I agree with Jon, Mrs. Norval is just stupid-she is someone who clings onto every word of her beloved. She is so deep in love with Mr.Hackwell that she is willing to throw herself at his feet and follow his unreasonable biddings. She is quite a weak woman. Time to move onto who the REAL villain is….MR.HACKWELL! I actually feel sorry for Mrs.Norval with the way Mr.Hackwell plays with her mind and uses her unconditional love to his advantage. It was even more sickening to learn of his twisted plans to force Lola into marrying him and doing whatever it takes to prevent Julian from marrying her. “The dark demons and hideous monsters, the untamed, ferocious beasts of passions, the poisonous reptiles, and repulsive, crawling things of wicked propensities and sinful desires…” It was creepy how Ruiz de Burton describes in detail his innermost feelings and the extent of his jealousy. “He thought the man could be no other than Julian, and, as the thought flashed on his brain, he instinctively carried his hand to his breast pocket, where a little pistol lay always ready.” What a psychopath!!!

This second half of the novel was definitely a much more interesting read because the story really picked up and it felt as if I was watching dramatic television program. Throughout the last half of the novel I awaited anxiously for the sinful ex-priest to receive his well-deserved punishment. However, the final confrontation between Julian and Mr.Hackwell was not as explosive or exciting as i had highly anticipated. I have about 10 pages left to read before i finish the novel and i hope that we have more closure about what happened to Mr.Hackwell and i hope that Julian and Lola finally get that happy ending together!