Chapter 23 Summary

Before she leaves for Howards End, Meg scolds Helen, not for disapproving of her engagement, but for throwing a veil of mystery over that disapproval. Meg feels that Helen is too absorbed with the subconscious self these days. Helen tells her to go ahead and marry Henry. She does not like Henry but she adores Meg and that will never change. Meg is grateful for Helen's affection and asks only that her sister try to be civil to Henry to his face. Helen repeats that she definitely dislikes him but she will do what she can.

The following morning, Meg goes to Henry's office to see how his business operates. Unsure of what she had expected, Meg finds just the ordinary sea of ledgers and polished counters of any other ordinary business. His private office does have a Turkish carpet but only an...