# XXXVII explained — Pimpernel and Rosemary

> Chapter companion for Pimpernel and Rosemary by Baroness Orczy.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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can cash at your fusty old bank over the way this very afternoon, I guarantee you that Lady Tarkington's articles will not be published in any English newspaper.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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters