The Slaves of Paris · Chapter
A Forgotten Crime explained
Baptiste Mascarin visits the Count de Mussidan to blackmail him into breaking off his daughter Sabine's engagement to M.
What happens
Baptiste Mascarin visits the Count de Mussidan to blackmail him into breaking off his daughter Sabine's engagement to M. de Breulh-Faverlay, using the secret of the Count's accidental killing of his secretary Montlouis as leverage. After initial resistance and fury, the Count yields to the demand.
Themes in this chapter
Blackmail and Corruption
Mascarin uses the secret of Montlouis's death to blackmail the Count into breaking his daughter's engagement.
Power and Manipulation
Mascarin manipulates the Count through fear and leverage, demonstrating the power dynamics of blackmail.
Marriage as Transaction
Sabine's marriage is treated as a bargaining chip, with the Count agreeing to break the engagement to protect his reputation.
Characters to notice
- Baptiste Mascarin
Visits the Count de Mussidan to blackmail him into breaking Sabine's engagement, using the secret of Montlouis's death.
- Count Octave de Mussidan
Blackmailed by Mascarin; initially furious but eventually agrees to break off his daughter's engagement to M. de Breulh-Faverlay.
- Florestan Mascarin
Appears briefly as the Count's servant, reprimanded for admitting Mascarin without permission.
- Sabine de Mussidan
Mentioned as the daughter whose engagement to M. de Breulh-Faverlay is the target of the blackmail.
- M. de Breulh-Faverlay
Mentioned as Sabine's intended fiancé, whom Mascarin's clients want to prevent from marrying her.
Key passages
“We want something that is of no importance to you, but of the utmost value to those who despatched me here. I am commissioned to inform you that my clients desire that you should break off the engagement between your daughter and M. de Breulh-Faverlay, and that the missing paper will be handed to you on the completion of her marriage with any else whom you may deem worthy of such an honor.”
Mascarin tells the Count that his clients want him to call off Sabine's engagement to M. de Breulh-Faverlay, and in return they will return the incriminating document.
Mascarin reveals the blackmail demand to break the engagement.
“No violence, Count; remember Montlouis.”
Mascarin warns the Count not to attack him, invoking the name of the man the Count accidentally killed.
Mascarin uses the secret of Montlouis's death to stop the Count's aggression.
“I agree. My daughter shall not marry M. de Breulh-Faverlay.”
The Count gives in to the blackmail and agrees to break off the engagement.
The Count capitulates to Mascarin's demand.