That Hideous Strength - Ch 11 - Battle Begun

Jane, Dimble, and Denniston try looking for what Jane saw in her dream about finding Merlin.  However, it's dark, it's raining, making it difficult to see out in Bragdon Woods.  Besides, it feels scary.  As they go tramping about the countryside, exploring hill and dale, they start to feel like they experience an Ancient Britain.  Jane began to think about her childhood religion, something she left long ago, and began to wonder if there was a deeper, truer religion she might need to face all this.  They think they see a man, but are not sure if he is simply a tramp in modern clothes.

Meanwhile, Fairy Hardcastle tries to convince Withers (the Deputy Director) to let her try to use her methods to get Mark to disclose Jane's location (though Mark doesn't know).  But Withers resists, saying the worst thing in this situation would be to use torture.  Even if this obtained Jane's location, and they brought her to Belbury, her shock at discovering Mark had been tortured might be enough to dislodge her gift, which would render her useless to them.  Professor Frost (with the nez-pince glasses) concurs.  They dismiss the Fairy and begin their own private conversation about this.  Frost reminds Withers that "the authorities had access to the woman's mind for only a very short time," inspecting only one of her dreams.  They (the authorities) warn that if Jane falls into the wrong hands, she could pose a grave danger to them.  Since then, they cannot read Jane's mind, which means she has fallen into enemy hands.  They agree they must induce Mark to bring his wife to Belbury, and they agree the best means of achieving this comes by inviting Mark into a deeper unity with their deepest inner circle.  As they discuss this, Withers and Frost sit so close that they finally embrace each other swaying to and fro.

During this conversation, Frost reveals that though Filostrato really believes they are keeping the Head (Alcasan's) alive, this is not the case.  (More about this later.)

They also reveal they are interested in Mark and Jane for eugenics purposes.

Meanwhile, Mark despairs of life, sitting in a cell, facing a charge of murder, and facing the death penalty.  It slowly begins to dawn on him he might be a Belbury.  He begins to believe all there are his enemies and he was a fool for every having trusted them.  He also began to clearly see his folly at always seeking inclusion in the most inner circle he could find.  He looked back upon his life with "disgust at its dreariness."

His thoughts turned to Jane.  He began to recognize what a deep person she truly was.  He began to think his death would be lucky for Jane since she would be free to someone worthy of her.

Finally, Professor Frost entered his cell, which confirmed to Mark he was at Belbury.  But Mark saw something about Frost he never noticed before - he appeared more frightening than death itself.

Ch. 10 - The Conquered City

Ch. 12 - Wet and Windy Night

Overview of That Hideous Strength

Character List