# The Face in the Orchid-House explained — Brood of the Witch-Queen

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

## What happens

Dr. Bruce Cairn watches over the dying Myra Duquesne, puzzled by her mysterious illness. After consulting with other doctors, he learns from gardener Crombie about a strange face seen in the orchid-houses, which Crombie associates with Antony Ferrara. Dr. Cairn returns to Half-Moon Street with his son Robert, leaving Myra's fate uncertain.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sorcery vs. Science

Dr. Cairn's medical expertise fails against Myra's illness, which is linked to Ferrara's occult influence.

### Possession and Identity

The face in the orchid-house is described as both Ferrara and a woman, suggesting a supernatural transformation or possession.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Bruce Cairn

Attends to Myra Duquesne, investigates the gardener's report, and returns to Half-Moon Street with Robert.

### Myra Duquesne

Lies dying, with a mysterious illness that began after Antony Ferrara's last visit.

### Robert Cairn

Waits in agony downstairs, then accompanies his father to Half-Moon Street.

### Mr. Saunderson

Host at the house, initially dismissive of Crombie's story.

### Crombie

Gardener who reports seeing a strange face in the orchid-houses, resembling Antony Ferrara.

## Key lines

> Two days had wrought a dreadful change in her. She lay with closed eyes, and sunken face upon which ominous shadows played.

In just two days, Myra had deteriorated severely, lying unconscious with a hollow, shadowed face.

_Describes Myra's rapid decline due to the mysterious illness._

> I thought I saw—a face. It reminded me of the face of a gentleman I have seen here— Mr. Ferrara—

Crombie claims he saw a face in the orchid-house that resembled Antony Ferrara.

_Links the supernatural occurrence in the orchid-house to Ferrara._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxiii-the-face-in-the-orchid-house
- 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