The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel · Chapter
Chauvelin explained
In the early hours of the morning, Chauvelin visits Theresia Cabarrus with a letter he found slipped under her door—a note from the Scarlet Pimpernel warning that Bertrand Moncrif is being taken to England to escape her influence.
What happens
In the early hours of the morning, Chauvelin visits Theresia Cabarrus with a letter he found slipped under her door—a note from the Scarlet Pimpernel warning that Bertrand Moncrif is being taken to England to escape her influence. Chauvelin uses the letter to pressure Theresia into cooperating with Robespierre's plan to trap the Pimpernel. She agrees to meet him again at three in the afternoon.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Chauvelin's secretive retrieval of the letter and his manipulative negotiation with Theresia highlight the theme of hidden motives and espionage.
Ambition and Power
Chauvelin uses the letter to gain leverage over Theresia, demonstrating his ambition to control her and serve Robespierre's agenda.
Characters to notice
- Theresia Cabarrus
Receives Chauvelin late at night; reads the Scarlet Pimpernel's letter and agrees to a meeting the next afternoon.
- Citizen Chauvelin
Finds the letter under the door, reads it, and uses it to manipulate Theresia into helping trap the Scarlet Pimpernel.
- Bertrand Moncrif
Mentioned in the letter as a young fool being taken to England by the Scarlet Pimpernel.
- Robespierre
Referenced as the one who asked Theresia to lure the Scarlet Pimpernel into a trap.
- Tallien
Mentioned as being at the Convention at three in the afternoon, allowing Theresia to meet Chauvelin privately.
- Pepita
Theresia's servant; goes to bed early, leaving Theresia alone to think.
Key passages
“You found a letter addressed to me; you read it. As you have brought it here, I presume that you wish me to know its contents. So get on, man, get on!”
Theresia tells Chauvelin to stop delaying and read the letter he found, since he clearly wants her to know what it says.
Theresia's impatience and directness in confronting Chauvelin about the intercepted letter.
“Bertrand Moncrif is a young fool, but he is too good to be the plaything of a sleek black pantheress, however beautiful she might be. So I am taking him away to England...”
The Scarlet Pimpernel's letter calls Bertrand a fool for being manipulated by Theresia and announces he is rescuing Bertrand to England.
The letter reveals the Pimpernel's view of Theresia as a dangerous seductress and his plan to thwart her.