Maurice

Maurice initially assumes Clive will reconsider. However, when he notices that Ada seems unhappy, his fears rise to the surface and he upbraids her: “He accused his sister of corrupting his friend. He let her suppose that Clive had complained of her conduct and gone back to town on that account” (134).

After this, Maurice accepts Clive’s departure and outwardly resumes his life. Nevertheless, he feels lonely to the point of suicidality. One day, he jokes about throwing himself from a train, only to seriously consider the idea: “He began to compare ways and means, and would have shot himself but for an unexpected event. The event was the illness and death of his grandfather, which induced a new state of mind” (136). Meanwhile, Maurice and Clive remain in correspondence, although Clive insists they not meet.

Maurice’s grandfather, Mr. Grace, was a businessman before retiring, at which point he became interested in science and philosophy. He has idiosyncratic religious ideas that he enjoys discussing, and his conviction impresses Maurice, who remarks that he wishes he believed in something; Mr. Grace speaks of the “light within” and urges him to be kind. Maurice replies that he no longer has this “light”: “I don’t want to be good or kind or brave.