XLVII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Manipulation

  Isabel suspects Madame Merle of being dangerous and imagines her in combination with Osmond, hinting at hidden machinations.

• Freedom and Independence

  Isabel feels a sense of respite when Madame Merle is away, reflecting her constrained independence within her marriage.

• American vs. European Culture

  Henrietta's account of Mr. Bantling's American travels highlights cultural differences, such as the availability of ice-cream on trains and the perception of American customs.

Characters to notice

• Isabel Archer

  Reflects on her past with Caspar Goodwood and feels guilt; experiences relief with Madame Merle away; asks Caspar to visit Ralph.

• Henrietta Stackpole

  Informs Isabel of Caspar Goodwood's arrival in Rome; shares news about Mr. Bantling's American travels; visits Ralph daily and becomes his friend.

• Caspar Goodwood

  Arrives in Rome; does not call on Isabel but is seen in the street; accepts Isabel's request to visit Ralph; gets on well with Osmond.

• Ralph Touchett

  Ill at the Hôtel de Paris; receives visits from Henrietta Stackpole and later Caspar Goodwood; becomes friends with Henrietta.

• Madame Merle

  Temporarily absent from Rome, staying with a friend in Naples; Isabel suspects she may be dangerous.

• Gilbert Osmond

  Takes a liking to Caspar Goodwood; invites him to dinner and shows him his collections; comments on Goodwood's character.

Key passages

• “It was from Henrietta Stackpole that she learned how Caspar Goodwood had come to Rome; an event that took place three days after Lord Warburton’s departure.”

  Henrietta Stackpole told Isabel that Caspar Goodwood had arrived in Rome, which happened three days after Lord Warburton left.

  This introduces Caspar Goodwood's arrival as a key event in the chapter.

• “She had already learned from Miss Stackpole that Caspar Goodwood was in Europe, Henrietta having written to make it known to her immediately after meeting him in Paris.”

  Isabel had already heard from Henrietta that Caspar Goodwood was in Europe, as Henrietta had written to her right after meeting him in Paris.

  Shows how Isabel receives news indirectly through Henrietta.

• “He had bumped against her prow, however, while her hand was on the tiller, and—to complete the metaphor—had given the lighter vessel a strain which still occasionally betrayed itself in a faint creaking.”

  He had collided with her life, like a ship hitting another, and the impact still caused occasional strain.

  Metaphor for the lasting emotional impact of Caspar's earlier proposal.

• “She had cried with rage, after he had left her, at—she hardly knew what: she tried to think it had been at his want of consideration.”

  After he left, she cried with rage, unsure why, but thought it might be because he lacked consideration.

  Reveals Isabel's conflicted feelings about Caspar's earlier visit.

• “He looked bigger and more overtopping than of old, and in those days he certainly reached high enough.”

  He seemed larger and more imposing than before, and he had always been tall.

  Describes Isabel's perception of Caspar's physical presence.

• “He had been very much liked in most places, and thought extremely simple—more simple than the English were commonly supposed to be.”

  He was well-liked and considered very simple, even more so than the typical Englishman.

  Henrietta's observation about Mr. Bantling's reception in America.