Stevens, however, remains loyal and faithful to Lord Darlington, even after the war, when he is confronted by Lord Darlington’s godson, Mr. Cardinal, who reveals that Lord Darlington was part of a secret plot to overthrow the British government and make peace with Hitler.
Stevens finally arrives at Weymouth, where he meets Miss Kenton at a hotel. He learns that Miss Kenton has reconciled with her husband, who had left her for another woman, but has returned after being diagnosed with cancer. Miss Kenton tells Stevens that she is happy with her marriage and her family, and that she has no intention of leaving them.
She also confesses that she had loved Stevens, but that she had given up on him after realizing that he would never express his feelings for her. She asks Stevens if he had ever loved her, but he evades the question. They part on friendly terms, but with a sense of regret and sadness.
Stevens returns to Darlington Hall, where he meets Mr. Farraday, who welcomes him back and jokes with him. Stevens realizes that he has wasted his life in the service of a misguided and disgraced man, and that he has missed his chance to be happy with Miss Kenton.
He also realizes that he has failed to live up to his own standards of dignity and professionalism, and that he has been too rigid and reserved. He decides to try to change his attitude and to adopt a more relaxed and humorous manner, as Mr. Farraday expects from him. He also decides to look forward to the future, rather than dwell on the past, and to make the best of the remains of his day.
Characters
The novel features a number of characters, both fictional and historical, who play a role in the story. The main characters are:
Stevens
The protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is the butler of Darlington Hall, a position he has held for over thirty years. He is a loyal, diligent, and proud servant, who strives to achieve the highest standards of his profession. He is also a repressed, reserved, and emotionally detached man, who denies his own feelings and opinions, and follows his employer’s orders without question.
