Yes! I have read it--I think I read it before I was able to get my hands on The Innocents. I was amazed at the way the movie managed to keep all the ambiguity. Not an easy thing to do.

I saw the Opera a few years ago too.:-)

And yes, I do think that's the idea with the governess. I can't really blame them for having that ambition, especially at a time when as a woman they couldn't really do much else.