The Revolt of the Angels

by Jacques-Anatole-Françoi Thibault

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Summary

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In the enchanting world of the d'Esparvieu family, a magnificent library played a central role. With its vast collection of three hundred thousand volumes, the family entrusted Monsieur Julien Sariette with the care of these literary treasures. Sariette, devoted to his duty, protected these books with a vigilance akin to guarding priceless gems. Among the collection were rare first editions, some annotated by historical luminaries, and several unpublished manuscripts inscribed on ancient materials. To borrow even a single volume from Sariette was as improbable as filching an emerald.

Unfolding Mysteries

One fateful morning, Sariette discovered the library in disarray, with some of the most prized books scattered chaotically. Initially, he struggled to believe the evidence before him. His alarm grew when he noticed several volumes were missing. Reporting the theft to his employer led to an unsettling accusation—that he had been careless with the books. This suggestion deeply troubled Sariette, fueling his determination to uncover the truth.

Unexplained Occurrences

The mysterious disturbances persisted for over two months, undeterred by changed locks and a hired detective. Sariette even resorted to spending a night hidden in the library. Upon waking, he was startled to see the room bathed in an eerie glow. A book he was holding seemed possessed, refusing to close, and eventually, it struck him on the head, rendering him unconscious.

The Burden of Knowledge

Haunted by the experience, Sariette found himself unable to sleep or eat, teetering on the edge of madness. Relief came unexpectedly from Maurice d'Esparvieu, who resided in the garden pavilion and was unaware of the library's losses. He casually mentioned the stacks of library books in his rooms, prompting Sariette to rush over. There, he found his beloved books, scattered but intact. He painstakingly returned them to their rightful place in the library.

Perplexing Footprints

Despite this revelation, the cycle continued—books vanished each night, only to reappear in the pavilion by morning. Sariette remained just as baffled as before. A clue emerged when a dusting of talcum on the floor captured an unusual footprint, sparking speculation that it belonged to a fairy or perhaps a petite woman.

Unexpected Guests

Amidst these peculiar events, Maurice's life took a dramatic turn during an affair with Madame Gilberte des Aubels. During one of her visits to the pavilion, they were astonished by the sudden appearance of a nude man. Mistaking him for a burglar, Maurice offered him Gilberte's valuables. However, the stranger calmly introduced himself as Arcade, Maurice's guardian angel. He explained that angels could adopt human form at will and had accompanied Maurice since birth, unseen yet ever-present. Bored with Maurice’s idleness, Arcade had immersed himself in the intellectual riches of the d'Esparvieu library. Engrossed by the scientific perspectives on creation, he resolved to rebel against God.

Arcade's Bold Declaration

Arcade candidly shared his newfound beliefs with Gilberte and Maurice, acknowledging God’s existence but rejecting His role as creator. In Arcade's eyes, God, or Ialdabaoth as He was known in Heaven, was merely a formidable entity among others. Ialdabaoth's triumph over Satan had secured His dominion over a celestial realm abundant with beauty and wealth. Meanwhile, numerous angels, having taken human form on Earth, were poised to defy Ialdabaoth. Arcade was committed to leading these angels in a rebellion.

Moral Dilemmas

Shocked by his intentions, Gilberte and Maurice implored Arcade to abandon his rebellious path and reconcile with God, but he remained resolute. Concerned for his appearance, Maurice provided clothes for Arcade before his departure from the pavilion. Arcade, undeterred, soon found allies among other revolutionary angels, including Prince Istar, a chemist intent on crafting explosives, and...

(This entire section contains 868 words.)

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Zita, a warrior spirit undaunted by the prospect of conflict. Theophile, however, resisted the call to arms, his love for a mortal woman overshadowed by his faith in God. As the angels recruited more followers, they embraced earthly pleasures, with Arcade courting Gilberte in Maurice's pavilion. Despite his efforts, Arcade failed to secure financial support from Sophar, an angel turned banker, who offered weapons on credit instead.

The Final Countdown

As the angels neared the culmination of their plans, Maurice and Gilberte’s relationship persevered, forgiven by Maurice despite past transgressions. Sariette, meanwhile, found solace in the library as Arcade shifted his focus to the impending revolt. However, the accidental loss of a rare edition, Lucretius, dealt a devastating blow to Sariette's fragile mind, pushing him into insanity.

A Change of Heart

The stage was set: a vast assembly of rebel angels stood ready to confront Ialdabaoth, led by Arcade. They approached Satan to helm their insurrection, but he requested a night to deliberate. In his dream, Satan envisioned a victorious rebellion, only to find himself mirroring Ialdabaoth's distance from humanity. Awaking with new clarity, Satan convened the angelic leaders to reveal his insight.

Embracing a Different Path

Satan advised against their conquest of Heaven, declaring that victory would merely perpetuate cycles of conflict. He expressed his desire to remain on Earth, fostering love and support among humankind. He commended the angels for their role in eroding ignorance and superstition, urging them to continue spreading love and kindness. In this way, they could conquer God’s influence, bringing tranquility to both heaven and Earth.

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