Suspense · Chapters
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Chapter companions for Suspense by Joseph Conrad.
Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.
Chapter 1
Suspense
This chapter introduces Cosmo Latham, a young Englishman who arrives in Genoa during the Napoleonic era. He finds lodging at an inn, dines with Doctor Martel, and contemplates writing to his sister. He later visits the Marquis d'Armand and meets Count Helion de Montevesso, engaging in private conversation with Adèle. The chapter is steeped in political intrigue and social maneuvering, with Cosmo navigating a world of shifting loyalties and hidden dangers.
Chapter 2
I
Cosmo Latham, an English traveler, arrives in Genoa and wanders to the Mole tower, where he encounters a mysterious man with a strange cap. The man is initially hostile but reveals he is fishing with a sealed tin box. Cosmo's curiosity and fearless demeanor lead to a tense but ultimately non-violent interaction, highlighting themes of trust, national identity, and the lingering shadow of Napoleon's exile on Elba.
Chapter 3
II
This chapter shifts focus to the D'Armand family's life in exile in London, detailing the daily routines and observations of their servants, Bernard and Aglae. It reveals the Marquise's declining health, the Marquis's reduced circumstances, and the family's poverty. The servants discuss Napoleon, with Bernard dismissing him as insignificant, while Aglae worries about practical matters. The chapter also reflects on Sir Charles Latham's past connection to the family and his support for their royalist cause, as well as the broader historical context of exiled French nobility.
Chapter 4
III
Sir Charles Latham reflects on the marriage of Adèle d'Armand to Count Helion de Montevesso, an upstart with a mysterious fortune. He recalls his past affection for Adèle's mother and his concern for Adèle's future. The chapter details the marriage contract, the reactions of the French émigré community, and Sir Charles's correspondence with the Marquis. Years later, Cosmo prepares to leave for Italy, and his father asks him to visit the Marquis d'Armand in Turin or Genoa, expressing disdain for the Count. Cosmo learns from his sister Henrietta about the family's past and the enigmatic phrase 'Austerlitz has done it.'
Chapter 5
IV
Cosmo and his valet Spire discuss the tense political atmosphere in Genoa, where anti-Austrian sentiment is high. Spire recounts overhearing a cobbler's seditious speech in the inn's public room. Cosmo, in turn, mentions his own mysterious experience at sunset. He instructs Spire to keep an eye out for a man in a peculiar cap. Later, Cosmo decides to dine in the public room to observe the other guests, including an angry English doctor.
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