Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 368 The Youth Guard of the French Republic!

Summer nights in Verneve on the banks of the Seine should be quiet and languid, with only the murmuring of the river and the rustling of the wind through the poplar trees.

But on this night in late July 1881, Lionel's villa was surrounded by a restless commotion.

The lights converged from the opposite bank of the river and the end of the road; they were not the gas lamps of the carriages, but dozens, even hundreds, of hand-held windproof oil lamps and torches.

In the shimmering halo of light, young and excited faces were reflected.

Most of them were wearing uniforms from the Saint-Cyr Military Academy or other Paris military academies, while some were wearing civilian clothes without rank insignia. There were at least a hundred of them.

Instead of attempting to breach the fence, they loosely surrounded the villa like well-trained soldiers, forming an encirclement.

"Sorel, get out here!"

"Traitors must be brought to justice!"

"The glory of France must not be tarnished!"

"Without war, where does glory come from!"

The chaotic yet hostile chants replaced the chirping of insects on the summer night, making the air tremble.

Through the gap in the curtains in the study on the second floor of the villa, Lionel calmly observed everything downstairs.

Sophie stood beside him, her face pale; Alice and Patty also stared in horror at the flickering firelight and figures below.

Petty's voice trembled with tears: "What...what do they want to do?" The twelve-year-old girl couldn't comprehend the scene before her.

Lionel's voice remained calm: "They're military academy students, so don't worry too much. They care a lot about their future and won't do anything foolish."

Alice turned and ran downstairs: "I'm going out to call the police!"

Lionel called out to her, “It’s no use, Alice. They’re just gathering and chanting slogans on a public road right now; they haven’t crossed any lines or damaged any property.”

Even if the police arrived, they could only try to disperse the group, but they clearly wouldn't listen. Moreover, the fact that they dared to do this suggests they had some kind of tacit approval.

Sophie's eyes were full of worry: "Then what are you going to do? They don't seem like they're going to leave easily."

Lionel straightened his shirt collar: "They're after me. Hiding isn't an option; I'll go out and talk to them."

"You three, stay inside, lock the door, and don't come out no matter what noise you hear."

Sophie grabbed Lionel's arm urgently: "Leon! No..."

Lionel gently pulled his hand away from Sophie's and reassured her, "Don't worry, this is France, not Russia. They won't dare to use torture on me."

At least they wouldn't dare do it in full view of others.

He took a deep breath, walked down the stairs, through the foyer, opened the heavy front door of the villa, and came to the front yard.

Suddenly, a louder commotion and whistling erupted outside the door, like hounds that had caught the scent of blood.

Lionel stood alone under the lamplight at the courtyard gate, facing the dark mass of people and the flickering flames, his spine ramrod straight.

His voice was soft: "Good evening, gentlemen. In my hometown in the Alps, visiting neighbors is usually done during the day, and we give them advance notice."

Has Parisian fashion evolved to the point where people socialize at night while carrying torches?

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd, but there were even more angry shouts.

"Shut up, Sorel!"

"We're not here to socialize with you!"

"You traitor to your motherland!"

A tall young man in the uniform of the Saint-Cyr Military Academy's cavalry department stepped forward from the crowd.

He had a meticulously trimmed short blond beard, his chin was slightly raised, and his eyes were full of contempt and arrogance.

He gestured to silence the noise from his companions behind him, clearly demonstrating his authority among the group.

He deliberately drew out his words, with an air of aristocratic languor: "Mr. Lionel Sorel?"

“It’s me.” Lionel looked at him calmly. “And you are?”

“Charles de La Rochefoucauld-Lioncourt!” the young man announced, uttering a surname that resonated throughout French history and politics. The La Rochefoucauld-Lioncourt family held an extremely high position in the history of French nobility; La Rochefoucauld itself was one of the oldest noble families in France.
Leoncourt was one of the most influential branches, playing a highly symbolic role during the transition from the Enlightenment to the French Revolution.

The seventh Duke of La Rochefoucauld was both a representative of the aristocracy and a pioneer of social reform and philanthropy.

On July 14, 1789, after the revolutionaries stormed the Bastille, he warned Louis XVI:

"No, Your Majesty, this is not a riot, but a revolution."

This sentence later became a classic opening line for historians describing the French Revolution.

This young "Charles" seems quite proud of his surname.

Charles La Rochefoucauld then revealed another identity of his: "I am also the temporary convener of the 'Youth Guard of the French Republic'."

Lionel nodded: "Mr. La Rochefoucauld, and members of the 'Youth Guard,' what are you here to protect in my house?"

Charles de La Rochefoucauld scoffed: "Sorel, put away your literary glibness! You know perfectly well why we're here!"

He stepped forward, the torchlight dancing on his young and handsome face: "We've heard that you're preparing to follow in the footsteps of your 'predecessors' and flee abroad!"
Do you think you can escape the judgment you deserve for the crimes you committed against the French Republic?

Lionel raised an eyebrow: "I committed a crime? That's quite a story. I wonder if it's an exclusive from Le Figaro or Le Gaul?"

Charles shouted sternly, "Don't play dumb! You oppose the country's colonial policies and slander our just actions in Tunisia and Tokyo!"
Your remarks have emboldened the enemy and shaken the morale of the people! This is treason!

We must ensure that 'anti-French elements' like you cannot escape the law!

The youths behind him erupted in enthusiastic applause, and slogans rang out once more.

After a brief pause, Lionel slowly spoke: "If the judicial authorities believe that my remarks have violated the law and file a lawsuit against me, I will naturally appear in court."

But this needs to go through legal procedures, not be tried by a bunch of young people calling themselves the 'guard' outside my private residence.

Charles scoffed, “Legal procedures? Who knows if you’ll sneak away before the trial? We have no confidence in the efficiency of the judiciary.”

Therefore, the 'Youth Guard' has decided to exercise the citizens' right to oversight! We will 'accompany' you here until the day you stand in the dock!

Lionel's eyes turned cold: "You mean, you're going to put me under house arrest?"

Charles waved his hand, revealing a fake smile: "Oh, no! How could we do such an illegal thing? France is a country ruled by law."

You have complete personal freedom; you can go out anytime and go wherever you want—like cafes, theaters, or, well, train stations and docks.

We just happen to enjoy going to those places, and we enjoy being in the same place and at the same time as you.

The law doesn't prohibit us from being in the same public place as each other, does it? This is just a chance encounter between citizens.

This is using the ambiguity of the law to harass and intimidate, like having a bunch of fleas on your body.

They would follow Lionel like shadows, squeezing his space and tormenting his nerves with their presence, their gaze, and their slogans.

They wanted to announce to all of Paris that he was under the surveillance of "patriotic youths".

Lionel paused for a moment, knowing it would be futile to argue with these young people, driven by fervent emotions, about whether colonial policy was right or wrong.

Looking into Charles de La Rochefoucauld's eyes, blazing with ambition, he knew that nothing could be accomplished tonight.

He finally asked one last question: "What about my family and friends? Are you going to go with them too?"

Charles shrugged: "We're not thugs or thugs. They can go wherever they want, except for you."

But don't even think about getting away with it, especially not by hiding in a carriage to escape! So we'll be keeping a close eye on them. Don't worry, we're all gentlemen!

However, despite his words, the threat in his eyes remained undiminished; the young men following behind him also chuckled strangely.

Lionel nodded, then smiled. "I understand. Thank you for your 'enthusiasm' and 'companionship'—"

If you're sure you want to do this. However, I'm going back to rest.

As for going to court—I will be there on September 1st, as scheduled.

Now, please excuse me. Have a pleasant guard duty, everyone!

After saying that, he ignored the next wave of insults and mockery that erupted behind him, turned around, calmly walked back to the villa, closed the door, and shut out the noise and firelight.

(End of this chapter)