# The Certificate of Safety explained — El Dorado

> Chapter companion for El Dorado by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Chauvelin dismisses Héron's focus on de Batz, revealing that the Scarlet Pimpernel has succeeded in the Dauphin's escape. Armand St. Just offers himself in exchange for Jeanne Lange's freedom. Chauvelin, surprisingly, agrees and gives Armand an unconditional certificate of safety, promising to release Jeanne the next day. Héron is paralyzed by fear over the Dauphin's disappearance, while Chauvelin privately vows to confront the Scarlet Pimpernel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Armand offers his own life to secure Jeanne's freedom, embodying self-sacrifice for love and redemption.

### Betrayal and Guilt

Chauvelin's manipulative negotiation and Héron's paralyzed guilt over the Dauphin's escape highlight themes of betrayal and moral compromise.

### Power and Corruption

Chauvelin wields the certificate of safety as a tool of control, demonstrating the corrupt use of power in the revolutionary government.

## Character check-ins

### Chauvelin

Dismisses Héron's concerns about de Batz, reveals the Scarlet Pimpernel's role in the Dauphin's escape, and negotiates with Armand, giving him a certificate of safety while plotting against the Scarlet Pimpernel.

### Armand St. Just

Offers himself in exchange for Jeanne Lange's freedom, accepts the certificate of safety from Chauvelin, and feels proud exultation at Percy's success.

### Héron

Overcome with fear and despair over the Dauphin's escape, he is nearly paralyzed and takes little part in the negotiation with Armand.

### Jeanne Lange

Mentioned as the woman Armand seeks to free; she is imprisoned but Chauvelin promises to release her in exchange for Armand's surrender.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Referenced as the Scarlet Pimpernel who successfully executed the Dauphin's escape, causing Chauvelin's fury and Armand's pride.

## Key lines

> You can leave de Batz and his gang alone, citizen Héron; he had nothing to do with the escape of the Dauphin.

Chauvelin tells Héron that de Batz is not involved in the Dauphin's escape.

_Chauvelin redirects suspicion away from de Batz, focusing on the Scarlet Pimpernel._

> It is that accursed Englishman who has been at work again; I guessed it the moment I heard your story.

Chauvelin attributes the Dauphin's escape to the Scarlet Pimpernel.

_Chauvelin's recognition of Percy's hand in the event._

> I came here tonight to give myself up to justice so that she might be set free.

Armand offers himself as a prisoner to secure Jeanne's release.

_Armand's self-sacrificial motive._

> Here is an absolutely unconditional certificate of safety. The Committee of General Security issue very few of these. It is worth the cost of a human life.

Chauvelin gives Armand a rare, unconditional certificate of safety.

_The document's immense value and Chauvelin's calculated generosity._

> À nous deux once more, my enigmatical Scarlet Pimpernel.

Chauvelin privately vows to confront the Scarlet Pimpernel again.

_Chauvelin's determination to capture Percy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se/chapters/part-i-xx-the-certificate-of-safety
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se/chapters