# IV: Mademoiselle Lange explained — El Dorado

> Chapter companion for El Dorado by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Armand St. Just and de Batz visit the actress Jeanne Lange at her lodgings. Jeanne expresses admiration for the Scarlet Pimpernel and presses Armand for details about him, but he remains discreet. She reveals her emotional distress over the Dauphin's plight, though she remains largely detached from the political turmoil, absorbed in her art. The chapter ends with Jeanne inviting Armand to visit again, and Armand, already smitten, eagerly accepts.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Disguise

The Scarlet Pimpernel's secret identity is a central topic; Armand conceals details about him, and Jeanne's curiosity highlights the theme of hidden personas.

### Innocence and Suffering

Jeanne's emotional reaction to the Dauphin's plight and her tears for Marie Antoinette underscore the suffering of innocents during the Revolution.

### Love and Loyalty

Armand's growing infatuation with Jeanne and his loyalty to the Scarlet Pimpernel are intertwined, showing the pull between personal affection and duty.

## Character check-ins

### Armand St. Just

Visits Jeanne Lange with de Batz, is charmed by her, and remains secretive about the Scarlet Pimpernel.

### Jeanne Lange

The actress and hostess, curious about the Scarlet Pimpernel, emotionally affected by the Dauphin's suffering, but politically detached.

### De Batz

Accompanies Armand to Jeanne's lodgings, teases Armand about his discretion, and mentions the Scarlet Pimpernel.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Referenced indirectly as the Scarlet Pimpernel, the subject of Jeanne's curiosity and Armand's loyalty.

### The Dauphin

Mentioned by de Batz and Jeanne; Jeanne expresses deep sorrow and helplessness regarding his imprisonment.

### Marie Antoinette

Mentioned by Jeanne as an object of her sympathy, akin to tragic figures in drama.

## Key lines

> Do not speak of the child to me, de Batz. What can I, a lonely, hardworking woman, do to help him? I try not to think of him, for if I did, knowing my own helplessness, I feel that I could hate my countrymen, and speak my bitter hatred of them across the footlights; which would be more than foolish, for it would not help the child, and I should be sent to the guillotine.

Jeanne begs de Batz not to mention the Dauphin, expressing her powerlessness and fear that her anger might lead her to denounce the revolutionaries on stage, which would be futile and dangerous.

_Jeanne reveals her emotional turmoil and the tension between her compassion and her need for self-preservation._

> We are a nation of heroes, too, monsieur,” she added with a pretty, proud toss of the head; “we can appreciate bravery and resource, and we love the mystery that surrounds the personality of your Scarlet Pimpernel.

Jeanne asserts that the French also value heroism and are captivated by the enigmatic Scarlet Pimpernel, despite his opposition to their government.

_Jeanne's admiration for the Scarlet Pimpernel shows her romantic and idealistic nature, separate from revolutionary politics._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se/chapters/part-i-iv-mademoiselle-lange
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se/chapters