Lord Tony’s Wife · Chapter
IX: The Proconsul explained
The chapter details the chaotic pursuit of the Scarlet Pimpernel through Nantes after his rescue of Yvonne.
What happens
The chapter details the chaotic pursuit of the Scarlet Pimpernel through Nantes after his rescue of Yvonne. Martin-Roget and Chauvelin learn from Commandant Fleury that the real Paul Friche was incapacitated and an imposter took his place. The chase crosses the bridge onto the Isle Feydeau, with the town guard and Marats in pursuit. Amid the confusion, Carrier's coach is seen departing at high speed, supposedly with the proconsul inside. However, young Lalouët later appears, revealing that Carrier never left his room—the coach was a decoy, part of the Scarlet Pimpernel's elaborate ruse. The chapter ends with the townspeople stunned by the supernatural-seeming deception.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
The Scarlet Pimpernel's impersonation of Paul Friche and the staged departure of Carrier's coach highlight the theme of elaborate deception.
Heroism and Adventure
The daring rescue and the high-stakes chase through Nantes exemplify the adventurous heroism of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
Freedom and Oppression
The pursuit of the English spy and the terror of Carrier's regime underscore the struggle between individual liberty and revolutionary oppression.
Characters to notice
- Martin-Roget
Present during the chase; supports Chauvelin and tries to glean information from Fleury; suggests going to bed but is overruled.
- Citizen Chauvelin
Actively involved in the pursuit; learns of the imposter Paul Friche; is knocked down by the departing coach; later runs to investigate Lalouët's voice.
- Fleury
Commandant leading the chase; reports the substitution of Paul Friche; argues with the town guard; orders his Marats to continue the hunt.
- Jean Baptiste Carrier
The proconsul; his coach departs at high speed, but it is later revealed he never left his room—the departure was a hoax.
- Jacques Lalouët
Young aide to Carrier; appears after the coach's departure, confused by the commotion; reveals that Carrier is still upstairs.
- Paul Friche
Mentioned as having been taken to the infirmary with a cracked skull; an imposter took his place in the tavern.
Key passages
““What does it all mean?” queried the latter hastily. “The Englishman—with the wench on his back? have you seen him?” “Malediction! what do you mean?” “Have you seen him?” reiterated Fleury hoarsely. “No.” “He couldn’t have passed you?” “Impossible.””
Chauvelin asks Fleury if he has seen the Englishman carrying the girl, and Fleury confirms he has not, suggesting the escape is still in progress.
This exchange establishes the immediate crisis of the chase and the confusion among the pursuers.
““Paul Friche—the real Paul Friche—was taken to the infirmary some hours ago … with a cracked skull, dealt him by your Englishman, I’ve no doubt …””
Fleury reveals that the real Paul Friche was attacked and replaced by an imposter, likely the Scarlet Pimpernel.
This revelation underscores the theme of deception and the cleverness of the hero.
““The citizen proconsul was here a moment ago … We all saw him, and you citizen Lalouët were with him …””
A bystander claims that Carrier and Lalouët were seen getting into the coach, but Lalouët denies it.
This moment highlights the successful ruse and the bewilderment of the crowd.