# XXIII explained — Sir Percy Hits Back

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

## What happens

Chauvelin, driven by a desperate plan to save Fleurette, manipulates President Legrange and Public Prosecutor Isnard into leaving Valence for Lyons. He then requisitions a chaise to Orange, but after a stormy night at the Maison des Têtes, he discovers his calèche, horses, driver, and postilion have been stolen by brigands, thwarting his scheme.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revolutionary Tyranny and Injustice

Chauvelin uses fear and manipulation to coerce officials, reflecting the oppressive atmosphere of the Committee of Public Safety.

### Family and Paternal Love

Chauvelin's desperate plan to save Fleurette at any cost, and his sleepless anguish over her imprisonment, highlight his paternal devotion.

## Character check-ins

### Citizen Chauvelin

Manipulates Legrange and Isnard, plans to save Fleurette, suffers anxiety and sleeplessness, and confronts the theft of his calèche.

### Public Prosecutor Isnard

Intimidated by Chauvelin into leaving for Lyons; later appears at the stable yard after the theft.

### Fleurette

Chauvelin's thoughts are consumed by her imprisonment and suffering.

## Key lines

> To save his Fleurette, to get her away out of the country, at the cost of his own life if need be, was all he thought about

Chauvelin's sole focus is rescuing Fleurette and getting her out of France, even if it costs him his life.

_Reveals Chauvelin's overriding motivation and paternal love._

> He drew lurid pictures of what happened to those who were thought to be guilty of dilatoriness or want of zeal. So much so that he reduced President Legrange and Public Prosecutor Isnard—at no time very valiant heroes—to a state of abject fear

Chauvelin intimidated Legrange and Isnard by describing the severe punishments for perceived laziness or lack of revolutionary fervor, terrifying them into compliance.

_Demonstrates Chauvelin's manipulative use of revolutionary terror._

> Chauvelin before doing the same gave orders to his driver and postilion to have the calèche at the door by seven o'clock on the following morning. Then he too went to bed, there to toss ceaselessly through the endless hours of wakefulness, his mind tortured with thoughts of his darling Fleurette

After instructing his driver to prepare the carriage for an early departure, Chauvelin spent a sleepless night agonizing over Fleurette's plight.

_Highlights Chauvelin's anxiety and paternal concern._

> Of calèche, horses, driver or postilion not a sign. The stable man, an old fellow, and his aid, a very young lad, were busy at the moment telling the amazing story to a small crowd of gaffers and market-women

The calèche, horses, driver, and postilion had vanished; the stableman and his young assistant were recounting the theft to a gathering of locals.

_Describes the aftermath of the brigands' theft._

## Links

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