Cadets of Gascony: Two stories of old France

In Short

Cadets of Gascony is a pair of swashbuckling romantic novellas set in historical France, following two spirited Gascon gentlemen who find themselves entangled in high-stakes intrigue, perilous escapes, and unexpected romance. In the first tale, Paul de Marsan attempts to deliver a warning to the Count of Cadillac, only to be drawn into a deadly feud with the sinister Duke of Roquefort. In the second, Pierre le Moyne arrives in Paris and is thrust into a underground web of deceit to save a young woman from forced marriage. The book endures for its lively, honorable heroes and cinematic pace.

The Story

The volume brings together two fast-paced tales of adventure and romantic chivalry, centered on young Gascon gentlemen navigating deadly plots.

In the first story, Marsan, young Paul de Marsan journeys from his native province to warn the Count of Cadillac of an impending threat. Upon his arrival at Cadillac’s residence, however, he steps into a hornet's nest. He is mistaken for a spy by the stern M. Letourge, insulted by the treacherous Vicomte d'Aurilly, and finds his vital message stolen. While trying to clear his name, Paul encounters the captive Claire de Brissac and her noble companion, Mademoiselle Valérie de Cadillac, as well as his fellow soldier Fronsac.

The plot thickens when the ruthless Duc de Roquefort takes Paul prisoner. Held at Roquefort’s castle, Paul endures harrowing interrogations and the threat of severe torture. Roquefort attempts to force Claire into marriage, threatening Paul’s life and holding the fortress of Marleon against Cadillac’s besieging forces. Paul, showing remarkable resilience, coordinates a daring escape from the castle through hidden passages and steep cliffs. During the final confrontation, Fronsac strikes down Roquefort, freeing Valérie and Claire. As Roquefort lies dying, his past secrets and true motives are brought to light, leaving Paul and Claire free to pursue their shared future together as peace returns to the region.

In the second story, A Child of the Night, Pierre le Moyne finds himself drawn into a dramatic plight in the dark streets of Paris. He rescues Nanette Ribaut, an innocent young woman fleeing an unwanted forced marriage to the repulsive Briquet, arranged by her tyrannical uncle, M. Ribaut. Pierre takes Nanette under his protection, housing her safely while seeking help from M. d’Argenson, the Lieutenant of Police.

Pierre’s heroic intervention draws the wrath of Mère Fouchon, a villainous underworld figure colluding with Ribaut. Pierre is dragged into the grim, shadowy subterranean world of Paris, captured, and chained in a dark cellar to rot. There he meets Ninon, the titular "child of the night," who harbors a deep, tragic affection for Pierre. Ninon sacrifices her life to ensure Pierre’s freedom and Nanette’s safety. Armed with proof of Ribaut's corruption, Pierre escapes and returns to the Palais Royal. With M. d’Argenson’s intervention, Ribaut’s schemes are thwarted, and Pierre marries Nanette, eventually settling into a peaceful life at St. Cloud while keeping the memory of Ninon's sacrifice alive.

How It Unfolds

An unexpected confrontation Paul de Marsan arrives at the Count of Cadillac's ante-chamber only to be branded a spy by Letourge and provoked into a duel by the Vicomte d'Aurilly. He realizes his warning letter has been stolen and that he has entered a dangerous trap.

Captured by the duke Taken prisoner near the château by the ruthless Duc de Roquefort, Paul faces bitter interrogation while Cadillac’s forces surround the fortress. Held in the dismal cellars of Marleon, Paul prepares himself to endure torture rather than betray his friends.

A perilous escape With the help of Claire and Fronsac, Paul navigates secret doors and steep cliff paths to escape Roquefort’s stronghold. During the frantic escape, Roquefort is fatally wounded, opening the way for Cadillac's triumph.

A night in Paris In the second story, Pierre le Moyne encounters Nanette Ribaut in the streets of Paris, offering her shelter from a forced marriage. He vows to protect her, sleeping on her threshold to keep her safe from her uncle’s agents.

In the underworld trap Pierre is ambushed in a dark cul-de-sac by Mère Fouchon and chained in a subterranean dungeon. Left to die in the dark, he is aided by Ninon, a devoted girl of the streets who gives her life so he can escape.

Triumph and sanctuary Pierre reaches M. d’Argenson at the Palais Royal with evidence of the plot against Nanette. Her fortune is restored, her uncle’s plan is shattered, and Pierre brings Nanette to a peaceful new home at St. Cloud.

The People

• Paul de Marsan: A proud, brave young Gascon nobleman who travels to deliver a message to the Count of Cadillac. He faces imprisonment, torture, and betrayal, evolving from an impulsive youth into a resolute hero who secures the freedom of those he loves.
• The Duc de Roquefort: A swarthy, hot-tempered villain with basilisk eyes who holds the fortress of Marleon. He seeks to force Claire de Brissac into marriage and destroy Cadillac, but his ruthlessness leads to his eventual downfall.
• Claire de Brissac: A fair and courageous young woman held in Roquefort’s power. She risks her own safety to aid Paul’s escape and ultimately accepts his devotion.
• Pierre le Moyne: A chivalrous Gascon living in Paris who impulsively protects Nanette Ribaut from a forced marriage. His sense of honor drives him into deep danger within the Paris underworld, which he overcomes to win Nanette’s hand.
• Nanette Ribaut: An innocent young woman fleeing her tyrannical uncle and an abhorrent suitor. She relies entirely on Pierre's protection and grows to love him deeply.
• Ninon: A tragic street girl, the "child of the night," who loves Pierre unconditionally and sacrifices her life to save him from Mère Fouchon's trap.

In Its Own Voice

“A gentleman whom he had insulted, Monsieur,” I answered proudly. “We of Marsan permit that from no man.”

Paul de Marsan defends his honor in the Count's ante-chamber after striking the Vicomte d'Aurilly for an insult.

“Death is not pleasant when one looks it in the face. Besides, I shall take care of you. I shall see that this pretty flesh be not wasted in such a way.”

The Duc de Roquefort taunts Claire de Brissac as she threatens to throw herself from the cliff rather than submit to him.

“I love you enough to give you to another, M. Pierre--to die that she may possess you.”

Ninon whispers her final words to Pierre le Moyne as she dies in his arms after rescuing him from the dungeon.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book explores the nature of Gascon honor, devotion, and self-sacrifice against corrupt authority. Both novellas pit honest, high-spirited young men against entrenched power structures—whether aristocratic tyranny in provincial châteaux or criminal conspiracies in the Parisian underworld.

The narratives contrast cold, mercenary match-making with genuine, unselfish love. Figures like Roquefort and Ribaut treat young women as property or leverage, whereas Paul and Pierre view protection as a sacred duty. The stories also reflect on redemption and tragedy, showing how loyalty can blossom in dark places, as seen through Ninon's heartbreaking sacrifice for a man whose heart belongs to another.

Why Read It Today

Cadets of Gascony offers an engaging experience for readers who enjoy classic cloak-and-sword romance in the tradition of Alexandre Dumas. Burton Egbert Stevenson delivers briskly paced narrative arcs, dramatic swordplay, secret passages, and noble heroics without unnecessary fluff or modern cynicism.

The prose feels atmospheric and immersive, vividly shifting between the rustic châteaux of the French countryside and the foggy, sinister alleys of old Paris. While the dialogue occasionally reflects early 20th-century melodrama and period conventions regarding chivalric romance, the core action remains swift and accessible. Readers looking for high adventure, clear-cut moral stakes, and heartfelt historical storytelling will find these two French tales thoroughly satisfying.