# XI: “Vengeance Is Mine” explained — I Will Repay

> Chapter companion for I Will Repay by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

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.'

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Trust

Juliette's denunciation of Déroulède is a profound betrayal of the trust and kindness shown to her by his household.

### Revenge and Justice

Juliette struggles with her oath of vengeance against Déroulède, while the chapter echoes the divine principle 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.'

### Redemption and Forgiveness

Juliette's inner torment and shame suggest a desire for redemption, though she feels trapped by her actions.

## Character check-ins

### Juliette de Marny

Torn by shame and guilt after her denunciation; she plans to flee to England and seeks Sir Percy's help.

### Paul Déroulède

Unaware of Juliette's betrayal; he prepares to leave for a month at the Conciergerie and speaks kindly to her.

### Anne Mie

Her presence and kindness are a source of torture to Juliette's guilty conscience.

### Pétronelle

Juliette orders her to pack for England; she is reluctant to leave the comfortable house.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Juliette plans to seek his help for passports and advice on escaping to England.

## Key lines

> Vengeance is mine! I will repay!

Divine justice, not human revenge, is the proper response to wrongdoing.

_Juliette hears this as a divine command, reinforcing her internal conflict between her oath and her conscience._

> The pretence of a headache enabled Juliette to keep in her room the greater part of the day.

Juliette faked a headache to avoid facing the household and her own guilt.

_Highlights her isolation and shame after the denunciation._

> She would not speak of God's finger again: it was Fate—pagan, devilish Fate!

Juliette now sees her actions as driven by cruel fate rather than divine will.

_Shows her shift from religious justification to a sense of helplessness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/xi-vengeance-is-mine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/i_will_repay_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters