Vanity Fair
Chapter 55: In Which the Same Subject is Pursued
by William Makepeace Thackeray
Becky awakes to find that her situation has changed. Lady Jane gives Sir Pitt a choice. Rawdon receives some favorable news.
Becky awakes to find that her situation has changed. Lady Jane gives Sir Pitt a choice. Rawdon receives some favorable news.
Land, Conseil, and Aronnax continue to discuss the possibility of escaping the Nautilus, although some are more enthusiastic than others.
William looks forward to his first day at the girls' school. He again meets with M. Reuter.
Jurgis and his family continue to witness corruption in their respective jobs. Jurgis decides to drink rather than deal with his problems. Ona's health continues to decline.
The "Mender of Roads" tells the story of the Marquis' assassin to Monsieur Defarge.
Once again, the Veiled Lady returns. Coverdale encounters several of his Blithedale companions.
A prince seeks immortality and finds three different kingdoms in which the kings cannot die until they perform a certain task. He finally finds the queen of life and death in the Land of Immortality.
After falling asleep for a short while, Jane awakes to the realization that she must leave Thornfield. When she steps out of her room, she finds Rochester waiting in a chair on the threshold. To Rochester’s assurances that he never meant to wound her, and to his pleas of forgiveness, Jane is silent, although she confides to the reader that she forgave him on the spot. Jane suddenly feels faint, and Rochester carries her to the library to revive her. He then offers her a new proposal—to leave England with him for the South of France, where they will live together as husband and wife. Jane refuses, explaining that no matter how Rochester chooses to view the situation, she will never be more than a mistress to him while Bertha is alive. Rochester realizes that he must explain why he does not consider himself married, and he launches into the story of his past.
With some assistance from the gods, Priam retrieves the body of Hector.
The narrator searches for butterflies.
Newland warns Ellen about the possible outcome of the divorce.
Phoebe is mesmerized by the story and tells Holgrave that she must return home for a short time. Holgrave tells Phoebe his feelings about Hepzibah and Clifford and that he senses trouble. Phoebe leaves.
Mina and Jonathan marry. Mina and Lucy write each other. Dr. Seward tells more about Renfield. Arthur leaves Lucy to take care of is father. Dr. Jack Seward and Dr. VanHelsing care for Lucy who goes from better to worse.
A medical man answers a strange ad in the paper concerning beetles and is met with a most peculiar task.
George's assignment at the advertising agency leaves him feeling unsatisfied. George reaps the benefits of having advised Archibald Purdy in a real estate matter.
Mr. Douglass continues to observe the relationship between master and slave.
David reminisces about his experiences in at Canterbury.
Essentially homeless, Jurgis runs into a woman who attended his wedding and is given Marija's address. Jurgis visits Marija right before the police arrive to raid the house. Jurgis learns that Marija has been working as a prostitute and is addicted to morphine. Jurgis is arrested again.
Claudius and Gertrude hope that visitors will help with Hamlet's mood. Claudius receives news from Norway. Polonius, believing he has discovered the cause for Hamlet's madness, attempts to have a conversation with him. The arrival of the acting troupe gives Hamlet the opportunity to devise a trap for Claudius.
Maurice and his father are invited to America to offer assistance to their family members. The travel there is peopled with interesting characters and the excitement of a child gone overboard.
Phoebe wanders into the gardens and meets Holgrave. Phoebe walks into the house to see Hepzibah acting very strangely.
A biography of Christian Huygens.
David assists Peggotty with Mr. Barkis' affairs. Not unlike Steerforth, Little Em'ly is nowhere to be found.
Abbe Busoni visits Valentine on her deathbed to pray for her.
Marmeladov tells his story to Raskolnikov over a drink. Raskolnikov follows Marmeladov home and decides to share what little he has after viewing the level of poverty the family lives in.