# Chapter XXI explained — Sir Percy Hits Back

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

## What happens

Chauvelin is forced to sign an order for Fleurette's arrest, while Adèle testifies against her, revealing her spying and the betrayal of the Frontenacs. Fleurette is taken to the house of detention, but remains trusting in Bibi's protection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revolutionary Tyranny and Injustice

Chauvelin is coerced into signing his daughter's arrest warrant, illustrating the brutal demands of the revolutionary state.

### Innocence and Corruption

Fleurette's innocence contrasts with Adèle's spiteful corruption and the cynical machinations of Pochart and Danou.

### Family and Paternal Love

Chauvelin's internal agony and determination to save Fleurette despite signing her arrest order highlight his paternal love.

## Character check-ins

### Citizen Chauvelin

Forced to sign his own daughter's arrest warrant, he masks his anguish and plots to save her.

### Fleurette

Arrested and taken to detention, she remains trusting in Bibi and concerned for Amédé and Old Louise.

### Adèle

Testifies against Fleurette, revealing her spying and betrayal of the Frontenacs out of spite.

### Pochart

Writes the arrest order and pressures Chauvelin to sign.

### Danou

Threatens Chauvelin and gloats over his power over the representative.

### Lieutenant Godet

Provides the guard and is dismissed after Adèle's testimony.

## Key lines

> They should not see, these fiends, what torture he was enduring; they should not see that at this moment he felt just like a brute beast writhing in agony.

Chauvelin hides his intense suffering from his enemies, feeling like a tortured animal.

_Reveals Chauvelin's inner torment and his effort to maintain a stoic facade._

> Adèle turned a sneering glance on Fleurette. 'I’ll chance a punishment from your bon Dieu,' she said flippantly, 'for the joy of seeing you punished by the Revolutionary Tribunal.'

Adèle mocks Fleurette's faith, saying she would risk divine punishment for the pleasure of seeing her condemned.

_Highlights Adèle's spite and the clash between religious faith and revolutionary ideology._

> Chauvelin signed with a steady hand, his lips tightly pressed one against the other. They should not see, these fiends, what torture he was enduring.

Chauvelin signs the arrest order calmly on the outside, hiding his agony from his tormentors.

_Emphasizes Chauvelin's self-control and the emotional cost of his position._

## Links

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