Both of these revisions clearly establish the immanency of death as signaled by the Red Admiral--just as it does in PF.
Dear Don,
The Red Admiral as a harbinger of death is not an invention of Nabokov's - - it is a 17th century convention in art history. Probably derived from the ancient Greek association between the two meanings of psyche: butterfly, soul.
I found reference to this imagery in Miriam Rothschild's book Butterfly Cooing like a Dove. The interesting thing, to me especially, is the contrast with the symbol of white butterflies which indicate resurrection and immortality. In apposition, the Red Admiral signifies death and damnation.
Both types appear in PF, the earlier Cabbage White I think, and the later Red Admiral. Is it possible VN was not aware of these associations?
Carolyn