Publisher's Synopsis
After The Man of Property, Galsworthy digs into Irene's newfound acquaintance with Old Jolyon Forsyte (June's grandfather, now the owner of the house Soames had built). This relationship makes Old Jolyon happy, but it drains his power. He gives money to Irene in his will, with Young Jolyon, his son, acting as trustee. Old Jolyon eventually dies under an ancient oak tree in the garden of the Robin Hill house. The second novel is on Soames' and his sister Winifred's marital problems (the title refers to the Court of Chancery, which dealt with domestic disputes). They file for divorce from their respective husbands, Irene and Montague Dartie. While Soames advises his sister to face the repercussions of going to court, he is unwilling to go through the process of divorce. Instead, he hunts and hounds Irene, follows her abroad, and begs her to bear his child, as his father had requested. After Old Jolyon's death, Irene receives a £15,000 inheritance. Irene's funds are managed by his son, Young Jolyon Forsyte, who is also Soames' cousin. Young Jolyon offers his assistance when she first leaves Soames. Irene has built a great bond with Jolyon by the time his son Jolly dies in the South African War.
