Although acquitted, Phineas emerges from the murder trial deeply disillusioned by politics and society and resigns his parliamentary seat, only to be overwhelmingly re-elected by constituents who believe in his innocence and to regain enough public standing that an important government position is again offered to him. The story of Emilius and Lady Eustace is brought to its end, while Madame Goesler refuses to enrich herself with the legacy left to her by the old Duke of Omnium and arranges for the money to benefit Adelaide Palliser, thereby removing the financial obstacle that has stood between Adelaide and Gerard Maule. Phineas chooses a life in which political ambition is tempered by independence and conscience, and he finally marries Madame Goesler, whose steadfast love and determination helped save him, bringing the novel's intertwined stories of politics, jealousy, injustice, loyalty, and love to a close.
