The Haunted Hotel · Chapter
XXVI explained
Henry Westwick reads the Countess Narona's play manuscript, which mirrors the events surrounding his brother's marriage and death.
What happens
Henry Westwick reads the Countess Narona's play manuscript, which mirrors the events surrounding his brother's marriage and death. The play's plot suggests a murder conspiracy involving the Countess, the Baron, and a courier. Horrified, Henry resolves to confront the Countess, but upon reaching her room, he learns she has died suddenly from a ruptured blood vessel. The manager, shaken, declares the hotel is under a curse.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrets
The Countess's play reveals a plot of deception and murder, mirroring the hidden truths about Lord Montbarry's death.
Fate and Inevitability
The Countess's sudden death and the manager's belief in a curse suggest an inescapable fate tied to past crimes.
Characters to notice
- Henry Westwick
Reads the Countess's play manuscript and becomes horrified by its resemblance to real events; resolves to confront the Countess but finds her dead.
- Countess Narona
Writes a play that mirrors the events of Lord Montbarry's marriage and death; dies suddenly of a ruptured blood vessel before Henry can confront her.
- Francis Westwick
The play manuscript is addressed to him as a manager; he is mentioned but not present in the chapter.
- Lord Montbarry
His disastrous marriage and death are reflected in the Countess's play.
Key passages
“The manuscript dropped from Henry's hands. A sickening sense of horror overpowered him.”
Henry was so horrified by what he read that he dropped the manuscript, overwhelmed by a feeling of dread.
Henry's reaction to the play's revelation of a murder plot.
“I shall resign my situation, Mr. Westwick: I can't contend with the fatalities that pursue me here!”
The manager tells Henry he plans to quit because he believes the hotel is cursed by a series of tragic events.
The manager's superstitious response to the Countess's death and the earlier discovery of a crime.