Vanity Fair
Chapter 63: In Which We Meet an Old Acquaintance
by William Makepeace Thackeray
Joseph decides to stay. Amelia continues to enjoy herself. An old acquaintance makes an unexpected appearance.
Joseph decides to stay. Amelia continues to enjoy herself. An old acquaintance makes an unexpected appearance.
The group rest in the Mohican hideout. As they sleep a strange cry is heard. Hawkeye goes out to investigate.
Meg discovers that married life is not as easy as she thought.
Ghost, having reached Japan, takes advantage of the migrating seal herds. Captain Larsen, Mugridge, and Hump, having remained on ship, attempt to reach the sealing ships before the approaching storm does. Captain Larsen evaluates his losses.
Marian sees an opportunity to listen in on the conversation between Sir Percival and the Count.
George's work on the Mayoral campaign results in ethically questionable compensation.
Jonathan Harker journals about his travel to Dracula’s Castle and the foreboding messages he gets from town folk along the way.
Old Osborne has plans for little George, attempting to make amends for his previous actions. Amelia makes a friend in order to see George. Dobbin inquires about Amelia.
The following is an account written by Emily Holder describing her memories of Fort Jefferson. They tell the poignant and often fascinating story of the hardships, isolation and drama of daily life at the Dry Tortugas in the nineteenth century.
Higgins and Pickering attempt to make amends with Eliza.
Jack, Mulford, and Rose make plans. Rose is frustrated by her aunt's ignorance. The boat faces danger.
A while later, Rochester fulfills his promise to Jane to tell her about his and Adèle’s pasts. He had a long affair with Adèle’s mother, the French singer and dancer named Celine Varens. When he discovered that Celine was engaged in relations with another man, Rochester ended the relationship. Rochester has always denied Celine’s claim that Adèle is his daughter, noting that the child looks utterly unlike him. Even so, when Celine abandoned her daughter, Rochester brought Adèle to England so that she would be properly cared for. Jane lies awake brooding about the strange insights she has gained into her employer’s past. She hears what sound like fingers brushing against the walls, and an eerie laugh soon emanates from the hallway. She hears a door opening and hurries out of her room to see smoke coming from Rochester’s door. Jane dashes into his room and finds his bed curtains ablaze. She douses the bed with water, saving Rochester’s life. Strangely, Rochester’s reaction is to visit the third floor of the house. When he returns, he says mysteriously, “I have found it all out, it is just as I thought.” He inquires whether Jane has ever heard the eerie laughter before, and she answers that she has heard Grace Poole laugh in the same way. “Just so. Grace Poole—you have guessed it,” Rochester confirms. He thanks Jane for saving his life and cautions her to tell no one about the details of the night’s events. He sleeps on the library sofa for the remainder of the night.
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.
Spike and Don Juan arrive at the lighthouse. Harry and Rose speak to Don Juan. The men fear Mulford's "ghost."
A man asks Holmes to investigate the strange behavior of his wife.
The narrator leaves New York City and heads to Paris with his new friend. After spending a good deal of time together, they part company and the narrator heads for Boston.
A short history of Florida is presented. The travelers encounter wildlife and Indians.
The author describes the first inhabitants of Florida and the gruesome battles.
David travels to Yarmouth to visit Peggotty. While in London, David runs into an old acquaintance.
Several people come to the store to find it closed. When the Judge’s horse remains in front of the house, people begin to suspect that something’s wrong. Phoebe returns to the house and walks inside.
On the way to Boston, the narrator strikes up a conversation with another man regarding racial issues. Once in Boston, they continue to debate and discuss the social/racial problems of the day. The narrator comes upon several other interesting characters.
During a celebration, Dantes is unexpectedly arrested, without any explanation.
Esmeralda, awakened by the Truand's attack, is visited by Gringoire and a cloaked stranger. Claude Frollo presents Esmeralda with two choices. An angered Claude Frollo takes Esmeralda to see the recluse.
David returns to London where he visits with old friends and acquaintances.