Isola: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, violence, and physical and emotional abuse.

Marguerite and Damienne stand frightfully aboard the ship. Roberval leads them below deck to their chamber. Damienne locks herself away in the small room and becomes deeply distraught at the prospect of sailing. Roberval, on the other hand, parades around the ship and shows Marguerite its navigational tools.

On the fifth day, the wind arrives, and the sailors prepare the fleet to sail. Marguerite lingers on deck as they leave the harbor and watches her home disappear. In the tumult of the sailors’ work, Auguste and Marguerite speak. Marguerite admits she is afraid of Roberval, who she suspects wants to make her his mistress. Auguste confesses that he too obeys Roberval only out of fear. Marguerite observes the truth of this statement in Auguste’s eyes, which are downcast and sad.

Damienne becomes seasick, and Marguerite tries to comfort her nurse’s fears and ailments. She coaxes Damienne to dinner the next day, but the rolling ship disturbs them as they eat. The men pay no mind to the ship’s movement, and they play chess. Auguste plays his cittern, which takes the women’s minds off the rough sea.