He that will not when he may; vol. III

"He That Will Not When He May; Vol. III" by Mrs. Oliphant is a novel written in the late 19th century. It follows Paul Markham and the turmoil surrounding his identity and responsibilities after his father’s death, as he grapples with claims from a new contender for his family’s estate leading to deep emotional and social conflicts. The narrative explores themes of entitlement, belonging, and the tensions between different social classes, particularly as multiple characters navigate their relationships against a backdrop of loss and change. The opening of the novel introduces a crucial moment in the life of Mr. Gus, who is seemingly reluctant to leave a family estate tied to complicated legal and personal claims. Through the eyes of Mr. Scrivener, the lawyer, we witness the interactions among characters impacted by familial ties and new dynamics as Lady Markham and Alice deal with the loss of their husband and father. Emotional tensions escalate as Paul wanders through the woods in despair over his uncertain future, demonstrating his frustration with the shifting circumstances and his feelings of inadequacy. This sets the stage for further explorations of love, class struggles, and identity as Paul grapples with his heritage and the impact of external pressures on his relationship with Janet Spears and his mother. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant was a Scottish novelist and historical writer, who usually wrote as Mrs. Oliphant. Her fictional works cover "domestic realism, the historical novel and tales of the supernatural".