# VIII: The Somnambulist explained — The Portent

> Chapter companion for The Portent by George MacDonald.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_portent_se/chapters/viii-the-somnambulist
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_portent_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_portent_se/chapters