The Red and the Black Part 2, Chapter 33 Summary

The Hell of Weakness

  • The Marquis de La Mole showers Julien with every insult he can think of. Julien tries to smooth things out, but it isn't easy.
  • Julien goes to his old mentor, Father Pirard, the next day and tells him what has happened. Pirard isn't surprised, though he's disappointed in Julien.
  • Back in Paris, Mathilde reads a letter that Julien has given to the marquis. It suggests that Julien might be going off to commit suicide.
  • When Julien comes back safe and sound, Mathilde tells him to ride off to a nearby village called Villequier and wait for her there.
  • While Julien is gone, Mathilde convinces her father that the only way forward is for her to marry Julien. She won't consent to any sort of secret birth. She needs to be with him.
  • The marquis reflects on all the big plans he used to have for Mathilde's future. But now they've all gone up in smoke.