Chapter 40 Summary

Despite Eleanor's best efforts, Mr. Slope manages to get her alone at the party. She tries to get away from him but he follows her. The way he is acting makes her suspect that he is going to propose to her. This makes her extremely angry because it shows that her family probably had reason for thinking that she might marry Mr. Slope. She tries to stop him but he declares his love and tries to embrace her. She pulls away and slaps his face. She tells him she will never speak to him again and runs away.

Mr. Slope thinks negative thoughts about Eleanor and the world in general before returning to the party. Upon his return, he is slighted by the Bishop and Dr. Gwynne, but does not seem to care. After the dean's death is announced at the party, Mr...