# The Close of the Second Day explained — The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel

> Chapter companion for The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

During a violent storm, Chauvelin waits in a disused storage room and is confronted by the coalheaver Rateau, who claims to have seen Theresia Cabarrus with the English spy. Chauvelin, paranoid and distrustful, orders Rateau to fetch the Commissary to raid Theresia's lodgings. He then reminds Captain Boyer of the order to shoot Marguerite Blakeney if the Scarlet Pimpernel is not captured by the fourth day.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Rateau's accusation and the search for the Englishman's disguises highlight the theme of hidden identities and betrayal.

### Ambition and Power

Chauvelin's obsessive pursuit of the Scarlet Pimpernel and his manipulation of Rateau reflect his ruthless ambition and desire for control.

## Character check-ins

### Citizen Chauvelin

Paranoid and nerve-wracked, he paces the storage room, distrusts everyone, and orders a raid on Theresia's lodgings based on Rateau's accusation.

### Citizen Rateau

The asthmatic coalheaver, branded with an 'M', reports seeing Theresia with the Englishman and offers to show evidence of the spy's disguises at her lodgings.

### Theresia Cabarrus

Accused by Rateau of being in league with the Englishman; Chauvelin orders a search of her lodgings.

### Marguerite Blakeney

Imprisoned in the Rue de la Planchette, she overhears Chauvelin's order to shoot her if the spy is not caught by the fourth day.

### Captain Boyer

In charge of the prisoner; confirms the order to execute Marguerite if the Scarlet Pimpernel is not captured by the fourth evening.

## Key lines

> He trusted no one—not Mother Théot, not the men upstairs, not Theresia: least of all Theresia.

Chauvelin was suspicious of everyone, especially Theresia.

_Illustrates Chauvelin's paranoia and isolation._

> unless the English spy is in our hands on the evening of the fourth day, to shoot your prisoner.

If the Scarlet Pimpernel isn't caught by the fourth day, execute Marguerite.

_Sets the ultimatum driving the plot tension._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxix-the-close-of-the-second-day
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters