Uncle Silas · Chapter
IV: Madame de la Rougierre explained
Maud is startled by the sudden appearance of a tall, gaunt woman in the moonlight who turns out to be her new governess, Madame de la Rougierre.
What happens
Maud is startled by the sudden appearance of a tall, gaunt woman in the moonlight who turns out to be her new governess, Madame de la Rougierre. Despite her father's approval, Maud immediately distrusts and fears her, a feeling echoed by Mrs. Rusk, who describes the governess as unnatural and wolfish. The next day, Maud meets Madame de la Rougierre formally and finds her unsettling, with a cunning smile and a habit of staring fixedly, which frightens the nervous girl.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the violent eruption of the hidden antagonist, Sarah Matild…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Deception and Appearance
Madame de la Rougierre's smiling, agreeable demeanor contrasts sharply with the sinister impression she makes on Maud and Mrs. Rusk, highlighting the theme of deceptive appearances.
- Gothic Atmosphere and Fear
The moonlit apparition of Madame de la Rougierre, her ghastly features, and Maud's intense fear create a strong Gothic atmosphere.
Characters to notice
- Maud Ruthyn
Maud is frightened by the sudden appearance of Madame de la Rougierre and feels a deep sense of distrust and fear toward her new governess.
- Madame de la Rougierre
Madame de la Rougierre arrives as Maud's governess, described as tall, masculine, and ghastly, with a cunning smile and unsettling mannerisms.
- Austin Ruthyn
Austin Ruthyn informs Maud of Madame de la Rougierre's arrival as her governess, having approved the appointment.
- Mrs. Rusk
Mrs. Rusk expresses strong dislike for Madame de la Rougierre, calling her unnatural and wolfish, and describes her appearance in bed as frightening.
- Mary Quince
Mary Quince is present in Maud's room and laughs at Mrs. Rusk's satirical description of the new governess.
- Branston
Branston the butler confronts Madame de la Rougierre at the window and informs Maud that she claims to be the governess.
Key passages
“On a sudden, on the grass before me, stood an odd figure—a very tall woman in grey draperies, nearly white under the moon, courtesying extraordinarily low, and rather fantastically.”
Suddenly, a strange, tall woman in pale grey appeared on the grass before me, bowing low in an odd, theatrical way.
Maud's first sight of Madame de la Rougierre is eerie and unsettling.
“I already disliked, distrusted, and feared her. I had more than an apprehension of her temper and fear of possibly abused authority.”
I already felt dislike, distrust, and fear toward her, and I worried about her temper and the possibility that she might misuse her authority over me.
Maud's immediate negative reaction to her new governess.
“She eats like a wolf, she does, the great rawboned hannimal.”
She eats greedily, like a wolf, the big, bony creature.
Mrs. Rusk's harsh description of Madame de la Rougierre's eating habits.
