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Post by gaston on Mar 16, 2020 10:21:24 GMT
Madame Helen Bacque to Madame Marsaud Mercerie de Marsaud Rue de Chativesle Reims
Greetings, Madame Marsaud,
I regret that this letter brings the saddest of tidings.
Last month your son Jean-Paul was shot by an Austrian bullet whilst trying to escape from a temporary holding camp at the Abbey of Staffarda in Savoy. He soon fell into unconsciousness, dying peacefully in his sleep thereafter whilst we were endeavouring to bring him safely back to France. He was to have been executed the day after his escape, so it can at least be said that he died like a soldier, an honourable death, rather than trussed and bound like a common criminal.
He received a Christian burial (conducted by Curate Adam de la Bassée) at the village of Lanslevillard, near the Savoy border, and his earthly remains now reside there, next to those of Monsieur Pierre Flump, in the Churchyard of St Michel.
I regret that Jean-Paul was unable to retrieve any personal effects in the course of his escape but please be assured that all the costs associated with his burial have been fully taken care of.
As I mentioned when we met, Jean-Paul was a charming and devout young man who regularly used to accompany me to church. I can clearly understand what a loss his untimely death must now inflict upon his family.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Helen Bacque
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Post by Fellow Mourner on Mar 16, 2020 10:34:44 GMT
At the Ursuline Convent of St Denis...
First Voice: I'm sorry I've upset you so, Sister Agatha, but I felt you deserved a first hand account regards the passing of poor Major Marsaud...
Second Voice: And I thank you for delivering it, Child. It's Monsieur Flump's death which hangs so heavily upon me. Had I not selfishly put him in harm's way by commissioning that portrait he would still be amongst us today...
First Voice: Please don't blame yourself, Sister. It was ever Monsieur Flump's intention to help secure Major Marsaud's release - by whatever means necessary - and your commission merely gave him a credible reason for being there.
Second Voice: Nevertheless, I still feel responsible. If he hadn't free my nephew he would still be safe in Paris. I insist on covering the costs of his funeral at the very least, together with that of Jean-Paul.
First Voice: Well, Curate Adam conducted the service - and I'm sure he wouldn't dream of taking a fee. The coffins were, of necessity, simple affairs and the graveyard plot at Lanslevillard and simple headstones were relatively inexpensive. I can't help wondering...
Second Voice: Wondering what, Child ?
First Voice: Well...the attempt to secure the release of your nephew was extremely well-planned and well prepared. By rights we should have been able to secure his release by a simple ruse without a shot being fired. All was going smoothly until we arrived at the Abbey of Staffarda to find that the Savoyard garisson had been suddenly replaced by an Austrian one. Could the Austrians have been given warning of our intentions, perhaps?
Second Voice: I don't see how, Dear. I didn't mention your intention to secure Jean-Paul's release if possible to anyone...
First Voice: Not anyone ?
Second Voice: Well...hardly anyone. Now I recall I did mention to Sister Angelika, purely in passing you understand, that while you were in the Duke's company you might prevail upon his good nature if the chance presented itself...
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Post by Man of honor on Mar 16, 2020 14:01:44 GMT
In an inn south of Paris...
1st voice: have you heard about Major Maraud attempted rescue?
2nd voice: don’t talk me about it. Shame on all sides for those deeds!
1st voice: what do you mean? It was a heroic act by his friends..
2nd voice: Heroic? Shameful would I say. For both sides. A Colonel murdering prisoners? And yes, I mean murdering, as they had surrendered and were unarmed. It was not an act of war. How can the Emperor allow this shame to befall on him?
And about the would-be rescuers… They broke the laws of hospitality. Who will now allow prisoners to be visited by anyone, even to receive comfort or sacraments? And what about burning an abbey stables? There are no holy places anymore? And by a man of the cloth, nonetheless… He deserves to lose his rank!
No surprise no military man wanted to go. Military men know about honor…
1st voice: you’re being quite hard on them…
2nd voice: not enough, in fact. All holy laws were broken by both sides. I hope to see God’s curse to befall on them all, prisoner murderers, abbey arsonists, unfaithful gests… They all deserve it. There’s no honor in any side in this affair. Where’s the World going to?
3rd voice: calm yourself, Sir. Let’s take a drink and try to forget about those shameful acts.
2nd voice (raising his glass): for honor abiding people, scarcer as time goes
1st and 3rd voices (raising theirs): amen
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Post by Honor Student on Mar 16, 2020 16:29:36 GMT
More from the Inn...
1st Voice: I must admit, though, that certain things are still a little unclear to me...
2nd Voice: Such as ?
1st Voice: Well, the rescue party arrived too late to dine with the good brothers and did not have time to make use of the beds at the Abbey Guest House.
2nd Voice: Your point being ?
1st Voice: Surely, since they received no hospitality at the Abbey, they couldn't possibly abuse it ?
2nd Voice: You're splitting hairs, Man. It's the principle of the thing. Someone of your lowly birth could never understand.
1st Voice: Well I certainly don't understand how they could abuse something they never received...And the stables. I know that Our Lord was born in a stable but it certainly wasn't that one. The stables weren't on consecrated ground and, if they hadn't been fired, those brave soldiers who escaped back to France would have been executed. Are you saying that the stables of an Italian abbey are more important than the lives of French soldiers...?
2nd Voice: Well, no, of course not, but...
1st Voice: I agree with you that the order to execute the French prisoners was dishonourable in the extreme, but what would you have done had you been there when faced with such a heinous prospect? Stood aside, done nothing, and looked on as those poor soldiers were executed ?
2nd Voice: When no honourable course of action presents itself, the honourable thing is to take no action at all.
1st Voice: I see. So, staying safe in Paris while brave men were laying down their lives in order to save French soldiers from certain death must make you most honourable man in France, I suppose...?
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Post by Map Lover on Mar 17, 2020 15:43:23 GMT
An Evening Homecoming...
First Voice: Ah, Gilles! What news of the horse?
Second Voice: Safely stabled at Vicomte Roland's Milly estate, Ma'am. She's a real beauty, I must say.
First Voice: Excellent! Did Pierre's groom give you any trouble ?
Second Voice: No Ma'am. Monsieur Flump had sent word that he was to expect me and he handed the horse over immediately.
First Voice: You've done well, Gilles. The Shylocks won't be around to assess Pierre's estate until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. A small bonus is in order, I think. I'll instruct Billy to have the coach ready at first light and we'll go and take a look at her while Father Adam is preparing the remembrance service.
Second Voice: Do you intend to enter her in the Derby, Ma'am.
First Voice: I'll have to register ownership with the Jockey Club first, Gilles. Do you think she's up to it?
Second Voice: Raring to go, Ma'am. I expect she'll put on a much better show than she did in the Futurity...
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Post by A witness on Mar 31, 2020 10:20:08 GMT
There was an amusing scene outside the regimental headquarters of the Languedoc Regiment this month, as a ragged newcomer to Paris was seen - and indeed heard, his cries to be allowed to be let in to register being loud and vociferous as he hammered at the doors, waking many of those locally who were attempting to sleep off their hangovers - the regiment recently having left for the front.
What a fool!
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