What made Virginia agree to accompany the ghost to the Garden of Death and pray for him? Answer by examining the conversation between herself and...

In Chapter Five of "The Canterville Ghost," Virginia and the ghost meet unexpectedly in the Tapestry Chamber. As a result of their conversation, Virginia agrees to shed her tears for him and there are some important reasons behind her decision.

First of all, Virginia already feels bad for the ghost. She knows how much her brothers have taunted him, especially the twins, and seeing him looking so "forlorn" and "depressed" fills her with pity. 

Secondly,...

In Chapter Five of "The Canterville Ghost," Virginia and the ghost meet unexpectedly in the Tapestry Chamber. As a result of their conversation, Virginia agrees to shed her tears for him and there are some important reasons behind her decision.

First of all, Virginia already feels bad for the ghost. She knows how much her brothers have taunted him, especially the twins, and seeing him looking so "forlorn" and "depressed" fills her with pity. 

Secondly, Virginia is very moved to learn that the ghost was starved to death by his wife's brother. While she does not condone the murder of Lady Eleanore, learning the nature of the ghost's death has a strong impact on her. That she immediately offers him a sandwich from her case is an example of this.

Next, Virginia is spurred to action when she hears that the ghost has not slept for three hundred years. In fact, when he tells her, Virginia "grew quite grave, and her little lips trembled like rose-leaves." She kneels at his side and addresses him as "poor, poor ghost." She is evidently very concerned about his lack of sleep and it is this compassion which overcomes her fear of the Garden of Death. She becomes determined to help him, no matter what danger lies ahead:

Suddenly she stood up, very pale, and with a strange light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said firmly, "and I will ask the angel to have mercy on you."

But, as the prophecy states, Virginia is really the only person who can help the ghost. She is the "sweet," "good" and "gentle" girl who can open the portal to the Garden of Death. Virginia's kind nature is, therefore, another reason why the ghost is so successful in enlisting her help: she would never refuse him because she is the "golden girl" of Canterville Chase.