# XXXVI: A Mistake Rectified explained — Hand and Ring

> Chapter companion for Hand and Ring by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

In this chapter, Mr. Ferris confronts Imogene Dare about her false confession in court, revealing that she was deceived by a detective disguised as Craik Mansell. Hickory admits to the trickery, and Imogene learns that Mansell never sent the letter or confessed as she believed. The chapter ends with Imogene's shock and the beginning of her doubt about Mansell's guilt.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Truth

The chapter centers on the revelation of a detective's deception and the pursuit of truth.

### Guilt and Innocence

Imogene's false confession and the emerging doubt about Mansell's guilt highlight the theme.

## Character check-ins

### Imogene Dare

Confronted by Mr. Ferris, she learns of the deception and begins to doubt Mansell's guilt.

### Mr. Ferris

Reveals the deception to Imogene and attempts to rectify the mistake.

### Mr. Hickory

Admits to disguising himself as Mansell and tricking Imogene.

### Mr. Byrd

Present during the confrontation, assisting Mr. Ferris.

## Key lines

> I know it was a mean trick,” he acknowledged, dropping his eyes from her face. “But things do look different when you’re in the thick of ’em than when you take a stand and observe them from the outside.

Hickory admits the deception was wrong but justifies it by saying that being involved in the situation changes one's perspective.

_Hickory's confession and rationalization of his actions._

> You have uttered a deliberate perjury in the courtroom today. You said that you alone were responsible for the murder of Mrs. Clemmens, whereas you not only did not commit the crime yourself but were not even an accessory to it.

Mr. Ferris accuses Imogene of lying under oath, stating that she is not guilty of the murder or even an accomplice.

_Mr. Ferris directly challenges Imogene's false confession._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxvi-a-mistake-rectified
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters