# XXXIX: Kill Him! explained — El Dorado

> Chapter companion for El Dorado by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Armand St. Just is awakened by a peremptory summons at two hours after midnight, expecting arrest. Instead, he finds Chauvelin at his door, who delivers a letter from Sir Percy Blakeney. Armand reads the letter and, suspecting a hidden meaning, burns it to prevent Chauvelin from keeping it. Chauvelin reveals that Percy has agreed to deliver the Dauphin in exchange for his own life and freedom, and that Armand must act as a hostage. He also reveals that Marguerite will join the expedition as an additional hostage. Armand is consumed by remorse and rage, nearly killing Chauvelin, but restrains himself out of loyalty to Percy's orders.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Guilt

Armand is consumed by guilt over his past treachery, which he sees as a Cain-like sin, and struggles with the consequences of his betrayal.

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Armand hopes to give his life for Percy's, seeing it as a chance for redemption, while Percy's own sacrifice is central to the plot.

### Love and Loyalty

Armand's love for Jeanne drove his betrayal, but his loyalty to Percy now guides his actions; he restrains his rage out of obedience to his chief.

## Character check-ins

### Armand St. Just

Awakened by Chauvelin's visit; receives and burns Percy's letter; agrees to act as hostage; struggles with guilt and rage.

### Chauvelin

Delivers Percy's letter to Armand; reveals the plan for the Dauphin's exchange and the hostage arrangement; remains calm and immobile under Armand's fury.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Referenced as the prisoner who wrote the letter; his instructions guide Armand's actions; his life is at stake in the exchange.

### Marguerite Blakeney

Referenced as Armand's sister and Lady Blakeney; will be taken as an additional hostage on the expedition.

### Héron

Referenced as collaborating with Chauvelin on the plan; responsible for final preparations.

### Jeanne Lange

Referenced in Armand's thoughts; he reflects on his love for her and the sacrifice he made for her.

## Key lines

> Life had become hateful to him since happiness had fled with it on the dark wings of dishonour; sorrow such as he felt was only for Jeanne!

Armand finds life unbearable after his dishonor, and his only sorrow is for Jeanne's future unhappiness.

_Reflects Armand's deep remorse and his focus on Jeanne's well-being._

> But if at any time you receive another letter from me—be its contents what they may—act in accordance with the letter, but send a copy of it at once to Ffoulkes or to Marguerite.

Percy's earlier instruction guides Armand to follow the letter's orders while informing others.

_Key to Armand's decision to burn the letter and obey Percy's written instructions._

> Kill him! Kill him now! Rid the earth of this hellish brute!

Armand's inner voice urges him to murder Chauvelin in a fit of rage.

_Highlights the intense emotional conflict and the temptation to violence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxix-kill-him
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/el_dorado_se/chapters