# Buried Alive explained — Lady Audley’s Secret

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

## What happens

Robert Audley delivers Lady Audley to a foreign asylum in Villebrumeuse, where she confesses to murdering George Talboys by throwing him down a well. He arranges for her confinement under a false name, and she rages against her fate, refusing to repent.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Lady Audley's false identity as 'Madam Taylor' and the concealment of her true story underscore the theme of deception.

### Madness and Insanity

Lady Audley's inherited madness is confirmed; she is confined to an asylum, and her emotional outbursts suggest mental instability.

### Justice and Morality

Robert Audley acts as an agent of moral justice, delivering Lady Audley to a living grave as penance for her crimes.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Audley

Acts as judge, jailer, and deliverer; arranges Lady Audley's confinement and hears her confession.

### Lady Audley

Confesses to murdering George Talboys; is taken to an asylum in Villebrumeuse and refuses to repent.

### George Talboys

Revealed to have been murdered by Lady Audley; his body lies at the bottom of a well.

### Monsieur Val

The French doctor who runs the asylum; receives Lady Audley and discusses her care with Robert.

### Dr. Alwyn Mosgrave

His letter is used by Robert to arrange Lady Audley's confinement; his diagnosis of latent madness is referenced.

## Key lines

> The body of George Talboys lies at the bottom of the old well, in the shrubbery beyond the lime-walk.

Lady Audley reveals that she killed George Talboys and hid his body in a well.

_This is the climactic confession of the murder._

> You have brought me to my grave, Mr. Audley; you have used your power basely and cruelly, and have brought me to a living grave.

Lady Audley accuses Robert of condemning her to a life of imprisonment.

_She views the asylum as a living death._

> I have done that which I thought just to others and merciful to you.

Robert defends his actions as both just and merciful.

_He sees confinement as a merciful alternative to execution or public shame._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xxxvii-buried-alive
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters