The Small House at Allington is a book written by the English author Anthony Trollope. It was first published in parts in the Cornhill Magazine from July 1862 to July 1863. In 1864, it was released as a separate book in two volumes. It is the fifth book in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series. The book that came before it in the series is Framley Parsonage, and the one that follows is The Last Chronicle of Barset. The book became popular again in the early 1990s when John Major, who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at that time, said it was his favorite book.

Plot summary

The book The Small House at Allington follows the Dale family, who live in a house called the "Small House." This house was built for the widow of the estate’s owner. The estate’s owner is Christopher Dale, a bachelor who lives in Allington. After his mother died, Christopher gave the Small House to his brother’s widow and her two daughters, Isabella ("Bell") and Lilian ("Lily"), to live in for free.

Bernard, Christopher’s nephew (the son of another late brother and the heir to the estate), brings his friend Adolphus Crosbie to Allington. He introduces Crosbie to the Dale family. Crosbie is handsome and respected in London society. Bell and Lily are impressed by Crosbie’s charm and knowledge of the world. Lily, the younger and more witty sister, calls him "Apollo." She and Crosbie become close during his visit, and before leaving, he proposes to Lily.

Mrs. Dale, Christopher’s sister-in-law, has no money to give Lily as a dowry. However, Crosbie believes Christopher might help support Lily’s future, as he treats Bell and Lily like his own daughters. When Crosbie asks Christopher, the Squire says he has no plans to help. This makes Crosbie realize that, while his salary as a clerk allows him to live comfortably as a bachelor, marriage would require a much simpler life.

The engagement between Lily and Crosbie becomes public and is celebrated in Allington. However, when Lily learns that Crosbie misunderstood her financial situation, she offers to end the engagement without causing hurt. Crosbie refuses, as he admires her kindness and truly cares for her.

After leaving Allington, Crosbie goes to Courcy Castle. Among high society, Crosbie’s earlier hope of marrying Lily on his small salary seems less appealing. Rumors of his engagement spread, but he avoids talking about it. The Countess de Courcy, who has a daughter named Alexandrina still looking for a husband, sees Crosbie as a good match. Alexandrina had previously been friends with Crosbie in London. When pressed by Alexandrina, Crosbie agrees to marry her in a moment of weakness. The Countess ensures the engagement is official before Crosbie leaves.

Crosbie soon regrets his decision. He is now engaged to two women, but he prefers Lily, who is younger, prettier, and smarter. However, jilting Lily would have little consequence, while breaking off his engagement to Alexandrina would harm his relationship with the powerful de Courcy family. He writes to Lily and Mrs. Dale to end the engagement. Interestingly, shortly after returning to London, Crosbie receives a raise in salary. He reflects that he could have had a happy life with Lily after all.

Lily is deeply sad but tries to remain strong, saying she is happy for Crosbie and Alexandrina. However, she refuses to consider marrying anyone else, even though Johnny Eames, a family friend who has loved her since childhood, proposes to her multiple times. Eames works as a clerk in the Income Tax Office, but his career improves after he saves the Earl de Guest from a bull. He becomes close to the Earl and his sister, Lady Julia. The Earl supports Eames’s career and treats him like family. When Eames sees Crosbie at a train station, he attacks him and gives him a black eye. Mrs. Dale, Christopher, the Earl, and Lady Julia hope Lily will eventually marry Eames, but she remains devoted to the memory of her "Apollo" and does not love Eames as she loved Crosbie.

Meanwhile, Christopher encourages Bernard to court Bell, as he wants his niece and nephew to marry and live on the family estate. However, Bell sees Bernard as a brother. When Mrs. Dale and her daughters feel Christopher is pressuring Bell to marry Bernard, they decide to leave the Small House so they are no longer dependent on him. Christopher convinces them to stay and gives both girls money, regardless of whether they marry or not. Bell eventually marries John Crofts, a young doctor in the area. They had known each other since Bell was a child.

Crosbie soon realizes that marrying into the de Courcy family offers little benefit. After returning to London, his future sister-in-law, Amelia, watches him closely. The Countess, along with Amelia’s husband, Gazebee, controls Crosbie’s finances and requires him to pay for a home in a respectable neighborhood to maintain appearances. Neither Crosbie nor Alexandrina is happy in their marriage. Less than four months after their wedding, Alexandrina leaves with her mother to live in Baden-Baden, Germany. Crosbie gladly pays to end the marriage and regain his freedom.

Characters

• Squire Christopher Dale is the owner of the Allington estate. He lives in the Great House. Since he has no children, Bernard Dale is expected to inherit the estate.
• Mrs. Mary Dale is the Squire's sister-in-law. She married the Squire's youngest brother, and the Squire did not forgive her for this. After her husband died, the Squire allowed her to live in the Small House to help care for her daughters.
• Lilian (Lily) Dale is the main character of the story. She is the younger niece of the Squire.
• Isabella (Bell) Dale is Lily's older sister.

• Captain Bernard Dale is the nephew of Christopher Dale. He grew up with Lily and Bell.
• John Eames is someone who admires Lily. He also grew up with Lily and Bell.
• Adolphus Crosbie is a friend of Bernard. He becomes engaged to Lily Dale.

Criticism

Julia Kuehn has described the novel as "off-course" because the characters act in ways that go against their own best interests. Jennifer Preston Wilson has examined how Trollope addressed the issue of responsibility within society in the novel.