The French Lieutenant’s Woman: Chapter 25 Summary & Analysis

As Charles walks back to his rooms, he thinks of how to phrase a note to Dr. Grogan offering his help in finding Sarah. When he gets to his sitting room, he finds a note from her, asking him to see her that afternoon or the next morning. It says that if he doesn’t come, she’ll never trouble him again. Charles is angry that she’s threatening him, but relieved she’s still alive. When Sam comes in, Charles orders him to find out who left the note and have them come up. Charles thinks of the catastrophe that caused his fossils to form. He realizes that life is parallel. Time is false, and existence is always in the present. Everything is caught in the same machine. Society is only a way of shutting out reality.

Sam appears with a hostler, who says that a boy brought the note that morning and hadn’t said who sent it. Charles has Sam lay out his night things. Standing at the window, Charles sees a boy running down the street and into the inn. He senses that this is the boy who brought the note and almost calls out to him. Soon the hostler knocks on the door, bringing a note from the boy, who said the French Lieutenant’s Woman sent it. Sam winks at the hostler as he leaves. Charles says that he’s trying to help an unfortunate woman and is going to surprise Mrs. Tranter with what he’s done. He asks that Sam keep it a secret, and Sam agrees, acting perfectly obedient. As Charles turns away, Sam gives him a strange look.

When Sam leaves, Charles opens the note. Sarah begs him to help her, saying she will be praying all night that he will come. She tells him how to get to the barn where she’s hiding. The note is in French because it’s unsealed, as she must have written it in the Undercliff. Charles can’t believe the risk she’s taking, and the French reminds him of Varguennes. He sees lightning outside, and it’s beginning to rain. He imagines Sarah out in the storm.

Charles paces angrily, and when he stops at the window he remembers what Sarah said about thorn trees walking down the street. He goes to look at his face in the mirror. He feels he must do something, he must prove that he’s strong, not just an ammonite trapped in a disaster. He summons a waiter and orders a drink. When Sam comes up with supper, he finds Charles leaving. He tells Sam to eat the food himself.