# XIV: As a Spirit from Dream to Dream explained — The Venetians

> Chapter companion for The Venetians by M. E. Braddon.

## What happens

Eve Marchant is taken to London by Lady Hartley to prepare for her wedding to John Vansittart. She experiences the luxuries of London society for the first time, while Vansittart is blissfully happy. Meanwhile, Vansittart, as John Smith, has been neglecting his protégée Lisa Vivanti. He encounters her on the Chelsea Embankment, where she tells him about her singing progress and her hopes for an engagement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Marriage

Eve's transition from poverty to the wealthy world of the Hartleys and Vansittarts highlights the social mobility and expectations tied to marriage.

### Secrecy and Identity

Vansittart's dual life as John Smith, neglecting Lisa while being Jack Vansittart, is a key element of his hidden identity.

## Character check-ins

### Eve Marchant

Eve is in London, preparing for her wedding, experiencing the luxuries of high society for the first time, and is deeply in love with Vansittart.

### Maud Hartley

Lady Hartley is kind to Eve, taking her to London and helping her prepare her trousseau, acting as a generous sister figure.

### Jack Vansittart

Vansittart is in a period of consummate happiness, enjoying London with Eve, but is also neglecting his protégée Lisa as John Smith.

### Lisa Vivanti

Lisa is working hard on her English and singing, hoping for an engagement in a comic opera, and is happy to see Vansittart again.

### Sir Hubert Hartley

Sir Hubert is present in London, humorously complaining about his wife's spending habits.

## Key lines

> Lady Hartley, once being reconciled to the inevitable, was full of kindness for her brother’s future wife.

After accepting the situation, Lady Hartley was very kind to her brother's future wife.

_Shows Lady Hartley's acceptance of Eve._

> Her spirits, gay even in the midst of household care, rose in these happier circles, and she charmed all who met her by her spontaneous graces of mind and manner, her quickness to perceive, her ready appreciation of wit and sense in others.

Eve's naturally cheerful disposition flourished in this new, carefree environment, and she delighted everyone with her quick wit and genuine appreciation.

_Describes Eve's positive impact on London society._

> For Vansittart that month of May in the great city was a period of consummate happiness.

For Vansittart, that May in London was a time of perfect happiness.

_Highlights Vansittart's joy during this period._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xiv-as-a-spirit-from-dream-to-dream
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters