The Girl in His Shadow

The next morning, the newspapers are missing from the breakfast table, and there are “gawkers” at the gate. Croft and Daniel decide that Nora should avoid the clinic today. In the afternoon, Nora sees no one outside and decides to take a walk, but as soon as she emerges, reporters rush toward her, and she retreats indoors. Croft gets a letter from the Royal College of Surgeons, fining him and ordering him to stop letting “unlicensed amateurs” practice in his surgery. When Nora goes to bed, Croft asks Daniel what they should “do” with Nora now. Croft knows that she could become a social pariah, or she could even be sued, tried, and sent to prison. Croft asks Daniel if he wants to marry Nora, and Daniel confesses that they have not discussed it; he is not even sure if they are well suited. Croft advises him to decide soon, and Daniel points out that he can only decide for himself, not for Nora.

Mrs. Phipps tells Nora that Daniel is hiding the newspapers so Nora will not see the letters to editors that question her morality. Croft wants Nora and Mrs. Phipps to go to the country while things die down in London, but Nora knows that she would be bored. Nora walks around in a fog for days, and Daniel finally asks if she has talked to Harry. She admits she has and shares what Harry told her. Daniel tells her that he didn’t realize how similar they were until he saw her speaking at the meeting, that she truly is a surgeon, and she couldn’t allow her work to be discredited by a fool like Vickery. She adds that she couldn’t bear to see Vickery belittle and berate Daniel. Daniel confesses his now-allayed fear that she still had feelings for Harry, but it is clear now that she cares for Daniel. They kiss.

For several days, Daniel is busy with the clinic and with trying to redeem himself at the hospital; Croft is cranky and disagreeable. Nora feels isolated, so she goes to the market for some herbs. Her usual seller, Mrs. Peeke, frowns and says that she doesn’t like selling to someone from a “house of disrepute” (318). Nora adopts a dignified manner and leaves without purchasing. She rushes home, alarming Mrs. Phipps, who tells Nora that she will not allow Nora to remain a prisoner in the house any longer and announces the household’s intention of sending Nora to Suffolk to stay with Mrs. Phipps’s sister. The housekeeper will remain in London to care for Croft and Daniel, and she tells Nora that both men agree that this is best. Nora is upset that they have arranged everything without asking her.

Mrs. Phipps tells Nora that Daniel is hiding the newspapers so Nora will not see the letters to editors that question her morality. Croft wants Nora and Mrs. Phipps to go to the country while things die down in London, but Nora knows that she would be bored. Nora walks around in a fog for days, and Daniel finally asks if she has talked to Harry. She admits she has and shares what Harry told her. Daniel tells her that he didn’t realize how similar they were until he saw her speaking at the meeting, that she truly is a surgeon, and she couldn’t allow her work to be discredited by a fool like Vickery. She adds that she couldn’t bear to see Vickery belittle and berate Daniel. Daniel confesses his now-allayed fear that she still had feelings for Harry, but it is clear now that she cares for Daniel. They kiss.

For several days, Daniel is busy with the clinic and with trying to redeem himself at the hospital; Croft is cranky and disagreeable. Nora feels isolated, so she goes to the market for some herbs. Her usual seller, Mrs. Peeke, frowns and says that she doesn’t like selling to someone from a “house of disrepute” (318). Nora adopts a dignified manner and leaves without purchasing. She rushes home, alarming Mrs. Phipps, who tells Nora that she will not allow Nora to remain a prisoner in the house any longer and announces the household’s intention of sending Nora to Suffolk to stay with Mrs. Phipps’s sister. The housekeeper will remain in London to care for Croft and Daniel, and she tells Nora that both men agree that this is best. Nora is upset that they have arranged everything without asking her.

Nora hears Mrs. Phipps arguing with someone at the door. The man asks to see Nora, and Nora recognizes him as the man who tried to get her attention after the meeting with Vickery. He introduces himself as Salvio Perra, a professor of anatomy at Bologna University, and he congratulates her on the remarkable surgery. Nora is suspicious, but Perra seems perfectly genuine. Nora and Perra discuss Anna Manzolini, a brilliant female anatomist who taught Perra’s grandfather. He sympathizes with Nora over her public condemnation and tells her that Manzolini was admitted to England’s Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society. Perra asks what Nora plans to do now, and Mrs. Phipps claims that Nora will go on holiday. Nora admits that she should leave London, so Perra invites her to come to Bologna to study medicine and share her own knowledge. The professor would be delighted to take her with him as one of his students. Nora asks Perra to tell her about Bologna.

Daniel tells Croft that Nora will be bored in Suffolk, but Croft thinks a rest will do her good. When they get home, Mrs. Phipps tells them that Perra and Nora have been talking for three hours. Croft invites Perra for dinner, and Nora tells them about Perra’s offer. He says that she is “denied all real opportunity here” (331). Daniel tries not to notice Nora’s eagerness.

Nora knows that it will be difficult to muddle through with limited Italian, but she imagines the joys of studying with other women. Nora consults Daniel, and he says there is “no choice” but for her to go to Suffolk. Nora disagrees, asserting that she has the choice to go to Italy. Daniel worries that she would have no protection from men who might take advantage of her. Tensions rise. Daniel is angry to realize that he has no say in the matter, and Nora reminds him that she has had no choice in many things. Daniel asks if she would stay and marry him and kisses her tenderly. Nora wants this life, but she also wants to go to Bologna. Daniel suggests that they marry now, and both go to Italy, but Nora worries about Croft’s ability to manage the clinic alone. She tells Daniel that he must stay, and she must go, and if he still loves her, he can propose again later. Nora goes to speak with Croft, and a patient rings the bell. Daniel admits a little boy and girl, and treats the girl for an itchy rash. He asks her what she will do when she grows up, and she says she will work at the mill. When the children leave, Daniel realizes that a life where Nora keeps his house and does his laundry is as sad as the young girl’s prospects.

When Nora tells Croft that she has decided to go to Bologna, he laughs at her determination to go alone. He says that he cannot manage the clinic without her, and Nora asks if she is a prisoner. She declares she will never forgive him if he denies her this opportunity, contending that if she were a man, he would let her go. He leaves for St. Bart’s.

Daniel is worried and tells Croft that although he wants Nora to stay, he wants her happiness more. The next day, Croft admits to Nora that he wants her to be happy, but when he asks about Daniel, she accuses him of telling Daniel to propose. Croft doesn’t understand why Nora insists on going to Bologna instead of marrying Daniel, and she informs him that his lack of comprehension reflects the fact that he has never been denied an opportunity because of his sex. When Daniel and Croft speak again, Daniel suggests Mrs. Phipps go with Nora, and she agrees. Later, at dinner, Perra joins them, and Croft tells Nora that she can go to Italy.

A few days later, the group walks toward the women’s ship. Nora kisses Croft affectionately. Daniel says he expects no promises from her, that she should follow her heart, and when she begins to say something similar, he kisses her. After she and Mrs. Phipps depart, Croft says that the only thing he and Daniel can do now is work.

Nora watches until she can no longer see the city. When her hair blows loose, she tucks it behind her ear and feels the wind at her back. She is hopeful for the future.