# XVII: The Afternoon of Tuesday explained — At the Villa Rose

> Chapter companion for At the Villa Rose by A. E. W. Mason.

## What happens

Celia prepares for the final séance at Annecy, where she and Mme. Dauvray meet Adèle Rossignol. Adèle, tutored by Hélène Vauquier, feigns skepticism to impose strict tests, including a light-colored rustling dress and tying Celia hand and foot. Celia, though increasingly reluctant, agrees to everything to secure Mme. Dauvray's happiness and her own future with Harry. Hélène, dressing Celia, takes a dark pleasure in making her look her loveliest for the last time.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Manipulation

Celia's mediumship is a deliberate deception; Hélène and Adèle manipulate the séance setup to frame Celia.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Celia's beauty and composure mask her inner turmoil; the séance's spiritual facade hides a criminal plot.

### Trust and Betrayal

Mme. Dauvray trusts Celia and Adèle, but both are deceiving her; Hélène's service conceals deadly intent.

## Character check-ins

### Celia Harland

Prepares for the final séance, feeling reluctant and fearful but determined to succeed for Mme. Dauvray and Harry.

### Hélène Vauquier

Dresses Celia with deliberate slowness and ironic pleasure, knowing it is the last time; she orchestrates the tests with Adèle.

### Mme. Dauvray

Anxious and irritable, she insists on the séance and agrees to Adèle's tests, hoping to convert the skeptic.

### Adèle Rossignol

Feigns skepticism to impose rigorous tests, including tying Celia and using a light-colored dress, as part of Hélène's plan.

### Harry Wethermill

Referenced in Celia's thoughts as the one from whom she must herself reveal her past.

## Key lines

> For the last time, said Celia to herself, thinking of these horrible séances, of which tonight should see the end. For the last time, said Hélène Vauquier too.

Both Celia and Hélène recognize that this evening's séance will be the final one, though for different reasons.

_Highlights the dual meaning of 'last time'—Celia hopes to end her deception, while Hélène plans her murder._

> She would have liked Celia—Celia, smiling at herself in the glass—to know suddenly what was in store for her! She saw in imagination the colour die from the cheeks, the eyes stare wide with terror.

Hélène secretly wishes Celia could realize her impending doom while still admiring herself in the mirror.

_Reveals Hélène's sadistic pleasure and the dramatic irony of Celia's unawareness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_villa_rose_se/chapters/xvii-the-afternoon-of-tuesday
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_villa_rose_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_villa_rose_se/chapters