# Colleagues explained — The Elusive Pimpernel

> Chapter companion for The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Chauvelin and Collot d'Herbois discuss their plans to capture the Scarlet Pimpernel. Chauvelin reveals he has arranged a duel on the ramparts at the Angelus, intending to use dishonor and ridicule as weapons against the English hero. Collot prefers more direct violence, but Chauvelin insists on his scheme. They also discuss the hostage situation and the threat of reprisals against Boulogne families if Marguerite escapes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Hatred

Chauvelin's desire for revenge against the Scarlet Pimpernel is central, as he plans to destroy him through dishonor and ridicule rather than simple death.

### Revolution and Terror

The chapter depicts the brutal methods of the Revolution, including Collot's suggestion of mass reprisals against Boulogne families.

### Honor and Dishonor

Chauvelin's weapon of choice is dishonor and ridicule, aiming to strip the Scarlet Pimpernel of his heroic reputation.

## Character check-ins

### Citizen Chauvelin

Chauvelin outlines his plan to trap the Scarlet Pimpernel with a duel at the Angelus, aiming to destroy him through dishonor and ridicule rather than immediate death.

### Collot d'Herbois

Collot is skeptical of Chauvelin's schemes, preferring summary execution and brutal reprisals. He suggests threatening Boulogne families to prevent Marguerite's escape.

### Marguerite Blakeney

Mentioned as the hostage held in Boulogne, whose safety is tied to the threat against the town's families.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Referred to as the Scarlet Pimpernel, the target of Chauvelin's plot, expected to appear for the duel on the ramparts.

## Key lines

> Dishonour and ridicule!

Chauvelin plans to use shame and mockery as his weapons against the Scarlet Pimpernel.

_Chauvelin reveals his strategy to Collot, emphasizing psychological destruction over physical death._

> I have ordered the Angelus to be rung at one of the closed churches, and he agreed to fight a duel with me on the southern ramparts at that hour and on that day

Chauvelin has arranged for the Angelus bell to be rung at a closed church, and the Scarlet Pimpernel has agreed to meet him for a duel at that time and place.

_Chauvelin explains the trap he has set for the Scarlet Pimpernel._

> A man like this d’Herbois—born in the gutter, imbued with every brutish tradition, which generations of jailbirds had bequeathed to him—would not perhaps fully realize the fact that neither Sir Percy nor Marguerite Blakeney would ever save themselves at the expense of others.

Collot, with his brutal background, might not understand that the Blakeneys would never sacrifice others to save themselves.

_The narrator contrasts Collot's brutishness with the Blakeneys' selflessness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxiv-colleagues
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters