Book of the duchess: rebels meet in the forest

Number 8: Michael, weary of the injustices in his country and determined to rebel, harangues a company of malcontents in the forest

The plot episode 7 (summarised from the text of Lorna’s novel)

Provost Marshal Guillot was disappointed at Duchess Jacqueline’s leniency towards Michael, yet confident that he would soon have good reason to act against him. He was right: within days the palace spies observed Michael rallying rebels in the forest.

Jacqueline was distressed when Guillot reported this news to her. She sought the advice of her lady-in-waiting and confidante Marguérite. Marguérite pointed out that Michael probably believed that Jacqueline was just as evil as Guillot.  She also took advantage of this longed-for opportunity to suggest that Jacqueline get rid of Guillot.

Lorna’s remarks

I do not know what to say about this, Much of the effort and paint, most of it dirty, seems to have been spent on it without very much result.

Its failure cannot this time be put down to laziness, for a lot of time was spent both on the crowd and the trees. I hope gnarled trees don’t look like that, and that pastures in the distance don’t look so unappetising.

The figures in the crowd are, of course, much too close together, and a wonderful mixture they are. It is not, however, very surprising that I am not good at crowds (see picture number 10). They are very difficult, especially in a small space.

As for poor Raoul, words fail me. He is the huddled mess in the corner, conspicuous only for the very black eyebrow. All I can say in extenuation is that by the look of the paper in that corner he had to be very much rubbed out before he took any human shape, and that always tells on a fellow’s features.

If i wasn’t trying to be so honest, I should suppress this picture…The thing like a Catherine wheel above his head is a know in a tree trunk, to wit!