Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life

Mary falls into delirium and cannot be convinced that Jem is safe, even when he is brought before her. From what she says deliriously, Jem discovers that she, like him, knows of her father’s guilt. Barton had borrowed Jem’s gun days before the murder, and Jem supposed long ago that Barton was the murderer. Jem stays with Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis as they take care of Mary. Job comes to tell Jem that Alice is close to death, and suggests that he, Will, and Jane go home to see her while he stays with Mary. Afraid Job will hear of Barton’s guilt, Jem tells Job that Mary is confusing thoughts of her father with the outcome of the trial.

They find Alice content but close to death. Will is especially moved. Alice dies the next day. Jem hopes for news of Mary’s recovery. Margaret consoles Will in his grief and wants to go to Liverpool to take care of Mary, but Jem is convinced he must be the one to nurse her. With much coaxing, he receives Jane’s blessing to go to Liverpool and marry Mary. On his way out of Manchester, Jem sees Barton, who no one knew was at home, but Jem acts as if he hadn’t seen him.