# The Letter explained — The Elusive Pimpernel

> Chapter companion for The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Chauvelin observes Sir Percy Blakeney, who appears to be a drunken, sleeping fool, but discovers the beginning of the infamous letter he has been pressured to write. Chauvelin arranges for the Angelus to be rung as a signal for the amnesty and the final humiliation of the Scarlet Pimpernel, involving the Abbé Foucquet and Marguerite.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Sir Percy feigns drunkenness and sleep to deceive Chauvelin, while Chauvelin himself orchestrates a deceptive signal with the Angelus.

### Honor and Dishonor

The letter represents Sir Percy's potential dishonor, and Chauvelin's plan aims to publicly disgrace the Scarlet Pimpernel.

## Character check-ins

### Citizen Chauvelin

Chauvelin orchestrates the plan for the Angelus signal and observes Sir Percy's apparent drunkenness, feeling contempt yet nervous anticipation.

### Sir Percy Blakeney

Sir Percy feigns drunkenness and sleep, having begun copying the infamous letter, but insists he is not as drunk as he appears.

### Marguerite Blakeney

Marguerite is mentioned as being present in her room, to be brought in for the proceedings.

### Abbé Foucquet

The Abbé Foucquet is selected by Chauvelin to ring the Angelus as the signal for the amnesty and the Scarlet Pimpernel's disgrace.

### Sergeant Hébert

Sergeant Hébert receives Chauvelin's orders regarding the Angelus and the arrangements for the evening.

## Key lines

> I assure you, sir, on my honour, I am not so drunk as you think I am.

Sir Percy insists that his faculties are intact despite appearances.

_This line underscores Sir Percy's deception and his control over the situation._

> The Angelus must be rung at the proper hour, friend Hébert.

Chauvelin orders the Angelus bell to be rung as a signal.

_This marks the planned climax of Chauvelin's scheme to humiliate the Scarlet Pimpernel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxxii-the-letter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters