Book the Second Chapter Eight “Monseigneur in the Country”

Be sure that you remember that Chapter Eight is a companion Chapter to Chapter Seven.

Notice the setting at the beginning of Chapter Eight. Dickens has the crops reflect the characterization of the men and women who cultivated the crops.

On page 114, the parenthetical clause in the first sentence of the first full paragraph is important. Be sure to infer what Dickens is implying about the carriage. (NOTE: “[F]agged up a steep hill” is defined as exhaustedly climbed up a steep hill.”)

Note in the second full paragraph of page 114 that the person in the carriage is “steeped in crimson.” Note that “steeped” means “soaked in” and “crimson” is the color of—you guessed it— blood. Be sure to interpret this as foreshadowing.

On page 115, pay close attention to the characterization of the “grizzled mender of the roads.” He has appeared before—and he will definitely appear again.

Page 116 hold a significant clue. Pay close attention to what the mender of roads tells the Monsieur the Marquis about his carriage (and the unknown passenger).

Chapter Eight ends with the Marquis expecting “Monsieur Charles” to arrive from England. Be sure you begin trying to piece together the puzzle of Dickens’ clues as to the relationship between Charles and the Marquis.