The Marble Faun
Chapter XXVI: “The Pedigree of Monte Beni”
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Kenyon discovers many peculiarities and occurances regarding the family history of the Counts of Monte Beni.
Kenyon discovers many peculiarities and occurances regarding the family history of the Counts of Monte Beni.
Victor studies with enthusiasm and ignores his social life. He learns all his teachers have to teach him and begins his fascinating and absorbing work on an animate being because of his fixation on discovering the secret of life.
Phoebe meets her cousin, Judge Pyncheon. Although he smiles at her she recalls what Holgrave told her about a photograph revealing one’s true nature. Phoebe makes a connection between the Judge and the late Colonel. The Judge offers to help Clifford and Hepzibah financially, but Hepzibah refuses.
The disclosure of the buried treasure put the town in a frenzy. Huck and Tom find that there newfound wealth has changed their lives.
An enchanted maiden awaits the arrival of her suitor.
Bruno and Sylvie and My Lady talk to the Baron about the military and then decide to take a walk and have a picnic in the gardens.
Ishmael finishes up his description of the processing of whale oil.
Hump and Maud complete the final rigging of the ship as the ailing captain's health continues to decline.
Lockwood leaves and comes back six months later to find Nelly living at Wuthering Heights, as Cathy's companion because Zillah left. After Hareton accidentally shoots himself, Cathy gives Nelly a book to give to him; if he accepts it Cathy vows to teach him to read and never tease him again.
Fagin and Monks discuss Oliver's future.
Hilda wanders into a cathedral and becomes entranced by its magic.
Worth and Quorum seach for the missing Sumner.
A couple makes personal sacrifices to give each other gifts for Christmas.
The girls set out for the day accompanied by Tom. They are having a pleasant day, enjoying the walk on the shore, when they have some unexpected visitors.
"Dey is snow upon de meddahs, dey is snow upon de hill,"
Danglars and Fernand talk about a plan to destroy Dantes happiness.
Donatello visits Miriam in her studio.
Higgins and Pickering's conversation angers Eliza.
The colony of cats take in an abused daughter, Lizina, and give her the fair treatment she deserves.
After a blissful two weeks, Jane encounters Rochester in the gardens. He invites her to walk with him, and Jane, caught off guard, accepts. Rochester confides that he has finally decided to marry Blanche Ingram and tells Jane that he knows of an available governess position in Ireland that she could take. Jane expresses her distress at the great distance that separates Ireland from Thornfield. The two seat themselves on a bench at the foot of the chestnut tree, and Rochester says: “we will sit there in peace to-night, though we should never more be destined to sit there together.” He tells Jane that he feels as though they are connected by a “cord of communion.” Jane sobs—“for I could repress what I endured no longer,” she tells us, “I was obliged to yield.” Jane confesses her love for Rochester, and to her surprise, he asks her to be his wife. She suspects that he is teasing her, but he convinces her otherwise by admitting that he only brought up marrying Blanche in order to arouse Jane’s jealousy. Convinced and elated, Jane accepts his proposal. A storm breaks, and the newly engaged couple hurries indoors through the rain. Rochester helps Jane out of her wet coat, and he seizes the opportunity to kiss her. Jane looks up to see Mrs. Fairfax watching, astonished. That night, a bolt of lightning splits the same chestnut tree under which Rochester and Jane had been sitting that evening.
George's attempt to impress Belle Carpenter is unexpectedly interrupted.
The Prince awakens to find his nurse gone. The townspeople rejoice at the news that the prince was alive. The godmother appears to him again and tells him about the many forms she has taken to watch over him.
As the Ghost catches speed, propelled by the trade winds, Hump takes in the natural beauty of the ocean. Captain Larsen explains more of his philosophy on life to Hump.