The Elusive Pimpernel · Chapter
XXII: Not Death explained
Marguerite is brought before Chauvelin in a gloomy prison room.
What happens
Marguerite is brought before Chauvelin in a gloomy prison room. He attempts to manipulate her with veiled threats and a proposed bargain, suggesting that Sir Percy Blakeney will soon come to Boulogne and be captured. Marguerite, resolute to save her husband at any cost, tries to match his cunning while struggling to maintain her composure.
Themes in this chapter
Sacrifice for the Greater Good
Marguerite is willing to accept any condition, even her own death, to secure her husband's escape.
Deception and Disguise
Chauvelin's diplomatic cunning and Marguerite's attempt to match his duplicity highlight the theme of deception.
Revenge and Hatred
Marguerite's loathing for Chauvelin and his malignant pursuit of the Scarlet Pimpernel drive the confrontation.
Characters to notice
- Marguerite Blakeney
Brought before Chauvelin, she steels herself against his manipulations, determined to accept any condition to save her husband.
- Citizen Chauvelin
Conducts a psychological interrogation, proposing an 'unless' bargain and revealing his plot to entrap Sir Percy.
- Abbé Foucquet
Briefly appears, attempting to protest Marguerite's removal but is roughly pushed aside by soldiers.
Key passages
“Was it his intention then to propose some bargain, one of those terrible 'either-or's' of which he seemed to possess the malignant secret?”
She wondered if he meant to offer a cruel choice, as he had done before.
Marguerite anticipates Chauvelin's manipulative bargaining tactic.
“She would accept it, so long as the man she loved were given one single chance of escape.”
She was ready to agree to anything if it meant her husband could get away.
Marguerite's resolve to sacrifice herself for Percy's safety.
“There is no doubt that during this agonizing moment of suspense she was absolutely firm in her determination to accept any and every condition which Chauvelin would put before her as the price of her husband's safety.”
In that tense moment, she was completely decided to meet any demand Chauvelin made to save her husband.
Narrator emphasizes Marguerite's unwavering commitment.