dead time

Seduction of a male is here a metaphor for self-willed corruption, better described as self-rape; it carries with it all the sneaking dubieties of suicide, which happens to be an inherited tendency of Jude Fawley. Rape is violent intrusion, a kind of murder; enticement requires self-violation and is therefore akin to suicide.

My uncle is always happy to discharge his tutelary responsibilities towards me.

'Made one quite thankful to get back to the fug, though as a rule I think the way these trains are overheated is something scandalous.'