Pimpernel and Rosemary · Chapter
XLVI explained
Jasper Tarkington returns to his hotel room late at night to find Maurus Imrey waiting for him.
What happens
Jasper Tarkington returns to his hotel room late at night to find Maurus Imrey waiting for him. Maurus explains that he was turned out of Kis-Imre, which has been bought by Peter Blakeney, and that he is stranded in Sót with no room at the hotel. He asks Jasper to help him arrange lodging at a nearby tavern. Jasper reluctantly agrees, leaving Rosemary alone in the salon, where she stands in despair.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Aristocracy
Maurus laments the loss of aristocratic privilege, recalling the old days when one could simply throw someone out of a room. The sale of Kis-Imre to Peter Blakeney symbolizes the decline of the old order.
Deception and Betrayal
Maurus calls Peter Blakeney a 'swine' for buying Kis-Imre, hinting at perceived betrayal within family and class ties.
Characters to notice
- Jasper Tarkington
Returns to his room late at night and is surprised to find Maurus waiting; reluctantly agrees to help him find lodging.
- Maurus Imrey
Found asleep on Jasper's sofa; explains he was turned out of Kis-Imre and is stranded in Sót, seeking Jasper's help.
- Rosemary Fowkes
Remains in the salon after Jasper leaves, leaning against the table in despair, feeling that nothing matters anymore.
- Peter Blakeney
Mentioned as the buyer of Kis-Imre, which Maurus calls a scandal.
- Anton
Maurus's servant, mentioned as accompanying him to the village tavern.
Key passages
“I left Cluj by the midnight express... You know that we have all been turned out of Kis-Imre. And, by the way, it is Peter Blakeney who has bought the place.”
Maurus explains that he took the midnight train from Cluj because everyone was evicted from Kis-Imre, and reveals that Peter Blakeney is the new owner.
Confirms Peter's acquisition of Kis-Imre and the displacement of the Imrey family.
“In the olden days one would just have taken a man by the scruff of his neck and thrown him out of any room one happened to want for oneself.”
Maurus nostalgically recalls the past when aristocrats could forcibly take any room they wanted.
Highlights the theme of class decline and loss of aristocratic power.