Felix Holt, The Radical Chapter 42

In which Matthew Jermyn, confronted with the consequences of long-buried family secrets and his own past actions, seeks an uneasy alliance with Mrs. Transome to stave off impending ruin, only to meet resolute refusal and bitter reproach. The delicate tensions of pride, regret, and reluctant duty weave through their encounter, revealing the complex interplay of passion and self-interest within settled domestic walls.