Pg. 48- The old man’s weak eyes sparkled as George declared this determination. “My poor boy, I think you’re right,” he said, “I really think you’re right. The change, the wildlife, the-the-” He hesitated and broke down, as Robert looked earnestly at him.
“You’re in a great hurry to get rid of your son-in-law, I think, Mr. Maldon,” he said gravely.
“Get rid of him, dear boy! Oh no, no! But for his own sake, my dear sir, for his own sake, you know.”
This exchange reveals a great deal about the characters, plot, and of foreshadowing. In the preceding passage, a despairing George reveals his intention to return to Australia. Immediately after this, Maldon’s spirit is lifted and he gifts the audience this gem. Maldon repeats the phrase, “I think you’re right” (pg. 48). After a physical reaction to George’s declaration, Mary Elizabeth Braddon is drawing attention through repetition to Maldon’s vocal reaction. Maldon wants George gone as soon as possible and thus warrants our suspicion. Other iterations of repetition are exhibited in Maldon’s stuttering, “the, the” and “his own sake,” (48). It seems as if in his excitement at Geroge’s expressed departure, Maldon is stumbling over his words and garnering more suspicion.
In terms of binary oppositions I have already discussed the contrast of Maldon’s disposition in the preceding passage to this one (“eyes sparkling,” pg. 48). Aside from this, Robert and Maldon become foils for each other. Robert, like the audience, finds suspicion in Maldon’s reaction and openly questions it when he could have just as well kept it to himself. Moreover, this opposition creates an opportunity for Braddon to identify proto-detective/ surrogate for the audience. To this point, Robert has merely been a supportive friend and embodiment of lethargy. After this passage he becomes a sort of detective by pointing out the oddity of Maldon’s behavior and earning the audience’s empathy in doing so.
In terms of a larger picture, this passage casts a sinister shadow on Maldon. He could very well be simply resentful of George, but his excitement at George’s intended departure indicates that he is in on something we do not know anything about. Could another character “disappear” to Australia? Most of all, it expounds on the mystery surround the novel and its events.
I agree that Mr. Maldon’s behavior is suspicious. He is very eager to send George back to Australia, almost too eager. This post connects the passage later in the novel when little Georgey reveals there was a second woman in his house when his mother was dying. “The child did not answer, but presently, fixing his eyes upon Robert’s face, he said abruptly, – ‘where’s the pretty lady?’” The men told Georgey to hush as if he were revealing a secret. It appeared that Robert was in on the secret too or at least knew the woman that Georgey was talking about because he looked directly at him when he asked about her.