Alida Slade has imagined for years that her scheme had been successful in removing Grace Ansley from the scene and thus allowed her to get Delphin for herself, but discovers that her plan had backfired terribly. It turns out that her prank had such long lasting “effects” (in the person of Barbara).
For some time Mrs. Slade had been pondering on the vividness of Barbara’s character, which rather contrasted with her daughter Jenny’s propriety and predictability. Jenny was boring, but Barbara was full of life.
She even wishes that her daughter would fall in love “with the wrong man even” to make life more interesting.
When Alida reveals to Grace that she had forged the letter all those years back, she discovers that she had been defeated by her own scheme. It was an irony of ironies that Barbara turns out to be the daughter of the outgoing Delphin.
Alida was jealous enough to want Grace to catch malaria to get her out of the way.
But she discovers that her scheming backfired. Not only did Delphin and Grace meet, but they have a daughter. The revelation of Barbara’s true father is the perfect conclusion because, despite Alida’s efforts, she suddenly discovers that everything she had done to keep Delphin to herself had backfired. The victory that she cherished all those years was not a victory after all. Alida had no one to blame but herself. It is ultimately Grace Ansley who, in a sense, wins their game. Finally, it turns out that Alida’s malicious actions have defeated no one but herself.
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