Sir Percy Hits Back · Chapter
XIX explained
Fleurette arrives in Orange and confesses to her father, Chauvelin, that she stole Madame de Frontenac's valuables to protect Amédé Colombe, who had been falsely accused.
What happens
Fleurette arrives in Orange and confesses to her father, Chauvelin, that she stole Madame de Frontenac's valuables to protect Amédé Colombe, who had been falsely accused. Chauvelin, initially overjoyed to see her, is horrified by her confession and the danger it puts her in. He arranges for their swift return to Lou Mas, but Fleurette is disturbed by his ruthless revolutionary fervor.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Loyalty
Fleurette's confession to save Amédé and Chauvelin's protective love for his daughter.
Innocence and Corruption
Fleurette's naive idealism clashes with Chauvelin's brutal revolutionary politics.
Disguise and Deception
Chauvelin's hidden identity as Bibi and the mock arrest of Amédé by English spies.
Characters to notice
- Fleurette
Confesses to stealing Madame's valuables to protect Amédé; becomes disillusioned by her father's cruelty.
- Citizen Chauvelin
Torn between love for Fleurette and his revolutionary zeal; terrified for her safety after her confession.
- Old Louise
Accompanies Fleurette; suspicious of Chauvelin's identity and hostile to his revolutionary role.
- Lieutenant Godet
Seen chatting with the guard outside Chauvelin's door; sent on an errand by Chauvelin.
- Amédé Colombe
Mentioned as the falsely accused young man whom Fleurette seeks to exonerate.
Key passages
“Fleurette, my darling, try and tell me more clearly. I don’t understand. What do you mean by righting a wrong? What wrong?”
Chauvelin, confused and anxious, asks Fleurette to explain why she has come to Orange.
Chauvelin's bewilderment at Fleurette's sudden appearance and her talk of justice.
“I stole the valuables out of Madame’s room, chéri Bibi.”
Fleurette confesses to stealing Madame de Frontenac's valuables to protect Amédé.
The pivotal confession that terrifies Chauvelin and drives the chapter's tension.
“He had made an almost superhuman effort to regain his composure. He wanted to hear more, and did not want to scare the child.”
Chauvelin struggles to control his fear and anger, not wanting to frighten Fleurette.
Chauvelin's internal conflict between his revolutionary ruthlessness and his paternal love.