# The Passport explained — The Elusive Pimpernel

> Chapter companion for The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Marguerite, determined to follow her husband Percy to France despite the danger, prepares to leave Blakeney Manor. She confides in Juliette de Marny, asking her to act as her representative and explain her absence. Using a passport left by Désirée Candeille, she disguises herself as a maid and sets off for Dover, hoping to reach Boulogne and be near Percy as he faces Chauvelin's trap.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice for the Greater Good

Marguerite risks her own safety and reputation to be near Percy, believing she may be of help even if only as a distraction.

### Deception and Disguise

Marguerite uses a false passport and disguises herself as a maid to travel to France undetected.

### Love and Marriage

Marguerite's devotion to Percy drives her to follow him into danger, reflecting the depth of their bond.

## Character check-ins

### Marguerite Blakeney

Resolves to follow Percy to France, disguises herself using Candeille's passport, and arranges for Juliette to cover her absence.

### Juliette Marny

Marguerite confides in her, asking her to represent her at Blakeney Manor and explain her sudden departure.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Has already departed for France via the Daydream; Marguerite is determined to follow him to Boulogne.

### Citizen Chauvelin

The architect of the trap against Percy; Marguerite plans to dog his footsteps in Boulogne.

### Désirée Candeille

Provided the passport that Marguerite uses for her disguise; her motives are unclear but Marguerite is grateful.

### Sir Andrew Ffoulkes

Marguerite instructs Juliette to tell him the full truth about her departure.

## Key lines

> She would go mad if she stayed. As there could be no chance of escape for Percy now, as he had agreed to meet his deadly enemy face to face at a given place, and a given hour, she could not be a hindrance to him

Marguerite feels she cannot remain in England while Percy is in mortal danger; since his fate is sealed by the duel, she believes her presence won't interfere.

_Marguerite's rationalization for following Percy despite his wishes._

> I am going to France to be near my husband. He has gone to meet that fiend in a duel which is nothing but a trap, set to capture him, and lead him to his death.

Marguerite tells Juliette she is traveling to France to stay close to Percy, who has been lured into a deadly trap disguised as a duel.

_Marguerite's explanation to Juliette of her urgent mission._

> You must represent me, here, when I am gone: explain as casually and as naturally as you can, that I have gone to join my husband on his yacht for a few days.

Marguerite asks Juliette to act as her stand-in and tell others she has joined Percy on his yacht.

_Marguerite's instructions for maintaining secrecy at Blakeney Manor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xvi-the-passport
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters