Silas seeks the advice of Minister Sewell. He supports Silas’ opinion that Tom and Penelope should be married.
Analysis
After admitting his own lack of social grace, Lapham makes another realistic observation. He sees Penelope’s self-sacrifice as being excessive and, therefore, romantic and unrealistic. Mrs. Lapham knows that Silas and Sewell are right, but she still finds it difficult to completely face the problem.
