Sir Percy Hits Back · Chapter
XXVI explained
Citizens Pochart and Danou suspect Chauvelin of manipulating the absence of the President and Prosecutor to protect his daughter Fleurette.
What happens
Citizens Pochart and Danou suspect Chauvelin of manipulating the absence of the President and Prosecutor to protect his daughter Fleurette. They plot to use this against him, while Chauvelin returns to Orange and faces their veiled threats, relying on his superior intellect to outmaneuver them.
Themes in this chapter
Revolutionary Tyranny and Injustice
Pochart and Danou's scheming against Chauvelin reflects the paranoia and power struggles within the revolutionary government.
Family and Paternal Love
Chauvelin's actions are driven by his desire to protect his daughter Fleurette from harm.
Characters to notice
- Citizen Chauvelin
Returns to Orange, faces suspicion and veiled threats from Pochart and Danou, and schemes to outwit them.
- Pochart
Suspicious of Chauvelin's machinations, plots with Danou to bring him down.
- Danou
Collaborates with Pochart, uses suave threats against Chauvelin.
- Lieutenant Godet
Mentioned as a potential ally against Chauvelin due to his hatred.
- Adèle
Mentioned as a useful tool in the plot against Chauvelin.
Key passages
“For two whole days Citizens Pochart and Danou of the 137th Section of the Committee of Public Safety had been sorely puzzled.”
Pochart and Danou were confused for two days.
Sets the scene of confusion and suspicion.
“The question was how to make use of these machinations.”
They wondered how to exploit Chauvelin's actions.
Highlights their opportunistic plotting.
“His only hope lay in his avowedly superior brain power.”
Chauvelin believed his intelligence was his only advantage.
Emphasizes Chauvelin's reliance on intellect.