The Queen's Gambit
by Maurice Valency, Eugene Scribe

It is the year 1817, when every affair, whether of politicians or lovers, had its intrigue.

Henri de Flavigneul, a young Napoleonic officer, as been condemned as a conspirator.

The beautiful Countess d'Antreval, who is in love with him, has disguised him as a stable groom, while he waits for a chance to escape across the border.

Meanwhile,the Countess' young niece has fallen in love with him as well.

The prefect now arrives with a company of dragoons to arrest Henri, but he does not know what Henri looks like.

The Countess and the prefect now play an intricate game of wits in which she uses an admirer as a decoy.

In the end, Henri is able to escape, but he returns in order to save the admirer from the firing squad.

Everyone is saved by the king's messenger, who arrives in a hilarious scene with the royal amnesty.

The Countess graciously resigns her rights to Henri in favor of her niece.

This is a witty, romantic comedy in high style.