The Elusive Pimpernel · Chapter
VII: Premonition explained
Marguerite encounters Chauvelin, who appears humbled and seeks her forgiveness.
What happens
Marguerite encounters Chauvelin, who appears humbled and seeks her forgiveness. Despite her instinctive hatred and distrust, she struggles with the decision to forgive him. The chapter explores her internal conflict and culminates with the arrival of the Prince of Wales and Sir Percy Blakeney.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Hatred
Marguerite grapples with her intense hatred for Chauvelin, recognizing it as an emotion she despises.
Deception and Disguise
Chauvelin's humble demeanor may be a disguise, as Marguerite's instinct warns her of his true intentions.
Characters to notice
- Marguerite Blakeney
Struggles with her instinctive hatred and distrust of Chauvelin, ultimately deciding to dismiss him from her life.
- Citizen Chauvelin
Appears humbled and defeated, seeking Marguerite's forgiveness and pardon.
- Désirée Candeille
Present as a chaperone, appears distressed and puzzled, suspected by Marguerite of being in league with Chauvelin.
- Sir Percy Blakeney
Arrives with the Prince of Wales, interrupting Marguerite's confrontation with Chauvelin.
- Prince of Wales
Enters the tent with Sir Percy Blakeney, commenting on the oppressive atmosphere.
Key passages
“She felt two pairs of eyes fixed upon her, and with all the strength of will at her command she forced the very blood in her veins not to quit her cheeks, forced her eyelids not to betray by a single quiver the icy pang of a deadly premonition which at sight of Chauvelin seemed to have chilled her entire soul.”
Marguerite felt watched by two people and used all her willpower to keep from showing the cold dread that seized her when she saw Chauvelin.
Describes Marguerite's intense emotional control upon seeing Chauvelin.
“Nay! That instinct, which caused her to draw away from Chauvelin, as she would from a venomous asp, was certainly not fear. It was hate!”
Her instinct to recoil from Chauvelin was not fear but hatred.
Marguerite identifies her true feeling toward Chauvelin as hatred.