I watched her, fascinated, horrified; a queer ecstatic smile was on her lips, making her older than ever, making her skull's face vivid and real. 'No one got the better of her, never, never,' she said ... She broke off, her mouth working strangely, and dragging at the corners. She began to cry noisily, harshly, her mouth open and her eyes dry. - Chapter 18
Who is Mrs Danvers?
Mrs Danvers is the housekeeper at Manderley. She is responsible for running all aspects of the household, organising the servants and the catering. She was devoted to Rebecca, and felt for her with all the feelings of love. She feels so passionately about Rebecca that she cannot bear to have anyone else try to take her place. It is as though her memory of Rebecca is sacred, and that anyone trying to take her place is offending that memory.
Mrs Danvers the devil
The voice describing Mrs Danvers in this passage is that of Mrs de Winter. The way she describes her makes her seem like the devil. The peculiar smile, the deathly appearance ('her skull's face') and the extremity of her hatred make it seem as if the real human spirit has died and she has been possessed by something devilish. She is so extreme in her feeling and hatred that Mrs de Winter cannot explain it, she can only watch 'fascinated, horrified'. Our reaction is the same. We are fascinated that anyone could possibly be so evil and cruel in her intentions and behaviour.
Tempting Mrs de Winter to die