# The Fructidor Riots explained — I Will Repay

> Chapter companion for I Will Repay by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mob Mentality and Populism

The chapter vividly depicts the howling, drunken mob demanding immediate lynching, illustrating the dangerous volatility of populist rage.

### Love and Sacrifice

Déroulède's protective actions—shielding Juliette from the cold and rain—highlight his selfless devotion.

### Redemption and Forgiveness

Juliette's choice to stand with Déroulède despite her earlier oath suggests a path toward atonement.

## Character check-ins

### Paul Déroulède

Condemned prisoner, protects Juliette from the cold and rain during the cart ride.

### Juliette de Marny

Condemned alongside Déroulède, cold and numb, clings to him for support.

### Citizen Santerre

Military commandant of Paris, struggles to control the mob and later obeys the forged order to redirect the prisoners.

### Citizen Merlin

Deputy Merlin; mentioned as having given instructions for the prisoners' transfer to the Temple.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Implied orchestrator of the rescue; the chapter notes that the account was later related by him to the Prince of Wales.

### Citizen Lenoir

Prominent in the mob, egging on the crowd against Déroulède and Juliette.

## Key lines

> À la lanterne! À la lanterne! le traître!

Hang him from the lamppost! The traitor!

_The mob's cry for immediate lynching, reflecting the revolutionary fervor and summary justice._

> You’ll take the prisoners quietly across to the Prison of the Temple—you understand that?

You will secretly transport the prisoners to the Temple prison.

_The forged order diverts the prisoners away from the mob to safety._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/xxvii-the-fructidor-riots
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/i_will_repay_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters