Summary

In Chapter 43, Florence notices that Edith and her father are not getting along and feels guilty about her relationship with Edith. Meanwhile, her father is recovering from his horse riding accident; he stays in his room and sees nobody but Carker. Florence, always kind and forgiving, worries about her father constantly. She sneaks down to his rooms again like she used to and watches him while he sleeps. On his sleeping face, she sees him looking “calm, tranquil” rather than “stern, unloving, and repelling” as he usually does when he looks at her (660). It is heartbreaking, and she prays that he will love her.

Florence goes up to Edith’s room and notices her wounded hand. Edith begins sobbing and rambling incoherently about how she was lead toward her misery by pride and her mother’s misdirection. Edith begs Florence not to leave...