He slipped by the door of the green-room, where the
ladies of the company had shut themselves in until the storm should
be over, and so gained the street behind the theatre. It was
deserted. Down this he went at a run, intent on reaching the inn
for clothes and money, since it was impossible that he should take
the road in the garb of Scaramouche.
BOOK III: THE SWORD
CHAPTER I
TRANSITION
"You may agree," wrote Andre-Louis from Paris to Le Chapelier, in
a letter which survives, "that it is to be regretted I should
definitely have discarded the livery of Scaramouche, since clearly
there could be no livery fitter for my wear. It seems to be my
part always to stir up strife and then to slip away before I am
caught in the crash of the warring elements I have aroused. It is
a humiliating reflection. I seek consolation in the reminder of
Epictetus (do you ever read Epictetus?) that we are but actors in
a play of such a part as it may please the Director to assign us.
It does not, however, console me to have been cast for a part so
contemptible, to find myself excelling ever in the art of running
away.
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