The Tenant of Wildfell Hall: Chapter 53 Summary & Analysis

Soon, though, another carriage overtakes Gilbert, and he hears little Arthur’s voice exclaiming that he sees Mr. Markham. The carriage stops and little Arthur, Mrs. Maxwell, and Helen greet him. Helen wonders what he is doing in this part of the country. Gilbert tells her he is here to see Staningley. Helen invites Gilbert into the carriage and, after some awkward small talk, he accepts. They drive up to the house and Helen again invites Gilbert in. He is stiff with her and standoffish, and Helen is upset. After a time, she tells Arthur to go in search of a book, and Mrs. Maxwell withdraws as well. Gilbert and Helen are left alone.

Helen asks him what is wrong. Why is he being so distant? Have his feelings for her changed? He replies that they have not, but that the circumstances have changed, namely that she is now a rich woman. It comes out in the course of conversation that they both asked Frederick about the other quite often, but that he did not communicate this fact to either of them. Gilbert makes as if to leave, but Helen detains him. She wishes he would tell her his feelings. He says it is probably best that he not discuss such things, but she doesn’t understand. Why would it be wrong to talk of love now, when she is finally free? She opens a window and plucks a rose, handing it to him. It is a Christmas rose. Gilbert takes it, but is momentarily confused.

Helen misreads his confusion for rejection and tosses the rose back out the window. She is angry and hurt, and tells him that the rose symbolized her heart. How could he treat her so coldly? Gilbert then realizes his folly. He was being too cautious, too guarded. He runs out and grabs the rose, and then asks Helen to offer her hand to him as well as her heart. She accepts immediately.

The only obstacle to perfect happiness now is Mrs. Maxwell. Helen says her aunt must not yet know of the engagement, as she will think it a rash and foolish step. Helen asks Gilbert to return home and come back to her in the spring for a long visit—then he and Mrs. Maxwell can get to know each other. In a year, they can be married.

Gilbert balks at such a long separation, but he agrees to it. He will do anything in his power to please Helen and make her happy. Little Arthur returns then, and, jumping forward in the narrative, Gilbert tells Halford that the boy becomes as dear to him as his own son. Arthur goes on to fulfill his mother’s wishes for him, and becomes the prosperous and responsible master of Grassdale Manor, and marries Helen Hattersley—Milicent’s daughter.

Back in the present moment, Helen takes Gilbert on a tour of her aunt’s flower garden. She takes him there to propose that they live at Staningley after they are married. She does not want to leave Mrs. Maxwell alone. Gilbert agrees to that as well. He and Mrs. Maxwell soon become very good friends, and even though it takes several months, Mrs. Markham too becomes reconciled to his son’s decision to marry Helen. Gilbert bequeaths the farm to Fergus, whose superior wife influences him for the better, and Gilbert and Helen live in complete happiness with their children. Gilbert closes his letter anticipating a visit from Halford and Rose, who, he’s glad to say, will soon be leaving the smoky, busy city of Paris for months of relaxation with him and his wife.