# X: The Laughter explained — Brood of the Witch-Queen

> Chapter companion for Brood of the Witch-Queen by Sax Rohmer.

## What happens

Dr. Cairn interviews Lady Lashmore, who confesses to horrific recurring dreams of a dark cavern and a vampire's thirst, linked to attacks on her husband. Dr. Cairn deduces that Antony Ferrara used a séance to install the spirit of the vampire Mirza into Lady Lashmore, who then attacked Lord Lashmore. Despite precautions, Lord Lashmore is found dead from sheer horror, and Lady Lashmore is found unconscious with a bruise, as servants fled after hearing eerie laughter.

## Themes in this chapter

### Possession and Identity

Lady Lashmore is possessed by the spirit of the vampire Mirza, losing control of her own identity and actions.

### Hereditary Curse and Taint

The Dhoon family curse manifests through Mirza's vampire spirit targeting her descendants, particularly Lord Lashmore.

### Good vs. Evil

Dr. Cairn and Robert confront the evil sorcery of Antony Ferrara, who uses Mirza's spirit to commit murder.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Bruce Cairn

Interviews Lady Lashmore, deduces Ferrara's sorcery, and arrives too late to save Lord Lashmore.

### Robert Cairn

Takes notes during his father's explanation and accompanies him to the Lashmore house.

### Lady Lashmore

Confesses to vampire dreams and is found unconscious after the attack on her husband.

### Lord Lashmore

Found dead in bed, having died of sheer horror after the vampire attack.

### Antony Ferrara

Implied to have orchestrated the séance and the possession of Lady Lashmore by Mirza's spirit.

### Sir Elwin Groves

Present at the scene of Lord Lashmore's death, tending to Lady Lashmore.

## Key lines

> I dreamt that I lay in some very dark cavern. I could hear the sea booming, apparently over my head. But above all the noise a voice was audible, calling to me—not by name; I cannot explain in what way; but calling, calling imperatively.

Lady Lashmore describes a recurring dream of being in a dark cavern, hearing a commanding voice calling her.

_This dream is linked to the vampire Mirza's influence and the attacks on Lord Lashmore._

> A magician more mighty and more evil than Mirza ever was or could be, a master of the Black Art, expelled a woman’s spirit from its throne and temporarily installed in its place the bloodlustful spirit of Mirza!

Dr. Cairn explains that Antony Ferrara used black magic to replace Lady Lashmore's spirit with that of the vampire Mirza.

_This reveals Ferrara's role in orchestrating the possession and attacks._

> It was the laughter, sir! the laughter! I can never forget it!

Chambers, the valet, recounts that the servants fled because of terrifying laughter heard during the attack.

_The laughter adds a supernatural element to the horror of Lord Lashmore's death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/x-the-laughter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters