The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel · Chapter
IX explained
Chauvelin, after receiving the doggerel rhyme from the Leridans, hurries to Fouquier-Tinville's lodgings to ensure the prisoner Paul Molé is not released.
What happens
Chauvelin, after receiving the doggerel rhyme from the Leridans, hurries to Fouquier-Tinville's lodgings to ensure the prisoner Paul Molé is not released. Fouquier-Tinville initially doubts the prisoner's identity, but Chauvelin fabricates a story about finding the incriminating rhyme in Molé's cell, convincing the Public Prosecutor to proceed with a trial and execution.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Betrayal
Chauvelin betrays the truth by fabricating evidence against Paul Molé, while Fouquier-Tinville is swayed from his initial loyalty to legal procedure.
Cunning and Wit
Chauvelin's quick thinking and fabrication of the doggerel rhyme as evidence demonstrates his cunning to achieve his goal.
Revolutionary Terror and Injustice
The willingness to execute an innocent man based on false evidence highlights the injustice and terror of the revolutionary tribunals.
Characters to notice
- Citizen Chauvelin
Fabricates evidence by claiming the doggerel rhyme was found in Paul Molé's cell to convince Fouquier-Tinville of the prisoner's identity as the Scarlet Pimpernel.
- Citizen Fouquier-Tinville
Initially skeptical and demands tangible proof, but is convinced by Chauvelin's fabricated story and agrees to proceed with the trial.
- The Leridans
Mentioned as the source of the crumpled paper with the doggerel rhyme that Chauvelin uses as false evidence.
- Paul Molé
The prisoner whose identity is disputed; Chauvelin insists he is the Scarlet Pimpernel, while others claim he is the real Paul Molé.
- Commissary Cuisinier
Interviewed by Fouquier-Tinville; swears to the signature on Molé's identity book, supporting the claim that the prisoner is the real Paul Molé.
- Hébert
Mentioned as one of Chauvelin's men who admits to feeling doubtful about the prisoner's identity.
Key passages
“I tell you, citizen Chauvelin, that tomorrow you will be the first to congratulate me on an unprecedented triumph.”
Fouquier-Tinville boasts that Chauvelin will praise him after the trial.
Fouquier-Tinville's confidence after being convinced by Chauvelin's false evidence.
“But I tell you that, those papers of his are forged,” urged Chauvelin forcefully. “They are not,” retorted the other.”
Chauvelin insists the papers are fake, but Fouquier-Tinville disagrees.
The central dispute over the prisoner's identity.
“The lie came quite glibly to Chauvelin's tongue. Was not every method good, every device allowable, which would lead to so glorious an end?”
Chauvelin lies easily, believing any means justify the goal.
Chauvelin's justification for fabricating evidence.