I Capture the Castle

Cassandra continues her writing in the journal Simon gifted her three weeks after the announcement of Simon and Rose’s engagement. Topaz and Rose left for London the previous week to stay with Mrs. Cotton as she buys Rose expensive clothes for her wedding trousseau. The Mortmain family has access to more money now and can buy ample food for everyone, though Cassandra finds herself missing the past, regardless of the family’s poverty (187). Topaz worries about Mortmain’s eccentric behavior and wonders whether he is having an affair with Mrs. Cotton, expressing that in marrying Mortmain, she “was prepared even for violence” (189) but not neglect. 

Cassandra receives a letter from Rose describing the process of buying new clothes in London and how she hopes her imminent wealth will benefit the entire family. She revels in her wealth, vowing never again to return to poverty.

With Topaz gone, Cassandra oversees cooking for her father and brother and cleaning the castle. She faintly hopes that Mortmain’s erratic behavior and irritability mean he is working again. She has given up trying to “capture” her father’s character as she no longer believes she understands anyone around her. Stephen has stopped giving her attention, which causes her to wonder if she would mind marrying Neil: “What I’d really hate would be the settled feeling, with nothing but happiness to look forward to” (196).