# XXVI: The Terms of the Bargain explained — The Elusive Pimpernel

> Chapter companion for The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Chauvelin presents Marguerite with a devilish bargain: Sir Percy must write and sign a letter confessing to being a paid spy of France in exchange for their freedom and a general amnesty for Boulogne. Sir Percy's mocking laughter and nonchalant demeanor contrast with Marguerite's silent horror, as she struggles to understand her husband's apparent passivity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Dishonor

Chauvelin's plot aims to force Sir Percy into signing a letter that would brand him as a paid spy, covering him with 'irreclaimable infamy,' directly challenging his honor and reputation.

### Deception and Disguise

Sir Percy's nonchalant laughter and mocking demeanor serve as a deceptive mask, hiding his true intentions and feelings from both Chauvelin and Marguerite.

### Sacrifice for the Greater Good

The bargain includes a general amnesty for Boulogne's citizens, implying that Sir Percy's potential sacrifice of his honor could save threescore lives, reflecting the theme of personal sacrifice for the greater good.

## Character check-ins

### Marguerite Blakeney

Marguerite enters the room in a dazed state, realizing the Scarlet Pimpernel has been captured. She listens in silent horror as Chauvelin reads the infamous letter, longing for a sign from Percy but receiving none.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Sir Percy rises calmly upon Marguerite's entrance, listens to Chauvelin's proposal with apparent amusement, and responds with mocking laughter and airy remarks, refusing to show any sign of distress or anger.

### Citizen Chauvelin

Chauvelin orchestrates the bargain, reading aloud the draft letter that would brand Sir Percy as a spy. He exults in the prospect of humiliating the Scarlet Pimpernel, revealing his deep hatred and desire for revenge.

### Désirée Candeille

Mentioned by Chauvelin as the actress chosen to impersonate the Goddess of Reason at the national fête in Boulogne, due to her recent services to the Republic.

## Key lines

> Another twenty-four hours at most, and you will be on board the Daydream outward bound for England. Sir Percy himself might perhaps accompany you; he does not desire that you should journey to Paris, and I may safely say, that in his mind, he has already accepted certain little conditions which I have been forced to impose upon him ere I sign the order for your absolute release.

Chauvelin assures Marguerite that within a day she will be sailing to England, and hints that Sir Percy has agreed to certain conditions in exchange for her freedom.

_Chauvelin presents the bargain as a simple formality, downplaying the moral cost._

> I am quite prepared to sign the order for your release, Lady Blakeney... When it is signed you will understand that our measures against the citizens of Boulogne will no longer hold good, and that on the contrary, the general amnesty and free pardon will come into force.

Chauvelin promises that signing the order will end the siege of Boulogne and grant amnesty to its citizens.

_Chauvelin uses the amnesty as leverage to pressure Sir Percy into compliance._

> You asked me airily just now, Sir Percy, how I proposed to accomplish this object... Well! you know it now—by forcing you... aye, forcing—to write and sign a letter, and to take money from my hands which will brand you forever as a liar and informer, and cover you with the thick and slimy mud of irreclaimable infamy...

Chauvelin reveals his plan to force Sir Percy to write a letter that will permanently disgrace him as a traitor and spy.

_Chauvelin's goal is not death but utter humiliation and dishonor for the Scarlet Pimpernel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxvi-the-terms-of-the-bargain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters