The Elusive Pimpernel · Chapter
XXXV: Marguerite explained
Marguerite demonstrates unwavering courage and presence of mind as Sir Percy executes his daring plan to escape Chauvelin's trap.
What happens
Marguerite demonstrates unwavering courage and presence of mind as Sir Percy executes his daring plan to escape Chauvelin's trap. After the room is plunged into darkness and Chauvelin is overpowered, she waits for Percy's signal. They reunite briefly before escaping through the window with the help of Lord Tony and others. The party passes unchallenged through the gates of Boulogne under the general amnesty, meets the Abbé Foucquet and other refugees, and embarks on boats from the Daydream. Later, at Richmond, Marguerite asks Percy for forgiveness, but he declares that the ordeal revealed how much she means to him.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and Self-Sacrifice
Marguerite's unwavering courage and presence of mind during the escape, and Sir Percy's daring plan to save her and others.
Love and Marriage
The reunion of Sir Percy and Marguerite, their tender moment, and Percy's declaration that the ordeal revealed how much she means to him.
Deception and Disguise
The League members dressed in ragged finery to blend in with the crowd, and the successful deception that allowed the escape.
Characters to notice
- Marguerite Blakeney
Stands waiting in agony of expectation, shows unwavering courage and presence of mind, waits for Percy's sign, reunites with him, later asks for forgiveness at Richmond.
- Sir Percy Blakeney
Executes the plan to overpower Chauvelin, escapes with Marguerite, leads the party through Boulogne, later forgives Marguerite and declares his love.
- Citizen Chauvelin
Left helpless, bound and gagged within his own stronghold after being overpowered by Sir Percy.
- Lord Anthony Dewhurst
Helps with the escape, explains the League's preparations to Marguerite.
- Abbé Foucquet
Escorted safely out of Boulogne, murmurs prayers and blessings for their English rescuer during the boat journey.
- Lord Hastings
Part of the escape party, helps Marguerite down from the window.
Key passages
“Never for an instant, in that supreme moment when his precious life was at stake, did she waver in courage or presence of mind.”
At the critical moment when his life was in danger, she remained completely courageous and composed.
Describes Marguerite's steadfastness during the escape.
“Forgotten was the agony of mind which he had endured, the humiliations and the dangers which still threatened: he only remembered that she loved him and that he worshipped her.”
He forgot all his suffering and danger, remembering only her love and his adoration for her.
Highlights Percy's emotional focus on Marguerite after their reunion.
“But for that evening in Boulogne, but for that alternative which that devil placed before me, I might never have known how much you meant to me.”
Without that night in Boulogne and the terrible choice Chauvelin gave me, I might never have realized how much you mean to me.
Percy's explanation to Marguerite that the ordeal revealed the depth of his love.