The Moonstone | Second Period, Third Narrative, Chapters 5–6 : The Discovery of the Truth (1848–1849) | Summary

Summary

Third Narrative, Chapter 5

Gabriel Betteredge continues reading the letter. Rosanna Spearman tried to speak to Franklin Blake on several occasions but either lost her nerve or was interrupted by others. After she was questioned by Sergeant Cuff, she realized she must hide the nightgown. She went to the Yollands' to buy the chains and box, and then wrote the letter.

Rosanna wrote that she would give Blake one more chance, and if he treated her badly, she would commit suicide. The letter ends. Betteredge does not read Blake this part, as he knows it will cause him terrible guilt. Instead, he passes the letter back to Blake to read later, warning him the contents are unpleasant.

Blake, as of his writing, feels terrible about his actions that led to Rosanna's suicide. He thought he was helping her by not calling Sergeant Cuff's attention to her, and instead he ended up making her desperate enough to kill herself.

Third Narrative, Chapter 6

Blake walks to the train station with Betteredge. He plans to bring the letter and the nightgown to Mr. Mathew Bruff. Blake asks Betteredge if he was drunk the night of Rachel Verinder's birthday. Betteredge tells him no; in fact, he looked so ill Betteredge gave him some brandy and water. Betteredge notes that Septimus Luker received the Diamond in London somehow, and he doubts Blake could do all of that and not remember it.

After returning to London, he brings everything to Mr. Bruff. Bruff suggests he speak with Rachel, for it is clear she believes him to have taken the stone. He and Bruff plan a way for Blake to see Rachel. While waiting for the appointed day, Blake receives a letter from Betteredge, but he does not read it right away.

Analysis

Franklin Blake and Gabriel Betteredge try their hands at amateur sleuthing once they finish the letter. Blake asks Betteredge specific questions about his behavior on the night of Rachel Verinder's birthday, hoping to shed some light on why he would take the Diamond. He hadn't had anything to drink save for the brandy and water nightcap. Blake didn't have a history of sleepwalking; in fact, until that night he'd been having problems sleeping. There was nothing in his behavior or memory that gives them insight into why he would take the Diamond.

At the train station in Chapter 6, Ezra Jennings makes a second appearance. Blake is just as fascinated this time as at their first meeting. They greet each other. Wilkie Collins foreshadows that Ezra Jennings has an important part to play before the tale of the Moonstone reaches its end.

Blake takes the evidence to Mr. Mathew Bruff. While Blake originally wanted to believe Rosanna Spearman was framing him to destroy his chances with Rachel, Betteredge talks him out of that possibility. Instead, he prevails upon Bruff to make sense of this; it is Bruff's solution to finally talk to Rachel. Mr. Bruff, who in his narratives seems a keen judge of character, believes Blake has no recollection of the theft. He reinforces the belief that Blake is somehow innocent, despite the damning evidence Rosanna provided.