The Scarlet Pimpernel · Chapter
VIII: The Accredited Agent explained
Marguerite Blakeney, alone on the cliffs after seeing the Daydream sail away with Armand St.
What happens
Marguerite Blakeney, alone on the cliffs after seeing the Daydream sail away with Armand St. Just, reflects on her marriage and the incident involving the Marquis de St. Cyr. She encounters Chauvelin, who reveals himself as the new French agent and asks for her help in discovering the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel, the leader of a league helping French aristocrats escape the guillotine.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
Marguerite recalls her past love for Percy and his subsequent withdrawal; Chauvelin asks her to betray the Scarlet Pimpernel for France.
Secrecy and Trust
The Scarlet Pimpernel's identity is a mystery; Chauvelin seeks Marguerite's help to uncover it, testing her loyalty.
Class and Social Hierarchy
The Marquis de St. Cyr's pride of caste leads to Armand's humiliation; Marguerite's republican sympathies contrast with the arrogance of the aristocracy.
Redemption and Atonement
Marguerite feels guilt over her role in the St. Cyr tragedy and seeks to atone, though her past actions still weigh on her.
Characters to notice
- Marguerite Blakeney
Reflects on her past and her strained marriage; meets Chauvelin and is asked to betray the Scarlet Pimpernel.
- Sir Percy Blakeney
Mentioned as Marguerite's husband; his laughter is heard from the inn; she recalls his past devotion and current indifference.
- Chauvelin
Accosts Marguerite as 'Citoyenne St. Just'; reveals his mission to find the Scarlet Pimpernel and asks for her assistance.
- Armand St. Just
Marguerite's brother; his love for Angele de St. Cyr and the subsequent beating by the Marquis's valets are recalled; he has just sailed away on the Daydream.
- Marquis de St. Cyr
Mentioned in Marguerite's recollection; his arrogance led to Armand's humiliation, and Marguerite's thoughtless words led to his arrest and execution.
- Sir Andrew Ffoulkes
His voice is heard from the coffee-room of the Fisherman's Rest.
- Lord Tony Dewhurst
His boisterous laughter is heard from the inn.
Key passages
“Marguerite’s few thoughtless words anent the Marquis de St. Cyr bore fruit within twenty-four hours. He was arrested. His papers were searched: letters from the Austrian Emperor, promising to send troops against the Paris populace, were found in his desk. He was arraigned for treason against the nation, and sent to the guillotine, whilst his family, his wife and his sons, shared in this awful fate.”
Marguerite's careless remark about the Marquis de St. Cyr led to his arrest within a day; incriminating letters were discovered, and he and his entire family were executed for treason.
Marguerite recalls the tragic consequences of her thoughtless words.
“Now they had drifted quite apart, and Sir Percy seemed to have laid aside his love for her, as he would an ill-fitting glove.”
Marguerite and Percy have grown distant, and he appears to have discarded his love for her as casually as one removes a glove that doesn't fit.
Describes the emotional estrangement in the Blakeneys' marriage.
“Find that man for me, citoyenne !” he urged, “find him for France.”
Chauvelin implores Marguerite to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel for the sake of France.
Chauvelin's request to Marguerite to betray the Pimpernel.
