannot imagine a marriage between Mary and Louis Scatcherd; he thinks the two are as disparate as a lamb and a wolf or an alpha and an omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet).  [JC]

Chapter 29
The Donkey Ride

Hyperion compared to a satyr
Hyperion was a Titan and the father of the deities representing the sun, the dawn, and the moon.  The satyr was a woodland divinity.  Hyperion represents Frank who is both desirable and heavenly, while the satyr is Louis Scatchard who is low to the earth and undesirable.  Like the satyr, Louis is prone to vices and lacks self-control.
http://www.loggia.com/myth/hyperion.html http://www.loggia.com/myth/satyr.html  [TH]

Like some god come from the heavens
While Frank walks beside Mary on her donkey, Trollope says of the situation "Was he not to her like some god come from the heavens to make her blessed?  Did not the sun shine upon him with a halo, so that he was bright as an angel?"  This line refers to the motif in classical mythology and literature wherein gods descend from Mt. Olympus to love women.  (It may also have Biblical resonances.)  The sun-created halo continues the analogy between Frank and Hyperion.  [TH & RR]

Chapter 30
Post Prandial

Post prandial
Latin, post "after" and prandium "lunch".  A joking way of saying "after dinner"; what happens after dinner is the subject of this chapter.
OED  [JM]

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