Suspense · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Suspense by Joseph Conrad.
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.
Chapter 6
I
Cosmo Latham arrives in Genoa and takes lodging at an inn run by Signor Cantelucci, which is housed in an unfinished palace with a grim history. He dines with a distinguished older Englishman, Doctor Martel, who recounts the building's tragic past during the siege of Genoa and shares his cynical views on the post-Napoleonic era. Their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Spire, who alerts Cosmo to the presence of a mysterious man in a cap, creating an air of suspense.
Chapter 7
II
Cosmo prepares to visit Madame de Montevesso, reflecting on his memories of Adèle and his own social insecurities. He receives a message confirming the visit, and after a tense encounter with the Countess, he is invited to return in the evening to meet her father, the Marquis d'Armand. He also spots the man from the tower and accepts a lunch invitation from Doctor Martel.
Chapter 8
III
Cosmo Latham visits the Marquis d'Armand, who shares his concerns about the political situation in Europe, including the threat of Napoleon on Elba and the spread of secret societies in Italy. The Marquis also reflects on his past gratitude to Cosmo's father and his own family losses. Cosmo learns of a mysterious visitor and prepares to enter the salon with the Marquis.
Chapter 9
IV
Cosmo meets Count Helion de Montevesso in the Countess's boudoir. The Count, a military adventurer who made his fortune in India, engages Cosmo in a stiff conversation about wealth and his various projects. Adèle arrives and informs her husband that her father, the Marquis, wishes to see him regarding news from Elba. The Count leaves, encouraging Cosmo and Adèle to renew their youthful friendship.
Chapter 10
V
In this chapter, the Countess de Montevesso recounts her past to Cosmo, revealing her marriage to the Count as a sacrifice for her family's welfare. She describes her youth in émigré circles, her meeting with Montevesso, and her decision to marry him despite not loving him, driven by a desire to secure her parents' future. The narrative exposes the Count's jealousy and the emotional toll of their union, while Cosmo listens with youthful sympathy.
Chapter 11
VI
Madame de Montevesso shares her personal history with Cosmo, recounting her life during the Empire, her marriage to Count de Montevesso, her feelings of isolation, and her one memorable encounter with Napoleon at a ball. She expresses her disillusionment with the restored nobility and her sense of being trapped in her circumstances. Cosmo listens with sympathy, and their conversation reveals a deep connection based on shared memories and mutual understanding.
Chapter 12
VII
Count Helion de Montevesso is summoned by an old peasant woman to attend to his niece, Clelia, who is in a state of agitation. The old woman, who has cared for Clelia, explains the girl's unruly behavior since their arrival in Genoa. Count de Montevesso goes to Clelia's room, where Father Paul Carpi is also present. Clelia expresses her hatred for the society women who despise her, particularly the Count's wife. She reveals her desire for the young Englishman who visited that day, Cosmo Latham. The Count dismisses the idea, suggesting he has better plans for her marriage. Clelia becomes passionate and clings to him, insisting she must have Cosmo. The chapter ends with the Abbé and the doctor entering the room.
Chapter 13
I
Doctor Martel reflects on his encounter with Count de Montevesso, who asked him to remove Cosmo Latham from Genoa due to jealousy over Clelia. The doctor is offended by the request and dismisses the Count as a fool. During lunch with Cosmo, the doctor discusses Napoleon, Pozzo di Borgo, and Talleyrand, while Cosmo struggles with melancholy and thoughts of the Countess de Montevesso.
Chapter 14
II
Cosmo is haunted by his encounter with Madame de Montevesso, feeling a strange, prophetic recognition of her. He struggles to write letters home, avoiding any mention of his true feelings. He contemplates leaving Genoa, considering a trip to Livorno or even returning to England by sea, but hesitates. He dines with Doctor Martel, who notices his changed demeanor and suggests he might want to see Napoleon on Elba before it's too late.
Chapter 15
III
Doctor Martel, having finished a confidential memorandum for the Marquis d'Armand, learns from Signor Cantelucci that Cosmo Latham has vanished from the inn during the night. Cantelucci, a former revolutionary conspirator, is also troubled by the disappearance of his messenger, Checca's husband. The doctor visits Madame de Montevesso, who is initially surprised to learn of his acquaintance with Cosmo. She becomes deeply concerned upon hearing of Cosmo's disappearance, and the doctor suspects foul play. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Signorina Clelia.
Chapter 16
I
Cosmo and Attilio share a moment of reflection on fate and the stars, discussing Napoleon's belief in his own star. Attilio reveals his background as a revolutionary and his connection to Cantelucci. Cosmo is later captured by the sbirri and taken to a guardroom, where he worries about the dangerous papers hidden in his hat.
