El Dorado · Chapter
Sisters explained
Marguerite visits Jeanne Lange, initially prepared to hate her for influencing Armand, but instead finds herself moved by Jeanne's genuine love and sorrow.
What happens
Marguerite visits Jeanne Lange, initially prepared to hate her for influencing Armand, but instead finds herself moved by Jeanne's genuine love and sorrow. Jeanne confides her fears about Armand's sadness, his obsession with the Scarlet Pimpernel's imprisonment, and her own ordeal in prison. Marguerite comforts her, promising a letter from the Pimpernel that will cheer Armand, while struggling with her own inner turmoil about Percy's fate.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Loyalty
Jeanne's unwavering love for Armand and her loyalty to him despite his sadness; Marguerite's sisterly compassion overcoming her initial jealousy.
Sacrifice and Redemption
Marguerite's internal struggle to set aside her own pain to comfort Jeanne, and the hope that a letter from the Scarlet Pimpernel might redeem Armand's spirits.
Innocence and Suffering
Jeanne's youthful innocence contrasted with the horrors of her imprisonment and the emotional suffering of both women over the men they love.
Characters to notice
- Marguerite Blakeney
Visits Jeanne Lange, initially hostile but moved to sympathy; comforts Jeanne and promises a letter from the Scarlet Pimpernel to cheer Armand.
- Jeanne Lange
Confides in Marguerite about her love for Armand, his sadness over the Scarlet Pimpernel's capture, and her own imprisonment and escape.
- Armand St. Just
Discussed as being deeply saddened by his chief's imprisonment; his love for Jeanne and his disobedience to the Scarlet Pimpernel are central to the conversation.
- Sir Percy Blakeney
Referred to as the Scarlet Pimpernel; his capture and imprisonment are a source of grief for Armand and Marguerite.
- Héron
Mentioned by Jeanne as the cruel citizen who came to arrest Armand and is hated in Paris for his spying.
Key passages
“His chief, his comrade, the friend of whom you speak, the Scarlet Pimpernel, who risked his life in order to save yours, mademoiselle, is a prisoner in the hands of those that hate him.”
Marguerite tells Jeanne that the Scarlet Pimpernel, who once saved Jeanne's life, is now a captive of his enemies.
Marguerite reveals the cause of Armand's grief to Jeanne.
“I have news for Armand, that will comfort him, a message—a letter from his friend. You will see, dear, that when Armand reads it he will become a changed man; you see, Armand acted a little foolishly a few days ago. His chief had given him orders which he disregarded—he was so anxious about you—he should have obeyed; and now, mayhap, he feels that his disobedience may have been the—the innocent cause of much misery to others; that is, no doubt, the reason why he is so sad.”
Marguerite promises Jeanne a letter from the Scarlet Pimpernel that will lift Armand's spirits, explaining that Armand's sadness stems from disobeying his chief's orders out of concern for Jeanne.
Marguerite comforts Jeanne with hope and explains Armand's guilt.