Chapter 22 Summary

After Mrs. Grose's departure with the child, the governess felt more anxious than she ever had before. The rest of the staff appeared confused at their leave, and the governess felt that she avoided "wreck" only by "clutching the helm."

Miles had disappeared for a walk that morning, after breakfasting with Mrs. Grose, Flora and a couple of maids. His action signified the change in his relationship to the governess, and she waited to see what he would allow her to do. She thought he no longer had anything to learn from her, and he would of course keep his freedom.

The governess declared that she and Miles would dine in the formal room in which she had seen Quint the second time. Waiting in the room for Miles, she reflected that she was fighting something unnatural. To fight it, she determined, "I...