The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Book Second, Chapter 7
by Victor Hugo
In order to avert a tragedy, Esmeralda agrees to marry Gringoire. Gringoire finally gets some rest.
In order to avert a tragedy, Esmeralda agrees to marry Gringoire. Gringoire finally gets some rest.
In the spring, life at Lowood briefly seems happier, but the damp forest dell in which the school resides is a breeding-ground for typhus, and in the warm temperatures more than half the girls fall ill with the disease. Jane remains healthy and spends her time playing outdoors with a new friend, Mary Ann Wilson. Helen is sick, but not with typhus—Jane learns the horrific news that her friend is dying of consumption. One evening, Jane sneaks into Miss Temple’s room to see Helen one last time. Helen promises Jane that she feels little pain and is happy to be leaving the world’s suffering behind. Jane takes Helen into her arms, and the girls fall asleep. During the night, Helen dies. Her grave is originally unmarked, but fifteen years after her death, a gray marble tablet is placed over the spot (presumably by Jane), bearing the single word Resurgam, Latin for “I shall rise again.”
Introduction to the book by Irving Howe.
The Truands, having armed themselves, gather at a local tavern. As midnight approaches, Clopin Trouillefou leads the rowdy mob into the streets.
Bertuccio tells his story to the Count of Monte Cristo.
After a discussion with Priscilla, Nancy fears she is cause of Godfrey's disappointment.
The author shares some of his Christmas experiences and memories regarding the meaning of the Christmas tree.
After the sudden death of Aunt March, Joe and the Professor inherit Plumfield. The novel closes as Mrs. March celebrates her sixtieth birthday surrounded by her daughters and extended family.
Carol's attempts at rebuilding and reforming the town continue to be thwarted by the townspeople. In order to maintain their social status, Carol and Kennicott move to the lake for the summer. Carol is initially impressed by the Perrys, but changes her mind after hearing their opinions.
Mr. Badger welcomes his unexpected guests. Otter brings news from the River Bank. Badger helps the visitors make their way home.
The narrator tells of his growing fascination with Master B, as well as the series of events following the appearance of the ghost.
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.
David shares some of his earliest memories.
Hepzibah's nearsightedness and lack of education cause her to tend the store herself. This upsets her and she runs into the house crying.
How a prince overcomes an evil magician and wins a princess.
The night before her wedding, Jane waits for Rochester, who has left Thornfield for the evening. She grows restless and takes a walk in the orchard, where she sees the now-split chestnut tree. When Rochester arrives, Jane tells him about strange events that have occurred in his absence. The preceding evening, Jane’s wedding dress arrived, and underneath it was an expensive veil—Rochester’s wedding gift to Jane. In the night, Jane had a strange dream, in which a little child cried in her arms as Jane tried to make her way toward Rochester on a long, winding road. Rochester dismisses the dream as insignificant, but then she tells him about a second dream. This time, Jane loses her balance and the child falls from her knee. The dream was so disturbing that it roused Jane from her sleep, and she perceived “a form” rustling in her closet. It turned out to be a strange, savage-looking woman, who took Jane’s veil and tore it in two. Rochester tells her that the woman must have been Grace Poole and that what she experienced was really “half-dream, half-reality.” He tells her that he will give her a full explanation of events after they have been married for one year and one day. Jane sleeps with Adèle for the evening and cries because she will soon have to leave the sleeping girl.
Dr. Manette's own account of his imprisonment is read in court. Darnay's fate is sealed by the actions of his father and uncle.
A superstitious schoolteacher comes to a mysterious end in the isolated glen of Sleepy Hollow.
Meg discovers that married life is not as easy as she thought.
Phoebe begins to brighten the house with her presence. Hepzibah and Phoebe quarrel, but Hepzibah is persuaded to let Phoebe stay for a few weeks. After making breakfast, Phoebe helps out in the store and sells most of the inventory. Hepzibah is thrilled at Phoebe’s work and gives her a tour of the house.
Clifford and Hepzibah flee the house and board a train. Clifford and a stranger strike up a conversation. Clifford begins to lecture the man and brings up a hypothetical house where a man lies dead. The stranger becomes suspicious and Hepzibah and Clifford get off at the next station.
Mulford makes certain the ladies are safe, but the boat is lost. The group faces thirst and hunger.
The robbery continues to bring kindness and sympathy to Silas' door. Godrey looks forward to seeing Nancy once again, but still worries that Dunstan will return to Raveloe.
After taking a look around, Carol is unnerved by the stature and state of the buildings in Gopher Prairie. Bea Sorensen's tour of Gopher Prairie leaves her awestruck.
The narrator talks of taking a “botanical stroll” along the St. John's River in Sanford.