The Woman of Colour: A Tale

Six weeks have passed since the revelation about Angelina, and during that time, Augustus has been staying at the Lumleys’ home. He has implored Olivia—via Mr. Lumley—to stay at New Park, but she finds the memories of their happiness there too painful. She feels torn between retiring to a place where no one knows her and also retaining her independence. She knows her fortune will probably transfer to George and Letitia, as per her father’s will, and feels angry at Letitia for plotting to bring about the disintegration of her marriage to achieve this outcome.

Olivia learns that Augustus has renounced all claims to her fortune, leaving him, Angelina, and their two-year-old son destitute. She also learns that George has immediately claimed his legal right to her inheritance. Mr. Lumley shows Olivia a letter from Augustus to George in which Augustus says he married Olivia with pure intentions; he also begs George to treat Olivia well and to not be motivated by greed or ambition.

Olivia ends the letter by saying she is at least comforted by the knowledge that she did not bring this misery on herself.