Why should I not?

Why should I not?

John Everett Millais

Wood engraving by the Dalziels

6¼ x 4¼ inches

Anthony Trollope,Orley Farm, Vol 1, facing p. 201.

This is one of the many scenes of anguished reflection as Sir Peregrine paces back and forth in his drawing-room. The illustration shows the scene directly before the interview with the lawyer Mr Furnival, and Sir Peregrine has to decide how he will proceed while not, he hopes, damaging Lady Mason’s prospects. Millais effectively captures his uncertainties, notably in the placing of his hand on the surface of the table – as if supporting himself as he gathers his courage.

Click on image to enlarge it.

Scanned image and text by Simon Cooke.

[You may use this image, which has been reproduced with permission of Professor Julia Thomas, DMVI, Cardiff University, Wales, UK, without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned the image and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]