Brood of the Witch-Queen · Chapter
The Face in the Orchid-House explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Bruce Cairn watches over the dying Myra Duquesne, puzzled by her mysterious illness. After consulting with other doctors, he learns from gardener Crombie about a strange face seen in the orchid-houses, which Crombie associates with Antony Ferrara. Dr. Cairn returns to Half-Moon Street with his son Robert, leaving Myra's fate uncertain.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Robert Cairn’s inte…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Sorcery vs. Science
Dr. Cairn's medical expertise fails against Myra's illness, which is linked to Ferrara's occult influence.
- Possession and Identity
The face in the orchid-house is described as both Ferrara and a woman, suggesting a supernatural transformation or possession.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Bruce Cairn
Attends to Myra Duquesne, investigates the gardener's report, and returns to Half-Moon Street with Robert.
- Myra Duquesne
Lies dying, with a mysterious illness that began after Antony Ferrara's last visit.
- Robert Cairn
Waits in agony downstairs, then accompanies his father to Half-Moon Street.
- Mr. Saunderson
Host at the house, initially dismissive of Crombie's story.
- Crombie
Gardener who reports seeing a strange face in the orchid-houses, resembling Antony Ferrara.
Key passages
“Two days had wrought a dreadful change in her. She lay with closed eyes, and sunken face upon which ominous shadows played.”
In just two days, Myra had deteriorated severely, lying unconscious with a hollow, shadowed face.
Describes Myra's rapid decline due to the mysterious illness.
“I thought I saw—a face. It reminded me of the face of a gentleman I have seen here— Mr. Ferrara—”
Crombie claims he saw a face in the orchid-house that resembled Antony Ferrara.
Links the supernatural occurrence in the orchid-house to Ferrara.
