Carmilla: Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

The General begins his story. It all started when they were invited to a masquerade by a wealthy Count. The masquerade was extravagant, with fireworks and fine music. The General was the only non-aristocrat present, along with Bertha, who wore no mask. She caught the attention of a young masked woman who was dressed magnificently, and was accompanied by an older lady who was also richly dressed.

The two women approached and the older woman spoke to the General. She claimed to know him, referring to memories that the General could only vaguely recall, but refused to tell him who she was. Meanwhile, the younger girl, to whom her mother referred as Millarca, started up conversation with Bertha. She complimented Bertha, commenting on her beauty and mocking the others present. Eventually she removed her mask and Bertha was struck by her extreme beauty. The stranger was similarly taken with Bertha. 

General Spielsdorf continued to push the girl’s mother, to whom he referred as Madame la Comtesse, to remove her mask and reveal her true identity, but she refused. They were interrupted by a man dressed in black with a pale face who asked to speak with the woman. The General contemplated the woman’s identity and how she remembered him. He was about to join in conversation with Bertha and the woman’s daughter when her mother returned.