El Dorado · Chapter
Widely Divergent Aims explained
Armand St.
What happens
Armand St. Just returns to Paris after fifteen months abroad, finding the city transformed by the Terror. He encounters the Baron de Batz, who argues that the Scarlet Pimpernel's rescue efforts only prolong the revolution by removing victims who would otherwise provoke reprisals. Their conversation reveals the fundamental conflict between the League's humanitarian aims and de Batz's monarchist political goals.
Themes in this chapter
Sacrifice and Redemption
The League's selfless devotion to rescuing innocent victims is contrasted with de Batz's political pragmatism.
Identity and Disguise
The Scarlet Pimpernel's identity is partially revealed, yet he remains a mysterious figure; Armand feels like a stranger in his own city.
Power and Corruption
The revolution's ideals have been corrupted by lustful demagogues; de Batz uses bribery to survive.
Characters to notice
- Armand St. Just
Returns to Paris after fifteen months, feeling like a stranger in his native city; encounters de Batz and defends the Scarlet Pimpernel's motives.
- De Batz
Accosts Armand in the street; argues that the Scarlet Pimpernel should feed the revolution rather than starve it; boasts of his own survival through bribery.
- Sir Percy Blakeney
Referenced as the Scarlet Pimpernel; his identity is partially known to Chauvelin and Collot d'Herbois; his leadership and motives are debated.
- Marguerite Blakeney
Mentioned as Armand's sister, happily married in England; her past republican involvement and marriage to an English 'aristo' are noted.
- Chauvelin
Referenced as one who has lifted the veil of mystery regarding the Scarlet Pimpernel's identity.
- Collot d'Herbois
Referenced as having seen the Scarlet Pimpernel at Boulogne and been foiled by him.
- Sir Andrew Ffoulkes
Listed among the married members of the League who leave wife and children at the chief's call.
- Robespierre
Referenced as the most powerful man of the day, imitated by Antoine St. Just.
Key passages
“At first the impenetrable mystery which had surrounded the personality of the chief had been a full measure of safety, but now one tiny corner of that veil of mystery had been lifted by two rough pairs of hands at least; Chauvelin, ex-ambassador at the English Court, was no longer in any doubt as to the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel, whilst Collot d'Herbois had seen him at Boulogne, and had there been effectually foiled by him.”
The chief's anonymity once protected the League, but Chauvelin now knows who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, and Collot d'Herbois has seen him in person at Boulogne.
Highlights the increased danger to the League as the Pimpernel's identity is compromised.
“The married men—Ffoulkes, my Lord Hastings, Sir Jeremiah Wallescourt—left wife and children at a call from the chief, at the cry of the wretched.”
Even married members like Ffoulkes, Lord Hastings, and Sir Jeremiah Wallescourt abandon their families when the chief summons them to rescue the suffering.
Emphasizes the extraordinary commitment of the League members.
“Your friend the Scarlet Pimpernel should feed this bloody revolution of ours rather than starve it, if indeed he hates it as he seems to do.”
De Batz argues that the Pimpernel should let the revolution consume itself by allowing more victims to die, rather than rescuing them.
Reveals the ideological conflict between humanitarian rescue and political strategy.
