XVIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Self-Discovery and Transformation

  Rose begins to see herself differently through Briggs's admiration, while Mrs. Fisher undergoes a profound internal shift, feeling 'young somewhere' and emerging from her defensive shell.

• Female Friendship and Solidarity

  Lotty's impulsive kiss and Rose's growing penitence toward Mrs. Fisher highlight a budding solidarity among the women, breaking down previous barriers.

• The Contrast Between Appearance and Reality

  Mrs. Fisher's external severity masks her inner desire for warmth and connection, which is revealed through Briggs's kindness and Lotty's affection.

Characters to notice

• Mrs. Arbuthnot

  Rose walks with Mr. Briggs, feels flattered by his attention, and begins to recover from her disappointment about Frederick. She reflects on her blindness to the beauty of San Salvatore and feels penitent for her past behavior toward Mrs. Fisher.

• Mr. Briggs

  Briggs openly admires Rose, tells her of the impression she made in London, and feels a warm domestic longing. He also appreciates Mrs. Fisher, treating her with kindness that helps her emerge from her shell.

• Mrs. Fisher

  Mrs. Fisher, encouraged by Briggs's appreciation, begins to laugh and relax. She is kissed by Lotty, which deeply moves her, and she starts to feel young and budding inside, a sensation she finds both odd and exciting.

• Mrs. Wilkins

  Lotty returns from her picnic, sees Mrs. Fisher laughing, and impulsively kisses her. She then engages Briggs in friendly conversation, showing her characteristic warmth and lack of propriety.

• Mr. Wilkins

  Mr. Wilkins observes the interactions with approval, making comments like 'Very natural' and 'Trouble, trouble,' and adapts to the lighthearted tone, asserting a playful claim to be told Mrs. Fisher's secrets first.

Key passages

• “They had a very pleasant walk, with a great deal of sitting down in warm, thyme-fragrant corners, and if anything could have helped Rose to recover from the bitter disappointment of the morning it would have been the company and conversation of Mr. Briggs.”

  Rose's walk with Mr. Briggs, filled with rests in fragrant spots, lifted her spirits after her earlier disappointment.

  Briggs's companionship begins to heal Rose's emotional wounds.

• “Briggs was a man incapable of concealments, who never lost time if he could help it.”

  Briggs was direct and efficient, not one to hide his feelings or delay.

  Characterizes Briggs as straightforward and earnest.

• “She heard herself saying things that really sounded quite interesting and even amusing.”

  Rose found herself speaking in a way that seemed engaging and witty.

  Briggs's attention brings out a more confident side of Rose.

• “It wanted a wife in it. It wanted that final touch of warmth and beauty, for he never thought of his wife except in terms of warmth and beauty⁠—she would of course be beautiful and kind.”

  Briggs felt his home needed a wife to complete it, imagining her as warm and beautiful.

  Briggs's domestic longing and idealization of a future wife.

• “Was it possible Mrs. Wilkins liked her⁠—had liked her all this time, while she had been so much disliking her herself? A queer little trickle of warmth filtered through the frozen defences of Mrs. Fisher's heart.”

  Mrs. Fisher wondered if Lotty had always liked her, and felt a surprising warmth melt her usual coldness.

  Lotty's kiss begins to thaw Mrs. Fisher's emotional barriers.

• “What an indictment of the lot of them! For they had all laughed, the others, some more and some less, at one time or another since their arrival, and only Mrs. Fisher had not.”

  Rose realized that Mrs. Fisher had never laughed before, which reflected poorly on the group's treatment of her.

  Rose's guilt over neglecting Mrs. Fisher's happiness.