# XXVIII: In the Blue Chamber explained — The Venetians

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxviii-in-the-blue-chamber
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters