That Hideous Strength - Ch 17 - Venus at St. Anne's

Birth of Venus - Sandro Botticelli - 1483-85

Mark gets a ride from a truck driver near St. Anne's.  But Mark takes his time because he feels shy - he's going to see Jane in her proper world, but not his - admitted out of kindness to Jane - but otherwise viewed suspiciously.  He also now saw that he assumed marriage gave him the power to take the freshness he saw in Jane.  He now understood all that must change, but how?

The ladies at St. Anne's wandered through a Wardrobe upstairs full of robes of state, and helped each other select elegant, sumptuous dresses for each other - then something shook.

Lord Feverstone tried to get back to Edgestow, only to encounter one difficulty after another, and to find everyone leaving it, since it was falling apart.  When he finally got there, he decided to leave, but couldn't.  Instead, the earth, destroyed as it was, swallowed him up.

Meanwhile, back at St. Anne's, Dimble explains to the group that Logres (Old England) has always struggled against Britain, and seeks to prod it out of its stupor.  He briefly explains its history from this perspective.  He goes on to explain how the last in a long unbroken Pendragons passed the office on to Ransom, who will soon pass it on to someone else before leaving for Avalon (where Arthur still lives by legend).

Back at Edgestow, Curry had difficulty with the train, which stopped moving, and he came to be informed that all of Bracton College had been destroyed.  Suddenly, he looked forward to being the founder of a new Bracton College, and all the prestige that would bring him.

At St. Anne's, Ransom declares Venus herself was over St. Anne's;  for Mr. Bultitude (the bear) had returned with Mrs. Bultitude, and after the Director laid hands on them, they blundered out together into the warmth and wetness of the fragrant midsummer night.  Other animals paired off in a similar manner.  Ransom, laid his hands on the Dimbles, and they went off arm in arm.  He sent Ivy off to be with her husband released from jail, Tom.  Finally he sent Jane off to be with her husband (Mark) waiting for her at the lodge.

Mark reflected on all his failings as a husband, and expected Jane to send him away.  Suddenly, he noticed someone like a woman woman divinely tall, inhumanely beautiful, opening a door for him.  He went in and found a place of sweet smells, bright fires, food and wine, and a rich bed.

Jane went into the liquid light and supernatural warmth of the garden - across the wet lawn, going down to the lodge.  She thought about what if Mark did not want her?  Then she noticed the bedroom window was open - Mark's clothes lay all over the chair, the sill, and the outside wall.  She thought it was high time she went in.

Chapter 16 - Banquet at Belbury

That Hideous Strength - Conclusion

Overview - That Hideous Strength

Character List