IX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Age and Youth

  Colville promises to be twenty years younger, and Imogene forbids him from mentioning age, highlighting the tension between his maturity and her youthful idealism.

• Self-Deception and Illusion

  Colville and Imogene engage in a romantic fantasy of preexistence and secret pacts, masking deeper insecurities and regrets.

• Social Convention and Propriety

  Mrs. Bowen's disapproval of dancing at the Veglione and her concern for propriety contrast with the carnival's liberating atmosphere.

Characters to notice

• Mr. Colville

  Dances with Imogene, makes a secret pact to be younger, feels guilt over Mrs. Bowen's absence, and reflects on past love.

• Imogene Graham

  Dances with Colville, enters into a secret pact, feels faint, and engages in sentimental wordplay.

• Mrs. Bowen

  Disappears from the box, later returns with Rev. Mr. Waters, shows shock and reproach.

• Rev. Mr. Waters

  Appears unexpectedly at the Veglione, philosophizes about the Carnival, and asks about dancing.

Key passages

• “From this out I promise to be twenty years younger. But no one is to know it but you.”

  Colville vows to act younger, keeping this pledge a secret between him and Imogene.

  This marks the beginning of their secret pact and Colville's attempt to recapture youth.

• “The pressure sent a real pang to his heart. It forced her name from his lips. 'Imogene! Ah, I’ve no right to call you that.'”

  Imogene's hand squeeze deeply affects Colville, prompting him to use her first name, which he feels is improper.

  Shows Colville's emotional vulnerability and the growing intimacy between them.

• “He had lived long enough to know that she was making herself believe what she said, and that she had not lived long enough to know this.”

  Colville recognizes that Imogene is convincing herself of a romantic fantasy, but she is too young to realize it.

  Highlights the theme of self-deception and the gap in their life experience.