Volume 2 starts from exactly the point where Volume 1 finishes with Laurence and Phineas leaving London to fight a duel with Lord Chiltern in Belgium.
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The duel
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Trollope doesn't give us a lot of detail of the duel, other than Phineas ends up with a shoulder wound and Lord Chiltern is unharmed. Phineas had said during their earlier encounter that he would not fire at Lord Chiltern, but we do not know if this is why he is unharmed or if Phineas simply missed.
As the story develops in the first five chapters of Volume 2 we see the rumours about the duel having taken place spreading around London society, and we are also introduced to the enigmatic Madame Max Goesler, who seems to take a shine to Phineas, and we also meet Lord Fawn, who we will meet again in the Eustace Diamonds, and who is also showing an interest in Violet Effingham here.
Phineas is finally promoted to the Government benches, much to the delight of his lady friends. Lady Laura is still struggling in her marriage to Kennedy, mostly because she is jealous that Phineas has switched his affections to Violet. When Phineas asks Lady Laura to help him in his pursuit of Violet she initially refuses.
Despite all of London society apparently knowing that Phineas has fought a duel with Lord Chiltern, it appears that Lord Brentford, Lord Chilterns father and Phineas' sponsor, does not know. We are left in no doubt that the SH will really hit the fan for Phineas when Lord Brentford does get to know what happened.
Quintus Slide continues to attack Phineas Finn through the "People's Banner", a widely read scandal sheet, and we are told is making plans to stand as a candidate in Phineas Finn's constituency of Loughton.
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Quintus Slide attacks Phineas
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All the time the Reform Bill is making its way through due Parliamentary process, although it is having to undergo many changes to make it acceptable and avoid another division in Parliament.
Lady Laura oversteps her brief and decides to suggest to Violet that she should marry Phineas. When this is unsuccessful Lady Laura sets Violet up and tells Phineas where she will be at a certain time. Phineas meets Violet and asks her to be his wife but she refuses his advances.
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Harveywetdog/Author - David Robinson CEng FIET
David spent approaching 50 years in Her Majesty's Electricity Supply Industry before retiring
He was part of the highly successful design team on the Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station Project before spending 25 years producing safety cases to keep our aging AGR fleet generating for the good of the nation
He is responsible for the Harveywetdog YouTube Channel which he maintains as an outlet for his creative talents
David has twice experienced blood cancer treatment but absolutely refuses to be a victim
All views are of course his own but might be influenced by the medication he's having to take
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