The Woman in White

The next part of the narrative is told by Mrs. Michelson, the housekeeper at Blackwater Park.

One morning in June, Marian is found feverish and in a state of confusion. The doctor, Mr. Dawson, attends, rebuffing Count Fosco’s repeated attempts to interfere in Marian’s treatment. Laura and Mrs. Michelson tend to Marian that night, though the work distresses Laura and seems to worsen her health. Sir Percival and Count Fosco ask about Marian the next morning, leading Mrs. Michelson to praise the count’s attentiveness (he has previously inquired after servants, such as Fanny).

On the third day of Marian’s illness, Mrs. Michelson notices Count Fosco returning from a walk. Sir Percival asks him if he “found her.” Count Fosco does not answer—the implication being that he knows they are being overheard. After inquiring about Marian, Count Fosco tells Mrs. Michelson that Madame Fosco will be traveling to London to fetch a nurse. She does so on the fifth day of Marian’s sickness, returning the next day with Mrs. Rubelle, a foreign woman. Mr. Dawson is reluctant to trust a nurse chosen by Fosco but finds no fault with her work, so he allows her to remain provided Mrs.