Chapter XV

The Baron recounts his survival from the massacre, his rescue by Jesuits, and his rise through the priesthood to become a colonel in Paraguay, all orchestrated by Providence.

Candide confirms the Baron's sister is nearby and states his intention to marry her, expressing his desire to pursue this union.

The Baron indignantly refuses Candide's marriage proposal, invoking social hierarchy and family quarterings as justification for why such a union is beneath his sister's station.

Candide responds that quarterings signify nothing, appeals to his services rescuing Cunegonde, and invokes Pangloss's teaching that all men are equal to justify his right to marry her.

The Baron responds to Candide's egalitarian claims with physical violence, striking him across the face with the flat of his sword.

Candide draws his rapier and kills the Baron in response to the blow, then immediately grieves over having killed his friend and brother-in-law.

Candide expresses shock at his own capacity for violence, noting he has now killed three men including two priests, contradicting his self-image as the most good-natured creature.

Cacambo quickly dresses Candide in the dead Baron's Jesuit habit and mounts him on horseback to facilitate escape, relying on the disguise to pass through camp barriers.

When Cacambo urges him to eat, Candide expresses despair over killing the Baron's son and losing Cunegonde, yet continues eating despite his protestations.

Upon hearing cries and witnessing two monkeys attacking naked girls, Candide uses his marksmanship skills to kill the monkeys, believing he has rescued the girls from danger.

Candide argues that by saving the girls, he has made amends for killing an Inquisitor and Jesuit, and suggests this act may bring them advantages in the country.

The girls weep over and embrace the dead monkeys, revealing through their lamentations that these were their lovers, contradicting Candide's rescue narrative.

Cacambo corrects Candide's misunderstanding, explaining that in some countries monkeys are lovers of women and constitute a quarter-human species deserving of such relationships.

Candide remembers Pangloss mentioning that such human-animal mixtures were once common and produced Centaurs, Fauns, and Satyrs, which he had dismissed as mythology but now recognizes as fact.

Cacambo advises that the girls, lacking proper education, may retaliate against them for killing their monkey lovers, prompting a hasty retreat into the woods.

While sleeping, Candide and Cacambo are captured and bound by the Oreillons, who have been informed by the girls and prepare to cook them, mistaking Candide for a Jesuit.

Candide laments facing roasting or boiling while separated from Cunegonde, questioning Pangloss's philosophy of pure nature being formed rightly.

Cacambo argues that they should not eat a Jesuit who is the Oreillons' defender, claims he killed the actual Jesuit, and appeals to principles of public law, humanity, and justice to spare them.

The Oreillons find Cacambo's argument reasonable, send representatives to confirm his story, and upon verification release their prisoners with civilities and supplies.

Candide marvels that pure nature proves good, as the Oreillons showed civility once he was revealed not to be a Jesuit, and attributes his deliverance to the fortunate consequence of killing the Baron.