The Death of Mrs. Westaway

Hal follows Treswick into Trepassen House. Inside, he asks the housekeeper, Mrs. Warren, to prepare one of the rooms for Hal. Mrs. Warren is at least 80 years old, hard of hearing, and walks with a cane. However, she has refused to retire and she slowly leads Hal up the stairs. They ascend a cramped, bare staircase to a small, cold room in the attic. Hal notices the metal bars across the only window. Once alone, she wraps herself in the blanket and reflects on Mrs. Warren’s odd hostility. She also researches the death of Hester’s daughter Maud, but only finds articles about her own mother’s death.

Hal hears the other funeral guests arrive outside. She watches Abel, Harding, and their families arrive. As she descends the staircase into the house, she sees Ezra and the rest of the family. Treswick introduces her as “Maud’s daughter” (67). Abel and Harding seem shocked; Ezra turns pale. They had no idea that Maud had a daughter, though Treswick confirms that Maud must have told their mother at some time.