Walter Hartright Character Analysis in The Woman in White

Walter Hartright is a drawing teacher who takes a position at Limmeridge house as the tutor of Marian Halcombe and her half-sister, Laura Fairlie, whom he later marries. Walter’s dedication to Laura motivates him to investigate her fiancé, Sir Percival Glyde, and his friend Count Fosco, discovering that the two shady men plan to murder Laura to gain her inheritance. Walter is the hero of the story and the driving force behind the investigation, which eventually brings about the deaths of Sir Percival and Count Fosco, and which restores Laura’s public identity, fortune, and place in society. Walter is a brave, daring, and honest man. At times he is impulsive and careless with his own life, such as when he pursues Count Fosco alone at the end of the novel. Walter has a generous nature and is sympathetic to vulnerable people who have been cast out by society, which he demonstrates through his kindness to Anne Catherick when he helps her escape during their first encounter. Walter is also a loyal friend to Laura and Marian and is a kind and attentive to his mother, Mrs. Hartright, and his sister, Sarah. Walter’s good nature is reflected in his name “Hartright,” which suggests his heart is in the right place. Walter is also an industrious and hardworking man and takes on various types of employment throughout the novel. Walter is associated with Victorian middle-class values of industry and decency, as well as the inherent energy and virtue of the “self-made man,” which was a popular concept in the nineteenth century. On several occasions, he says that he is grateful for his lowly status in society as it forces him to work harder and “act for himself,” and this means that he accomplishes more than he would if he relied on other people. Walter is also an extremely intelligent man, which he demonstrates through his thorough understanding of evidence and the law and in his ingenious solutions to the problems and deceptions which Count Fosco and Sir Percival throw in his way.

Walter Hartright Quotes in The Woman in White

The The Woman in White quotes below are all either spoken by Walter Hartright or refer to Walter Hartright. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

This is the story of what a Woman’s patience can endure, and what a Man’s resolution can achieve.

Related Characters: Walter Hartright (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 9

Explanation and Analysis:

If the machinery of the Law could be depended on to fathom every case of suspicion, and to conduct every process of inquiry, with moderate assistance only from the lubricating influences of oil of gold, the events which fill these pages might have claimed their share of the public attention in a Court of justice. But the Law is still, in certain inevitable cases, the pre-engaged servant of the long purse; and the story is left to be told, for the first time, in this place.

Related Characters: Walter Hartright (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 9

Explanation and Analysis:

My sister Sarah, with all the advantages of youth, was, strangely enough, less pliable. She did full justice to Pesca’s excellent qualities of heart; but she could not accept him implicitly, as my mother accepted him, for my sake. Her insular notions of propriety rose in perpetual revolt against Pesca’s constitutional contempt for appearances; and she was always more or less undisguisedly astonished at her mother’s familiarity with the eccentric little foreigner. I have observed, not only in my sister’s case, but in the instances of others, that we of the young generation are nothing like so hearty and so impulsive as some of our elders.

Related Characters: Walter Hartright (speaker), Professor Pesca, Sarah, Mrs. Hartright

Page Number and Citation: 14

Explanation and Analysis:

But the idea of absolute insanity which we all associate with the very name of an Asylum, had, I can honestly declare, never occurred to me, in connection with her. I had seen nothing, in her language or her actions, to justify it at the time; and, even with the new light thrown on her by the words which the stranger had addressed to the policeman, I could see nothing to justify it now. What had I done? Assisted the victim of the most horrible of all false imprisonments to escape; or cast loose on the wide world of London an unfortunate creature, whose actions it was my duty, and every man’s duty, mercifully to control?

Related Characters: Walter Hartright (speaker), Anne Catherick (“The Woman”)

Page Number and Citation: 31-32

Explanation and Analysis:

To associate that forlorn, friendless, lost woman, even by an accidental likeness only, with Miss Fairlie, seems like casting a shadow on the future of the bright creature who stands looking at us now.

Related Characters: Walter Hartright (speaker), Marian Halcombe (speaker), Laura Fairlie, Anne Catherick (“The Woman”)

Page Number and Citation: 62

Explanation and Analysis:

‘Crush it!’ she said. ‘Here, where you first saw her, crush it! Don’t shrink under it like a woman. Tear it out; trample it under foot like a man!’ The suppressed vehemence with which she spoke; the strength which her will concentrated in the look she fixed on me, and in the hold on my arm that she had not yet relinquished –communicated to mine, steadied me. We both waited for a minute, in silence. At the end of that time, I had justified her generous faith in my manhood; I had, outwardly at least, recovered my self-control.

Related Characters: Marian Halcombe (speaker), Walter Hartright (speaker), Laura Fairlie

Related Symbols: The Summer House

Page Number and Citation: 73

Explanation and Analysis:

‘Try to compose yourself, or you will make me alter my opinion of you. Don’t let me think that the person who put you in the Asylum, might have had some excuse— ’ The next words died away on my lips. The instant I risked that chance reference to the person who had put her in the Asylum, she sprang up on her knees. A most extraordinary and startling change passed over her. Her face, at all ordinary times so touching to look at, in its nervous sensitiveness, weakness, and uncertainty, became suddenly darkened by an expression of maniacally intense hatred and fear […] ‘Talk of something else,’ she said, whispering through her teeth. ‘I shall lose myself if you talk of that.’

Related Characters: Walter Hartright (speaker), Anne Catherick (“The Woman”) (speaker), Sir Percival Glyde

Page Number and Citation: 104

Explanation and Analysis:

He was kneeling by a tomb of white marble; and the shadow of a veiled woman rose out of the grave beneath, and waited by his side. The unearthly quiet of his face had changed to an unearthly sorrow. But the terrible certainty of his words remained the same. ‘Darker and darker,’ he said; ‘farther and farther yet. Death takes the good, the beautiful, and the young – and spares me. The Pestilence that wastes, the Arrow that strikes, the Sea that drowns, the Grave that closes over Love and Hope, are steps of my journey, and take me nearer and nearer to the End.’ My heart sank under a dread beyond words, under a grief beyond tears. The darkness closed round the pilgrim at the marble tomb; closed round the veiled woman from the grave.

Related Characters: Marian Halcombe (speaker), Walter Hartright, Laura Fairlie, Anne Catherick (“The Woman”)

Page Number and Citation: 274

Explanation and Analysis:

‘There can be no doubt,’ I said, ‘that the facts, as you have stated them, appear to tell against us; but— ’ ‘But you think those facts can be explained away,’ interposed Mr. Kyrle. ‘Let me tell you the result of my experience on that point. When an English jury has to choose between a plain fact, on the surface, and a long explanation under the surface, it always takes the fact, in preference to the explanation.’

Related Characters: Walter Hartright (speaker), Mr. Kyrle (speaker), Laura Fairlie, Sir Percival Glyde, Count Fosco

Page Number and Citation: 442

Explanation and Analysis:

It was strange to look back and to see, now, that the poverty which had denied us all hope of assistance, had been the indirect means of our success, by forcing me to act for myself. If we had been rich enough to find legal help, what would have been the result? The gain (on Mr. Kyrle’s own showing) would have been more than doubtful; the loss – judging by the plain test of events as they had really happened – certain. The Law would never have obtained me my interview with Mrs. Catherick. The Law would never have made Pesca the means of forcing a confession from the Count.

Related Characters: Walter Hartright (speaker), Mrs. Catherick, Mr. Kyrle, Professor Pesca, Count Fosco

Page Number and Citation: 620

Explanation and Analysis:

Walter Hartright Character Timeline in The Woman in White

The timeline below shows where the character Walter Hartright appears in The Woman in White. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Walter Hartright, a twenty-eight-year old drawing teacher, addresses the reader and explains that the story they... (full context)

It is the last day of July and a muggy evening in London. Walter Hartright, a poor drawing master who is in ill health because of the polluted air... (full context)

Walter arrives at his mother’s house and is greeted enthusiastically by his friend Professor Pesca, an... (full context)

Walter’s spirits are revived when he sees Pesca. Walter knows that something must have happened because... (full context)

...cup which Pesca has knocked over in his rush to get to the door and Walter’s mother tells him that Pesca has some exciting news which he could barely contain until... (full context)

...Sarah are delighted with Pesca’s news. The offer, which Pesca has acquired for him, tells Walter that the job is at Limmeridge House in Cumberland, that he will be employed by... (full context)

Walter writes to Mr. Fairlie about the job but secretly hopes that he will be turned... (full context)

Walter walks home across Hampstead Heath. When he reaches the crossroads, he suddenly he feels a... (full context)

Walter apologizes to the woman and confesses that he was shocked by her sudden appearance. The... (full context)

On the way, the woman asks Walter if he knows any noble men in London. Walter tells her that he does not,... (full context)

Struck by this coincidence, Walter stops, and the woman becomes frightened and thinks that he has heard someone following then.... (full context)

...haven’t traveled very far when a cab pulls up nearby and drops off a passenger. Walter makes sure that the cab is going the right way and that the driver is... (full context)

Walter is horrified to hear that the woman in white clothes has escaped from an asylum.... (full context)

Walter takes the train towards Cumberland and arrives after dark. A carriage is waiting at the... (full context)

Walter wakes up in Limmeridge House and goes down to breakfast. On entering the dining room,... (full context)

Walter likes Marian’s friendly and cheerful manner and listens to her as she tells him about... (full context)

This reference to “adventures” reminds Walter of his meeting with the woman in white clothes. He tells Marian about the experience... (full context)

Marian feels that Walter has done the right thing by helping the woman in white clothes to escape as... (full context)

A servant leads Walter upstairs to Mr. Fairlie’s rooms. He is led into the room very quietly and discovers... (full context)

Mr. Fairlie commissions Walter to examine a collection of English watercolors that he owns and decide their value, but... (full context)

Walter goes down for lunch with Marian and meets Laura and Marian’s servant, Mrs. Vesey. After... (full context)

Walter tells the reader that there is a watercolor on his desk where he sits writing—a... (full context)

Laura is too shy to show Walter her drawings, which she feels are very rough. Marian teases them both and suggests that... (full context)

When they arrive back at the house, Walter goes up to his sitting room and, while alone, begins to feel uncomfortable about his... (full context)

Walter leaves Laura on the veranda and Marian calls him over to her seat beside the... (full context)

...and that, when she heard this, Anne vowed always to dress in white. Marian asks Walter if this young girl could be the woman who he met on the road. Walter... (full context)

Walter begs Marian to call Laura in out of the moonlight to relieve its eerie effect.... (full context)

...some mentions of her own similarity to Anne. As the weeks pass at Limmeridge House, Walter realizes that he has fallen in love with Laura. He is extremely happy in his... (full context)

Gradually, however, a change begins to come over Laura and, although Walter has tried to hide his love and keep a professional distance from Laura, he realizes... (full context)

One morning Walter comes down to breakfast and finds that Marian is not there. Laura is out on... (full context)

Marian takes Walter aside as he is leaving the dining room and asks for a private word. They... (full context)

Once inside, Marian tells Walter that she knows he is in love with Laura. She sympathizes with him and knows... (full context)

Walter is heartbroken and begins to cry, but Marian urges him to “crush” his affections for... (full context)

Devastated, Walter agrees that it would be best for him to leave Limmeridge. The pair get up... (full context)

As they make their way back towards the house, Walter questions Marian about Laura’s future husband. Marian tells Walter that he is a gentleman from... (full context)

Walter returns to his room and makes preparations to leave Limmeridge. He is overcome by a... (full context)

Marian wonders if she should write to their solicitor and shows Walter the letter. It contains a strange message which claims that the writer has a premonition... (full context)

...reason to suspect Sir Percival or question his reputation, which is allegedly spotless. She and Walter decide to go and enquire in the village and see if they can solve the... (full context)

Walter and Marian cannot find anyone in the village who knows about the letter’s sender, and... (full context)

As they leave, Marian asks Walter what he thinks about this. Walter wishes to see Mrs. Fairlie’s grave himself. Marian asks... (full context)

Walter looks around the grave for signs of interference but there are no footprints around it.... (full context)

Walter leaves the church yard and, at the cottage next door, comes across an old woman... (full context)

Just before nightfall, Walter returns to the church yard and finds a place to hide, just inside the entrance... (full context)

Walter feels miserable, looking out across the “dreary” grave yard as the evening draws in. However,... (full context)

Walter listens anxiously as the woman with the bonnet tells the other woman that she looks... (full context)

Walter decides not to approach her and, instead, he watches the other woman, who begins to... (full context)

They stand on either side of the grave, and Walter asks if she will talk to him without becoming frightened. Walter tells her that he... (full context)

Walter continues to talk with Anne and tries to put her at her ease. He tells... (full context)

Anne tells Walter that she has known Mrs. Clements since she was a little girl. He asks about... (full context)

...This leads Anne to think about Laura, and she asks if Miss Fairlie is well. Walter replies that she is not well because Anne’s letter has upset her deeply. (full context)

Anne is shocked that Walter has seen the letter. She begins to panic and pound on Mrs. Fairlie’s grave with... (full context)

...this person, a change comes over Anne and her face twists with hatred. She asks Walter what he wants, and he says that he wishes to gain information for Laura about... (full context)

When she hears Anne scream, Mrs. Clements rushes back towards the grave and verbally attacks Walter for scaring Anne. Anne recovers slowly and tells Mrs. Clements that Walter is her friend... (full context)

Walter returns to Limmeridge and tells Marian what he has found out: that there is no... (full context)

The next morning, Walter gives Mr. Fairlie his notice, and Mr. Fairlie haughtily asks him to leave immediately. Walter... (full context)

Marian and Walter approach the dairymaid and ask her what she was talking about when Anne Catherick took... (full context)

When they arrive back at Limmeridge, Marian and Walter find that Mr. Gilmore has just arrived to help finalize the paperwork for Laura’s wedding... (full context)

On his way back along the veranda, Walter bumps into Mr. Gilmore, who has apparently been looking for him. Marian has told Mr.... (full context)

Mr. Gilmore tells Walter that he has sent a copy of the letter from Anne Catherick to Sir Percival... (full context)

Walter decides to leave immediately after this conversation with Mr. Gilmore, but Marian convinces him to... (full context)

...and Anne Catherick as far as Carlisle but could trace them no further. Mr. Gilmore, Walter, Marian, and Laura retire to the drawing room and Walter and Laura spend a final,... (full context)

...lawyer of Marian Halcombe and Laura Fairlie and who is present at Limmeridge house, after Walter Hartright’s departure, to arrange the marriage between Laura and Sir Percival Glyde. Mr. Gilmore states... (full context)

...spends the evening in the drawing room with Laura and Marian and is introduced to Walter Hartright, who he thinks is an honest and agreeable young man but rather awkward around... (full context)

...come into contact with Anne at all and is told that Anne only spoke to Walter Hartright, who was employed as a drawing master at Limmeridge. (full context)

...instead, decides to visit Limmeridge again in person. At the train station he runs into Walter Hartright and is surprised to find the young man strangely altered; he is “pale and... (full context)

Walter tells Mr. Gilmore that he has heard about Laura’s wedding and asks him when it... (full context)

...night to check on her, she finds Laura preparing to sleep with the book of Walter’s sketches under her pillow for what she thinks may be the last time. (full context)

The next day Marian receives a worrying letter from Walter Hartright. He writes in reply to a letter that Marian sent him detailing the explanation... (full context)

...what has passed. She cuts out a lock of her hair and places it in Walter’s sketchbook. Aware that Marian sometimes corresponds with Walter, Laura begs her to write and tell... (full context)

...sister. She also briefly notes that she has reached out to some contacts to get Walter a position abroad, as she is terribly worried about him and what will happen to... (full context)

...Percival and observes the change that has come over her sister. She feels that, since Walter’s departure, Laura has lost all her hope and vivacity but seems quietly determined to keep... (full context)

...him about the upcoming wedding. She also hears that a place has been found for Walter on an expedition to Honduras, and, saddened that their dear friend will be so far... (full context)

After a week in Yorkshire, Marian hears that Walter has departed on his expedition to America. The next day she receives a letter from... (full context)

...Yorkshire. Although Laura does not say it, Marian knows she refers to the letter from Walter announcing his departure. Laura begs Marian not to tell Walter the date of her wedding... (full context)

The morning after these events, Marian reads Walter’s letter once more and wonders whether she should burn it because it contains evidence about... (full context)

...thinks sadly about how different Laura would be if she were getting ready to marry Walter instead of Sir Percival. They receive regular updates from Sir Percival about the renovation of... (full context)

...writes negatively about Sir Percival and wonders why she is so prejudiced against him. Perhaps Walter’s bias as a jaded lover and Anne Catherick’s letter have turned her mind unfairly against... (full context)

...Todd’s Corner to enquire after Anne Catherick again. He asks Marian if, by any chance, Walter has heard anything of her. Marian says no and notes that Sir Percival speaks as... (full context)

...“friendless” Laura is despite her fortune and position in society. She also thinks of poor Walter, far away on a ship somewhere, and wishes that he was there to help them.... (full context)

She has received a note from Walter with news of his safe arrival in Honduras. She has also seen a clipping from... (full context)

...any news about her daughter. While they treat the dog, Marian remembers her promise to Walter that she will try to solve the mystery of Anne Catherick if ever the opportunity... (full context)

...the subject is forbidden between them. Laura does ask Marian if she has heard from Walter, however, but Marian answers—truthfully—that she has not. Despite her new reserve and secretiveness, Laura is... (full context)

...heart against Sir Percival and, after this, she never again prevented herself from thinking about Walter Hartright. (full context)

...honeymoon and that she often imagined what it would be like if she were with Walter instead. Marian begs Laura to be discreet. She is worried that they will be overheard,... (full context)

...the woman said that the best drawing master she ever had was a man named Walter Hartright. Laura tried to conceal her embarrassment, but she saw from Sir Percival’s face that... (full context)

...is heartbroken to hear Laura’s story and regrets that she is the one who sent Walter Hartright away from Limmeridge “for the sake of Sir Percival Glyde.” (full context)

Marian spends a sleepless night regretting her decision to send Walter away from Limmeridge. When she rises the next morning, she hears that Laura has lost... (full context)

While dozing on the couch, Marian has a dream about Walter Hartright. She sees him lying on the steps of an ancient temple in the heart... (full context)

...believes that this would normally be the case, except that Laura is in love with Walter Hartright and, he believes, would throw Sir Percival over for a chance to marry him.... (full context)

Count Fosco says that they will dispose of Walter if he ever returns. He then asks Sir Percival what Anne Catherick looks like, as... (full context)

...is a letter written by Mr. Fairlie, which he has been asked to write by Walter Hartright, and which details his interactions with Count Fosco and a visit he received from... (full context)

...Mrs. Michelson, who was the housekeeper at Blackwater park and who has been asked by Walter Hartright to write down what happened while Marian was ill and why Laura left Blackwater.... (full context)

The narrative now continues through the testimony of Walter Hartright. Walter states that he has returned from his journey to America. Many of his... (full context)

As he kneels there, Walter hears footsteps approaching and looks up to see two women. He recognizes one as Marian—although... (full context)

Walter narrates the next section of the story. He now lives in London and rents the... (full context)

Walter begins by telling the story of Marian and Laura and how they found each other... (full context)

...visit her mother’s grave. They make their way to the churchyard, where they unexpectedly meet Walter Hartright. (full context)

Walter draws two conclusions from Laura and Marian’s story. The first is that Count Fosco has... (full context)

Walter has chosen a flat for himself, Laura, and Marian in a very poor part of... (full context)

Meanwhile, Walter and Marian must be extremely careful in their care of Laura. They keep her comfortable... (full context)

Walter first copies out the relevant sections of Marian’s diary, which document her time spent at... (full context)

Walter arrives safely at the law firm and is shown into Mr. Kyrle’s office. Mr. Kyrle... (full context)

Mr. Kyrle makes it clear to Walter that, besides his lack of proof, there is too much evidence against him for a... (full context)

Mr. Kyrle thinks that a case may be possible if Walter can prove the date that Laura traveled to London. If it is after the date... (full context)

Disheartened and certain that the lawyer does not believe his story, Walter makes to leave, and Mr. Kyrle asks if he will deliver a letter that he... (full context)

The letter that Walter carries home for Marian is from Count Fosco. It warns Marian—in flowery language—to remain where... (full context)

Marian is enraged by Count Fosco’s threatening and manipulative tone and makes Walter promise that, if he ever has the chance to kill Sir Percival or Count Fosco,... (full context)

Walter plans to question Mr. Dawson, the doctor who attended Marian during her illness at Blackwater,... (full context)

Walter sets out for Hampshire and visits Mr. Dawson, but Mr. Dawson is unable to give... (full context)

Walter makes to leave the property but, as he does, sees that the man in black... (full context)

Walter now knows that he may have no choice but to threaten or use violence against... (full context)

While Walter waits for their reply, Marian tells him the history of Sir Percival’s family. His father... (full context)

Although Walter feels that everything has been against him in discovering the truth of the case, his... (full context)

When Walter arrives at Mrs. Clements’ house, she is desperate to find out if he knows where... (full context)

Mrs. Clements is heartbroken over Anne’s disappearance, as Anne was like a daughter to her. Walter believes that he may find out Sir Percival’s secret by discovering Anne’s history, so he... (full context)

Walter asks if the scandal was about Mr. and Mrs. Catherick, but Mrs. Clements tells him... (full context)

...scandal, but Mrs. Catherick remained, despite her tattered reputation among the neighbors. Mrs. Clements tells Walter that Mrs. Catherick is provided for by Sir Percival Glyde, who sends her money every... (full context)

Mrs. Clements tells Walter that Mrs. Catherick worked for a man called Major Donthorne, at a place called Varneck... (full context)

Walter realizes that Mrs. Clements has told him everything she can and makes to leave. Before... (full context)

When Walter returns to London, he finds Laura very upset. She complains that she is not paying... (full context)

Walter tells Marian that he is going to Welmingham to try and discover Sir Percival’s secret.... (full context)

Walter arrives and finds Mrs. Catherick’s house easily. He finds Mrs. Catherick a hard-looking woman dressed... (full context)

Mrs. Catherick thinks she understands Walter’s intention—she thinks he is trying to blackmail her by threatening to ruin her reputation—and mocks... (full context)

Walter tries to provoke a reaction out of Mrs. Catherick by implying that he knows the... (full context)

As Walter exits Mrs. Catherick’s, he sees the man who shouted at him outside Blackwater Park. This... (full context)

Walter walks to the old village and, when he reaches the church, finds that Sir Percival’s... (full context)

...window has been bricked up; the only light comes through a skylight in the ceiling. Walter asks to see the marriage register. He knows Sir Percival’s age, so works backwards from... (full context)

To his dismay, Walter finds the marriage of Sir Percival’s mother and father noted in the register. It is... (full context)

As Walter leaves the church, he is followed by the two men who he saw earlier, joined... (full context)

The men follow Walter along the road. Suddenly, one of them rushes past him and, startled, Walter pushes him... (full context)

Luckily, Walter remembers that Mr. Dawson lives in the neighborhood and writes to him for assistance. Mr.... (full context)

Walter meets the clerk and is given a copy of the register to examine. He is... (full context)

On the road, in the dark, Walter is attacked by several men whom he cannot see clearly. He suspects these are Sir... (full context)

The servant, Walter, and the clerk run to the church. As they approach, they realize that the vestry... (full context)

Walter, in an instant, forgets his hatred for Sir Percival and tries to save him from... (full context)

Walter summons several villagers who live nearby, and they break down the door. They cannot get... (full context)

Walter writes to Marian to tell her of Sir Percival’s death. He asks her to keep... (full context)

Walter is disheartened by the fire because it has destroyed the evidence of Sir Percival’s illegitimacy,... (full context)

Walter must stay in Welmingham for the term of his bail and considers going to see... (full context)

Mrs. Catherick is pleased by Sir Percival’s death. She feels that Walter has had a hand in it—by investigating Sir Percival and frightening him into trying to... (full context)

She next tells Walter that she will explain how Anne came to be involved in the secret and why... (full context)

...the money Sir Percival sent her to live comfortably after his death. She also tells Walter that he must not criticize anyone he suspects of being Anne’s father, as he did... (full context)

At first, Walter is insulted and disgusted by Mrs. Catherick’s haughty tone in the letter and he plans... (full context)

Walter passes an uneasy night and attends the inquest in the morning. The court rules that... (full context)

Walter arrives in London late that night and is relieved to see Marian and Laura safe... (full context)

Marian tells Walter that, a few days ago, she looked out of the living room window and saw... (full context)

Marian tells Walter that Count Fosco was sickeningly kind towards her. He informed her that he had no... (full context)

Marian tells Walter that after Count Fosco left, she decided to leave the house immediately and find a... (full context)

After Marian’s meeting with Count Fosco, they do not see or hear from him again. Walter returns to his work at the engravers shop and privately continues his investigations, but keeps... (full context)

Walter writes to Major Donthorne at Varneck Hall—where Mrs. Catherick worked as a maid in her... (full context)

Walter remembers Mrs. Catherick’s letter, in which she describes Mrs. Fairlie, Laura’s mother, as a “plain... (full context)

Spring arrives and Walter notices that Marian and Laura seem happier and calmer as time passes. Laura still cannot... (full context)

Walter explains to Marian that he knows Laura may never receive her inheritance or have her... (full context)

Marian is delighted, and Walter returns to the house to wait for Laura’s answer. While he sits in the drawing... (full context)

For a while, after his marriage to Laura, Walter is so happy and distracted that he forgets about Count Fosco. However, one night he... (full context)

Walter reviews the evidence he has and cannot find much out about Count Fosco’s background. He... (full context)

...year of the Great Exhibition and many foreigners are traveling to London to visit it. Walter knows that there are many political exiles among these people, and he thinks that Count... (full context)

Walter notes here that he has not included everything in his narrative so far and that,... (full context)

Pesca, however, has been a good friend and Walter has seen a lot of him. Before he approaches Pesca, Walter decides to spy on... (full context)

Count Fosco is already seated when Walter and Pesca arrive at the opera that evening. Walter watches him covertly through the first... (full context)

Suddenly, Count Fosco looks down into the pit—where Walter and Pesca are seated—and meets Pesca’s gaze. Walter knows immediately that the Count recognizes Pesca... (full context)

Walter begs Pesca to leave with him and explains that he needs to speak to him... (full context)

Pesca tells Walter that he is a member of a secret society in Italy and that he used... (full context)

Pesca tells Walter that members of The Brotherhood are branded with a secret mark, and he shows Walter... (full context)

Walter leaves Pesca’s house and plans to find Count Fosco as soon as possible. He knows... (full context)

Walter finds that Laura is asleep when he goes into her room to say goodbye to... (full context)

Walter arrives and approaches Count Fosco’s house. As he walks towards it, he sees the foreign... (full context)

Walter finds Count Fosco packing his things. Although the two men have never met, Count Fosco... (full context)

Walter tells Count Fosco that he knows the reason he is leaving; the answer, he says,... (full context)

Count Fosco asks Walter what he wants, and Walter tells him that he wants justice for Laura, who is... (full context)

...be allowed to leave the house freely when the letter of proof is written. Second, Walter is to send a messenger to bring the letter which Walter sent to Pesca back... (full context)

Walter agrees, on the condition that the letter he sent to Count Fosco is “destroyed unopened... (full context)

...and calls to his wife to make him coffee while he writes the letter for Walter. Walter is impressed by Count Fosco’s mental strength, even though he hates him. Madame Fosco... (full context)

...four o’ clock in the morning and cheerfully fixes the manuscript together. He also gives Walter the name of the cabman who took Laura from the station when she arrived in... (full context)

Count Fosco then tells Walter that he will nap briefly before his departure that morning. He calls Madame Fosco into... (full context)

Madame Fosco gets into the cab. Count Fosco takes Walter aside for a final word. He warns him not to forget the third condition and... (full context)

As the cab drives away, Walter sees the “stranger from the opera” watching the carriage from the street. Walter goes back... (full context)

...that he came to England in 1850 on political business but that he cannot tell Walter what this business was. He planned to stay at Blackwater with Madame Fosco, Sir Percival... (full context)

...away in a cab—allegedly to see Laura—Count Fosco sent Anne a note which said that Walter Hartright was waiting outside in a carriage to take her to see Laura. Anne left... (full context)

...plan came from his love of Marian. His decision to let her go has led Walter Hartright to also cause Sir Percival’s death. He concludes his letter by answering three questions... (full context)

Monsieur Rubelle does not return, and Walter leaves Count Fosco’s house. The next day, he goes to the cab company that Count... (full context)

Mr. Kyrle is astonished and, the next morning, he, Walter, Marian, Laura, and John Owen travel to Limmeridge to confront Mr. Fairlie. They agree to... (full context)

As the group travel back to London, Walter thinks that it is lucky that he was not a rich man who could pay... (full context)

Shortly after this, Walter is offered a job as an artist for a newspaper, which he happily accepts. His... (full context)

On his way through Paris that afternoon, returning from his work, Walter passes the morgue and sees a huge crowd gathered outside to see the bodies. He... (full context)

...February of the following year, Laura gives birth to a son. Not long after this, Walter is sent away again on a job for the newspaper and, when he returns, finds... (full context)

Walter follows on the train and, when he arrives, he finds Marian, Laura, and his son... (full context)

The Woman in White

Walter Hartright Character Analysis

Walter Hartright Quotes in The Woman in White

The First Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 1 Quotes

The First Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 2 Quotes

The First Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 5 Quotes

The First Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 8 Quotes

The First Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 10 Quotes

The First Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 13 Quotes

The Second Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 6 Quotes

The Third Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 4 Quotes

The Third Epoch: Part 5, Chapter 1 Quotes

Walter Hartright Character Timeline in The Woman in White