My children deserve the best
Sir Harold Alabaster has two children, a daughter and a son, and from the beginning of the novel he makes it clear that he wants his children to marry into other rich families. Because of this, it is ironic to see that he agreed to let his daughter marry a man who had absolutely no money at all.
Mourning her fiance
At the beginning of the novel, Eugenia is described as being a young woman grieving her beloved who decided to take his own life. Eugenia claims that she loved her fiance more than she loved her own life. Because of this, it is ironic to see how Eugenia agreed to marry Adamson so quick after her fiance died.
The real cause behind his death
Before Eugenia married Adamson, she was engaged to a man who remains unnamed in the novel. Time and time again this mysterious man is mentioned by Eugenia who claimed to have loved him. Because of this, it is ironic to find that the real reason why the fiance killed himself is that he discovered Eugenia and her brother having sex. This implies that Eugenia was the one responsible for the young man's death.
What was the point in stopping
Eugenia and her brother became involved sexually from a young age. This sexual relationship continued into their adulthood until they were discovered by Adamson. At that point, Eugenia claimed that she felt as if it was too late to stop. What is ironic however is to find out that Eugenia knew that her relationship with her brother was deranged and unnatural. However, she felt it was going to be easier just to continue and do everything as she did before.
At least I have my children
Shortly after getting married, the relationship between Adamson and Eugenia falls apart. Adamson starts spending more and more time in the woods together with his children and his wife spends the vast majority of his time alone at home. Adamson's reason to remain together with his wife was because he wanted to give his children the best life he can. Ironically, however, Adamson soon finds out that his children are not even his but rather are the product of Eugenia and her brother's incestuous relationship.
