# XIV explained — The Haunted Hotel

> Chapter companion for The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

The chapter describes the transformation of the Venetian palace into a modern hotel, noting that the rooms formerly occupied by Lord Montbarry and Baron Rivar are preserved as Numbers 14 and 38. Meanwhile, in Ireland, Mrs. Rolland becomes attendant to Mrs. Carbury, and Miss Haldane visits Lord Montbarry's house, winning everyone's admiration. Arthur Barville, in love with Miss Haldane, ingratiates himself with her aunt Mrs. Carbury by reading to her and improving her couch. Mrs. Carbury tests Miss Haldane's feelings, and the young couple's engagement is approved by Sir Theodore and Lady Barville. Their wedding is set for early September, and the hotel opens in October.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Mobility

The palace's conversion into a hotel symbolizes the shift from aristocratic private spaces to commercial public accommodations.

### Love and Betrayal

Arthur Barville's successful courtship of Miss Haldane, aided by his attentions to her aunt, illustrates romantic love and familial maneuvering.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Rolland

Obtains the situation of attendant on the invalid Mrs. Carbury.

### Miss Haldane

Visits Lord Montbarry's house, wins praise, and becomes engaged to Arthur Barville.

### Arthur Barville

Courts Miss Haldane, reads to Mrs. Carbury, and improves her couch; his engagement is approved by his parents.

### Mrs. Carbury

Invalid aunt of Miss Haldane; observes the budding romance and tests her niece's feelings.

### Lord Montbarry

Declares Miss Haldane the only perfectly pretty woman he has seen; his former apartment becomes Room 14.

### Lady Montbarry

Hosts Miss Haldane's visit and becomes friendly with the Carbury household.

## Key lines

> As the summer months advanced, the transformation of the Venetian palace into the modern hotel proceeded rapidly towards completion.

During the summer, the Venetian palace was quickly converted into a modern hotel.

_Describes the rapid renovation of the palace into a hotel._

> The room in which Montbarry had died was still fitted up as a bedroom, and was now distinguished as Number Fourteen.

The bedroom where Lord Montbarry died was kept and renamed Room 14.

_Identifies the preserved death room as hotel room Number 14._

> Arthur volunteered to relieve Miss Haldane, at intervals, in the office of reader.

Arthur offered to take turns reading to Mrs. Carbury to help Miss Haldane.

_Arthur's strategy to spend time with Miss Haldane by assisting with her aunt's care._

> The course of true love had no other obstacles to encounter.

The lovers faced no further difficulties in their romance.

_Indicates the smooth progression of Arthur and Miss Haldane's relationship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_hotel_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_hotel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_hotel_se/chapters