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The third narrative was the most dramatic and interesting narrative IMO. Once Rachel reveals what she saw and how she'd been protecting Franklin her character becomes really remarkable. I liked Rachel a lot once her coldness to Franklin is explained. She's so different from the stereotypical heroine of the gothic mystery- she's not weak or fainting at all. Collins has a knack for creating these plucky, loyal heroines, like Marian in Woman in White and Rachel. Both of them speak their minds and aren't afraid of challenging people who they think are doing wrong.
The other interesting character that caught my attention was Jennings- he's a kind of mysterious blend of scientific and mystical. I think I read somewhere that Jennings' opium use was drawn from Collins' own experimentation with opium. Its also funny and ironic how Jennings is sort of a polar opposite of Godfrey Abelwite, Jennings a social out cast and looks strange and unsettling on the outside but is really innocent and truthful, whereas Godfrey is completely guilty and untrustworth in so many ways but is totally accepted within Victorian society. Its also funny that Jennings helps Franklin clear his (Franklin's) name, since Jennings himself knows what its like for an innocent man to live under the shadow of suspicion.
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