# XXI explained — The Haunted Hotel

> Chapter companion for The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Agnes and the Montbarry party arrive at the Palace Hotel in Venice. Due to a room shortage, Agnes is given a room on the second floor, but a mysterious widow, Mrs. James, offers to swap rooms with her, giving Agnes Room 13A. The Countess Narona, in disguise, hides in the wardrobe of Agnes's room. Later, little Marian sees a spot of blood on the ceiling and is terrified. Henry Westwick arrives and expresses concern about the Countess's motives.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Secrets

The Countess disguises herself as Mrs. James and hides in the wardrobe, deceiving the Montbarry party.

### Supernatural and the Unknown

Little Marian's terror at the spot of blood on the ceiling hints at supernatural elements or a haunting.

## Character check-ins

### Agnes Lockwood

Agnes arrives at the hotel, accepts the room swap, and later discovers her watch missing. She is affected by Henry's arrival.

### Henry Westwick

Henry arrives from Milan and shows clear pleasure at seeing Agnes. He warns his brother about the Countess.

### Lady Montbarry

Lady Montbarry arranges the room swap and later tries to comfort little Marian after the blood spot incident.

### Countess Narona

The Countess follows Agnes and hides in the wardrobe of Room 13A, then escapes through the dressing-room door.

### Marian

Little Marian is terrified by a spot of blood on the ceiling and refuses to sleep in the room.

### Francis Westwick

Francis is mentioned as having won a legal dispute in Milan and returning to London with Mrs. Norbury.

## Key lines

> The new room at once produced a favourable impression on Agnes. The large window, opening into a balcony, commanded an admirable view of the canal.

Agnes liked the room immediately because it had a balcony overlooking the canal.

_Describes Agnes's initial positive reaction to Room 13A._

> It's a spot of blood! the child exclaimed. Take me away! I won't sleep here!

Marian screamed that she saw a blood spot on the ceiling and begged to leave the room.

_Marian's frightened reaction to the ceiling stain._

## Links

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