Pimpernel and Rosemary · Chapter
XXXVII explained
General Naniescu negotiates with Number Ten over the payment for the compromising articles written by Lady Tarkington.
What happens
General Naniescu negotiates with Number Ten over the payment for the compromising articles written by Lady Tarkington. After a tense exchange, Naniescu pays ten thousand pounds to secure publication. The conversation reveals that Peter Blakeney obtained the manuscript in exchange for the title-deeds of Kis-Imre, and that Philip Imrey and Anna Heves have been transferred to Sót, a prison near the frontier.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Betrayal
Number Ten and Naniescu engage in a high-stakes game of bluff and blackmail, each trying to outmaneuver the other over the articles.
Political Oppression and Nationalism
Naniescu's use of a remote château as a prison for political offenders and his manipulation of the press highlight the oppressive nationalist regime.
Journalism and Truth
The articles written by Lady Tarkington are treated as commodities to be bought and sold, manipulated for political gain rather than for truth.
Characters to notice
- General Naniescu
Blandly negotiates with Number Ten, pays ten thousand pounds for the articles, and reveals the transfer of Philip and Anna to Sót.
- Number Ten
Demands payment from Naniescu, threatens to prevent publication, and warns about Peter Blakeney's possible double game.
- M. de Kervoisin
Present during the negotiation, remains largely silent and reads Marcel Proust, occasionally laughing at the exchange.
- Peter Blakeney
Referred to as a 'young blackguard' who obtained the manuscript from Naniescu in exchange for the title-deeds of Kis-Imre.
- Rosemary Fowkes
Mentioned as Lady Tarkington, the author of the articles that Naniescu seeks to publish.
- Philip Imrey
Mentioned as having been transferred to Sót prison along with Anna Heves.
- Anna Heves
Mentioned as having been transferred to Sót prison along with Philip Imrey.
Key passages
“You had no right to go behind my back.”
Number Ten accuses Naniescu of negotiating with Peter Blakeney without his knowledge.
Highlights the betrayal and competition between the two men.
“Unless you give me a cheque for the ten thousand pounds which you promised me, and which I can cash at your fusty old bank over the way this very afternoon, I guarantee you that Lady Tarkington's articles will not be published in any English newspaper.”
Number Ten threatens to prevent publication of the articles if Naniescu does not pay him immediately.
Shows Number Ten's leverage and the high stakes of the negotiation.
“I have had Imrey and the Heves girl transferred to Sót.”
Naniescu reveals that Philip and Anna have been moved to a prison near the frontier.
Indicates the ongoing political oppression and the danger facing the young couple.