Book of the duchess: Michael and Raoul captured

Number 12: For the sake of peace in the city, Jacqueline gives orders for the apprehension of the ring leaders of the disorders. Michael is captured by treachery in a dark street, while the Duchess looks on (two versions)

The plot episode 11 (summarised from the text of Lorna’s novel)

Provost marshal Guillot reported to Duchess Jacqueline that Michael was planning a rebellion, and that he should be apprehended. He made no mention of Michael’s plans for constitutional reform. Jacqueline eventually agreed to the arrest of Michael and Raoul on the condition that they would be tried fairly.

Guillot devised a plot to entice the two ‘arch rebels’ to a remote part of town where he could take them both by force. He forged a letter to Michael that gave the impression that the lady he met at the minster wished to meet him in secret. He was to come to the rendezvous-sous with one friend, taking care to ensure that the duchess’ spies has no knowledge of their movements.

Michael and Raoul walked straight into the trap, as witnessed by Jacqueline, who thought that her presence there would guarantee fair treatment of the prisoners.

Instead, when Michael realised that the lady at the minster was in fact the ‘evil’ duchess, he believed that she was the instigator of the plot to capture him and Raoul. Now they both faced certain execution.

Lorna’s remarks on version 1 (the picture on the left)

A very dark and dirty street, if you ask me!

Two chaps seem to have been lain out in a struggle. The Duchess, strictly incognito be it understood, seems to be guarded by a dwarf. Whether Raoul is being similarly apprehended round a corner in another street, I really do not know, but I suspect it for he reappears in the next two or three pictures with Michael in most unenviable circumstances.

I suppose by the dagger in Michael’s hand the two ‘bodies’ on the ground are dead. I really don’t remember. He does seem to be a bruiser.