Lady Audley’s Secret

Lady Audley sleeps peacefully now that her enemy has defeated her. She hasn’t relaxed since George announced his return from Australia shortly after her second marriage, but now the burden of her secrets is gone. She doesn’t care about the pain she caused others. The next morning, she eats breakfast like a resigned prisoner. She looks around her apartment and thinks how sad she will be to leave her expensive possessions. She admires her reflection in the mirror. The unnatural light in her face is gone, leaving only her natural beauty that no one can take from her. Lady Audley dresses herself in expensive clothes, clinging to the luxury she fought so hard to attain.

Dr. Mosgrave arrives at Audley Court. Robert ensures the doctor’s findings will remain confidential and that the doctor’s specialty is treating insanity. Robert recounts the story Lady Audley told last night and Mosgrave listens calmly. Mosgrave asks if Robert wishes to “prove that this lady is mad, and therefore irresponsible for her actions.” Robert says yes, thinking how he would like to avoid a murder trial.

Dr. Mosgrave says he will examine Lady Audley but he doesn’t believe she is mad. All her actions came from a desperate situation and she showed intelligence and calm in her schemes. Madness is not always transmitted from mother to daughter. He recommends Robert send Lady Audley back to her first husband. Robert then confesses the second half of the story he has been hiding, about George’s disappearance. Dr. Mosgrave asks to speak wish Lady Audley alone.

Dr. Mosgrave returns from examining Lady Audley and declares she suffers from “latent insanity,” meaning that, in times of stress, she suffers from mania. He states, however, that Lady Audley is not mad. He adds that she is still dangerous, and that Robert wouldn’t succeed in a criminal case because there’s no evidence that George is dead. Robert says his greatest concern is avoiding bringing disgrace on his family.

Dr. Mosgrave writes a letter to his colleague, Monsieur Val, who runs an asylum abroad, asking him to admit Lady Audley for life. Mosgrave says this is the best way to separate Lady Audley from society, which must be done for everyone’s safety.