The Le Fanu Library

Uncle Silas Chapter 16 - Dr. Bryerly Looks In

In which the uneasy companionship between Maud and Madame de la Rougierre reveals a deeper tension, as Maud's fears about their walks and the mysterious intentions of the governess come to the fore, prompting a tender but troubled discussion with her father. Meanwhile, the unexpected arrival of Dr. Bryerly and the whispered secrets between him and Mr. Ruthyn cast a shadow of uncertainty that stirs Maud's suspicions and unease.

Uncle Silas Chapter 15 - A Warning

In which Cousin Monica, with gentle gravity, imparts a solemn warning to the young Maud, urging her to adopt a prudent reserve concerning the mysterious Madame de la Rougierre, whose intentions and character inspire apprehension and suspicion. Meanwhile, the quiet gloom of Knowl deepens, and Maud’s uneasy interactions with Madame grow more fraught, culminating in a moment of tense defiance and silent confrontation by the stile.

Uncle Silas Chapter 14 - Angry Words

In which the young narrator approaches her governess with a mingling of distrust and resentment, while Lady Knollys reveals an unspoken animosity towards the woman that deepens the air of mystery at Knowl. As delicate tensions ripple through the household conversations, the child’s curiosity and apprehension grow, mirroring the quiet yet charged undercurrents of suspicion and unexplained grievances.

Uncle Silas Chapter 13 - Before and After Breakfast

In which Maud Ruthyn, stirred by the enigmatic portrait of her uncle and his romantic past, finds herself the object of a youthful, if financially motivated, attentions that are met with family scrutiny and gentle rebuke. The morning at the family estate unfolds with a delicate interplay of society's expectations and the quiet musings of a young heiress on love, loyalty, and the inscrutable designs of fate.

Uncle Silas Chapter 12 - A Curious Conversation

In which the young narrator and Cousin Monica share a quiet evening by the fire, pondering the curious portrait of a delicate, golden-haired child and unraveling the mysterious and troubled history of Uncle Silas, whose reputation within the county hangs under a cloud despite family loyalties. They reflect on how the shadows of suspicion and familial strife have touched his life, casting a sombre hue on the once bright and promising figure captured in the old, French-painted likeness.