# A Tragic Dawn explained — Fantômas

> Chapter companion for Fantômas by Pierre Souvestre.

## What happens

Etienne Rambert arrives at the Gare d'Orsay to catch a slow train to Verrières, heading for the château of Beaulieu. He is met by his son Charles and Thérèse Auvernois, who walk with him through the countryside. As they approach the château, the steward Dollon rushes out with the news that the Marquise de Langrune has been found murdered in her room.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Justice

The chapter ends with the discovery of the Marquise de Langrune's murder, setting the stage for a criminal investigation.

### Identity and Deception

Charles Rambert reflects on his distant relationship with his parents and the hidden tensions in his family.

## Character check-ins

### Etienne Rambert

Travels from Paris to Beaulieu; reflects on his youth and reunites with his son Charles.

### Charles Rambert

Meets his father at the station and walks with him to the château; reveals his lonely childhood.

### Thérèse Auvernois

Granddaughter of the Marquise de Langrune; accompanies Charles to meet his father and leads them to the château.

### M. Dollon

Steward of the château; delivers the news of the Marquise's murder.

### Marquise de Langrune

Found dead, murdered in her room at the château.

## Key lines

> It is awful, sir: horrible: a fearful thing has happened. We have just found Mme. la Marquise dead—murdered—in her room!

Dollon announces that the Marquise de Langrune has been discovered dead, murdered in her chamber.

_This revelation concludes the chapter and introduces the central crime._

> When one gets to my age, little Thérèse, one always does remember the happy days of one's youth; one remembers recent events much less distinctly.

Etienne Rambert tells Thérèse that old age brings back childhood memories more vividly than recent ones.

_Reflects Rambert's nostalgic mood as he returns to Beaulieu._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters/ii-a-tragic-dawn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fant_mas_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fant_mas_se/chapters