# XXXII: The Red Light in the Sky explained — Lady Audley’s Secret

> Chapter companion for Lady Audley’s Secret by M. E. Braddon.

## What happens

Lady Audley, after receiving a threatening letter from Robert Audley, contemplates desperate measures to silence him. She walks with Phoebe Marks toward Mount Stanning, where a fire breaks out at the Castle Inn, raising suspicions that Lady Audley may have set it deliberately to harm Robert and Luke Marks.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Lady Audley's secret plan to silence Robert Audley is hinted at, and the fire may be a cover for her desperate actions.

### Madness and Insanity

Lady Audley's mental state deteriorates into near-madness as she contemplates murder and arson to protect her secret.

### Gender and Power

Lady Audley uses her feminine charm and perceived fragility to manipulate others, but her power is threatened by Robert's investigation.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Audley

Consumed by despair and defiance after receiving Robert Audley's letter; she considers extreme actions and walks to Mount Stanning, where a fire breaks out.

### Phoebe Marks

Accompanies Lady Audley on the night walk; she is horrified by the fire and accuses Lady Audley of setting it deliberately.

### Robert Audley

Mentioned as the author of the threatening letter and as a lodger at the Castle Inn, potentially in danger from the fire.

### Luke Marks

Mentioned as being at the Castle Inn, likely drunk and in danger from the fire.

### Sir Michael Audley

Seen sleeping peacefully; Lady Audley briefly feels pity for him before her own desperation takes over.

## Key lines

> If he stood before me now, and I could kill him, I would do it—I would do it!

Lady Audley expresses a murderous desire to kill Robert Audley if he were present.

_Reveals the depth of her desperation and willingness to commit violence._

> He will do it, unless I get him into a lunatic-asylum first; or unless—

She considers having Robert committed to an asylum or worse to stop him.

_Highlights her calculating nature and the theme of madness as a weapon._

> It's the Castle that's on fire—I know it is, I know it is!

Phoebe Marks identifies the fire as being at the Castle Inn.

_Sets up the climax of the chapter and the suspicion of arson._

> Tell me that I'm wrong, my lady; tell me that I'm doing you a wicked wrong.

Phoebe begs Lady Audley to deny that she set the fire deliberately.

_Directly accuses Lady Audley of arson, deepening the mystery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xxxii-the-red-light-in-the-sky
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters