The Venetians · Chapter
XXVIII: In the Blue Chamber explained
Eve, driven by suspicion, visits Lisa Vivanti at her London apartment.
What happens
Eve, driven by suspicion, visits Lisa Vivanti at her London apartment. Lisa reveals that Vansittart was only a benefactor, not her lover, and shows Eve a photograph of Paolo's dead father, which Eve recognizes as her brother Harold. Vansittart arrives and confesses that he killed Harold in a Venetian brawl, revealing the 'ghastlier secret' of his Blue Chamber. Eve is devastated, realizing her husband is her brother's killer.
Themes in this chapter
Guilt and Redemption
Vansittart's secret guilt over killing Harold, and his attempts to atone by caring for Lisa and Paolo.
Secrecy and Identity
The hidden connection between Vansittart and Eve's brother, and the revelation of Harold's fate.
Jealousy and Trust
Eve's jealousy and distrust of Vansittart, which leads to the uncovering of the truth.
Characters to notice
- Eve Marchant
Confronts Lisa and then Vansittart, discovering the truth about her brother's death.
- Lisa Vivanti
Reveals the identity of Paolo's father and defends Vansittart's kindness.
- Jack Vansittart
Confesses to killing Harold Marchant in Venice, explaining his secret guilt.
- Paolo
Lisa's son, whose father is revealed to be Harold Marchant.
Key passages
“No, Fatima,” he answered sternly. “My Blue Chamber holds a ghastlier secret than that. I was kind to her because I killed her lover.”
Vansittart reveals that his kindness to Lisa stems from his guilt over killing her lover, not from any romantic involvement.
The confession of the fatal secret.
“He had just bought it in the Procuratie,” explained Lisa; “he had no thought of killing him.”
Lisa explains that the dagger was a recent purchase and the killing was accidental.
Lisa's testimony to the accidental nature of the death.