by Mary Mageau
Our little housemaid, Anne, will go to her aunt’s home on the outskirts of Paris. I’ve given both women an extra month’s wage and money for their travel. Daniel has secured the coach.
He and Edouard will stay right here. There is work for them to do and food to eat. They feel quite happy and safe. Now let’s both sit down while I explain something else I want you to hear.’
Malande brought two glasses of wine and some cheese as Laneve placed two chairs near the large windows. ‘I have never told you that some time ago I received an official letter from Captain Bernard Sarrette. Perhaps you remember him as he often attended our concerts.’
‘Yes, I do. He too is a fine military band musician.’
‘Several years from now the new Conservatoire Nationale de Musique will open its doors for the first time. It is envisaged that this school, under the direction of Bernard Sarrette, will be the finest in Europe. Imagine my amazement when he and his colleagues invited me to be the head professor within the keyboard faculty. I will be required to teach both harpsichord and the fortepiano to a select group of students.’
‘Oh, how wonderful. What an honour.’
‘After speaking to Rene, I have said yes to his request. In 1795 I will have a new position and paid employment. Now if we flee from here and reach Berlin safely, I will have two years in which to see if the revolution dies down enough for me to return to France.
If instead, I am arrested, it is my hope that I will be acquitted to begin this work. And so, we leave together tonight for Berlin unless something else happens to the contrary. If I am taken away you must hide in the secret room, under the back kitchen stairway, until all have gone.
Stay here with Daniel and Edouard until I return again. Should you hear of my death, then take the contents of the strongbox and use the jewels to make yourself a new life. The contents will be yours, in appreciation for your love and friendship toward me.’
‘Laneve, God willing we will leave together tonight, but I will accept the conditions you have given me.’
‘Now let us go to the dining room as two cold plates are waiting for us. We must eat quickly and be away from here.’
As the two women shared their last meal together at the chateau they became aware of a commotion in the driveway.
Daniel suddenly burst into the dining room. ‘Madame, there are several soldiers, members of the Revolutionary Guard approaching the chateau’s main door. They are carrying muskets.’
‘Malande, you and Daniel must run now and hide. They will be looking only for me.’
‘Laneve, I can’t do this. I won’t leave you.’
‘I order you both to leave immediately and pray that one day I will return. Now be away quickly!’
The door to the kitchen had just closed when armed men burst into the dining room. Laneve stood calmly facing them.
‘Laneve, Marquise de Marais, we are here to place you under arrest. Through your royalist connections you have become an enemy of France. We have orders to take you away and imprison you in La Force where you will await your trial and sentencing. Vive la Republique!’
IX.
Days moved into weeks and weeks flowed into months as Laneve braved the darkness, the damp and filth of her prison. She made friends with many of the other women who shared a large cell with her. They comforted each other and divided their few possessions among those who had none. They also prayed together as one by one they were taken away.
On one occasion, Edouard made a brief visit with news from the chateau. ‘No revolutionary guards have returned so we are all feeling quite safe. Two weeks ago someone broke into our chicken yard and stole five hens. Later I found two in the forest so we still have fresh eggs.’
‘Has there been any damage done to the chateau from looting?’
‘We are fortunate because we are far back from the road and well screened by trees and the surrounding woodlands. I also brought a large hound from my former master. His ferocious bark keeps intruders away.
Malande has stored root vegetables from the garden for the winter. We don’t have a great amount of food to eat, but we’re not starving. We sometimes share eggs, potatoes, carrots and onions in return for fresh meat.
But we all want to know how you are? You look so thin now.’
‘I am continuing to survive and I feel that my trial will be announced soon. Only then will I know if I’m to be released or condemned to death.
Be sure to thank Malande for sending me the warm shawl and a white linen cap. I’ll save these items for my trial as my other dress has a tear in the shoulder. You must leave now as a guard is approaching but carry my loving affection back to all.’
Two weeks later, the news reached Laneve that her trial would take place the following afternoon. She barely slept that night, then prepared by brushing her dress and arranging the white cap and shawl.
After saying goodbye to the women who had shared so many days with her, two guards appeared and escorted her to the Tribunal of Public Health.
The large room was filled with onlookers and those who attended the trials as a form of entertainment. In a corner sat a tall distinguished man, who carried a sheaf of papers. Two judges and a secretary summoned her to the centre of the room as one of them spoke loudly.
‘Laneve, the Marquise de Marais, you have been identified as being of the nobility and of having royalist connections. It is our duty to the Republic to condemn you to death by the guillotine. Is there anyone in this courtroom who wishes to speak?’ The onlookers laughed and jeered.
‘I will speak,’ cried the tall man who rose from his seat and addressed the judges. It was Bernard Sarrette, who in fear for his life had attended court proceedings as an impartial observer, specializing in cases of suspect artists.
‘I am Bernard Sarrette, Director of the new Conservatoire Nationale de Musique. In my hand is an official letter from the most august Committee of State Education and Finance, requesting that the accused standing before you, the Marquise de Marais, be released to teach the harpsichord and fortepiano at the new Conservatoire.
She has already been hired to begin her teaching term in 1795. The school will be the best in Europe and will give service to the Republic and the entire country. This very woman, as you all know, is perhaps the finest pianist in France. It is the wish of the committee that she be spared to undertake these duties.’
The judge sneered as he said, ‘If she is truly so talented then let us hear her play. Send the guards outside to carry in the harpsichord from the end of the hallway, so our musician can prove herself to us.’
The instrument was placed in the centre of the courtroom as Laneve slowly made her way to the bench and sat trembling before the keyboard. Silence settled over the room.
For one brief moment she was reminded of that day when she played her first recital at the Chateau de Laungier. She was only thirteen years old then, at the beginning of her public musical life.
That same joy strengthened her now as she slowly lifted her hands to the keyboard. Laneve began by playing a familiar fragment of melody, one that she skilfully hid within an intricate accompaniment.
‘What is that? It sounds familiar, but I can’t place it,’ someone spoke aloud.
Next, she added more phrases to the melody, building and enhancing it with technical feats of arpeggios, repeated notes, trills and double octaves.
One by one the faces of the crowd lit up in recognition until Laneve coupled all of the keyboards together, playing this music in mighty block chords.
‘It is the Marseillaise,’ they cried as one by one their voices began to sing, joining with the music. ‘Allons enfants de la Patrie,’ rang through the room as many shouted, ‘Again, play it again!’ On the last chorus of this triumphal march, several men removed their wooden clogs beating a drum rhythm on the benches to add to the excitement of this wonderful moment.
When the music had finished, all in the room rose to their feet shouting, ‘Bravo, and Vive la Republique!’
As the excitement passed and the judges conferred, Laneve was summoned again to the centre of the room.
‘Citizen Marais, your musical talent has saved you this day. You may now return to your family home, to practice and study in preparation for your work with the new Conservatoire. We admonish you to become a good republican. Your trial is over now – you may leave.’
Bernard Sarrette approached Laneve as she kissed his hands in grateful appreciation.
‘How can I ever thank you enough for risking your life to save mine,’ she cried out to him.
‘Laneve de Marais, I have a coach ready to take you straight to your home in Montmorency. We all look forward to welcoming you to the new school in 1795. Go now in safety and in peace.’
He assisted her gently into the coach as she clung to his arm, shaking and in a state of shock. Could this be true – that she was free at last? Bernard Sarrette firmly closed the door, signalled to the driver, and watched her move safely away.
As the streets of Paris began to recede behind her, Laneve collapsed into a sleep of total exhaustion. Slowly through the night she was borne onward - to Malande, Daniel and Edouard, to her home and to freedom.
X.
Early morning sunshine bathed the kitchen bench as Malande peeled onions, carrots and potatoes for a roast dinner. One of their few hens had stopped laying so Daniel had wrung its neck, plucked it and prepared it for the cooking pot.
Weeks have passed since we had a real feast like this thought Malande as she seasoned the dish with herbs, salt and pepper and a generous splash of red wine. She covered the pot securely and placed it on the wood burning stove.
In a few hours we’ll eat like kings and the leftovers will be finished tomorrow. As she wiped the bench surface Edouard suddenly burst into the kitchen, crying aloud to her.
‘Malande, come quickly! A coach has just stopped at the front door and Laneve is inside. She is alive.’
‘Oh, Mon Dieu, our darling has been saved. She is with us again.’
Daniel had joined them on the run as he too let out a cry. ‘Merci, Bon Dieu. Our marquise is home again.’
Laneve was greeted with joy and relief as she was lifted from the carriage. The coachman told them how he had collected her from the Tribunal of Public Health late in the previous afternoon and how he had driven all through the night to see her safely home.
‘She slept almost the entire way,’ he told them. ‘Her clothes were so ragged I thought she was a serving girl and now I learn she is a marquise and mistress of this chateau.’
‘Oh Laneve, you look so look so thin and so tired.’ Malande held her close, kissing her again and again. ‘Thank heaven you have been acquitted and that you survived these months in that terrible prison.’
‘I had only a little money so I bought us each a small baguette for breakfast. Otherwise we have eaten nothing,’ the coachman replied.
‘This noon we will all have a feast as I’ve prepared a roasting hen and vegetables. Bottles of wine will be opened and we will all celebrate together.’
‘You must also stay here this evening and have a night’s sleep before you return to Paris,’ Laneve replied. ‘Thank you, coachman, for the care you took of me on this long journey to my home.’
Then arm in arm, Laneve and Malande made their way into the chateau while Daniel released and fed the coachman’s horse.
‘Come along to our cottage and have a glass of wine with my brother Edouard and myself. I have a little bread and some cheese. You can tell us all about what is happening in Paris.’
Safely inside Laneve felt her strength slowly return again. ‘What can I do for you now?’ Malande was eager to assist her in any way she could.
‘All I want is a long hot bath and a chance to wash my hair. Come upstairs with me as I take off these filthy rags. Burn everything in your stove, Malande. After I bathe you can help me dress again, comb my hair and we will talk together, just the two of us.
Thank you, thank you, Malande for all you have done here for me. I am so happy to find you, Daniel and Edouard safe and well.’
After Laneve had bathed, dried her hair and dressed, Malande brought them both hot tea and bread. ‘This will refresh us until lunch is ready.’ They embraced one another again as they exchanged their news.
‘Laneve, I have the contents of the strongbox safely hidden. It has never been touched. What are the plans for our future now that you are safely home again.’
‘I have been pardoned so that I can take up my teaching position at the new Conservatoire in October of 1795. As that is still a year and a half away all I want to do is leave France for a while. We must go away for a complete rest and a change of place.
Remember when we both tried to escape to Berlin? After a few days here we will leave for Berlin again and this time we will reach our destination. Daniel and Edouard can stay on, but of course I will have to return to prepare for my teaching position to fulfil the condition for my release. In the meantime though, we are both free and soon we will be away.’
‘Where will we go in Berlin?’
‘Tomorrow I will send a letter to Dunod. He has asked me to do so and he will welcome us both. It will be wonderful to see him once again. Besides you, Malande, he is the only person I have left in my life now. All the others have been killed or have moved far away.’ Then Laneve began to shake with sobbing as tears flowed down her cheeks.
‘Let these tears come, dear one. Weeping is good for the soul as it washes the pain away.’ Malande held Laneve close to her and dried her tears until all the crying had stopped.
‘I feel so much better now and after I eat some good food and rest in my own bed I will be fit to travel once again.’
‘I will let you rest until I serve our little feast and I will come for you when this meal is ready. But close your eyes now, say your prayers and all will be well.’
As Laneve gazed over her room and the familiar items she loved and cherished, she gave thanks again and again.
‘I am happy that Rene is not here now to see all this suffering. He is resting in peace. I am thankful that both Papa and Mama died some time ago and were spared from living through this dreadful revolution.
My own ordeal is over now and I can live my life again. Tonight I will open my pianoforte and play music far into the night. All who are in the chateau can join me if they wish. Tomorrow Malande and I will begin to pack and we will be on our way to Berlin soon. All will be well as we take command of our own destiny once again.’
XI.
Time passed and 1795 arrived. The fragrant scent of spring flowed through the windows of Laneve’s study in Paris. She carried her morning cup of tea to her writing desk and while it cooled she closed her eyes recalling the extraordinary events of the past fourteen months.
‘How grateful we both were to arrive safely in Berlin and to find Dunod waiting for us. He had a large comfortable home in the heart of the city so Malande and I accepted his invitation to live there with him.’
Much to Dunod’s relief, Malande took over the running of the household as Laneve began her preparations for teaching.
One afternoon Dunod called out to her, ‘Come Laneve, I have something to show you. You will love it!’ When she entered the large room adjacent to the main living area, there stood a new Broadwood fortepiano.’
‘Dunod, how can I ever thank you enough for this beautiful instrument. Now I can begin to practice again.’
‘You can thank the contents of your strongbox – particularly those two lovely rubies that had never been set. After all, you can’t draw music from a stone.’
As the months passed Dunod and Laneve grew closer to one another as they spent more time together at home. Berlin was so oppressive.
Despite Malande’s suggestions to our German cook, her food was always heavy and her language - so guttural. We were not comfortable either when we went out socially. French women all have innate style, while the German women seemed so dowdy.
; Even Malande always looked beautifully elegant in her choice of clothing. As we often felt so different we made few friends.
‘What can you expect,’ Dunod laughed. ‘Here we have two beautiful peacocks among a brood of plain brown hens.’
But finally a letter came from the newly installed Republican Government, inviting all the émigrés to return to France once again.
‘What a surprise!’ Dunod remarked. ‘They were so quick to cut off the heads of the nobility, but sadly with those heads went their brains. Now they discover that more is needed to administer and organize a large country than what a butcher, a baker or a candlestick maker can supply.
As the reign of terror is over now and if we wish, we can return to help them out of all their dilemmas.’
‘We must go back again to France, Dunod. I have made a commitment and my pardon depended upon it.’
‘Laneve, we will return in several months. But now I have two surprises for you.
The first is that I have been making arrangements to accept a position through one of the Treasury Committees. It seems my skills in trade and finance are suddenly needed. And do you remember my eccentric uncle, Hippolyte, the one with the razor sharp wit?’
‘Yes, I believe I met him at one of my concerts. He was charming and very entertaining.’
‘He is a financial wizard as you know, and he also managed to find himself a safe haven in the south of France, there to wait out the revolution. The new Department of Treasury wants him back and me with him, so I will accept this post. Between the two of us we could live very comfortably in Paris again.’
‘Indeed we could, Dunod. And tell me now, as I’m curious? What is this second surprise?’
‘I’m going to speak forthrightly to you. No beating about the bush as they say.
Laneve, will you marry me? I’ve loved you for such a long time and I can’t bear to see you and Malande live alone in Paris.