# XXVI explained — The Haunted Hotel

> Chapter companion for The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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