The Corvey Novels Project at the University of Nebraska
Studies in British Literature of the Romantic Period
Mary Meeke
Mrs. Meeke. The Old Wife and Young Husband. a Novel
London: Minerva Press for Lane, Newman, and Co. 1804.
Synopsis of The Old Wife and young Husband
The Old Wife and Young Husband opens with a conversation between
the widow, Mrs. Jane Hanham, and her brother, Captain James Bennet who has
been arrested and placed in a small sponging-house in Chancerylane due to
unpaid debts. Responding to her brother's request for a visit, Jane visits
the internment site. Captain James Bennet asks his wealthy sister to lend
him money to repay his debts. During this intercourse, Jane meets another
man who has been arrested and is curious to know what his trespasses were
to have had him placed him in such a situation. She denies loaning money
to her brother.
The novel's narration advances three weeks and turns its attention to Jane's
father, Mr. Bennet, and his wife. While they are attending to errands, they
encounter various townspeople who inform them of the recent marriage between
the forty-two year old widow, Mrs. Jane Hanham, and an unknown younger man
nearly half her age. The Bennets and they are displeased with the rumors.
Mr. Bennet brags of his daughter's fortune imparted by both him and her
previous husband, but scolds the seemingly imprudent marriage that has recently
taken place. Various characters ranging from a shopper, an attorney, and
a neighbor of the newlyweds engage in the conversation concerning the sudden
marriage. The neighbor returns to his home to find every neighbor, except
the newlyweds, outside their homes hoping to catch a glimpse of the young,
curious stranger who has married an older woman of substantial means.
The novel then turns to the history of the young man. His mother, Lady
Gertrude Plantagenet who was the second daughter of the Earl of St. Maur,
fell in love with the twenty-three year son of the Montrath family. The
two lovers eloped against the will of the Earl of St. Maur. After the elopement,
neither family recognized the union and cut off all ties. The young Montrath
became ill and doctors sent him and his wife abroad to aid his health. The
couple had many sincere friends who provided them with monetary help. Unfortunately,
the change of climate did not aid in the young Montrath's health and he
died. He ensured his wife had enough money to live by as well as to take
care of their barely three year old son, Plantagenet.
Lady Gertrude and Plantagenet moved to the south of France where they were
able to live happily on their small sum. Townspeople loved Lady Gertrude's
disposition and she became a social favorite. A much older Frenchman, Count
de Perigord, fell in love with Gertrude and asked her to marry him. Their
union was a happy one and young Plantagenet never felt without a father.
Perigord cared for him as if he was his own son. Unfortunatley, with the
storming of the Bastille, Perigord felt the need to return to court to help
his friends during the Revolution. When he arrived at court and expressed
his opinions, which did not set well with others, his life was threatened.
He returned to the south of France, only to have his castle stormed and
very little time for him and his family to escape to Spain. The escape proved
fatal for Gertrude. She died the day they arrived in Spain.
Plantagenet stayed in Madrid with Perigord until the latter died. After
his death, Plantagenet returned to England in hope of contacting his mother
and father's families. He was in debt, not because of poor choices, but
because of the unfortunate situation the escape from France had permanently
placed his mother, stepfather, and himself in. He contacted both families
and was given two rude, unfavorable responses reiterating the families'
desires to disown both lovers. He contacted a son of his parent's acquaintances
who had been favorable to them post elopement. The son was also favorable
and willing to pay the debts should Plantagenet join his father in Jamaica
as a way to repay them. Plantagenet agreed to this plan but is arrested
in London and placed in the sponging-house where Jane Hanham's brother is
also located before he can leave.
An anonymous source pays Plantagenet's debts and he is removed from the
sponging-house. The source asks via a letter if he would be willing to marry
the benefactress who is twice his age. After consenting, he discovers it
is Jane Hanham. They organize a legal settlement to where her money is shared
with him to an extent where there is always enough kept separate for her
should she outlive her young husband. She hopes to be able to call herself
a "Lady" after Plantagenet's grandfather dies.
A week after their marriage, Jane's dream comes true. Plantagenet's grandfather
(his Irish father's father) dies, making him Marquis of Montrath. He leaves
for Ireland to attend to legal details while Jane begins spending money
on multiple carriages, servants, and extravagant mourning clothes. She teaches
her servants how to call her 'Ladyship' and enjoys flaunting her wealth
and title in front of her family who decide to get in her good graces. In
the meantime, Plantagenet is meeting his estranged family and becomes decent
friends with the Dowager Marchioness and her daughter. He arranges for them
to live quite comfortably on five thousand pounds a year in a good sized
home in England that the Dowager loves. Plantagenet does not tell Jane about
these arrangements.
On his way back to England, Plantagenet coincidently crosses paths with
the Earl of St. Maur, his mother's father. Upon realization of Plantagenet's
new, superior position, the Earl flatters him and apologizes for his unkind
response during his time of need. The Earl blames it on the stress a lawsuit
is causing him. Plantagenet accepts his apology and returns to Jane.
Jane is busy trying to make others jealous of her. When her young husband
returns, she wants him to make others jealous. Her parents visit unannounced
much to Jane's displeasure. Plantagenet is pleased to meet them and find
their company enjoyable, much to his wife's chagrin. Jane finds her husband
does not have the same motives with his new status and wealth that she has.
Plantagenet begins realizing he does not enjoy his wife's company. He also
realizes that others are scrutinizing every move he makes not only because
he has recently gained status and wealth, but also because his marriage
is out of the ordinary. In order to maintain social respect, Plantagenet
watches his every move, particularly those involving his wife, in public.
When they go on a walk together, and her incessant chatter about frivolous
things annoys him, he makes sure his dislike goes unnoticed by the multiple
passersby who watch him.
While on this walk, a group of young women pass by on their way to town.
Shortly after, they return in a frantic run. It was the day to sell cattle
in the town, and one had become loose. Jane, Plantagenet, and the ladies
scramble for safety on a bridge. During the tumult, a young woman and Jane
fall into the current. Plantagenet saved the young woman and quickly does
the same for his wife. He is heartily thanked by the young women after the
ruckus subsides. Plantagenet is worried the women will make too much of
a fuss about him saving them, turning him into a hero, and will make him
an even more popular topic of gossip. Jane also does not want the mishap
to be known, but for different reasons. She fears she will be the subject
of ridicule if others know she fell into a river because of a stray cow.
The next morning, Jane's father drops by to say hello. Jane reminds her
father of his lower class by requesting he make sure not to drive a carriage
up to their door, but rather walk. Jane's father assures his daughter he
would not wish to embarrass her or her husband. Plantagenet, on the other
hand, tells Mr. Bennet he is more than welcome to bring a stage to their
front door and to understand his wife must be merely joking. Plantagenet
changes the subject by requesting Mr. Bennet's assistance in finding a proper
bank to tend to his estate affairs. Jane is discouraged by this new, intimate
union between her father and young husband.
Jane and Plantagenet take a walk into town and hear circulating rumors
about the mad bull. Rumor describes the event as taking the hero's life
as he tried, but failed, to save an elderly lady. Jane is displeased with
being referred to as an elderly lady. Plantagenet is pleased the rumors
do not specifically identify him or his wife. He is also looking forward
to moving from their village to Weftbury Lodge where he can slowly wean
the constant companionship Jane requires of him.
Plantagenet goes to town on his own to visit Mr. Bennet about banking business.
Mr. Bennet takes him to a bank and aids him in his business matters. The
two have a wonderful time together and spend the majority of the day in
each other's company. Plantagenet then joins Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Christopher
Bennet's, their son, family for dinner. Over dinner, Mr. Severn, a coach
driver, discusses business with Plantagenet. He does not let Plantagenet
speak, but rather consumes the conversation with information of how he goes
about business. Plantagenet does not approve of his practices because they
are shady and suspect, but he holds his tongue to keep the piece at the
dinner table until Mr. Severn has to leave for work.
Plantagenet walks Mr. Bennet back to his house and, on his way, encounters
two men who had incarcerated him. They try to avoid Plantagenet when they
see him, but he acknowledges them. He tells them he has no hard feelings
because they were doing their job and, at the time, he was in debt and they
had every right to arrest him. The men and Mr. Bennet are impressed with
Plantagenet's gesture.
Plantagenet returns home to find Jane ill. After many days of nearly dying,
Jane recovers and is advised to get a change of air for her health. While
Jane is recovering, Plantagenet takes a walk with his friend Montresor and
meets a young boy who he had seen several times in Chancery Lane. His mother
explains to Plantagenet that they are very poor and the father is in jail.
Plantagenet generously gives them the money they need for the father's bail.
Shortly after, they encounter two young ladies, one of which Plantagenet
had saved from the river during the mad cow incident. She thanks him again
and asks about Jane's health. Plantagenet assures her she is fine, but suggests
should Jane have not recovered from her illness, he would have been pleased
to take the young lady's hand in marriage. The young lady kindly assures
him he makes light of how much pain he would feel and how little her hand
in marriage could do if such a thing should happen. Montresor flirts as
well. The two men walk the ladies as far down the lane as they would permit
them, talking and flirting all the way, but never having enough courage
to ask them their names. During the following week, Montresor walks the
lane every day in hope of running into the ladies.
Plantagenet and Jane travel to Stamford to make sure her health keeps improving.
While Jane rested in Stamford, Plantagenet explored the grounds of Earl
of --------. He comes across a small dog that was running away from its
mistress. Plantagenet picks up the dog and meets the mistress who he finds
breathtaking. She invites him to tour the apartments of the home the following
day. Plantagenet decides not to accept the invitation because he does not
wish the young lady to know he is married to an older woman. Jane and Plantagenet
leave Stamford the following day.
The two arrive at Hervey Wood where Mrs. Hervey gives a warm welcome. Jane
faints from trying to be too youthful and fashionable while sick. Mrs. Hervey
gives her the benefit of the doubt and does not look down on Plantagenet
for having a foolish wife. Plantagenet travels to Marston Hall to meet with
the Earl and Countess. They offer their doctor's assistance to Jane and
suggest she has consumption. They silently wish she would die or at least
have to winter in Spain or Lisbon, where they would not have to be associated
with her.
Jane receives news that her brother, Captain James Bennet, intercepted
an enemy merchant ship with his own, injuring him in the battle yet still
making him quite wealthy. Dr. Marriot arrives and diagnosis Jane with consumption
which she readily doubts. The doctor thought she had very little time left
if she would not quickly move to a warmer climate. The Earl offers his home
for her stay and he and the countess keep up positive appearances despite
their dislike of Jane in order to please their grandson. Everyone believes
she is going to die regardless of a change in location.
Jane continues to get worse. Mrs. Hervey sends for a recent novel and begins
reading it to Jane. The novel is about a fifty-year-old woman who marries
a young Irishman. Jane is angry and bashes women authors by explaining they
have nothing better to do than to make fun of, and unkindly broadcast, other
people's situations.
Plantagenet receives a letter from Montresor explaining he is in love with
the eldest of the two ladies they had met from the mad cow incident. He
discovered the eldest was Plantagenet's cousin, but neither had been introduced
because both Plantagenet's and her own mother had been disowned by the St.
Columb family. Montresor hopes to marry in six month's time.
Montresor and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet travel to Marston Hall to see Jane. The
elder Bennets are amazed by the grandeur of the place. Mrs. Bennet is nervous
around the upper class company and Plantagenet and Mr. Bennet feel embarrassed
by her awkwardness. While everyone is at Marston Hall attending to Jane,
Captain Bennet arrives. During his brief stay, he encounters three traveling
women. He desires to invite them to tea at Marston Hall, but Plantagenet
does not feel at liberty to do so since it is not his home. The ladies move
on and give their names to the captain. Plantagenet then discovers one of
the women was his cousin whom Montresor loves. It is too late to invite
them, but he discusses their existence and Montresor's feelings with the
Earl. The Earl tells Plantagenet he does not wish to become acquainted with
that part of his family and Montresor should invest his feelings in someone
of a higher ranking. Plantagenet is displeased with the Earl's attitude
and behavior.
The captain, Plantagenet, and Montresor visit the ladies for a day. The
captain falls in love with the youngest of the two sisters and looks forward
to being brother-in-law to Montresor. When they return to Marston Hall,
they discover Jane died in the company of the Earl and countess. Plantagenet
is sorrowful. He respects Jane for being generous to him and undoubtedly
loving him despite his disgust for some of her character traits.
The party slowly disseminates from Marston Hall. Plantagenet, Montresor,
and the captain leave for Plantagenet's Weftbury Lodge he inherited from
Earl St. Maur. The men travel thirty miles to where the ladies were staying.
While they visited, both Montresor and Captain Bennet proposed to the sisters.
By the time they left and returned to their respected homes, both and received
permission to pursue the sisters.
Plantagenet returns to Marston to visit the Earl. He discovers the Earl
wishes to introduce him to a famed Countess of Athlone. Plantagenet does
not wish to meet her, for he hopes to pursue the mistress with the dog he
encountered in the past.
Plantagenet returns to the Terrace to have dinner with the Bennet family.
At the dinner, he signs a deed which gives the Terrace, and everything housed
in it, to the Bennet family. The Bennets are surprised by Plantagenet's
unsolicited act of generosity. Mr. Bennet gives the home he had resided
in until Plantagenet's offer, to his son, Captain James Bennet. Captain
Bennet does not take the house because he is wealthy enough to buy his own.
Mr. Bennet decides to sell the house.
Plantagenet, Captain Bennet, and Montresor return to the former's home
in London. During their stay, they encounter the young lady with the dog.
Plantagenet still adores her, but does not get her name because he fears
he is not good enough for her. Captain Bennet tries to convince Plantagenet
otherwise. In the meantime, the dog's mistress wonders with her ladies who
Plantagenet is.
Plantagenet receives news that the Earl is sick with gout and wishes to
see him. The Captain and Montresor think this is a trick to get Plantagenet
down to the home so they can match him with the Countess of Athlone. Plantagenet
does not believe this and departs for Marston Hall, leaving his two friends
at his London home.
Back at Marston Hall, the Earl is preparing to die. He explains to the chaplain
that he believes Plantagenet should marry the Countess of Athlone because
she is of a high ranking family and after his shenanigans with the sponging
house and marriage to Jane Bennet, he needs to be guided in his decisions.
Plantagenet talks with the Earl and hears his marital opinions. He can
not promise to marry the Countess of Athlone which angers the Earl. The
Earl threatens to withhold all inheritance from Plantagenet if he does not
consent to his wishes. Plantagenet does not change his mind and the Earl
tears up his will and throws its pieces at his grandson. Plantagenet calmly
leaves the room.
Mrs. Hervey arrives at Marston Hall and, after hearing Plantagenet's story
of his conversation with the Earl, tries to persuade with Earl with Christian
charity to not disown his grandson. Neither the Earl nor his wife is willing
to change their mind.
Plantagenet leaves Marston Hall. The Earl wishes him to return, sends a
messenger for him, but receives no reply. The Earl makes a new will and
dies immediately after he signs it. The lawyer looks at the new will and
sees it is only waste paper. The lawyer suggests the Countess should decide
what is to be done with her husband's estate. Mrs. Hervey explains to the
Countess how Plantagenet is now the new Earl of St. Maur and should she
depend on his generous character, she would most likely end up with more
than if she were to leave it up to the law.
Plantagenet, while staying at an inn near Marston Hall, receives a letter
from Mrs. Hervey explaining the details of the Earl's death. Platagenet
responds to the letter explaining he does not wish to take any of the Earl's
possessions or money and respects his final wishes, even if they were not
formally written in a will. While on his way to mail the letter, he crosses
paths with his love interest and her dog. He discovers she is the Countess
of Athlone.
Mrs. Hervey reads Plantagenet's letter to the Countess of Marston Hall,
but she is not persuaded by Plantagenet's generosity. After a fiery speech
about how she would never accept his charity, she dies. This places all
of the Earl's possessions Plantagenet's. The Countess of Athlone is pleased
by Mrs. Hervey's story about how Plantagenet loved her before he knew anything
of her rank or wealth and was willing to give up all of his inheritance
to be with her.
Captain Bennet and Montresor marry the St. Columb sisters. Plantagenet
then marries the Countess of Athlone a month later. The newlyweds attend
the Sovereign's birthday and were the center of attention. They live happily
ever after.