When Class Trumps Love — Candide

The Baron will have ever present the day his father and mother were killed and his sister ravished. When the Bulgarians retired, Cunegonde could not be found. He, his parents, two maid-servants, and three little boys, all slain, were put in a hearse for a Jesuit chapel two leagues from the family seat. A Jesuit sprinkled them with holy water horribly salt. A few drops fell into his eyes. The father saw the eyelids stir, felt the heart, and gave assistance. In three weeks he recovered. He grew still prettier. Father Didrie conceived the tenderest friendship, gave him the habit, and in time sent him to Rome. The Father-General needed young German Jesuits; Paraguay prefers them as more subordinate than Spaniards. He set out with a Pole and a Tyrolese. He is today colonel and priest. They will excommunicate and beat the King of Spain's troops. Providence, he says, has sent Candide to assist. But is it true that Cunegonde is with the Governor of Buenos Ayres?

Candide swears it. Their tears begin afresh. The Baron embraces him as brother and saviour. Perhaps they will enter the town as conquerors and recover the sister. That is all I want, says Candide; I intended to marry her, and I still hope to do so. You insolent, replies the Baron: would you have the impudence to marry my sister who has seventy-two quarterings? Candide, petrified, answers that all the quarterings in the world signify nothing. He rescued her from a Jew and an Inquisitor. She has obligations. She wishes to marry him. Pangloss said all men are equal. Certainly he will marry her.

We shall see that, thou scoundrel, says the Jesuit Baron, and strikes him across the face with the flat of his sword. Candide draws his rapier and plunges it up to the hilt in the Jesuit's belly. Pulling it out reeking hot, he bursts into tears. He has killed his old master, his friend, his brother-in-law. He is the best-natured creature in the world, and yet he has already killed three men, of whom two were priests. Cacambo, sentry at the arbour door, runs in. Candide says they must sell their lives dearly. Cacambo does not lose his head. He puts the Baron's Jesuit habit and square cap on Candide and sets him on horseback, all in the twinkling of an eye. They will be taken for a Jesuit going to give directions. He flies, crying out in Spanish: Make way, make way, for the reverend Father Colonel.