The Portent · Chapter
III: My Old Nurse's Story explained
Duncan Campbell, now nearly nineteen, prepares to leave home to become a tutor for Lord Hilton's sons.
What happens
Duncan Campbell, now nearly nineteen, prepares to leave home to become a tutor for Lord Hilton's sons. Before departing, he visits his old nurse, Margaret, who tells him the legend of a doomed horseman—a wicked younger brother who murdered his elder sibling and was cursed to ride forever. Margaret reveals that Duncan's hearing of the phantom horse's broken shoe portends ill, and she shares a vision of Duncan returning wounded from battle. She also hints that Duncan might be the reincarnation of the murdered brother, destined to find his 'fere' through suffering. After the story, Duncan walks home through a storm, nearly falls into a quarry, and hears a mysterious splash.
Themes in this chapter
Second Sight and the Supernatural
Margaret demonstrates second sight by seeing the phantom horseman and predicting Duncan's future wounding. The legend of the doomed rider and the portent of the broken horseshoe are central to the chapter.
Fate and Destiny
The prophecy that Duncan will be a soldier and the idea that he might be the reincarnation of the murdered brother suggest a predetermined path. The portent of the broken shoe foretells future ill.
Isolation and Connection
Duncan is leaving his home and family, feeling isolated as he ventures into the unknown. His connection to his nurse and the shared story provides a sense of continuity and belonging.
Characters to notice
- Duncan Campbell
Duncan is the protagonist, now nineteen, about to leave home for a tutoring position. He is deeply affected by his nurse's story and prophecy, and he experiences a supernatural warning and a near-fatal accident.
- Margaret
The old nurse, Margaret, tells Duncan the legend of the doomed horseman. She possesses second sight, having seen Duncan wounded in battle and the phantom rider. She believes Duncan may be the reincarnation of the murdered brother.
- Lord Hilton
Lord Hilton is the English nobleman who offers Duncan the tutoring position. He is mentioned as the employer, and his family is connected to Duncan's through an ancient marriage alliance.
- The Narrator
The narrator is Duncan himself, recounting the events of his youth. He reflects on his feelings and doubts about the supernatural, while also being moved by the nurse's story.
Key passages
“It illustrates the assertion that we see around us only what is within us: marvellous things enough will show themselves to the marvellous mood.”
The story shows that our perception of the world is shaped by our inner state; those who are open to wonder will encounter wonders.
This opening line sets the tone for the supernatural elements of the chapter.
“He need not think to take me in, wizard as he is, with his disguises. I can see him through them all.”
Margaret is not fooled by the old man's appearance, believing him to be the phantom horseman in disguise, and she claims to see through his tricks.
Margaret's reaction to the stranger reveals her belief in the supernatural and her second sight.
“A soldier you must be. The same day you told me of the clank of the broken horseshoe, I saw you return wounded from battle, and fall fainting from your horse in the street of a great city—only fainting, thank God.”
Margaret prophesies that Duncan will become a soldier and that he will be wounded in battle, but he will only faint, not die.
This vision reinforces the theme of fate and the supernatural.
“What if my Duncan be the youth whom his wicked brother hurled into the ravine, come again in a new body, to live out his life on the earth, cut short by his brother’s hatred?”
Margaret wonders if Duncan is the reincarnation of the murdered brother from the legend, returned to live a full life.
This idea connects Duncan's personal destiny to the legend and adds a layer of mystery.
