The Painted Veil · Chapter
XIII explained
Kitty reflects on Walter's lack of charm and his reserved nature, realizing he is not popular in Hong Kong.
What happens
Kitty reflects on Walter's lack of charm and his reserved nature, realizing he is not popular in Hong Kong. She finds him dull and secretive, yet acknowledges his deep love for her, which she somewhat despises.
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 Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, Kitty reaches an emotional and psychological peak by confronting her own shame and humility i…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Self-Deception and Truth
Kitty deceives herself about Walter's love and her own indifference, recognizing his devotion yet feeling contempt.
- Marriage and Social Expectation
Kitty's marriage to Walter is strained by his lack of social charm and her disappointment in his status.
Characters to notice
- Kitty Fane
Kitty reflects on Walter's character and her own feelings of indifference and contempt.
- Walter Fane
Walter is described as charmless, reserved, secretive, and deeply in love with Kitty.
Key passages
“The fact was, of course, that he had no charm. That was why he was not popular, and she had not been long in Hong Kong before she discovered that he was not.”
Kitty realized Walter lacked charm, which made him unpopular in Hong Kong.
Kitty's early realization about Walter's social standing.
“He was very reserved. All she knew about his antecedents, his birth, his education, and his life before he met her, she had elicited by direct questioning.”
Walter was secretive; Kitty had to pry to learn about his background.
Walter's reserved nature and Kitty's curiosity.
“She wondered why he had ever fallen in love with her. She could not imagine anyone less suited than herself to this restrained, cold and self-possessed man.”
Kitty questioned why Walter loved her, feeling they were completely mismatched.
Kitty's perception of their incompatibility.
“He was like wax in her hands. When she thought of one side he showed her, a side which only she had seen, she a little despised him.”
Walter was completely malleable to Kitty's wishes, which made her feel a hint of contempt.
Kitty's contempt for Walter's devotion.
