I Will Repay · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for I Will Repay by Baroness Orczy.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The author dedicates the book to his mother.
Chapter 2
I Will Repay
Juliette de Marny, consumed by grief and rage after her brother's death in a duel with Paul Déroulède, swears a solemn oath of revenge. She vows to repay Déroulède with death, dedicating her life to his destruction.
Chapter 3
Prologue
The Prologue sets the stage in revolutionary Paris, introducing the brutal atmosphere of the Reign of Terror. It describes the execution of Marie Antoinette and the pervasive fear and mob violence that define the era. The narrative also introduces Juliette de Marny, who harbors a deep desire for revenge against Paul Déroulède, whom she blames for her brother's death in a duel.
Chapter 4
Paris: 1783
In a Parisian gaming saloon, Paul Déroulède duels with the young Vicomte de Marny over an insult to Adèle de Montchéri. Despite Déroulède's attempts to moderate the conflict, the Vicomte's rage leads to a fatal thrust. Déroulède, isolated and friendless among the aristocracy, is left to face the consequences alone.
Chapter 5
II
After the death of her brother in a duel, Juliette de Marny is compelled by her father, the old Duc de Marny, to swear a solemn oath of revenge against Paul Déroulède, the man who killed him. The chapter depicts the immediate aftermath of the Vicomte's death, the Duc's fragile mental state, and Juliette's reluctant but binding vow, marking her transition from childhood to a burdened adulthood.
Chapter 6
Paris: 1793
In the midst of the Reign of Terror, the enigmatic Citizen Déroulède remains inexplicably popular and immune from prosecution. The chapter depicts the squalid, dangerous streets of Paris, where a young girl deliberately provokes a mob of harridans outside Déroulède's house. After being assaulted and nearly torn apart, she is rescued by Déroulède, who drags her inside to safety.
Chapter 7
Citizen-Deputy
Juliette de Marny awakens in Déroulède's house, reflecting on the past ten years since she swore an oath to avenge her brother's death. She recalls her father's decline, her time in the convent, the Archbishop's failure to release her from her vow, and the upheaval of the Revolution. She follows the trial of Charlotte Corday, where she sees Paul Déroulède defend Corday, and realizes she is now inside the home of the man she has sworn to destroy.
Chapter 8
III: Hospitality
Juliette Marny, rescued from a mob by Citizen-Deputy Paul Déroulède, finds herself a guest in his home. She is torn between gratitude for his kindness and a deep-seated desire for revenge, as she realizes he does not remember her or the blood debt she believes he owes. She meets the gentle, crippled Anne Mie, who clearly loves Déroulède, and observes the refined household. Déroulède offers shelter and suggests she emigrate to England under the protection of the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel.
Chapter 9
The Faithful House-Dog
After supper, Juliette and Déroulède discuss Charlotte Corday, and Juliette openly reveals her identity as the daughter of the Duc de Marny. Déroulède offers continued hospitality and help arranging her journey to England, while Juliette inwardly sees herself as an avenging spirit. Anne Mie, feeling jealous and bitter about her own deformity, reluctantly agrees to be kind to Juliette but privately vows to watch and distrust her.
Chapter 10
A Day in the Woods
Juliette spends a peaceful day in the woods near Suresnes, gathering flowers and enjoying nature, but her tranquility is interrupted when Paul Déroulède seeks her out, concerned for her safety. Their conversation reveals Déroulède's plan to become Governor of the Conciergerie to help Marie Antoinette, stirring conflicting emotions in Juliette—pity and admiration for him, yet shame for her wavering resolve to avenge her family. As they return to Paris, the grim city and its revolutionary violence overshadow her joy, reinforcing her sense of duty to her oath of revenge.
Chapter 11
VI: The Scarlet Pimpernel
Sir Percy Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel, meets with Paul Déroulède in Paris to discuss the planned rescue of Queen Marie Antoinette. Blakeney criticizes the plan as reckless and impossible, but offers his help to ensure the conspirators can escape France if they fail. He reveals he has taunted the Revolutionary Government with his signature to divert attention. Déroulède shows Blakeney his detailed papers and passports, but their conversation is interrupted by Juliette de Marny, who enters to summon Déroulède to his mother.
Chapter 12
A Warning
Sir Percy Blakeney warns his friend Paul Déroulède about his blind trust in Juliette de Marny, urging him to see her as a flawed human rather than a saint. Déroulède confesses his love for Juliette, but Blakeney remains skeptical, suggesting that true love requires equality in sin and virtue. The chapter ends with Déroulède considering entrusting his dangerous papers to Juliette.
Chapter 13
VIII: Anne Mie
Anne Mie, a deformed and heartbroken girl, seeks out Sir Percy Blakeney to express her fears about Juliette de Marny, whom she believes is a danger to Paul Déroulède. Blakeney gently explains that Déroulède loves Juliette deeply and that no warning will change his heart. He advises Anne Mie to watch over Paul instead. The chapter contrasts the grand, tragic spectacle of the Revolution with the quiet, personal misery of Anne Mie's unrequited love.
Chapter 14
Jealousy
Anne Mie returns home late at night after meeting Sir Percy Blakeney. Paul Déroulède confronts her, expressing anxiety for her safety. Anne Mie admits she sought Blakeney's help out of concern for Déroulède's safety, revealing her jealousy and inner turmoil. Déroulède reassures her but she retreats in shame, locked in her room with her thoughts.
Chapter 15
X: Denunciation
Juliette de Marny, torn between her sworn oath of revenge against Paul Déroulède and her growing sense of justice and pity, spends a night in agonized prayer and soul-searching. She ultimately writes and deposits a denunciation letter against Déroulède, accusing him of plotting to free Marie Antoinette, and drops it into a public denunciation box, sealing his fate.
Chapter 16
XI: “Vengeance Is Mine”
Juliette, tormented by guilt and shame after denouncing Déroulède, feigns a headache to avoid the household. She resolves to flee to England and seeks out Sir Percy Blakeney for help. Before leaving, she encounters Déroulède, who is about to depart for a month-long duty at the Conciergerie. In his study, she is drawn to his presence and horrified by the sight of his letter-case containing the incriminating papers. Déroulède speaks kindly, unaware of her betrayal, while Juliette struggles with her conscience and the haunting words 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.'
Chapter 17
XII: The Sword of Damocles
Citizen Merlin and his men arrive to search Déroulède's house based on an anonymous denunciation. Juliette, realizing the danger, hides the incriminating letter-case under her skirts and directs the search to mislead Merlin. Déroulède is searched but no evidence is found, thanks to Juliette's quick thinking.
Chapter 18
Tangled Meshes
Juliette seizes a brief moment alone to destroy compromising papers that would incriminate Déroulède. She hides the leather case, retreats to her room, and burns the correspondence in a stove lamp, despite the risk of discovery by Merlin and his soldiers. Pétronelle wakes but is sent away, and Juliette successfully reduces the evidence to ashes.
Chapter 19
XIV: A Happy Moment
Citizen Merlin's search of Déroulède's home proves fruitless, and he begins to consider scapegoating Juliette. Déroulède, freed from suspicion, finds Juliette has destroyed the incriminating papers. Overwhelmed with gratitude and love, he confesses his adoration, while Juliette, torn by guilt and her oath, allows herself a moment of happiness in his presence.
Chapter 20
XV: Detected
Anne Mie, driven by jealousy, reveals Juliette's treachery to Paul Déroulède after Merlin's search of the house. Juliette is exposed as the one who denounced Déroulède, leading to a moment of profound emotional crisis for all involved.
Chapter 21
Under Arrest
Merlin and his men search Déroulède's house but find nothing incriminating, though Juliette has left burnt paper fragments in her room. Déroulède is arrested and taken before the Committee of Public Safety, while the mob outside shows support for him. Juliette, having confessed her betrayal, prepares for atonement.
Chapter 22
XVII: Atonement
Juliette de Marny confesses to Citizen Merlin that she wrote the denunciation against Paul Déroulède, claiming it was based on a personal vendetta and love letters. She takes full blame to protect Déroulède, and Anne Mie, realizing Juliette's sacrifice, kisses her hand in forgiveness. Juliette is arrested and taken away, whispering to Anne Mie that her actions were driven by an oath to her father and brother, and that she will atone with her life.
Chapter 23
In the Luxembourg Prison
Juliette is taken to the Luxembourg prison through a jeering mob, but she is lost in a dreamlike state, reliving the memory of Déroulède's love. She accepts her fate, believing she has saved him by taking the blame, and finds happiness in her sacrifice. The prison governor and Merlin discuss her security, and she is denied visitors.
Chapter 24
Complexities
Paul Déroulède is released by the Committee of Public Safety but remains under suspicion. He learns that Juliette has been arrested after claiming she burned love letters to protect another lover, a story she maintains to shield him. Anne Mie relays Juliette's whispered confession that her betrayal was due to an oath sworn to her father and dead brother. Déroulède grapples with the realization that Juliette never loved him, and he resolves to save her despite the hopelessness.
Chapter 25
XX: The Cheval Borgne
The chapter describes the squalid meeting place of the ultra-sansculotte party, the Auberge du Cheval Borgne, where a group of revolutionaries gather to discuss their hatred of the Republic's enemies. Citizen Lenoir attacks Citizen Merlin for failing to find sufficient evidence against Déroulède, arguing that a true patriot would forge documents if necessary. The atmosphere is one of paranoia and bloodlust, with the members ready to turn on each other.
Chapter 26
XXI: A Jacobin Orator
In the Cheval Borgne, a Jacobin club meeting is dominated by the coal-heaver Lenoir, who proposes a cunning scheme to trap Citizen-Deputy Déroulède. By having Juliette Marny tried for a penal offence rather than treason, Lenoir argues, Déroulède would be compelled to defend her in court, thereby incriminating himself. The assembled extremists, including Foucquier-Tinville and Merlin, embrace the plan, though Tinville views Lenoir as a dangerous rival.
Chapter 27
The Close of Day
Déroulède spends the night searching frantically for Juliette after her arrest. He has already arranged for his mother and Anne Mie to escape Paris with the help of Sir Percy Blakeney and the League. He also secures Pétronelle in Juliette's old home. Despite his status, he cannot find Juliette in the prisons; she is being held in isolation at the Luxembourg by Merlin's orders. At dawn, Sir Percy finds him by the river and brings him to a safe house, where Déroulède confesses his undying love for Juliette and asks Blakeney to save her if he himself is condemned.
Chapter 28
XXIII: Justice
The chapter depicts a day at the Revolutionary Tribunal, where Foucquier-Tinville prosecutes prisoners with ruthless efficiency. The hall is filled with a degraded mob, and among the deputies present is Paul Déroulède, whose presence briefly softens the crowd. The accused are brought forth as the proceedings continue.
Chapter 29
XXIV: The Trial of Juliette
Juliette Marny is publicly tried before the Revolutionary Tribunal on charges of false denunciation, immorality, and corruption of public morals. The Public Prosecutor, Foucquier-Tinville, reads a scurrilous indictment, demanding a humiliating punishment. Throughout the proceedings, Juliette remains calm and impassive, while Déroulède, present in the court, struggles to contain his rage and anguish. When asked if she has a defense, Juliette initially says no, but Déroulède rises to declare he will defend her.
Chapter 30
XXVI: Sentence of Death
Paul Déroulède and Juliette Marny are tried and condemned to death by the Revolutionary Tribunal. Déroulède watches the crowd that once adored him turn against him, while his heart is torn between misery at failing to save Juliette and joy at dying beside her. Juliette defiantly proclaims her prayer for the Queen and the overthrow of the Reign of Terror, sealing her fate. Both are sentenced with callous speed and led away under escort.
Chapter 31
The Fructidor Riots
Déroulède and Juliette are transported in a rough cart through a hostile mob during the Fructidor riots. Commandant Santerre struggles to control the crowd, but a forged order from the Minister of Justice (orchestrated by the Scarlet Pimpernel) allows the prisoners to be secretly redirected to the Temple prison, escaping the mob's fury.
Chapter 32
The Unexpected
As Juliette and Déroulède are led away by the National Guard, they find solace in each other's hands, facing death together. The party is halted in the Rue des Arts, where a sudden scuffle reveals the Scarlet Pimpernel, disguised as Citizen Lenoir, and his men have overpowered the guards. Sir Percy Blakeney orchestrates a daring rescue, disguising the group as sansculottes to blend with the mob and escape Paris.
Chapter 33
XXIX: Père Lachaise
The mob, having lost Déroulède and Juliette after their abduction, storms toward the Temple prison and then the city barriers. Sir Percy Blakeney and his band, disguised as sansculottes, blend into the crowd and guide the couple through the chaos. The populace breaks through the National Guard at Ménilmontant, but after victory, the crowd's fervor wanes. As the mob is awed by the cemetery of Père Lachaise, the seagull's cry signals the escape of the little band into the graveyard.
Chapter 34
XXX: Conclusion
The final chapter recounts the successful escape of Juliette and Paul Déroulède from Paris, orchestrated by Sir Percy Blakeney and the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. After a daring rescue and a journey northward, the party embarks on Sir Percy's yacht, the Daydream, at Le Havre, where they reunite with Madame Déroulède and Anne Mie. Anne Mie's remorse is assuaged by forgiveness, and Juliette and Paul share a tender moment as they sail toward England, leaving behind the land of suffering and revolution.
