# XV explained — The Haunted Hotel

> Chapter companion for The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Agnes Lockwood writes to Mrs. Ferrari about the wedding of Arthur Barville and Miss Haldane, where Henry Westwick proposes a reunion in Venice, leading to a plan that unexpectedly draws Agnes to Venice despite her uneasy memory of the Countess Narona's ominous parting words.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Inevitability

Agnes's journey to Venice unfolds despite her misgivings, echoing the Countess Narona's prophecy of a final meeting.

### Deception and Secrets

The cheerful wedding and travel plans contrast with the underlying supernatural warnings and hidden past.

## Character check-ins

### Agnes Lockwood

Writes to Mrs. Ferrari describing the wedding and later receives a summons to join Lord and Lady Montbarry in Venice, recalling the Countess Narona's prophecy.

### Henry Westwick

Proposes the reunion in Venice at the wedding breakfast and decides to go ahead to test the new hotel.

### Arthur Barville

Marries Miss Haldane; described as 'born to good luck' by Agnes.

### Miss Haldane

Bride at the wedding; praised for her beauty and composure.

### Lady Montbarry

Writes to Agnes from Paris, persuading Lord Montbarry to continue to Venice and requesting Agnes to bring the children.

### Lord Montbarry

Agrees to go on to Venice after persuasion from Lady Montbarry.

## Key lines

> I promised to give you some account, dear Emily, of the marriage of Mr. Arthur Barville and Miss Haldane.

Agnes writes to Emily about Arthur Barville and Miss Haldane's wedding.

_Opening of the letter summarizing the wedding event._

> We shall meet again⁠—here in England, or there in Venice where my husband died⁠—and meet for the last time.

The Countess Narona's prophecy that she and Agnes will meet again, possibly in Venice.

_Agnes recalls the Countess's ominous words as she prepares to travel to Venice._

## Links

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