The Haunting Of Bly Manor: 9 Henry James Stories That Inspired The Series

In The Two Faces, Lord Gwyther ends his relationship with wealthy socialite May Grantham and shortly remarries Valda, a German girl with no social standing. He asks May to help his new wife by providing appropriate clothing and teaching proper dining etiquette, but as May still feels jilted, she gets revenge by introducing Valda to society wearing the wrong clothes with incorrect etiquette.

Episodes three and seven of Bly Manor (parts one and two) both explore the same themes of betrayal and class transgression found in the story, the title of which also hints at an ulterior motive. These episodes reveal the love story between Rebecca Jessel and Peter Quint, but also show us how Peter betrayed her, even though he loved her. As he wanted Rebecca to be with her forever, he promised to possess her and feel her death via drowning for her, but he left her body last minute, leaving her alone.

Peter becomes familiar with the mechanics of being a ghost and learns he can possess the living temporarily, but can also possess them permanently if they are invited by the host. Peter's plan was for him and Rebecca to take over the children's bodies so they could be together, which would render Miles and Flora dead. In the end, Rebecca also betrays Peter in order to save Flora's life.

Although it doesn't happen in these episodes, it's also revealed that if a ghost remains at Bly Manor for too long, they will lose their face along with their sense of self. We see many characters whose faces look like they've succumbed to an eternity of water damage, which has chipped away at any distintive or memorable features. They are forgotten. In a way, this is like having Two Faces — one where you're someone, and another where you're no one.