The Portent · Chapter
VIII: The Somnambulist explained
Late one night, the narrator, engrossed in an old romance, is startled by a faint cry.
What happens
Late one night, the narrator, engrossed in an old romance, is startled by a faint cry. Driven by an inexplicable impulse, he navigates the dark, moonlit halls of Hilton Hall and discovers Lady Alice sleepwalking. She falls with a wild cry, and he realizes she is a somnambulist. Fearing scandal, he carries her back to his room, where he revives her by the fire, all while haunted by the sound of a galloping horse.
Themes in this chapter
Second Sight and the Supernatural
The narrator's inexplicable impulse and the mysterious galloping horse suggest supernatural elements and heightened perception.
Isolation and Connection
The narrator's solitary night wanderings and his secret encounter with Lady Alice highlight the isolation of the characters and the fragile connection formed in secrecy.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Driven by a secret impulse, he discovers Lady Alice sleepwalking and carries her to safety, fearing the consequences of being found.
- Lady Alice
Found as a somnambulist in the corridor, she falls with a wild cry and faints, cold and motionless.
Key passages
“Suddenly I found myself on my feet, listening with an agony of intention.”
Without realizing it, I stood up, straining to hear with intense focus.
The narrator's sudden alertness marks the beginning of the supernatural encounter.
“I saw the fact in a moment: the Lady Alice was a somnambulist.”
I immediately understood that Lady Alice was sleepwalking.
The narrator's realization clarifies the mysterious event.
“In an agony of fear, I caught her up in my arms, and, carrying her on my arms, as one carries a sleeping child, hurried back through the corridor.”
Terrified, I picked her up and carried her like a child, rushing back through the hallway.
The narrator's fear drives him to act quickly to avoid discovery.