# XIX: Mascarin Speaks explained — The Slaves of Paris

> Chapter companion for The Slaves of Paris by Émile Gaboriau.

## What happens

Mascarin reveals the full extent of his knowledge about the Duke de Champdoce's past, including the blackmail of Norbert and Diana, the fate of Caroline Schimmel, and the search for Norbert's lost son. He asserts his power over the Duke and his associates, while Catenac and Hortebise react with unease, especially when the name of M. Lecoq is mentioned.

## Themes in this chapter

### Blackmail and Corruption

Mascarin's entire scheme is built on blackmail, using secrets extracted from Caroline Schimmel and others to control the Duke de Champdoce.

### Deception and Secrecy

The narrative reveals layers of deception, including Diana's manipulation of Norbert's marriage and the hidden skeleton in the garden.

### Power and Manipulation

Mascarin demonstrates his power by exposing the Duke's secrets and manipulating his associates, including Catenac and Hortebise.

## Character check-ins

### Baptiste Mascarin

Mascarin presents the manuscript he has compiled, revealing his deep knowledge of the Duke de Champdoce's secrets and his control over the situation.

### Paul Violaine

Paul reads the manuscript and listens as Mascarin explains the details of the Duke's past.

### Catenac

Catenac, the Duke's lawyer, is confronted by Mascarin for withholding information and eventually agrees to cooperate.

### Dr. Hortebise

Hortebise reacts with alarm when the name of M. Lecoq is mentioned, threatening to withdraw from the scheme.

### Louis Norbert de Champdoce

The Duke de Champdoce is the subject of Mascarin's narrative, his past crimes and search for his son detailed.

### Diana de Mussidan

Diana is revealed as a blackmailer of the Duke, having confessed to orchestrating the affair between his wife and Croisenois.

## Key lines

> Catenac,” remarked Mascarin, addressing the others, “has received many confidential communications from his noble client, which he has not thought fit to communicate to us; and though he fancied that we were drifting into quicksands and among breakers, he displayed no signal of warning to save us from our danger, hoping, like a true friend, that, by this means, he might get rid of us.”

Mascarin accuses Catenac of withholding information from the Duke de Champdoce, allowing them to proceed into dangerous territory without warning.

_Mascarin exposes Catenac's duplicity, asserting his own control over the group._

> If, on her recovery from her fit of drunk coma, she recollects what has taken place, she will, if I read her character right, go straight to the Duke de Champdoce and tell him that his secret has passed into better hands.”

Mascarin predicts that Caroline Schimmel, once sober, will inform the Duke that his secret has been discovered.

_Mascarin reveals the risk of Caroline's betrayal, but dismisses it as manageable._

> Stop!” cried he. “If that fellow Lecoq is to put his nose into your case, I withdraw; I will have nothing to do with it, for it is

Hortebise interrupts, declaring he will abandon the scheme if the detective Lecoq becomes involved.

_Hortebise's reaction shows his fear of Lecoq's reputation, hinting at past entanglements._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xix-mascarin-speaks
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters