# XV: The Chamber of Ghosts explained — The Portent

> Chapter companion for The Portent by George MacDonald.

## What happens

Lady Alice returns to her usual routine but with a changed demeanor, showing signs of thought and avoiding Duncan's gaze. Duncan, tormented by doubt and longing, is drawn to the haunted chamber where he finds Alice waiting for him. They meet there regularly, their love serving as a talisman against the ghostly presences. Alice reveals she can summon him, and they discuss the legend of the galloping horse and their mysterious connection. Their meetings in the haunted room become a sanctuary, but Duncan fears the loss of her somnambulic power and the fragility of their bond.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

The lovers' meetings in the haunted chamber are a testament to their devotion, with love acting as a talisman against fear and the supernatural.

### Second Sight and the Supernatural

The chapter is steeped in supernatural elements: the haunted room, ghostly visions, and the shared hearing of the galloping horse, tied to a family legend.

### The Power of Will and Desire

Alice demonstrates her newfound power of will by summoning Duncan to the haunted chamber, reversing their earlier dynamic.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Duncan, tormented by doubt and longing, is drawn to the haunted chamber where he reunites with Alice. He reflects on his dependence on her love and the power of their connection.

### Lady Alice

Alice returns to her routine but shows signs of inner life. She summons Duncan to the haunted chamber, revealing her newfound power of will, and expresses her love and desire to meet there regularly.

### Nurse

Referenced as the old foster-mother who told the legend of the galloping horse to Duncan, which he recounts to Alice.

### Lady Hilton

Mentioned as likely to notice the change in Alice's behavior, though she does not appear directly in this chapter.

## Key lines

> Our love was a talisman, yea, an elixir of life, which made us equal to the twice-born—the disembodied dead.

Their love protected them and made them feel as powerful as spirits, immune to the fears of the ghostly world.

_Highlights the theme of love as a protective force against the supernatural._

> The scales are turned, dear. You are in my power now; I brought you here.

Alice now has the ability to summon Duncan, reversing their previous roles.

_Demonstrates Alice's growing power of will and the shift in their dynamic._

> I could persuade myself that I, too, see them.

Duncan begins to see the ghostly forms Alice describes, suggesting a shared supernatural perception.

_Illustrates the theme of second sight and the connection between the lovers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_portent_se/chapters/xv-the-chamber-of-ghosts
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_portent_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_portent_se/chapters