Uncle Silas · Chapter
XX: The Foot of Hercules explained
Maud is horrified to discover that Madame de la Rougierre has returned to be her governess, despite her protests to Uncle Silas.
What happens
Maud is horrified to discover that Madame de la Rougierre has returned to be her governess, despite her protests to Uncle Silas. Madame initially behaves agreeably, but Maud remains deeply distrustful. Later, while walking with Mary Quince, Maud is locked in by the gatekeeper Crowle. She then ventures into the Windmill Wood, where she glimpses a foot disappearing through a trapdoor, which she instantly recognizes as Dudley's. Dickon Hawkes appears and locks the trapdoor. Fleeing, Maud is secretly approached by Meg Hawkes (Beauty), who warns her and extracts a promise of secrecy.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Madame de la Rougierre feigns good humor and reform, but Maud sees through her facade. Dudley's apparent departure is revealed as a possible deception.
Isolation and Imprisonment
Maud is physically confined by the locked gate and the refusal of Crowle to let her pass, reinforcing her sense of entrapment at Bartram-Haugh.
Trust and Betrayal
Maud's trust in Uncle Silas is eroded by his support of Madame; Meg Hawkes's secret approach hints at hidden loyalties and potential betrayal.
Characters to notice
- Maud Ruthyn
Despairs at Madame's return, then ventures out and sees a foot she believes is Dudley's.
- Madame de la Rougierre
Returns as Maud's governess, acting genially but still feared by Maud.
- Mary Quince
Accompanies Maud on her walk and tries to reassure her.
- Dickon Hawkes
Seen locking the trapdoor in the windmill after Maud spots a foot.
- Dudley Ruthyn
Maud believes she saw his foot disappearing through the trapdoor, suggesting he never sailed.
- Maggie Hawkes
Secretly approaches Maud in the wood, looking fearful, and asks for a private word.
Key passages
“Oh, Mary, Mary, she’s come—that dreadful woman, Madame de la Rougierre, has come to be my governess again; and Uncle Silas won’t hear or believe anything about her.”
Maud laments to Mary that Madame has returned as her governess and that Uncle Silas refuses to listen to her warnings.
Highlights Maud's despair and Uncle Silas's stubbornness.
“I saw just a foot—no more—disappearing through the trapdoor. In the case of one we love or fear intensely, what feats of comparative anatomy will not the mind unconsciously perform?”
Maud sees only a foot vanish through the trapdoor, but her mind instantly identifies it as belonging to someone she deeply fears or loves.
Emphasizes Maud's intuitive recognition of Dudley.
“Did ye see Dudley?”
Meg Hawkes asks Maud directly if she saw Dudley.
Confirms that Dudley's presence is a secret Meg is anxious about.