The Count of Monte Cristo
Chapter 98: The Bell and Bottle Tavern
by Alexandre Dumas, pére
Andrea makes his escape from Paris.
Andrea makes his escape from Paris.
After Mr. Brocklehurst’s negligent treatment of the girls at Lowood is found to be one of the causes of the typhus epidemic, a new group of overseers is brought in to run the school. Conditions improve dramatically for the young girls, and Jane excels in her studies for the next six years. After spending two more years at Lowood as a teacher, Jane decides she is ready for a change, partly because Miss Temple gets married and leaves the school. She advertises in search of a post as a governess and accepts a position at a manor called Thornfield. Before leaving, Jane receives a visit from Bessie, who tells her what has happened at Gateshead since Jane departed for Lowood. Georgiana attempted to run away in secret with a man named Lord Edwin Vere, but Eliza foiled the plan by revealing it to Mrs. Reed. John has fallen into a life of debauchery and dissolution. Bessie also tells Jane that her father’s brother, John Eyre, appeared at Gateshead seven years ago, looking for Jane. He did not have the time to travel to Lowood and went away to Madeira (a Portuguese island west of Morocco) in search of wealth. Jane and Bessie part ways, Bessie returning to Gateshead, and Jane leaving for her new life at Thornfield.
A brief overview of the Etymology of the word "whale".
The narrator tells of his first encounter with Ethan Frome in the town of Starkfield, Massachusetts. The narrator seeks information on the reclusive Frome.
A story in which dreams are effected by objects that retell the purpose they served. In this tale of terror, a leather funnel tells the tale of a horrbile execution.
The queens begin to question and trouble begins to brew.
Sophie helps Jane dress for the wedding, and Rochester and Jane walk to the church. Jane notes a pair of strangers reading the headstones in the churchyard cemetery. When Jane and Rochester enter the church, the two strangers are also present. When the priest asks if anyone objects to the ceremony, one of the strangers answers: “The marriage cannot go on: I declare the existence of an impediment.” Rochester attempts to proceed with the ceremony, but the stranger explains that Rochester is already married—his wife is a Creole woman whom Rochester wed fifteen years earlier in Jamaica. The speaker explains that he is a solicitor from London, and he introduces himself as Mr. Briggs. He produces a signed letter from Richard Mason affirming that Rochester is married to Mason’s sister, Bertha. Mr. Mason himself then steps forward to corroborate the story. After a moment of inarticulate fury, Rochester admits that his wife is alive and that in marrying Jane he would have been knowingly taking a second wife. No one in the community knows of his wife because she is mad, and Rochester keeps her locked away under the care of Grace Poole. But, he promises them all, Jane is completely ignorant of Bertha’s existence. He orders the crowd to come to Thornfield to see her, so that they may understand what impelled him to his present course of action.
Mina and Lucy arrive at Whitby. Dr. Jack Seward journals about his lunatic client Renfield. Mina is concerned that she has not heard from Jonathan. Lucy is beginning to act strangely in her sleep.
David and Tommy Traddles are called to the Micawber home.
Captain Spike prepares the Molly Swash for departure. Rose Budd and her aunt will be on board. Jack Tier appears, to Captain Spike's dismay.
Walter meets Mrs. Catherick, and tries to discover the secret behind her relationship with Sir Percival.
William and Frances continue their married life together, with continued contact with Hunsden.
As requested, Joseph stays behind to take care of the women. Isidor and Rebecca each have plans of their own.
One snowy night, Jane sits reading Marmion when St. John appears at the door. Appearing troubled, he tells Jane the story of an orphan girl who became the governess at Thornfield Hall, then disappeared after nearly marrying Edward Rochester: this runaway governess’s name is Jane Eyre. Until this point, Jane has been cautious not to reveal her past and has given the Rivers a false name. Thus although it is clear that St. John suspects her of being the woman about whom he speaks, she does not immediately identify herself to him. He says that he has received a letter from a solicitor named Mr. Briggs intimating that it is extremely important that this Jane Eyre be found. Jane is only interested in whether Mr. Briggs has sent news of Rochester, but St. John says that Rochester’s well-being is not at issue: Jane Eyre must be found because her uncle, John Eyre, has died, leaving her the vast fortune of 20,000 pounds.
Phoebe begins spending more and more time with Holgrave. He tells her his thoughts on the Pycheon curse and reads her an article he has written about it.
It is full winter now: the trees are bare,
Jos and Dobbin get a good nights sleep. Dobbin prepares for a reunion of sorts.
Having been driven hard, Buck eventually begins to regain his strength. Buck faithfully serves his master John Thornton.
As another year at West Point commences, Henry comes to find that being a First Classman comes with added privilege and respect.
Franz and Albert join the Count of Monte Cristo for breakfast and then an execution.
Edwin Drood visits the Staple Inn, where he is invited to stay for dinner. Grewgious bestows a valuable gift upon Edwin.
While attending a formal dinner for Ellen, Newland takes notice of the attendees' new kindness toward the honored guest.
Catherine, delirious from not eating for three days, talks about her childhood with Heathcliff. When Edgar sees the terrible shape Catherine is in, he scolds Nelly for not calling him sooner; when the doctor arrives he predicts that Catherine will not survive her illness. While this is going on, Isabella runs away with Heathcliff.
Amelia visits the Osbourne home. Old Osbourne makes an offer George can't refuse.
A description of the evening at Vauxhall.