Memoirs of Les Amis de l'ABC

Chapter Twenty-Two: To Enact a Plan

The sun cast down a shadow across the great estate providing it with an eerie appearance despite the fact that it was only midday in the town. Sybill clutched carefully to her basket with one hand and clung to her father's arm with the other while Valjean maneuvered around the premises with the aid of a walking stick.

At the gate, no one questioned the appearance of the old man and his daughter when Valjean claimed they were "friends of the general." The seemingly harmless pair flew through to the front door where a maid escorted the pair into a parlor where they were to await the general. Everyone knew of the reason for the foreign visitors it seemed, and Sybill felt her spine stiffen with a panic that perhaps already their confidence had been betrayed. Although her father's gaze looked determinedly forward, Sybill knew he must share in her endless, worried thoughts.

The clock struck the hour of one when finally a footman entered the room to announce the entrance of General Jean Maximilien Lamarque into the parlor. Sybill rose to her feet although her father remained seated in an ornate chair with a walking cane nestled between his legs.

General Jean Maximilien Lamarque entered the parlor dressed in full military uniform for the meeting. His boots sounded even, measured, and calculated across the marble floor as he walked inside. He appeared taller than Sybill had expected with a head of white hair and a mustache to match. Sybill watched his calculating, brown eyes survey the room before landing on her. Those eyes questioned her place in this meeting and provoked a challenge.

"Hello, good monsieur," smiled Sybill charmingly with a bow to the elderly gentleman before her. "I am Monsieur Amon Mercier's daughter, monsieur, and I do apologize for the intrusion. You see, my dear father is blind therefore he often necessitates I play the part of companion and caretaker."

General Jean Maximillian Lamarque's eyes bore into Sybill's smile and composed demeanor. Valjean remained silent as he stared forward without blinking or moving. Lamarque sensed a larger plot afoot though he dare not call out the good gentleman so quick for if there be no scheme then he would lose perhaps his greatest ally. Lamarque paused before informing his companions of his decision.

"Very well," nodded the General solemnly. He motioned for the woman to sit in an ornate chair beside her father while he took for himself a couch across from the pair. Quickly, Sybill sat down and collected her notepad and fountain pen to write all the General informed them. Sybill stared patiently at the elderly man before her. She felt the beat of her heart rattle her rib cage, and she began to fear it might burst before General Lamarque had the opportunity to speak to her once more.

"Monsieur Mercier?" inquired General Lamarque with a casual air, turning to Sybill's father only.

"Yes, General?" replied Valjean in a remarkably calm tone of voice.

"We shall proceed," began General Lamarque. "Have you any question to begin?"

Jean Valjean felt riddled with anxiety, and in his older age with his nerves, he realized he forgot the first question Sybill demanded he ask of General Lamarque. Jean Valjean stared forward for quite some time before coughing. "I appear to have forgotten the question although my daughter wrote my words down," he explained. "Perhaps she may ask you."

Sybill stared at her father with terror before composing herself in anticipation of General Lamarque looking upon her. She quickly cleared her throat before perusing her notepad. "Very well." She gazed upon her writing as if she were reading it and announced, "Good General Jean Maximilien Lamarque, what are your thoughts of the uprising for I know you must hear the rumors?"

General Lamarque laughed aloud at the forwardness of such a question. "My, you are quite direct Monsieur Mercier," he announced while staring at Valjean.