# XXIII: The Story of a Charming Woman explained — The Leavenworth Case > Chapter companion for The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green. ## What happens Mr. Veeley recounts the tragic story of Horatio Leavenworth's marriage to a woman who had suffered abuse and lost her child, leading to her early death and Leavenworth's subsequent obsession with wealth. Later, the narrator unexpectedly encounters Eleanore Leavenworth at the Veeley home, where she expresses her distress over her estrangement from Mary and her ignorance of events at the house. She questions the narrator about Mary's visitors, particularly a man named Clavering, and reveals her deep unease about the ongoing investigation. ## Themes in this chapter ### Secrecy and Truth The chapter reveals the hidden history of Mr. Leavenworth's marriage and the secret suffering of his wife, while Eleanore and the narrator grapple with withheld information about the investigation. ### Gender and Power The story of Mrs. Leavenworth's abuse and powerlessness in her first marriage highlights the vulnerability of women, while Eleanore's isolation reflects her limited agency. ### Love and Sacrifice Mr. Leavenworth's love for his wife leads him to marry her despite her past, and her sacrifice in accepting him after her child's death underscores the theme. ## Character check-ins ### The Narrator Learns the story of Mr. Leavenworth's marriage from Mr. Veeley and later has an unexpected conversation with Eleanore Leavenworth at the Veeley home. ### Eleanore Leavenworth Found crouching by the fire in the Veeley library; she speaks with the narrator about her isolation, her concern for Mary, and her anxiety about the investigation. ### Horatio Leavenworth His tragic marriage and subsequent transformation into a money-obsessed man are recounted by Mr. Veeley. ### Mr. Veeley Tells the narrator the full story of Mr. Leavenworth's marriage to a charming but abused woman. ### Mary Leavenworth Mentioned as the subject of Eleanore's concern; she is reportedly well but troubled, and has been receiving visitors including Mr. Clavering. ### Henry Clavering Referred to as a visitor to Mary Leavenworth; the narrator notes he has used the alias Robbins and has left the country. ## Key lines > She was a very pale woman; not strictly beautiful, but of a contour and expression of great charm. Her hair was brown, her eyes gray⁠— The narrator asks Mr. Veeley to describe Mrs. Leavenworth, and he recalls her as pale, not conventionally beautiful but charming, with brown hair and gray eyes. _This description connects Mrs. Leavenworth's appearance to Eleanore's, hinting at a familial resemblance._ > I do not wish anybody to be distressed. It is best for me to be where I am. Nor am I altogether alone. There is a child there whose innocent eyes see nothing but innocence in mine. She will keep me from despair. Eleanore tells the narrator she prefers her isolation and finds comfort in a child who sees her as innocent. _Eleanore's words reveal her sense of guilt and her need for a pure perspective to sustain her._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxiii-the-story-of-a-charming-woman - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters