Volume I: Chapters XV - XVII Summary

XV - On The Watch

Phoebe leaves Lady Audley and marries Luke Marks. Together they purchase the public house in the center of a village called Mount Stanning with Lady Audley's money. Lady Audley acquires a new maid to replace Phoebe. Then the festivities of the Christmas season begin, bringing people and gaiety to Audley Court. Robert Audley numbers among the visitors, convinced that George Talboys never reached his father-in-law's quarters in Southhamptom. Rather, he grows ever more suspicious of his new aunt and spends most of his time in her presence. Alicia believes her cousin to be besotted with Lady Audley and grows to despise him, all the while still wishing for his attentions herself. Robert is unable to see his cousin as anything but an engaging young woman, but nothing more...