# Parting is not such sweet sorrow explained — Sir Percy Hits Back

> Chapter companion for Sir Percy Hits Back by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

On her eighteenth birthday, Fleurette bids farewell to Bibi and Amédé, who are leaving for the army. After they depart, she encounters a troop of ragged soldiers led by a gruff officer who inquires after Citizen Armand and the Frontenac château. Later, a mysterious voice tells her that papers and valuables are hidden behind a panel in Madame de Frontenac's room. Fleurette, feeling a call akin to Joan of Arc's, resolves to go to the château to warn Madame.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Loyalty

Fleurette's deep affection for Bibi and Amédé is evident in her sorrow at their departure and her compassionate care for the soldiers.

### Innocence and Corruption

Fleurette's naive kindness contrasts with the officer's rudeness and the soldiers' ragged state, highlighting the corruption of revolutionary times.

### Disguise and Deception

The old faggot-carrier's youthful eyes and mysterious voice suggest a hidden identity, hinting at deception.

## Character check-ins

### Fleurette

Fleurette is saddened by the farewells to Bibi and Amédé on her birthday, shows compassion to the tired soldiers by offering them wine and bread, and is startled by a mysterious voice that compels her to go to the château.

### Citizen Chauvelin

Referred to as Bibi, he departs with Amédé and M'sieu' Colombe, leaving Fleurette heartbroken.

### Amédé Colombe

Amédé leaves to join the army and fight the English; Fleurette grieves over his departure and worries he may never return.

### Adèle

Adèle silently obeys Fleurette's request to fetch bread for the soldiers, then appears with her shawl and bread.

### Old Louise

Louise is in the kitchen and is mentioned as a potential source of help for the soldiers.

### Lieutenant Godet

The gruff officer on horseback who questions Fleurette about Citizen Armand and the Frontenac château, then rides off with his men.

## Key lines

> Parting is not such sweet sorrow as the greatest of all poets would have us believe.

Fleurette finds that saying goodbye is far more painful than the poet Shakespeare described.

_The chapter opens with a reflection on the bitterness of farewell, contrasting with the romanticized notion of 'parting is such sweet sorrow.'_

> Papers and valuables are behind the panel in Madame's room.

A mysterious voice tells Fleurette that important documents and treasures are hidden behind a secret panel in Madame de Frontenac's chamber.

_This cryptic message spurs Fleurette to action, believing it to be a divine sign like Joan of Arc's voices._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters