# XX explained — The Haunted Hotel

> Chapter companion for The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Francis Westwick observes the Countess Narona's disturbed state of mind as she awaits Agnes Lockwood's arrival in Venice. The Countess, traveling under the alias 'Mrs. James,' reveals her compulsion to occupy the haunted room at the Palace Hotel, despite her terror. Francis receives a letter from his brother Henry urging his return to Milan due to a business matter, and learns that Lord and Lady Montbarry, along with Agnes and the children, are arriving in three days. The chapter culminates with the arrival of the party, as the Countess watches Agnes from her window, noting her pale face and hesitation at the hotel entrance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Madness and Psychological Torment

The Countess exhibits signs of mental disturbance, speaking in a dull, vacant tone and expressing a compulsion she cannot explain.

### Fate and Inevitability

The Countess feels driven by an irresistible will, stating 'some will that is stronger than mine drives me on to my destruction.'

### Deception and Secrets

The Countess travels under the alias 'Mrs. James' to conceal her identity, and the mystery of Ferrari's disappearance lingers.

## Character check-ins

### Francis Westwick

Observes the Countess's strange behavior, receives Henry's letter, and prepares to leave for Milan.

### Countess Narona

Traveling as 'Mrs. James,' she is tormented by a compulsion to stay in the haunted room and watches Agnes's arrival with an opera-glass.

### Agnes Lockwood

Arrives in Venice with Lord and Lady Montbarry and the children; her face is pale as she pauses to look at the hotel.

### Henry Westwick

Sends a letter to Francis recommending his return to Milan and informing him of the family's impending arrival.

### Lord Montbarry

Arrives in Venice with his wife, children, and Agnes; he helps them from the gondola.

## Key lines

> Some will that is stronger than mine drives me on to my destruction, in spite of my own self!

An overpowering force compels me toward my ruin, against my own will.

_The Countess expresses her sense of fatalistic compulsion._

> I must take the room, and keep the room, until⁠—

I am obliged to occupy and retain that room until a certain point.

_The Countess insists on staying in the haunted room despite her fear._

> She wore no veil. As she ascended to the door of the hotel, the Countess (eyeing her through an opera-glass) noticed that she paused to look at the outside of the building, and that her face was very pale.

Agnes, unveiled, paused at the hotel entrance and looked pale, observed by the Countess through an opera-glass.

_The Countess watches Agnes's arrival, noting her pallor and hesitation._

## Links

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