What Will He Do with It?

In Short

This novel is a sprawling, character-driven exploration of social standing, moral redemption, and the burdens of legacy in 19th-century England. It follows William Losely—known as "Waife"—a gentle, impoverished wanderer, and Sophy, the young girl he protects from his own checkered past. As they are pulled into the orbit of the stoic, aristocratic Guy Darrell, the narrative examines the tension between birthright and personal character. It remains a compelling read for its psychological acuity and its nuanced portrayal of the sacrifices required to maintain one’s integrity in a stratified society.

The Story

William Losely, a man of humble but kind heart, lives as a traveling entertainer under the name "Waife" to shield his granddaughter, Sophy, from the dishonor of his son Jasper’s criminal reputation. Waife has sacrificed his own standing and peace of mind to keep Sophy untainted by his son’s wickedness. Their lives intersect with the influential Guy Darrell, a man of wealth and ancient lineage who is haunted by personal loss and the failure of his own dynastic ambitions. Darrell represents the immovable pillar of the social order, while Waife represents the resilience of the human spirit stripped of its worldly protections.

The central conflict ignites when it is hinted that Sophy may be the grandchild of Darrell himself. If proven, she would be the heir to the Darrell estate, yet she would also be forever linked to the man who ruined her grandfather. Lionel Haughton, a young man of good intentions and noble spirit, falls in love with Sophy, creating a painful dilemma for Waife. He sees in Lionel a worthy partner for Sophy, but he knows that Darrell will never permit a union between his own legitimate—or even suspected—descendants and the kin of a man like Jasper.

As the narrative unfolds, Waife’s innocence regarding his past legal troubles is finally vindicated through the efforts of his friends, George Morley and Alban Morley, who secure a royal pardon. This act of justice clears Waife’s name, yet it does not solve the predicament of Sophy’s heart or the coldness of Darrell. Sophy is brought to Darrell’s manor, Fawley, where she acts as a silent witness to the clash between her grandfather’s humble devotion and Darrell’s icy, aristocratic resolve. Darrell finds himself strangely moved by Sophy’s grace, yet he remains trapped by his own pride and his rigid interpretation of social honor.

The ending is not a simple fairy tale of restoration. While the truth of Sophy’s lineage remains clouded and contested, the characters are transformed by their shared ordeal. Waife, now legally absolved, finds peace in his integrity, while Darrell is forced to confront the emotional wreckage of his own life. The "problem" of what to do with Sophy is resolved through a deeper understanding of human worth, as the characters move toward a quiet, tempered acceptance of their fates, acknowledging that the truest love is often tested by the very obstacles they sought to avoid.

How It Unfolds

The burden of secrets Waife lives in constant fear that his past, tainted by his son Jasper’s misdeeds, will destroy Sophy’s future. He moves from town to town, using his wit to survive while shielding Sophy from the harsh reality of their social exile.

The unexpected collision The pair is drawn into the private world of Guy Darrell, whose influence and wealth contrast sharply with their itinerant life. As the mystery of Sophy’s origin emerges, the tension between the law of birthright and the law of the heart becomes the primary driver of the plot.

The quest for vindication Waife’s friends, George and Alban, work behind the scenes to clear his name of past crimes. This process forces the proud Darrell to recognize that the "vagrant" he once scorned is a man of profound moral courage.

The final reconciliation Sophy’s presence at Fawley slowly thaws the atmosphere of the manor, causing Darrell to re-evaluate his prejudices. Though the characters are forever altered by their grief, they reach a resolution where social standing is secondary to the hard-won dignity of their individual choices.

The People

William Losely, or "Waife," is the heart of the story; he is a man of immense, self-effacing sacrifice who wants only to ensure Sophy’s happiness. His primary obstacle is the social stigma of his past and the stubborn pride of the man who holds his granddaughter’s fate in his hands.

Sophy is the innocent at the center of the storm, whose primary desire is to protect her grandfather. She matures from a child of the road into a young woman of profound emotional strength, ultimately learning to navigate the cruelty of an aristocratic world that refuses to claim her.

Guy Darrell is a powerful, melancholic figure defined by his isolation and his obsession with his family’s honor. He stands as the gatekeeper of Sophy’s future, blinded by his own grief and the rigid expectations of his class until he is moved by the quiet integrity of the man he once judged a felon.

Lionel Haughton, the earnest young lover, represents the bridge between the two worlds. He wants to marry Sophy despite the social cost, but he remains caught between his genuine love and the immovable, icy resistance of his elder kinsman, Darrell.

In Its Own Voice

"THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DOES RUN SMOOTH!" MAY IT NOT BE BECAUSE WHERE THERE ARE NO OBSTACLES, THERE ARE NO TESTS TO THE TRUTH OF LOVE?

This reflection introduces the central philosophy of the book, suggesting that difficulty is a necessary crucible for affection.

Sophy, as if suddenly struck with remorse at the thought that she, and she alone, was marring that opening paradise to the old man in his escape from the sick-room to "the sun, the air, the skies," abruptly raised her looks from the ground, and turned them full upon her guardian's face.

This moment captures Sophy’s selfless awareness of the impact she has on those around her, even as she is suffering.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book asks whether a human being is defined by their lineage and past mistakes, or by their present actions and moral character. It is a sustained argument for the existence of an "inner nobility" that transcends the rigid social hierarchies of Victorian England. The characters are constantly weighing the value of "truth" versus the value of "peace," exploring whether it is better to struggle for justice or to accept a quiet, if diminished, life. Ultimately, it probes the question of how one maintains a sense of self when the world demands you play a role that does not fit your soul.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the slow-burn psychological depth of Victorian literature will find this book deeply rewarding. It excels in the portrayal of internal struggle and the quiet, often unspoken shifts in human relationships. It does not shy away from the darker aspects of human nature, such as the destructive power of pride and the lingering shadows of a misspent life.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the book’s deliberate pace and its occasional reliance on 19th-century genealogical conventions, which can feel dense or overly concerned with technicalities of inheritance. The language is sophisticated and occasionally formal, reflecting the era’s preoccupation with manners and social rank. The emotional honesty—particularly in the depiction of Sophy’s grief and Waife’s quiet, persistent courage—remains strikingly relevant. It is a book that rewards patience, offering a meditative look at the ways we define "family" and the heavy, often unseen toll that protecting those we love can take on our own spirits. Those who appreciate character studies that refuse to offer easy resolutions will find this a haunting, thoughtful, and ultimately profound experience.