I Capture the Castle

Cassandra resumes her journal six weeks later after receiving a new exercise book from Stephen. She recounts how the Cottons neglected to invite them for dinner or social events held at Scoatney Hall, though they invited the village Vicar and other guests. Rose’s excitement about marriage prospects dimmed after 10 days passed without seeing the Cottons again, and she asks Cassandra what could have gone wrong when she was trying to be capriciously charming during the Cottons’ second visit: “Isn’t that what men like?’” (72). Mortmain believes that the Cottons have neglected to socialize with them because of their inability to pay the rent. The Mortmain family learns that their Aunt Milicent in London has died. Mortmain himself was left out of the will for marrying Topaz, but Rose and Cassandra inherit their aunt’s entire wardrobe of clothes. Cassandra recounts how she and Rose went to London the previous day with money borrowed from their aunt’s lawyers to pick up the clothes.

Cassandra is impressed by the City. They take a taxi to Aunt Milicent’s home and go through the clothes. Cassandra remembers the last party she and her family had attended at their Aunt’s home when Mortmain met Topaz.