The Small House at Allington

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The Small House at Allington is the fifth novel in Anthony Trollope's series known as the "Chronicles of Barsetshire", first published in 1864. It enjoyed a revival in popularity in the early 1990s when the British prime minister, John Major, declared it as his favourite book.

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The Small House at Allington concerns the Dale family, who live in the "Small House", a Dower house intended for the widowed mother (Dowager) of the owner of the estate. The landowner, in this instance, is the bachelor Squire of Allington, Christopher Dale. Dale's mother having died, he has allocated the Small House, rent free, to his widowed sister-in-law and her daughters Isabella ("Bell") and Lily.

Lily had for a long time been unsuccessfully wooed by John Eames, a junior clerk at the Income Tax Office, while Bell is in love with the local doctor, James Crofts. The handsome and personable Adolphus Crosbie is introduced into the circle by the squire's nephew, Bernard Dale. Adolphus proposes to Lily, who accepts him; but he deserts her in favour of Lady Alexandrina de Courcy, whose family is in a position to further his career. Lily accepts her misfortune with patience, and remains single, continuing to reject Eames, though retaining his faithful friendship. Bell marries Dr Crofts, after refusing an offer of marriage from her cousin Bernard.

As with all Trollope's novels, there are many strands to the plot, and numerous minor characters. Plantagenet Palliser (of the "Pallisers" series) makes his first appearance, as he conducts a dalliance with Griselda Grantly, daughter of the Archdeacon introduced earlier in the Chronicles of Barsetshire.