The Fencing School

<Andre-Louis>

The day's debates had been dull and Andre-Louis had heard them through his own thoughts, which screamed ever louder thanks to the alcohol he and Isaac had consumed that morning. He'd made his customary apology for arriving late, but the joy with which the 3rd Estate received the news that d'Azyr had been wounded, was still marred for Moreau by the haunting image of Aline crying.

It was over. There was no one left to challenge the Paladin of the 3rd Estate. No one pushed him on his way out, nor insulted him, nor deliberately picked a fight in any other way. To be frank Moreau was glad. He hadn't really wanted to fight all those who'd challenged him... just Chabrillaine and d'Azyr. He'd slipped away quietly at the end of the day and gone back to his fencing academy, sorely neglected by him of late. A stranger was leaving as he entered the salle. "New pupil?" he asked of Le Duc, gesturing to the retreating figure.

�Not entirely new,� Le Duc laughed as he wiped the sweat from hid hands on a rag which he tossed on a nearby stool. �He�s be attending for nearly a month. He�s usually come and gone while you�re in session.� Le Duc dropped down on the stool and began stripping himself of his gear. �You�re work for the 3rd Estate has not gone unnoticed though, I swear business has increased since they were foolish enough to print that you were a fencing instructor.�

<Andre-Louis>

"Wretched journalists, damn near ruined everything!" laughed Moreau. "Do you know I had to goad d'Azyr into challenging me after that article came out."

�It wouldn�t surprise me,� Le Duc replied. �For all that he is, he�s not a fool. You�d already proven yourself against their best.� Free of the confining accoutrements, Le Duc flexed and stretched his limbs gratefully. �And now that your career as the champion of the 3rd Estate is at an end can we expect to see more of you here?�

<Mme. de Plougastel>

Once Mme. la Comtesse de Plougastel revived Aline and assured her that Andre-Louis was very much alive, the younger woman charged her with the duty of determining that he was indeed well. Had Andre come when she beckoned him the girl would have been certain of the fact herself. But Andre, ever cold and aloof, passed on without so much as a word. She could meet him directly after for she knew he would go into session to report his actions, so la Comtesse sent one of her footmen to look after Andre and return to her when the fencing master had return to his lounging.

It was sometime later that afternoon that the man returned to report that Andre had gone to the academy at which point la Comtesse ordered a coach brought around and that it take her to the Academy of M. Bertrand des Amis and presently stood knocking at door.

<Andre-Louis>

Moreau frowned, he hadn't really considered it seriously. True he had no reason to stay in the Assembly now, true he ought to make his peace with his godfather and save what he could of their shattered relationship... but could he just back out? Probably not. What would Isaac say? Or Danton? Besides, things were getting interesting... they were changing history and, so far, for the better. He was saved from giving a direct reply by the sound of knocking at the door. "Were you expecting someone?" he asked Le Duc.

Le Duc frowned as he considered, then shook his head slowly, "No, that was the last student I expected today." Hopping off the stool, he went to investigate the nature of the visitor on the landing. The door opened to reveal the refined figure of Madame de Plougastel, who, for lack of a response from Le Duc (who was at a loss for words), swepted into the room unbidden. Le Duc glanced to Andre to see if the other wished him to leave.

<Andre-Louis>

"Madame de Plougastel!" he exclaimed in surprise. She was the last person he'd expected to see. Had she come to chide him for upsetting Aline so much? With his eyes he motioned Le Duc to stay, for moral support. "Come in." he added, remembering his manners and offered her the best stool in the salle.

<Mme. de Plougastel>

Madame de Plougastel moved to the seat Andre indicated, then glanced at Le Duc, who gave every impression that he would not be leaving. Though she thought it in poor taste on Le Duc�s part to stay and listen in on the conversation, there was nothing she could say that he couldn�t hear. �Why did you not come when I motioned you from the carriage, Andre?� she asked unceremoniously.

<Andre-Louis>

"What for? To apologise? To beg Aline to forgive me for wounding her beloved Marquis? No, don't protest!" He silenced any reply quickly, "I saw her crying, remember."

<Mme. de Plougastel>

Madame de Plougastel stared at Andre in pure astonishment. �Andre, have you no heart? How is it that you think so little of her feelings?� she finally exclaimed, casting a brief appealing look at Le Duc. She was chilled by Andre�s aloofness, wondering from whence it stemmed. Was he so cold for lack of proper parenting? She if anyone was to blame for that.

Le Duc felt the noble woman�s eye moved to him and looked down at his sleeve to remove an imaginary blemish from it. Then looked to Andre not entirely certain of the relationship he had with this woman.

<Andre-Louis>

Heartless? Perhaps he was... everyone seemed to think so. "Of course I regret upsetting her, but what would you have me do?" he asked, "I can hardly un-fight d'Azyr just to appease Aline's feelings! And even if I could, I wouldn't. Aline's an intelligent woman... she knows the history between d'Azyr and me... she'll come to realise that that duel had to happen."

<Mme. de Plougastel>

�I fear you do a great injustice to Aline,� Therese sighed in exasperation. �You wrongly misattribute her motivates.� She was hesitant to go into further detail, unsure to what extent Aline would wish her feelings revealed to Andre when it was unlikely she was fully aware herself. �The dual is done, it is passed� but now you should think of making peace with those who love you so.�

<Andre-Louis>

Those who love him so? Did anyone? Moreau would have contested it. "My godfather knows where to find me. " he said stubbornly, thinking that when Mme de Plougastel spoke of making peace, her thoughts ran parallel to his. "I can't and won't change my politics for him. As for Aline, I sincerely wish her every happiness with the man she has chosen. I realize now that I did her a grave injustice in thinking she was marrying d'Azyr for money. Quite why she loves him I can't imagine. Still, I suppose she is entitled to be as mad as the rest of us, isn't that right, Le Duc?"

�As you say,� Le Duc chimed in. �It is a mad, mad world we live in.� It was a true testament to Andre�s character that he could stand for stand for someone he love , his own kin, to marry a man he so bitterly loath as d�Azyr merely to see them happy. Was that the reason d�Azyr continued to live� to insure his cousin�s happiness?

<Mme. de Plougastel>

Turned on Le Duc irritation, already she didn't like the man. His presence seemed down-right demeaning and that he should assert his opinion on a topic he knew nothing about was presumptuous and rude! Or had Andre confided in the man? "Are you so sure of her feelings?"

<Andre-Louis>

"If I wasn't before this morning, I certainly am now. How can anyone become hysterical over a paltry flesh wound such as the one I gave d'Azyr without loving him?" Moreau began to tidy away some of the fencing equipment to mask his emotion at that point. It was hard enough admitting to himself that he'd lost Aline and to have to admit it aloud was torture, but he was determined not to let it show. Strangely enough he hadn't realised just how much Aline meant to him, until that moment when he realised just how little he obviously meant to her. A mad world, he thought to himself, why should she be different?... come to that, why should I?

<Mme. de Plougastel>

Mme de Plougastel slowly exhaled as she tried desperately not to become angry with the obtuse Andre. �I cannot say with certainty what Aline�s feeling were,� she began, ��but for my own part, the Marquis was not my only concern. It is possible that the same holds true for Aline.�

<Andre-Louis>

"I apologise if I doubted your nature, Madame de Plougastel," replied Moreau as he handed Le Duc a face guard to put in the cupboard behind him. "You have always shown great kindness to me." Though for the life of me, I don't know why, he thought silently. "I should have know that you wished only to prevent a duel between two people you know well. Perhaps Aline did too, at first," he stooped to pick up a book which had fallen from its place on the shelf, "but her reaction to d'Azyr's injury was too violent to be ignored. She must hate me!" the words had slipped out before he could stop them. Scaramouche the actor had let emotion into the performance... it wasn't in the script.

<Mme. de Plougastel>

She stared at him in stunned silence � it was the first genuine emotion she had seen him express and the most revealing. He stood gazing at the book in his hands rather than look at her, perhaps he was startled that he had revealed too much. Mme de Plougastel, denied a view of Andre�s eyes studied his profile� was he in love with Aline? Is that where his hostility stemmed? �Aline doesn�t hate you. It is as much for her benefit as my own that I came to see you. She asked me to inquire as to your health. That is not the reason of a heart filled with loathing.�

Le Duc nearly dropped the face guard at the note of anger in Moreau�s voice, he risked a quick glance over his shoulder to see that the lady was just as startled. �It�s possible that the mere sight of blood was the cause of the lady�s tears. My sister faints dead away at the sight of blood,� Le Duc blurted out in the silences that followed as he placed the face guard on its hook.

<Andre-Louis>

Moreau didn't look up, but he did manage to smile at Le Duc's words and silently thanked him. Those words brought him to his senses. He put the book back in its rightful place and turned back to Mme de Plougastel. "You may inform Aline that I am in the best of health. The Marquis didn't touch me." Was there a note of pride about that, even now? He paused before adding lightly, "Of course, if she doubts you and prefers the evidence of her own eyes, she will always be welcome chez exhibit A."

<Mme. de Plougastel>

�I will let Aline know you are well and extent to her your invitation,� Mme. Plougastel began. �But I pray you consider making peace with your godfather� his pride oft times works against his better judgment, but I know that he still cares for you.� She wanted to leave him with that thought. While she was there he would continue to hide behind the role he was accustomed to playing, but there was a moment there � a flash of humanity. Perhaps when he was alone that evening he might think of her words, of the affection that he had for his godfather, and perhaps that would wear through the characteristic stubbornness. �I am greatly relieved you are well,� she ended instead, the only sign of tenderness she could offer her son.

<Andre-Louis>

"Thank you." he responded, somewhat awkwardly. Moreau was always confused by this woman's interest in him.

<Mme. de Plougastel>

With a last look at Andre and a curt nod to Le Duc, Mme de Plougastel departed. The interview troubled her. He showed little remorse for worry he caused. It was too much to believe that he had anything but disappointment for not killing D�Azyr, how could he know the bond they shared. Would it have changed matters if she had told him? She descended the stairs, passing an agitated little man half-way. Outside her groom handed her into the carriage and she ordered to be taken to the Hotel de Plougastel, where she was sure Aline was anxiously awaiting news.

Le Duc blinks in confusion as Madame de Plougastel picked up skirts and swept out. Obviously there was much to the situation that he did not know. �Well, well�quite a lady�� Le Duc said for lack of a better response.

<Andre-Louis>

"A close friend of my godfather's." he said by way of explanation. "She means well, I'm sure." There was nothing left to tidy away and the realisation made Moreau frown to himself. "Le Duc," he asked suddenly, "do you think I was wrong to fight d'Azyr?"

"There's a question," Le Duc exclaimed, dropping onto a stool and rubbing his chin. "I suppose it would depend on the reasons... the man did do you a nasty turn which would give you reasonable cause to fight him." He sensed that in the light of causing his cousin such distress, Moreau was trying to find reason to justify his actions. "D'Azyr and his compatriots have long been using such tactics to act the defenseless. Within this week you've taken out their best, if you feel your own reasons are insufficient, then think of all those you have spared by ridding the Assembly of such vile persons."

<Andre-Louis>

"You're right, I'm being selfish. Perhaps I should go and see her." It wasn't quite a question, but it wasn't quite not a question either. It hung in mid-air, undecided.

�Perhaps you should,� Le Duc said, unnecessary arranging the objects beside him. �You may find the answer you seek�and it may absolve you from any accusations of being inconsiderate.� He added the last part lightly.