Scaramouche
1
The reign of Louis XVI,
King of France, marked
the passing of the French
Monarchy. Bankrupt, abandoned
to the rule of an all-powerful
Nobility and an indifferent
Clergy, the nation faced
starvation - or revolt.
2
Our story starts in the
provinces, in the wooded
valley of Gavrillac, with
its nestling village and
gloomy ch�teau.
3
Gavrillac's inn and
posting-house.
4
"Take warning - this is what
is in store for all who
poach upon the preserves
of the Marquis de La Tour!"
5
Andr�-Louis Moreau -
returning now after
two years of law school
in Paris - had been born
with the gift of laughter
and a sense that the world
was mad.
6
Philippe de Vilmorin,
student for the priest-
hood - from childhood
Andr�'s closest friend.
7
"God comfort your poor
heart."
8
The great Marquis
de La Tour d'Azyr
whose vast domains adjoined
the township of Gavrillac.
9
"God and King and Humanity
defied - by order of the
Marquis de La Tour!"
10
"You speak of me,
Monsieur!"
11
"I speak, Monsieur le Marquis,
of one who uses his great
rank and power to inflict
unspeakable horror on those
beneath him."
12
"If Monsieur is unarmed, the
sword of the Chevalier de
Chabrillane is at his disposal!"
13
"He is a student of divinity,
Monsieur - - he knows
nothing of the sword."
14
The Field of Honor.
15
"But you have killed
him!"
16
"Of course, he had a too
dangerous gift of eloquence."
17
"Come back, assassin, and
make yourself quite safe
by killing me too!"
18
"Oh, let him come, Monsieur!
Let him complete his
coward's work!"
19
"It was your eloquence he
feared, Philippe; but he has
not silenced it."
20
"Your voice shall be mine;
your gospel of freedom
mine - to hound him
relentlessly until justice is
done!"
21
For generations the
old ch�teau upon
the hill had sheltered
the lords of Gavrillac.
22
Here, to his godfather,
Quintin de Kercadiou,
Andr�-Louis now turned
for advice and aid.
23
The return of Aline de
Kercadiou had brought
to the drowsy gardens of
Gavrillac a touch of romance,
of the studied coquetry of
far-off Versailles.
24
"Justice against the
Marquis? You are
mad!"
25
"Two men, human beings,
have been slain in cold
blood, by his order and
by his hand!"
26
"Mademoiselle, I have
Monsieur your uncle's
permission to wait upon
you tomorrow evening."
27
"You see - for Aline's sake,
the Marquis must not be
antagonized. I have great
hopes."
28
"Monsieur, two years ago
when Aline left for the
Versailles Court, I too,
had great hopes - -"
29
"I shall love you always,
Andr� - always."
30
"- - for I go to seek
justice in a world where
none exists!"
31
"It is nothing. Paris
has filled him with
revolutionary ideas.
Put him from your
mind."
32
"After a long night's
ride - that brought
Andr�-Louis to the town
of Rennes."
33
Inflamed by the oratory
of a small but eloquent
group of students, Rennes
had become a center of the
movement for freedom.
34
"Liberty and equality must
be established!"
35
The King's Lieutenant,
presiding power in
the Palace of Justice
at Rennes.
36
"Your business concerns
those howling dogs out
there?"
37
It seemed that
Philippe's eloquence
had indeed become the
heritage of Andr�-Louis.
38
"Who - who - is this
criminal?"
39
"What insolence! To accuse
the Marquis de La Tour!"
40
"Monsieur, I had pictured
Justice as blind, but beautiful.
Today I find that Justice is
not blind - - not to rank
and wealth -"
41
"- and as for beauty - if
Monsieur will but glance
to his left -"
42
"Arrest that man!"
43
"Citizens, I bring you hope!
This decree, accepted by
the King, abolishes the right
of Nobility to rule by force,
to perpetuate such outrages
as this!"
44
"Turn out the dragoons and
bring me that Gavrillac
lawyer, dead or alive!"
45
"There is a traitor in the
Palace of Justice who defies
the King's decree!"
46
"Beware! The dragoons!"
47
"My name is Chapelier.
I like your courage."
48
Evening brought to
Gavrillac a mood
of witchery and magic.
49
"Have you the music
of that new minuet
'Papillons'?"
50
"I must have left
'Papillons' in my
room."
51
"By Heaven, Aline, you
shall never marry him!"
52
"The dragoons!"
53
"I am desolated, but I can
do nothing, Mademoiselle.
He holds the King's warrant."
54
Morning -
and a fugitive.
55
"Oh, Monsieur, you have
ruined everything!"
56
Strolling players, -
nomads of the
theatre, managing to
wring a precarious
living from the smaller
provincial towns.
57
"Death of my life! I will
teach you it is no laughing
matter to interrupt a
rehearsal of Challefau Binet!"
58
"Teach me quickly then,
Monsieur Binet, for in one
minute you will be arrested
for trespassing on the lands
of the Marquis de La Tour!"
59
"We are looking for a
seditious scoundrel, Andr�-
Louis Moreau - wanted for
the gallows."
60
"If you must thank me,
Monsieur, let me remain
with you."
61
"Ah - umm - your stage
presence is bad and your
manners are worse. How-
ever, you seem to have
wit - that might be useful
in the writing of my plays -"
62
"My name? Call me -
Monsieur X."
63
"- - and my daughter,
Mademoiselle Clim�ne, who
inherits not only her father's
looks, but his ability."
64
The passing months
had brought no
word of Andr�-Louis
to Gavrillac.
65
In Paris - the
Blue Boar Inn.
66
Success had come to
the Binet troupe, In
little more than a year this
vagrant pack of mountebanks
had become a self-respecting
company of first-rate players.
67
"Monsieur X! Monsieur X!
A year - and all we know
of you is a sharp tongue -
and Monsieur X!"
68
"To Monsieur X, whose wit
has brought us wine - and
whose wine has brought
us wit!"
69
To date their
most pretentious
effort - the presentation
of "Figaro-Scaramouche".
70
The season box
of the Countess
Th�r�se de Plougastel.
71
"Of course, Monsieur, you
have met the Countess de
Plougastel?"
72
At the final
curtain.
73
"Now that we are again so
happily met, Mademoiselle,
may I not call - - with
Madame's permission?"
74
La Tour d'Azyr
again - again Aline.
And Scaramouche - the
mountebank, the clown, must
love and laugh and play his part.
75
Nothing is more
wounding to a
woman's vanity than
the conquest which
remains unmade.
76
"What have I done to make
you dislike me so?"
77
"You are beautiful, are you
not Clim�ne - and talented
and clever?"
78
"And more to be desired
than the fairest lady who
would sell herself for wealth
and title!"
79
"Papa Binet, I congratulate
you! As the father of
Madame Scaramouche you
will yet be famous!"
80
The following
afternoon - an
unexpected visitor -
81
"You keep strange company
these days, Andr�."
82
"And you, Aline - is yours
above reproach?"
83
"This man, La Tour d'Azyr
- how can you endure
him?"
84
"He would make me
a great lady."
85
"God made you that,
Aline."
86
"You preach to me? After
consorting with that theatre
girl?"
87
"That theatre girl, Aline, is
going to be my wife."
88
"- and she does not seek
to sell herself for a high-
sounding title!"
89
Rumor had it that
while the Countess
de Plougastel maintained her
brilliant salon in the Rue
du Paradis, her husband, in
Austria, sought aid for the
tottering throne of Louis XVI.
90
When beauty grieves,
consolation is not
long forthcoming.
91
"Her betrothal to La Tour
d'Azyr may be announced
at any time."
92
After that evening's
performance.
93
"- the great Marquis, who
sits in the stage box, called
for Clim�ne after the theatre."
94
"Where is Clim�ne?"
95
"She - she has gone -
driving."
96
"Promise me, my love, that
you will come to the theatre
for me tonight."
97
"As your intended husband,
Mademoiselle, is it
impertinent to inquire the
price you paid for that?"
98
"You mealy-mouthed prude!
Do you think I would give
up a great gentleman for
a nameless clown?"
99
"I had begun to think you
grotesque - - but you are
just vile - both of you!"
100
Beneath the brilliance
and beauty of Paris
- only heartache and
disillusionment - and
the haunting face of
Scaramouche -
101
"Monsieur le Marquis,
it is my wish never to
see you again."
102
"Your old habits persist,
my friend! Aline saw you
last night with that theatre
girl."
103
"Madame, I may not deserve
it, but I need your help --
for I love Mademoiselle
Aline."
104
"There is a little secret
of Madame's past --"
105
At the wine-shop
"Aux Trois Colonnes."
106
"The people of Rennes want
you to become their deputy
in the National Assembly."
107
"Chapelier, my friend, in the
Assembly one fights with
words. Stronger weapons
are needed to settle my
score with Nobility."
108
"Moreau, your speech at
Rennes has borne fruit.
The people need but the
word, and they will rise
against Nobility to a man."
109
"That word may be spoken
sooner than you expect."
110
Once more Andr�-Louis
donned the hose and
doublet of Scaramouche -
in his heart the fateful words
of Marat, and on his lips a
prayer - that the slayer of
Philippe de Vilmorin might be
in his accustomed place.
111
"Citizens! Friends of the
People - of Liberty!"
112
"I shall tell you a story --
a story that calls for the
settlement of a score with
Nobility - tonight!"
113
"It was not a duel - it was
the slaughter of a boy who
had in his heart only love
for his fellow-men."
114
"Where does he hide - -
this tyrant who would
butcher all who speak for
Liberty?"
115
"He is there - skulking
like a coward in that
box!"
116
During the ensuing
months, the National
Assembly became the scene of
Nobility's bitter opposition to
the decree that the People
should have equal voice
with them in the government
of France.
117
Chapelier, the law
student of
Rennes, had become
president of the
National Assembly.
118
Georges Jacques
Danton - pock-
marked idol of the people
- mightiest orator of
his time.
119
Finding words of no
avail against this
Niagara of eloquence, Nobility
had turned to its ancient
weapon - the sword.
120
"Monsieur le Pr�sident!"
121
"With my own excuses for
being late, I bring those of
Deputy Lagron. Our debate
of yesterday has been
settled - -"
122
"- - permanently!"
123
Thus, under the legal
cloak of duelling,
did these master swords-
men dispose of those
deputies of the People who
spoke too well for Liberty.
124
"Now if that lout, Danton,
would accept a challenge,
the worst of our troubles
would be over!"
125
"-- he is just the man
we need, one who shares
our deep regard for La
Tour d'Azyr. We will call
on him this afternoon."
126
In the Rue du Hazard -
127
"There is a swordsman
equal to that s-- La
Tour d'Azyr!"
128
"Leave this to me. It will
be his last speech in the
Assembly - - or elsewhere."
129
At the close of
the session.
130
"You will be challenged.
Remember - the gizzard
is a vital spot!"
131
"Comedian! I shall kill
you for this!"
132
"Tragedian! The opportunity
will be yours in the
morning - behind the
cathedral - at nine."
133
Morning found
the Assembly
gripped in an intolerable
suspense of waiting.
134
"The new deputy, Moreau,
has shirked it!"
135
"Monsieur le Pr�sident!" With
my own, I bring the excuses
of the Deputy Chabrillane.
Our debate of yesterday has
been settled - -"
136
"- - permanently!"
137
"Moreau! Moreau!
Our saviour!"
138
As the week passed,
each day another
assassin of the people's
deputies had gone down
before the sword of the
fencing-master from the
Rue du Hazard.
139
"Let me help you, Andr�.
In the King's service you
might go far."
140
"As far as Austria, Madame?
Your husband's activities
there are not unknown."
141
"Forgive me, Andr�, if I
seem too closely interested.
I - - I knew your mother."
142
"To win back your regard,
Mademoiselle, there is
nothing I would not do."
143
"I am deeply grateful,
Monsieur, but I consented
to see you only to tell you
that there can never be
more than friendship
between us."
144
"The faithless dog! The
scoundrel! I pray that he
may meet an avenging
sword!"
145
"Your prayer will soon
be answered."
146
"We meet on Monday,
Mademoiselle - -
behind the cathedral."
147
"Why do you not stop him -
beg him? What chance
has Andr� against such a
swordsman?"
148
"Monsieur, give up this duel,
and what I said - that there
could never be more than
friendship between us - -
I will retract."
149
"Honor, Mademoiselle, comes
before all else, even the
heart; I cannot do it."
150
Monday.
151
"He is most solicitous for
his friend, the Marquis!"
152
"Andr�! I have come from
Gavrillac to beg you - -
this duel must not take
place!"
153
"You too, Aline?"
154
"You cannot save your
Marquis by trying to
frighten me!"
155
"Andr� - - do you not
understand? Come back,
Andr�! It is you I love!"
156
"Oh, I feared something
dreadful - - but never
this!"
157
"Pray God we may be
in time!"
158
"You realize now, Monsieur,
how Philippe de Vilmorin
felt that day!"
159
"You have killed him!"
160
"You mentioned a mission
in the provinces, for the
Commune. I will accept it."
161
Through the months
- the sullen
thunder of revolt, that
grew and grew -
162
"Austria and Prussia
invade France to aid
the King!"
163
"France has been betrayed!
To arms, patriots!"
164
The morning of
August 10th, 1792.
165
"Aux armes, citoyens!
Formez vos bataillons!"
166
"Madame! Danton leads
the mob against the
Tuileries Palace!"
167
"We shall go immediately,
Jacques; prepare the carriage!"
168
Eight o'clock -
the mob at the
palace gates - and from
the National Assembly an
offer of protection to Louis
and the Royal family.
169
"Sire, a whole people are
advancing! If the palace
must fall, let it fall; but
let the crown be saved!"
170
At the City Gates,
the avenue of
escape from Paris.
171
"Without permit, no one
may leave the city."
172
"Madame, I know a place
where the city wall is not
watched. I will get word
to Monsieur de Kercadiou."
173
The Walls of
Paris.
174
An interested
spectator - a
young artillery officer,
out of service -
175
Napol�on Bonaparte.
176
All that day - the
mad songs of a
mob triumphant -
that seemed to come
ever nearer -
177
At Gavrillac -
the first refugees
from Paris.
178
Returning to Paris
- an emissary
of the dread Commune.
179
"We were the last to leave
Paris without passports.
The barriers are closed."
180
In the now silent
Tuileries, each hall,
passage and stairway
bore witness to the fury
of the day that had
sealed the doom of the
Monarchy.
181
"They are searching every
house for aristocrats - -
killing - coming this way!"
182
"Then you can serve
Aline - and Madame
de Plougastel?"
183
"Aline, yes; but Madame is
the wife of a conspirator
against France - - I cannot
help her."
184
"Andr�! Madame de
Plougastel - you must
save her!"
185
"She is your mother."
186
"And you, Monsieur, - -
you are of course - -"
187
"Who your father was
I never knew."
188
"I am sorry, Monsieur -
sorry that I am not your
son."
189
And through the
endless hours of
night - the screaming of
the grindstone, the roll
of drums, the shouts, the
bestial laughter of the
marching hosts of Terror.
190
"We must have courage.
Jacques will bring us aid."
191
"In less than an hour I will
return. Have a fresh horse
ready - - and let this
carriage follow me now."
192
"Irony, Th�r�se - - that I
return to you for refuge;
but out there I should be
torn to bits."
193
"You must go and rest
until Jacques comes."
194
"Madame - my mother."
195
"I do not know how this
man came here, but I give
him three minutes to leave
the house!"
196
"Monsieur, I was prepared to
call a truce, but now - -
give me those passports!"
197
"Andr�! He is your
father!"
198
"Why did you not
tell me?"
199
"When you had turned from
me? Should I have
disgraced myself - - my
family?"
200
"In God's name, let there
be peace between us."
201
"May it serve you as
faithfully, Monsieur, as
it has served me."
202
"Th�r�se, if there is a wrong
I regret more than any
other, it is the wrong that
I have done to you."
203
"Do you not know
Moreau?"
204
"Moreau! It is Moreau!"
205
"But the women - give
us the women! They
are aristocrats!"
206
"They are my mother and
my betrothed! I ask you
for their safety!"
207
"Citizens! It is for you to
decide! Do you owe this
to Moreau?"
208
"Open the gates! Make
way for Moreau!"
THE END
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