The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel · Chapter
Night and Morning explained
Theresia slips out to meet Chauvelin, but is delayed by a crippled beggar.
What happens
Theresia slips out to meet Chauvelin, but is delayed by a crippled beggar. She returns to find Bertrand asleep, leaves him a note promising to meet him in London, then departs. Bertrand wakes, reads the note, and is overjoyed, forgetting Régine as he revels in his love for Theresia.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Theresia deceives Bertrand by leaving a false note, and the crippled beggar is revealed to be a disguised spy.
Love and Loyalty
Bertrand's passionate love for Theresia overshadows his loyalty to Régine, while Theresia's note manipulates his devotion.
Characters to notice
- Theresia Cabarrus
Leaves a note for Bertrand while he sleeps, then goes to meet Chauvelin.
- Bertrand Moncrif
Wakes to find Theresia's note, is overjoyed, and goes out singing, forgetting Régine.
- Citizen Chauvelin
Meets Theresia secretly on the quay at her request.
- Régine de Serval
Mentioned as forgotten by Bertrand in his joy over Theresia.
Key passages
“With that letter in his possession, Bertrand felt that he could not remain indoors. He was pining for open spaces, the sea, the mountains, God's pure air—the air which she too was breathing even now.”
Holding the letter, Bertrand felt an urgent need to go outside, longing for the open air that Theresia also breathed.
Bertrand's elation after reading Theresia's note.
“For Régine—the tender, loving heart that pined for him and for his love—he had not a thought. She was the past, the dull, drabby past wherein he had dwelt before he knew how glorious a thing life could be, how golden the future, how rosy that horizon far away.”
Bertrand completely forgot about Régine, dismissing her as a dull part of his past before he discovered the joy of loving Theresia.
Bertrand's callous disregard for Régine in his newfound happiness.