# The Séance explained — At the Villa Rose

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

## What happens

Celia is bound and gagged by Adèle Rossignol and Hélène Vauquier during a fake séance, while Harry Wethermill secretly enters the villa. Celia realizes she has been used as a pawn in a criminal plot.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Manipulation

The séance is a staged deception; Celia is manipulated by Adèle, Hélène, and Harry.

### Trust and Betrayal

Celia trusts Harry, but he betrays her by being part of the criminal plot.

### Gender and Power

Celia's physical helplessness contrasts with the controlling actions of Adèle and Hélène.

## Character check-ins

### Celia Harland

Bound, gagged, and helpless during the séance; realizes she is a pawn in a criminal plot.

### Adèle Rossignol

Ties Celia's cords with savage raillery; orchestrates the séance setup.

### Hélène Vauquier

Holds Celia, gags her, and shows hidden rancor; complicit in the plot.

### Mme. Dauvray

Present at the séance, between Adèle and Hélène, unaware of the danger.

### Harry Wethermill

Enters silently through the glass doors; revealed as an associate of the conspirators.

## Key lines

> The raillery in her voice had a note of savagery in it now.

Adèle's teasing tone turned cruel.

_Shows Adèle's hidden menace._

> She had a feeling that a beast was waking in the woman.

Celia sensed a dangerous animalistic quality emerging in Adèle.

_Highlights Celia's growing fear._

> The strong personality in the room was not Adèle Rossignol, but Hélène Vauquier.

Celia realized Hélène, not Adèle, was the dominant force controlling the situation.

_Reveals Hélène's true role._

> Her lover was in this plot—the lover in whom she had felt so much pride.

Celia discovered that Harry, whom she admired, was part of the conspiracy.

_Marks the emotional betrayal._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_villa_rose_se/chapters/xviii-the-s-ance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_villa_rose_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_villa_rose_se/chapters