- description
- # II.
## Overview
This section, labeled "II.", is a textual segment extracted from the file `pierre.txt`. It is part of the chapter titled "[BOOK XI. HE CROSSES THE RUBICON](arke:01KG8AJSPVVTWQ1CZ613PM0PJH)" within the larger collection "[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)". The text details a dramatic confrontation between the characters Pierre and Lucy, following Pierre's announcement of his marriage.
## Context
This section is situated within the narrative of a work likely by Herman Melville, given the collection it belongs to. It follows section "I." and precedes section "III.", indicating a sequential progression of events. The extraction was performed on January 30, 2026, from the file `pierre.txt`.
## Contents
The text describes Pierre's urgent visit to Lucy's chamber. He informs her of his marriage, causing Lucy to faint in distress. Pierre, in a state of agitation, calls for help from Martha, a maid. The narrative highlights Pierre's internal turmoil and the devastating impact of his confession on Lucy. Following this, Pierre leaves Lucy's cottage and goes to his mother's mansion. The dialogue reveals the emotional distress and shock experienced by Lucy and Martha, and hints at the complex relationships and unfolding tragedy within the story.
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- 2026-01-30T20:50:12.013Z
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- description_title
- II.
- end_line
- 8192
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- 2026-01-30T20:48:07.471Z
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- start_line
- 8112
- text
- II.
She was not risen yet. So, the strange imperious instantaneousness in
him, impelled him to go straight to her chamber-door, and in a voice of
mild invincibleness, demand immediate audience, for the matter pressed.
Already namelessly concerned and alarmed for her lover, now
eight-and-forty hours absent on some mysterious and undisclosable
affair; Lucy, at this surprising summons was overwhelmed with sudden
terror; and in oblivion of all ordinary proprieties, responded to
Pierre's call, by an immediate assent.
Opening the door, he advanced slowly and deliberately toward her; and as
Lucy caught his pale determined figure, she gave a cry of groping
misery, which knew not the pang that caused it, and lifted herself
trembling in her bed; but without uttering one word.
Pierre sat down on the bedside; and his set eyes met her terrified and
virgin aspect.
"Decked in snow-white, and pale of cheek, thou indeed art fitted for the
altar; but not that one of which thy fond heart did'st dream:--so fair a
victim!"
"Pierre!"
"'Tis the last cruelty of tyrants to make their enemies slay each
other."
"My heart! my heart!"
"Nay;---- Lucy, I am married."
The girl was no more pale, but white as any leper; the bed-clothes
trembled to the concealed shudderings of all her limbs; one moment she
sat looking vacantly into the blank eyes of Pierre, and then fell over
toward him in a swoon.
Swift madness mounted into the brain of Pierre; all the past seemed as a
dream, and all the present an unintelligible horror. He lifted her, and
extended her motionless form upon the bed, and stamped for succor. The
maid Martha came running into the room, and beholding those two
inexplicable figures, shrieked, and turned in terror. But Pierre's
repeated cry rallied Martha from this, and darting out of the chamber,
she returned with a sharp restorative, which at length brought Lucy back
to life.
"Martha! Martha!" now murmured Lucy, in a scarce audible whispering, and
shuddering in the maid's own shuddering arms, "quick, quick; come to
me--drive it away! wake me! wake me!"
"Nay, pray God to sleep again," cried Martha, bending over her and
embracing her, and half-turning upon Pierre with a glance of loathing
indignation. "In God's holy name, sir, what may this be? How came you
here; accursed!"
"Accursed?--it is well. Is she herself again, Martha?"
"Thou hast somehow murdered her; how then be herself again? My sweet
mistress! oh, my young mistress! Tell me! tell me!" and she bent low
over her.
Pierre now advanced toward the bed, making a gesture for the maid to
leave them; but soon as Lucy re-caught his haggard form, she
whisperingly wailed again, "Martha! Martha! drive it
away!--there--there! him--him!" and shut her eyes convulsively, with
arms abhorrently outstretched.
"Monster! incomprehensible fiend!" cried the anew terror-smitten
maid--"depart! See! she dies away at the sight of thee--begone! Wouldst
thou murder her afresh? Begone!"
Starched and frozen by his own emotion, Pierre silently turned and
quitted the chamber; and heavily descending the stairs, tramped
heavily--as a man slowly bearing a great burden--through a long narrow
passage leading to a wing in the rear of the cottage, and knocking at
Miss Lanyllyn's door, summoned her to Lucy, who, he briefly said, had
fainted. Then, without waiting for any response, left the house, and
went directly to the mansion.
- title
- II.