The Eight Strokes of the Clock · Chapter
V: Thérèse and Germaine explained
Rénine and Hortense observe the arrival of Frédéric Astaing and his sister Germaine at the scene of d'Ormeval's murder.
What happens
Rénine and Hortense observe the arrival of Frédéric Astaing and his sister Germaine at the scene of d'Ormeval's murder. Germaine and Thérèse confront each other, revealing a web of adultery, blackmail, and conspiracy. Rénine uncovers a crucial letter that implicates Germaine in plotting the murder, and he attempts to broker a truce between the two women before the magistrate arrives.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Punishment
The chapter revolves around the murder of d'Ormeval, the investigation, and the moral culpability of Thérèse and Germaine.
Identity and Deception
Germaine's hidden role as the mastermind behind the plot and the stolen letters highlight themes of deceit and false appearances.
Justice and Morality
Rénine seeks to uncover the truth and protect the innocent children, balancing legal justice with moral responsibility.
Characters to notice
- Prince Rénine
Investigates the murder, watches the Astaings, and retrieves a key letter from d'Ormeval's blazer pocket.
- Hortense Daniel
Accompanies Rénine, comforts Thérèse, and expresses disbelief at the accusations.
- V Thérèse
Grieving widow who confesses to killing her husband but claims self-defense; confronts Germaine.
- Germaine
Sister of Frédéric Astaing, revealed as the instigator of the murder plot; steals letters from the pocketbook.
- Frédéric Astaing
Germaine's brother, who inspects the premises and removes incriminating letters from the pocketbook.
Key passages
“a wife against her husband, you admit that Madame d’Ormeval … ?” “Oh, no, impossible!” she said. “To begin with, Madame d’Ormeval did not leave her rooms … and then I shall never believe that pretty woman capable. … No, no, of course there was something else. …” “What else?” “I don’t know. … You may have misunderstood what the brother and sister were saying to each other. … You see, the murder has been committed under quite different conditions … at another hour and another place. …” “And therefore,” concluded Rénine, “the two cases are not in any way related?””
Hortense insists that Thérèse could not have killed her husband, suggesting the murder happened differently than Rénine thinks.
Hortense's loyalty to Thérèse and her confusion about the crime are evident.
“I say that those letters belonged to me. I’ve taken them back, or rather my brother has.” “You’ve stolen them, you wretch! And you shall give them back again,” cried Thérèse, shaking her. “I haven’t them. My brother kept them. He has gone.””
Germaine admits that her brother Frédéric stole the incriminating letters from Thérèse's bag.
The theft of the letters is a key plot point, showing Germaine's manipulation.