Chapter 5 Summary

As he stumbles through town, the consul attempts to run from the voices in his head, which he refers to as ghosts. He remains torn between his desire to drink and his desire to impress Yvonne with his self-control.

Confused, the consul looks around to determine where in town he is, but he cannot translate the Spanish signs for his ill health. He remembers, with nostalgia, his boyhood in England. Unfortunately, his adulthood holds little of that happiness for which he dreamed.

The consul continues towards home. He stops to compose himself in a garden, and its apparent owner, Quincey, implores the consul not to vomit in the garden. The consul defends himself, however, and assures Quincey that his has given up drinking.

Quincey makes no comment on the claim, but inquires about the consul's associates, namely Yvonne, Hugh, and Laruelle. As the...