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FATEFUL DECISIONS
FERRAND, FRANCE – JULY 1718
- Man of travel, man of sea,
What is your reason?
- I sail across the ocean
To stay out of prison.
From a popular sing, - c.1712
The tranquility at Ferrand lasted for a month, till Captain de Molienier was appointed to administer the garrison. The Captain promptly lost his heart – or, rather his mind, to Charlotte. De Molienier came from a noble and well-to-do family, he was only twenty-eight years old, he had excellent connections and therefore career prospects, and he was made even more attractive by his “dashing appearance“, as the now-married de Paulet sisters explained to Charlotte. “He is a man of honor and character,” they said in praise, to which Charlotte carelessly responded, “Most men look good in uniform…It is unfortunate
