Chapter summary
Korasoff's instructions say never to contradict, in person, the one to whom one writes. One evening at the Opera, in Fervaques's box, Julien Sorel praises the ballet of Manon Lescaut only because he finds it insignificant, and the Marechale, who usually professes contempt for novels, says the ballet is far inferior to the book by Abbé Prévost, before recalling that Bonaparte judged it written for lackeys. Julien deduces that someone wished to compromise him with the Marechale by telling her of his enthusiasm for Napoleon, and at the farewell he hears the message.
Analysis
Julien praises the ballet only because he finds it insignificant, faithful to Korasoff's rule of never contradicting, in person, the one who receives the letters, and the Marechale contradicts him, recalling that Bonaparte judged the book written for lackeys. From there Julien deduces that someone spoke to her of his admiration for Napoleon and wanted to compromise him, and he hears the message at parting.
Ch. XXVIII. The Marechale de Fervaques to Julien, at the Opera: As he took leave of the Marechale in the vestibule of the Opera, she said: "Remember, sir, that whoever loves me must not love Napoleon; at most he may accept him as a necessity imposed by Providence. Besides, that man did not have a soul elegant enough to feel the masterpieces of the arts."
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