I don't have time to write the full blown attack against Hugh that I would like to write but I just have to say, definitely scoundrel, snake, wimp, weasel, toad and great big wet blanket. Ugh, never in a million re-readings will I see what Demelza saw in him. He had nothing, no personality and writing a book full of soppy poems doesn't make you interesting if you aren't already. I know people change and I know Demelza grew and blossomed under Ross's guidance, but really. Think about where she came from. Think about her background. We are not talking about her having tea with him, or going for a walk, we are talking about the ultimate betrayal of Ross, what was nearly the ruin of their relationship. I don't see how anyone could say that Hugh and his poems were worthy of that risk. I don't think he works very well as a character either. Considering he has such a pivotal role, he is very vaguely drawn. 

"I see there is nothing for it but to accept the halo you offer me...in any case I shall surely tip it off at the first fence..."

Got it, but I stand by what I said before, Hugh wouldn't have had a monkey's chance with her, Ross was her sun, moon, stars and sky and she would just have thought of Hugh as a pleasant young man with a crush and may have laughed, been a little flattered 'cos it was the opposite extreme to the lecherous old Bodrugan ...... how strange that two of her most famous admirers were called Hugh!!

Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs.
.. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.

Another interesting question!  Depends on how much earlier in their lives you mean McW, are you thinking of before they married?  I don't think Demelza would have been half as mesmerised by Hugh if he had turned up in her life, fit, healthy and not having the romantic image of being an escaped prisoner of war.  Right from the get go the only man for her was Ross, she had eyes for no-one else and if Ross had not been unfaithful to her with Elizabeth, I like to think that Demelza would never ever have contemplated getting romantically involved with Hugh.

From the moment their relationship changed from the amiable friendship of master and maid to one of a more intimate and sexual nature, Ross, being a true gentleman felt himself bound to her and without hesitation acted honourably and proposed marriage. Ross would never have let her go without a fight, especially after he learned that she was carrying his child.  I don't think Hugh Armitage would have stood even the remotest chance with Demelza in the early years, she was head over heels in love with Ross in those innocent, halcyon days before he broke her heart.

I've been thinking, after all this phsycological character profiling we're doing, maybe we ought to think about taking a degree in the subject!

-- Edited by namparagirl on Friday 12th of June 2009 12:47:49 AM

Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs.
.. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.

Hi LH and McW, yes, totally agree with your point about Ross and Elizabeth's relationship , casting its ghostly shadow over them for the rest of their married life, in respect of Valentine, but somehow I believe that it would have been easier for Demelza, in her down-to-earth way to accept the existence of Valentine.  What she found so devastating and difficult to come to terms with, was that Ross, who she worshipped, respected and adored for his utmost integrity, honesty and high standards, could have destroyed the bonds of trust, truth and loyalty between them, betraying them both, reducing their marriage to ashes and leaving her heartbroken.  This, I believe, would have left a bitter scar in her heart which would have taken steely determination and a long time to accept. 

On the flip side, it was the same for Ross when Demelza fell for Hugh, he was plunged into bitter despair and jealousy, his faith in her was so shattered, 

Although I didn't take to Hugh, I can empathise with her falling for him because he was the total opposite of Ross, having the sweet and innocent appeal of youth, an artistic, sensitive nature,  overwhelming her with his romantic poems and because of his illness, arousing feelings of intense tenderness and compassion in her.  She was flattered, excited, enjoyed his adoring attention and the sensation of being swept off her feet.  Unwavering in her love for her husband, she found herself powerless to resist Hugh.  Although I was very sad that Demelza compromised her marriage in this way, in the back of her mind I wouldn't mind betting that there was still an element of her feeling that her behaviour was justified in the light of Ross's unfaithfulness with Elizabeth.  

It strikes me that the scars left from Ross's duel with Mark Adderley would have been more difficult for Demelza to deal with than the presence of Valentine, Ross's possible son by Elizabeth.

By the way, the characters I really never took to were Mark Adderley and the loathsome Rev Osborne Whitworth, they both gave me the shivers.

Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs.
.. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.

Sorry to break up the party girls but I actually really like Hugh.  What happens between him and Demelza is a very natural, human occurence, particularly on Demelza's side, having loved so long from so young an age.  

Yes it was naughty and they probably should have kept their feelings in check but it's good recompense for Ross' naughtiness with Elizabeth which ultimately resulted in Valentine and thus a constant and more troublesome presence in their marriage for many years afterwards.  Much more so than a sprawling magnolia anyway. 

I quite fancy Hugh....

Such a funny picture that conjures up in my head .............. poor Hughie, he would probably have keeled over with heart failure and died. Still at least it would have saved Ross from finishing him off in a duel!!!

-- Edited by namparagirl on Saturday 9th of May 2009 10:37:55 PM

Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs.
.. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.

Oh I so agree namparagirl.  From Demelza's point of view I think that it was simply his 'youth' that she loved and the fact that this and all the potential that youth brings was about to be ended because of his illness.  I did love his poems though!!

poe grubb