Not only has she met a young woman like herself, but one, moreover, who has been kidnapped.She seems to have a desire to suffer in the relationship with the perilous Geraldine. Either there is some kind of masochistic inclination in this developing relationship, perhaps a wish to suffer for or in love, or a need to be punished, because of the guilt over the death of the mother. .
The sexual undercurrents of the relationship between the two women is fairly basic material. The scenes in Christabel's bedchamber, Geraldine's disrobing and Christabel's morning-after guilt all reinforce the relationship's sexual aspects. The motivations leading toward a homosexual relationship are easily established in the context of the poem.Christabel is alone in the silent castle of her father Sir Leoline, who she claims is ill and secluded. A just punishment, perhaps, for the daughter whose birth killed her mother. With such fear and sense of loss it is not surprising that Christabel should turn her affections to a substitute, someone who is similar to herself. Like the Secret Sharer of Conrad's tale, Geraldine is initially portrayed as an empathetic being, who having undergone duress, emotionally appeals to her rescuer.Christabel regards the woman with almost childlike awe, and her attempts at friendship often seem to echo the overtures of a child. .
The conflicting characters of the two women are carefully juxtaposed throughout the next scenes as the pious Christabel prays and makes ready for bed, while the Perilous Lady, with a deep shudder, sheds her garments to reveal the mark of her shame. Whether witch's mark or a vampire characteristic, the revelation of Geraldine's side brings her horrifying aspect to light. What was once beautiful has become ugly and evil. The Lady has abruptly revealed the nightmare quality of her nature, and Christabel is struck speechless.
Despite the narrator's plea that Christabel be shielded, the perilous, irrational aspect of the anima figure has become the dominant force, both in the poem and within the narrator's own psyche.
