# IV: Madame de la Rougierre explained — Uncle Silas

> Chapter companion for Uncle Silas by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-iv-madame-de-la-rougierre
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_silas_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters