Summary Ralph had told Isabel long ago that if she wanted to see the ghosts in Gardencourt, she must suffer greatly. During the night she senses the presence of something and upon leaving her room, learns that Ralph has just died. Isabel remains at Gardencourt for a while so as […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 55Summary and Analysis Chapters 53-54
Summary When Isabel arrives in London, Henrietta and Mr. Bantling are there to meet her. As soon as the two ladies are alone Henrietta asks if Osmond made a scene about Isabel’s departure. Isabel replies that it wouldn’t be called a scene. Henrietta objects to Isabel’s promising Pansy to return […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 53-54Summary and Analysis Chapter 52
Summary Before leaving for England, Isabel makes one visit to see Pansy. At the convent she meets Madame Merle, who has just been with Pansy. She tries to explain her reasons, but Isabel is not interested. Pansy is changed. She has had enough of the convent and would like to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 52Summary and Analysis Chapters 49-51
Summary Madame Merle returns to Rome a short time after Lord Warburton’s departure. She immediately questions Isabel about Lord Warburton’s departure, and threatens to ask Pansy what Isabel said to her. Suddenly Isabel is aware that Madame Merle “was a powerful agent in her destiny.” Her interest, Isabel realized, was […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 49-51Summary and Analysis Chapters 47-48
Summary Henrietta arrives in Rome and Isabel must get her a room in a hotel because Osmond objects to Henrietta so strongly. But at last Isabel can admit to someone how miserable she is. Henrietta wants Isabel to leave Osmond, but Isabel explains that she “can’t publish” her mistake before […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 47-48Summary and Analysis Chapters 45-46
Summary Isabel knows that her visits with Ralph are displeasing to her husband. “He wished her to have no freedom of mind, and he knew perfectly well that Ralph was an apostle of freedom.” Yet Isabel knows that she has not yet directly opposed her husband; nor has he yet […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 45-46Summary and Analysis Chapter 44
Summary The Countess Gemini has not been a welcome visitor in her brother’s home. But she has received an invitation and is preparing for a visit when she receives a call from Henrietta Stackpole. Henrietta asks the Countess for some information about Isabel, and explains that Osmond doesn’t like her. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 44Summary and Analysis Chapter 43
Summary At a dance party, Rosier approaches Isabel and asks about Pansy. He learns that Osmond has forbidden Pansy to associate or dance with him. Isabel has to send him away when she sees Pansy coming. Lord Warburton comes to Isabel and prefers to talk with her rather than to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 43Summary and Analysis Chapter 42
Summary Osmond’s demand upon Isabel causes her to review her life. She wonders if Lord Warburton is in fact interested in Pansy because he still harbors a love for her. This thought leads her to re-examine her marriage with Osmond. As with his comments about Lord Warburton, everything he touches […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 42Summary and Analysis Chapters 40-41
Summary Since her marriage Madame Merle comes only seldom to Isabel’s house. She has candidly explained that, since she had known Osmond before Isabel married him, she thought it best not to come too often. About a month after Lord Warburton’s arrival, Isabel returns from a ride with Pansy to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 40-41