Scaramouche · Chapter
IV: The Heritage explained
M.
What happens
M. de Vilmorin and the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr duel on a bowling-green behind an inn. The Marquis kills Philippe de Vilmorin with a deliberate thrust. André-Louis, holding his dying friend, accuses the Marquis of cowardice and murder. He then swears over Philippe's body to take up his friend's eloquence and revolutionary ideas as his heritage, vowing to make the Marquis fear him as he feared Philippe.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Justice
André-Louis vows to avenge Philippe's death by taking up his eloquence and hounding the Marquis, seeking a form of justice outside the law.
Eloquence and Power
The Marquis kills Philippe because he fears his eloquence; André-Louis swears to inherit that eloquence as a weapon against the aristocracy.
Characters to notice
- André-Louis Moreau
Witnesses the duel, holds his dying friend, accuses the Marquis of cowardice, and swears to inherit Philippe's eloquence and mission.
- Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr
Kills Philippe de Vilmorin in the duel, explaining he feared his eloquence, and is accused by André-Louis of cowardly murder.
- Philippe de Vilmorin
Killed in the duel by the Marquis; his death spurs André-Louis's vow to carry on his ideas.
- M. de Chabrillane
Acts as the Marquis's second, restrains the Marquis from attacking André-Louis, and is appalled by the killing.
Key passages
“It was your eloquence he feared, Philippe. Then if I can get no justice for this deed, at least it shall be fruitless to him. The thing he feared in you, he shall fear in me.”
André-Louis tells the dead Philippe that the Marquis killed him out of fear of his speaking ability, and vows to become equally feared by using that same eloquence.
André-Louis's vow to inherit Philippe's revolutionary voice.
“You have killed him! cried André-Louis. Of course. The Marquis ran a lace handkerchief along his blade to wipe it.”
André-Louis accuses the Marquis of murder, and the Marquis calmly confirms the killing while cleaning his sword.
The Marquis's cold acknowledgment of the killing.