The Daughter of Doctor Moreau

Ramona, Montgomery, Carlota, and the hybrids tend to Doctor Moreau; they also worry about what will happen when Lizalde and his men return. Ramona admits that she has indeed been supporting Juan Cumux and the Indigenous rebels; Lupe knew what Ramona was doing, and Montgomery strongly suspected. They all know this activity will enrage Lizalde even more, and encourage him to be brutal with the inhabitants of Yaxaktun. Lupe suggests fleeing: “Carlota said we don’t need the doctor’s drugs anymore. We’ll run away. They won’t find us” (211). Montgomery suggests fighting, but Carlota dislikes the idea of violence.

Later, Carlota and Montgomery continue to discuss their options. Carlota insists that she can negotiate with Lizalde, and find a way to protect their home. Montgomery thinks they should all vote on what to do. After they debate and drink for a while, Carlota attempts to seduce Montgomery who kisses her. However, he realizes that Carlota doesn’t genuinely desire him, and that she’s trying to cope with the trauma of learning her true identity, and the pain of losing Eduardo. Montgomery promises that he will always be loyal to Carlota, even if they never have a romantic relationship. The two of them sleep side by side.

Carlota wakes up the next morning, initially embarrassed by her forwardness the night before; Montgomery reassures her by telling her, “there’s nothing wrong with kissing a man if you want to and it feels right. But it didn’t last night, and I don’t need lies” (221). Later, Carlota speaks with Ramona, learning more about why Ramona chose to help the Indigenous rebels; Ramona also confirms that she never knew that Carlota was a hybrid.

Eventually, everyone from the estate gathers together. Several plans are presented: trying to negotiate with Lizalde or fleeing from the estate to join with the rebels. Montgomery says that he no longer thinks they should fight, and should try to seek aid from the rebels instead. The hybrids vote and arrive at a strong consensus to flee. Carlota accepts this, but says she will stay, especially since her father is too sick to be moved. No one else thinks this is a good idea, but Montgomery promises to stay with her.

Carlota and Montgomery bid goodbye to the hybrids, who set off together. Left alone, the two of them quietly tend to Doctor Moreau. Montgomery admits that he passed along the letter that alerted Hernando Lizalde to the relationship between Eduardo and Carlota. Carlota is angry and accuses him of acting because he was jealous. Their argument is interrupted by the sound of someone at the door. Carlota and Montgomery assume it will be Lizalde, but it turns out to be Lupe.

Lupe explains that she came back because she didn’t want Carlota to have to face the death of her father alone. She says that they are sisters. Eventually, Carlota goes to her father’s bedside, and the two of them speak. Moreau defends his decision to lie to Carlota: “I had to tell you that you needed constant medicating. I couldn’t have you leaving Yaxaktun” (237). Moreau also sees the fact that no one ever suspected Carlota’s hybrid nature as evidence of his success.

With Montgomery and Carlota at his bedside, Moreau drafts a will in which he bequeaths everything he has to Carlota. He also drafts a request for Carlota to be recognized by the Moreau family in France, and given access to the fortune that her father should have inherited. Moreau then gives Carlota the key to the cabinet where he keeps all of his notes and research.

Montgomery watches over Doctor Moreau uneasily. He eventually finds Carlota reading some of the notebooks she can access now that her father has given her the key; she is now even more distressed by how coldly and callously Doctor Moreau has pursued his research. As Montgomery tries to comfort her, Carlota accidentally scratches him. She is deeply upset, lamenting that “I don’t know who I should be. I’m Dr. Moreau’s obedient daughter, and that’s not enough anymore” (248). Montgomery suggests a new plan: Since the Lizaldes still have not arrived, they have more time than they anticipated. He can try to build a stretcher which they can use to transport Doctor Moreau, and then the three of them can try to flee from Yaxaktun.