The Haunted Hotel · Chapter
XII explained
Henry Westwick visits Agnes Lockwood and confesses his love, but she gently rebuffs him.
What happens
Henry Westwick visits Agnes Lockwood and confesses his love, but she gently rebuffs him. Agnes reveals her plan to become governess to her nieces, the children of Stephen and Mrs. Westwick, seeking a change from her lonely life. Henry disapproves but hides his concerns. The chapter also touches on the legacy left to the nurse by the late Lord Montbarry, and Agnes's unease about Henry's involvement in the Palace Hotel Company, which is converting the Venetian palace where Lord Montbarry died into a hotel.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
Henry's unrequited love for Agnes is central, as he pleads for her affection while she gently refuses, still haunted by her past with Lord Montbarry.
Class and Social Mobility
Agnes's decision to become a governess, despite being the equal of her employers, challenges class norms and reflects her desire for a more meaningful life.
Deception and Secrets
Henry hides his selfish motives regarding Agnes's plan, and the nurse's ingratitude toward Lord Montbarry's legacy reveals hidden resentments.
Characters to notice
- Agnes Lockwood
Agnes gently rejects Henry's romantic advances and reveals her plan to become governess to her nieces, seeking a more useful and happy life.
- Henry Westwick
Henry confesses his love to Agnes, is rebuffed, and learns of her plan to become a governess. He hides his selfish concerns about losing her affection.
- Countess Narona
Mentioned as having visited Agnes earlier; Henry believes she is simply wicked, not mad, and that her motive was to frighten Agnes.
- Stephen Robert Westwick
Mentioned as the brother of Henry and the next heir to the title; Agnes plans to become governess to his children.
- Mrs. Westwick
Mentioned as the wife of Stephen Robert Westwick; Agnes hopes she will consent to her becoming governess to the children.
- Lord Montbarry
Mentioned as having left a legacy of a hundred pounds to the nurse; his will is discussed.
Key passages
“I think she is simply wicked. False, superstitious, inveterately cruel—but not mad.”
Henry believes the Countess is not insane but rather malicious, deceitful, and superstitious.
Henry expresses his opinion of Countess Narona's character to Agnes.
“I am weary of my lonely useless existence here, and eager to make my life more happy and more useful, in the household of all others in which I should like most to have a place.”
Agnes is tired of her solitary life and wants to find happiness and purpose by living with and teaching the children of her friends.
Agnes explains her motivation for becoming a governess to Henry.
“I wonder who reminded my lord of the old servants? He would never have heart enough to remember them himself!”
The nurse doubts that Lord Montbarry himself thought to leave a legacy to the old servants, implying he was not a kind-hearted man.
The nurse expresses her lingering resentment toward the late Lord Montbarry despite receiving a legacy.