Summary

In chapter six the narrator explains the fallibility of his memory when recalling the events of his experience at Le Redousse. After the night in which the narrator loses strength in his legs and passes out in the middle of the forest, he begins a period of convalescence in which he remains bedridden. During this period his conscious state is subject to hallucination and dreaming. A woman visits him daily and tends to his recovery. Her identity is mysterious but she is a benevolent presence for the narrator. The woman eventually informs the narrator that on the night that he lost consciousness, Dromiols and Uncle Rat were spying on him. The woman tells the narrator that he owes his life to Uncle Rat and that Uncle Rat “loves” him (177).

Later the woman informs the narrator that Balandran has also fallen ill. He is at...