Part 1, Chapter 12 Summary

On the night of his birthday, having cancelled the party, all Merivel can think of is being alone with Celia. He convinces Celia to come to the roof with him, purportedly to look through his telescope at the stars. Merivel puts his coat around her shivering shoulders and invites her to peer through the scope. While she is doing this, he grabs her in a bear hug from behind. Celia protests, but Merivel turns her around and begins kissing her neck and her lips. Celia cries out and struggles. She finally spats in his face, struggles free and escapes. Merivel, aware of what he has done and the probable consequences, retreats into his room and stays there for days, all the while trying to draft an apology letter to Celia.

While he remains isolated, he receives a letter from a seaman...