A VERY DULL AFFAIR

In “A Very Dull Affair” from the “Dolly Dialogues,” the narrative unfolds at Mrs. Hilary Musgrave’s house, where the narrator finds himself in company with Mrs. Hilary, her husband Hilary, and little Miss Phyllis. The chapter begins with Mrs. Hilary challenging the narrator’s skepticism regarding real love by affirming her exclusive affection for her husband, Hilary. The discussion quickly shifts to reminiscences of how Hilary and Mrs. Hilary met and fell in love, shared in a manner that leaves little Miss Phyllis enchanted but the narrator decidedly unimpressed.

The tale they recount starts with their first encounter at Bournemouth, where a series of coincidental meetings and familial introductions on the pier led to their growing intimacy. As Mrs. Hilary delves into their courtship’s specifics—from their attire on the day they met to their conversations and shared moments—the story reveals no significant hurdles or opposition to their relationship. Despite a temporary concern from Mrs. Hilary’s father, any potential conflict is swiftly resolved, leading to their engagement and subsequent marriage.

As Mrs. Hilary fondly recalls the anxieties and milestones of their romance, the mood is one of nostalgia and contentment, marred only by the narrator’s critical interjections, who finds their love story extraordinarily dull. He struggles to find any element of intrigue or difficulty in their relationship, lamenting the absence of traditional narrative conflicts such as quarrels, misunderstandings, or external opposition. His attempts to probe for any underlying complexities or hardships are met with simple denials or fond remembrances, further fueling his disappointment.

The chapter concludes with the narrator expressing his boredom and questioning the purpose of sharing such a commonplace love story, to which Mrs. Hilary has no definitive answer. Despite his critique, the interaction between Hilary and his wife subtly demonstrates their deep affection, suggesting that the beauty of their story lies not in dramatic events but in the enduring bond they share. The narrator’s dissatisfaction underscores the variance in perspectives on love and relationships—the contrast between seeking excitement in narrative and finding joy in simplicity and stability.