Book of the duchess: a deal refused

Number 14: Marguérite and Jacqueline visit the prisoners to offer them their freedom, if they all give the information that Guillot requires to bring their confederates to book. The offer is, naturally, refused.

The plot episode 13 (summarised from the text of Lorna’s novel)

Duchess Jacqueline was appalled when she discovered that her Provost marshall Guillot had tricked Michael and Raoul into their arrest by way of his forged letter. Her lady-in-waiting and friend Marguérite suggested that they visit the two men in prison to disassociate themselves from Guillot’s plot, and strike a deal for their release. If Michael and Raoul were willing to confess details of their organisation and conderates, Jacqueline could trade this information with Guillot in exchange for their freedom.

Michael and Raoul did not trust Jacqueline, a woman who would go to any lengths of cruelty. Michael refused the deal, declaring that Jacqueline could tear him limb from limb before he betrayed any soul who had aided him. Raoul might have endorsed this sentiment more heartily had he not been considering the beauty of Marguérite at the time of this heated exchange between Michael and Jacqueline.

After the ladies left, Michael admitted to Raoul that he deeply regretted falling half in love with his ‘Lady of the Minster’ - but he was not telling the whole truth. Despite everything, he was wholly in love with Jacqueline.  

Lorna’s remarks

This is first of the second series, painted while ill in bed.

Except for one or two faults of paint owing to the bad surface of the paper, this is a much improved effort and shows a determined attempt at shadows, or should I say chiaroscuro?

The composition too is fair, and the colours shadowed without being dirty.

Poor Raoul has suffered facially as usual. This time, if I remember, it was caused by a pernicious attempt to draw his head last, which could only end in disaster.

The duchess’ hands, always a difficult point and a sore one, are better drawn this time.