# The Hostage explained — The Elusive Pimpernel

> Chapter companion for The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Chauvelin reveals to Marguerite that she is being used as a hostage to trap the Scarlet Pimpernel. He explains that the entire city of Boulogne is complicit in guarding her, with the threat of mass executions if she escapes and the promise of amnesty if the Pimpernel is captured. Marguerite is left in despair, realizing that any attempt by Percy to save her would result in the deaths of innocent townspeople.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice for the Greater Good

Chauvelin uses the threat of mass executions to force Marguerite to remain a hostage, and Marguerite realizes Percy will likely sacrifice himself to save the townspeople.

### Revenge and Hatred

Chauvelin's calm, ferocious determination embodies the nation's desire for revenge against the Scarlet Pimpernel, using Marguerite as a tool.

### Deception and Disguise

Chauvelin's entire plan is a trap: using Marguerite as a hostage to lure and capture the Scarlet Pimpernel under the guise of a duel.

## Character check-ins

### Marguerite Blakeney

Held as a hostage in Boulogne; learns of Chauvelin's plan to use her to trap the Scarlet Pimpernel, and is horrified by the threat to execute townspeople if she escapes.

### Citizen Chauvelin

Explains his scheme to Marguerite: she is the hostage, and the city of Boulogne will be punished if she escapes, while amnesty is offered if the Scarlet Pimpernel is captured.

### Collot d'Herbois

Mentioned as having ridden from Paris to assist Chauvelin in the plot against the Scarlet Pimpernel.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

The target of Chauvelin's trap; Marguerite fears he will sacrifice himself to save others, as he has always done.

## Key lines

> You propose to place an alternative before Sir Percy Blakeney? ... To offer him his life? ... In exchange for what? ... His honour.

Chauvelin plans to give Percy a choice: save himself and Marguerite by sacrificing his honor.

_Marguerite learns of Chauvelin's intention to force Percy into a dishonorable bargain._

> The whole town knows by now that you are in our hands—you, the most precious hostage we can hold for the ultimate capture of the man whom we all fear and detest.

Chauvelin tells Marguerite that the entire city is aware she is a hostage, and her capture is key to trapping the Scarlet Pimpernel.

_Chauvelin explains the public nature of the hostage scheme._

> if we fail to capture the Scarlet Pimpernel and if you on the other hand are spirited out of this fortress ... we shall undoubtedly shoot or guillotine every able-bodied man and woman in this town.

Chauvelin threatens that if Marguerite escapes or the Pimpernel is not caught, the entire town of Boulogne will be executed.

_The brutal threat that binds Marguerite to her captivity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxiii-the-hostage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters