The Slaves of Paris · Chapter
An Academy of Music explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Hortebise keeps Paul under close watch, taking him to dinner and forcing him to stay overnight. Tantaine visits them with news that Sabine de Mussidan is out of danger and the Marquis de Croisenois can proceed with his marriage plans. Tantaine then goes to find Perpignan, eventually arriving at a dilapidated house where Professor Poluche brutally trains child musicians in a squalid music room.
Themes in this chapter
Blackmail and Corruption
Perpignan's business model of blackmailing errant wives and the mutual fear between him and Mascarin highlight the pervasive corruption.
Social Class and Inequality
The brutal treatment of poor child musicians by Poluche contrasts sharply with the luxurious breakfast of Hortebise and Paul.
Deception and Secrecy
Tantaine's secretive movements and the hidden 'factory' of Perpignan underscore the theme of hidden schemes.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Hortebise
Obeys Mascarin's orders to keep Paul under constant surveillance; hosts Paul for dinner and overnight.
- Paul Violaine
Forced to stay with Hortebise; initially furious at Tantaine but calms down; looks forward to having his own lodgings.
- Daddy Tantaine
Visits Hortebise with news about Sabine and Croisenois; then seeks out Perpignan, eventually arriving at the music academy.
- Perpignan
Former cook turned private inquiry agent; known for blackmailing errant wives; Tantaine seeks him for business.
- Poluche
Professor at the music academy; brutally disciplines child musicians with a whip.
- Ascanie
A young Savoyard student at the academy; beaten by Poluche for failing to play correctly.
Key passages
“Mademoiselle de Mussidan is out of danger, and M. de Croisenois can commence proceedings at once.”
Sabine de Mussidan has recovered, so the Marquis de Croisenois can now proceed with their marriage plans.
Tantaine delivers this news to Hortebise, advancing the plot toward Sabine's forced marriage.
“His chief customers were jealous husbands, but as surely as one of these placed an affair in his hands, he would go to the erring wife and obtain a handsome price from her for his silence.”
Perpignan's main clients were suspicious husbands, but he would then blackmail the wives for money to keep quiet.
Describes Perpignan's corrupt business model as a private inquiry agent.
“Without any appearance of anger, the professor took up the whip and administered half a dozen severe cuts across the bare legs of the child, whose shouts soon filled the room.”
Poluche calmly whipped the child's bare legs multiple times, causing the boy to scream loudly.
Illustrates the brutal discipline inflicted on the child musicians at the academy.