In 1815, following the downfall of Napoleon, one of his generals, the Comte de Lavalette, was condemned to death by the royalists. On the night before sentence was to be carried out, his wife Émilie visited his prison cell and proposed an escape plan. When he had recovered his breath, the Count began to raise objections but Émilie would not listen.

As gently as possible, Antoine pointed out what he believed were fatal flaws in Émilie’s plan, from disguising himself in her clothes to the risks she would be running after he had escaped. But she brushed them aside, and reluctantly he agreed to follow her plan to the letter — except for the getaway vehicle, which he wanted brought nearer.

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