The Problem

Phiz (Hablot K. Browne)

1863

Charles Lever's Barrington (Chapter X), p. 82

Image scan and text by Philip V. Allingham.

[You may use this image 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.]

Commentary

Ostensibly, the puzzle alluded to in the plate's title is one of chess ("A Mate in Six Moves" from an open book nearby), which Fred Conyers has been pondering for some moments prior to Dinah Barrington's entrance into her room in the turret of the house. Indeed, shortly afterward the two do play a game of chess, in which Fred is bested. But Fred will himself pose problems for the Barringtons, for apparently his father, Ormsby Conyers, caused George's death; later, when a romance seems to be developing between Fred and Josephine, Dinah worries that the young nabob is far above the teenager in both wealth and rank. These problems are, of course, resolved at the end of the story.

---

Last modified August 2002