31 Shots of Shock: #10 – ‘The Lady’s Maid’s Bell’ by Edith Wharton

*Title: ‘The Lady’s Maid’s Bell’ by Edith Wharton.
Date Read: 10 October 2010
Available Online?: YES
Briefly: Still weak and recovering from typhoid, Hartley is invited to take up the position of lady-maid at the country home of the sickly but pleasant, Mrs. Brympton. Hartley settles in quickly in what turns out to be a congenial household; congenial that is except for for a couple of factors.
Afterthoughts: Although this story is well written and up to the standard one would expect from Edith Wharton, it ends up being rather fundamentally flawed. As a whole the story is enigmatic, vague, and it feels as though too many loose ends have been left untied. This is a real shame because Wharton certainly works hard at creating a real Gothic classic (and at times during the story she succeeds brilliantly), but ultimately, with too many things left unexplained, this story feels wholly unfinished.
Notable Quote: I looked ahead as she spoke, and half-way down the passage I saw a woman standing. She drew back into a doorway as we passed and the house-maid didn’t appear to notice her. She was a thin woman with a white face, and a darkish stuff gown and apron. I took her for the housekeeper and thought it odd that she didn’t speak, but just gave me a long look as she went by.

Rating:

*Story read as part of my 31 Shots of Shock reading challenge.