Indian Summer · Chapter
Chapter X explained
Colville visits Palazzo Pinti, feeling defiant toward Mrs.
What happens
Colville visits Palazzo Pinti, feeling defiant toward Mrs. Bowen after the veglione. He attempts to apologize for his behavior, but Mrs. Bowen responds with cool politeness and irony, refusing to acknowledge any offense. Later, Mrs. Bowen privately questions Imogene about her feelings for Colville, expressing concern over the difference in their ages and circumstances. The chapter ends with Colville entertaining Effie with a story about San Miniato.
Themes in this chapter
Age and Youth
Mrs. Bowen warns Imogene about the significant age difference between her and Colville, highlighting the theme of age and its implications for relationships.
Self-Deception and Illusion
Colville's daydreams and the discussion about dreams versus reality underscore the theme of self-deception and the illusions people create.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Colville
Visits Palazzo Pinti feeling defiant; attempts to apologize to Mrs. Bowen for his behavior at the veglione; entertains Effie with a story about San Miniato.
- Mrs. Bowen
Receives Colville with cool politeness and irony; privately questions Imogene about her feelings for Colville, expressing concern about the age difference.
- Imogene Graham
Present during Colville's visit; later questioned by Mrs. Bowen about her feelings for Colville; appears confused and defensive.
- Effie Bowen
Recovered from her illness; sits on Colville's knee and listens to his story about San Miniato.
Key passages
“Upon a review of the facts he could not find himself so very much to blame for the occurrences of the night before, and he had not been able to prove to his reason that Mrs. Bowen had resented his behaviour.”
After thinking it over, Colville didn't think he was entirely at fault for what happened the previous night, and he couldn't convince himself that Mrs. Bowen was angry with him.
Colville rationalizes his behavior at the veglione, showing his tendency toward self-justification.
“But when a woman has done nothing she fills the soul of the man whose conscience troubles him with an instinctive apprehension.”
When a woman doesn't react, a guilty man becomes instinctively anxious.
Colville's unease grows because Mrs. Bowen's calmness makes him more suspicious of her true feelings.
“The very good in him makes it the worse. I suppose that after talking with him you would feel that there could be no harm in anything he said or did.”
His goodness makes the situation more dangerous; after speaking with him, you'd believe he could do no wrong.
Mrs. Bowen warns Imogene that Colville's charm and apparent virtue make him more dangerous.