Lady Eleanore’s Mantle by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Short summary

5 seconds

In honor of Elinor’s arrival, a sumptuous dinner was given at the Governor’s House. After that evening, an epidemic erupted in the city, the source of which was Lady Elinor’s mantilla.

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The tavern keeper at the Governor’s House called the narrator to dine with him, and after the meal he recounted a curious story that took place in that manor house 120 years ago.

A young noble lady from England, Elinor Rochcliffe, had come to see Governor Schuette. She had lost all her relatives, so she moved to live with the only person close to her. Lady Elinor was a proud, arrogant girl who considered herself superior to others.

In honor of Lady Elinor’s arrival, a sumptuous dinner was given at the governor’s house. The girl appeared before the guests in a beautiful embroidered mantilla, rumored to have been created by a dying woman. After that evening, an epidemic broke out in the city. The source of the contagion was Lady Elinor’s mantilla. The girl became known as the Queen of Death.

A procession led by an ardent admirer of the proud girl marched through the city. The people burned the mantilla, after which the epidemic began to subside.