Scaramouche · Chapter
III: President Le Chapelier explained
André-Louis Moreau, now running the fencing academy of the deceased Bertrand des Amis, finds prosperity amid revolutionary turmoil.
What happens
André-Louis Moreau, now running the fencing academy of the deceased Bertrand des Amis, finds prosperity amid revolutionary turmoil. He takes on assistants to manage the growing number of pupils. After the fall of the Bastille and the death of des Amis, André-Louis feels safe from past charges and visits Versailles to meet Le Chapelier, a prominent figure in the National Assembly. They discuss the political situation, the fate of Gavrillac, and the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr. André-Louis declines Le Chapelier's offer to nominate him for the Assembly.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Revolution
André-Louis's rise from fugitive to prosperous academy owner mirrors the shifting social order; Le Chapelier's prominence contrasts with the burning of noble châteaux.
Identity and Disguise
André-Louis continues to operate the academy under des Amis' name, appending 'Conducted by André-Louis'—a Scaramouche-like expedient.
Theatre and Performance
André-Louis's transformation in dress and bearing is noted; his fencing academy becomes a stage for revolutionary preparation.
Characters to notice
- André-Louis Moreau
Now chief of the fencing academy, prosperous and physically transformed by constant swordplay. Visits Le Chapelier in Versailles, inquires about Gavrillac and La Tour d'Azyr.
- Le Chapelier
President of the National Assembly, meets André-Louis at the Café d'Amaury. Discusses revolutionary events and offers to nominate André-Louis for the Assembly.
- Bertrand des Amis
Deceased fencing master; his death and burial are recounted, and André-Louis inherits his academy.
- Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr
Mentioned as being in Versailles, a thorn in the Assembly's side; his château has been burned but he remains unrepentant.
- M. de Kercadiou
André-Louis's godfather; his estate Gavrillac is believed safe due to his sympathy with the people.
- M. Binet
Mentioned as possibly killed by André-Louis in self-defense; no longer a legal concern.
Key passages
“The ferment of Paris which, during the two following days, resembled an armed camp rather than a city, delayed the burial of Bertrand des Amis until the Wednesday of that eventful week.”
Paris was in such turmoil that it looked like a military camp, pushing the funeral of Bertrand des Amis to the following Wednesday.
Describes the chaotic atmosphere after the fall of the Bastille.
“He left the escutcheon and the legend 'Académie de Bertrand des Amis, Maître en fait d’Armes des Académies du Roi,' appending to it the further legend: 'Conducted by André-Louis.'”
He kept the original sign but added his own name as the operator, a clever trick worthy of Scaramouche.
Shows André-Louis's pragmatic and theatrical approach to legitimacy.
“No longer need he hide himself. Who in these days would prefer against him the grotesque charge of sedition for what he had done in Brittany?”
He no longer had to stay hidden, as the charge of sedition for his Brittany speeches seemed absurd now that everyone was saying the same.
Reflects the changed political climate after the Revolution.
“Less than a year ago he had yielded precedence to André-Louis in a matter of delicate leadership; today he stood on the heights, one of the great leaders of the Nation in travail, and André-Louis was deep down in the shadows of the general mass.”
A year ago Le Chapelier had deferred to André-Louis; now Le Chapelier was a national leader while André-Louis was an ordinary citizen.
Highlights the reversal of their social positions.
“I have a duty to Brittany: to make Omnes Omnibus one of her representatives in the National Assembly.”
I feel obligated to nominate Omnes Omnibus as a deputy for Brittany.
Le Chapelier's offer to bring André-Louis's revolutionary alias into politics.
