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Jun. 1st, 2019 10:21 amI don't know whether The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel was intended to be Baroness Orczy's attempt to escape the adventures of Sir Percy or not, but it's definitely ... the one where he takes all the credit for overthrowing Robespierre and ending the Terror ...... so maybe?
Okay, the plot: Chauvelin recruits Historical Figure Theresa Cabarrus, who has immediately become my second-favorite Orczy villain, in his latest anti-Pimpernel plot. Theresa Cabarrus is engaged to Tallien, but she's not really into the Terror and is a historically important moderating influence -- a fact which Baroness Orczy would sort of like to ignore in making her a Scarlet Pimpernel villain but can't quite bring herself to do --- but she but also would very much like to be wealthy and important and doesn't mind compromising her principles to do so, but she also has this royalist ex that she's sort of fond of and would prefer not to see die but is also deeply and justifiably annoyed by, because for once Orczy and I agree on the fact that he's kind of a tool --
THERESA'S EX: "My God! Do you not know that I would at any time lay down my life for yours?"
THERESA: "I do entreat you not to go into heroics at this hour, and not to put on tragic airs."
(Theresa's Ex also has his own ex-girlfriend, who is deeply and justifiably stressed out by the fact that he's recruited her baby brother and sister into The Ill-Advised Anti-Revolution Revolution; I spent the whole book very worried that he was going to be Redeemed through her Love but in fact their breakup scene at the very beginning of the book manages for once to stick! Good for you, Theresa's Ex's Ex.)
Anyway, Chauvelin tries to threaten Theresa into seducing! the Scarlet Pimpernel! Theresa thinks ... this is hilarious nonsense.
THERESA: "Think how the accusation would sound, citizen Robespierre! The citoyenne Cabarrus, for refusing to make amorous overtures to the mysterious Englishman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, and for refusing to administer a love-philtre to him as prepared at the bidding of Citizen Robespierre! Confess! Confess that we none of us would survive such ridicule!"
By this point I am fully Team Theresa, and Percy agrees when
( the usual sort of full book spoilers )
Okay, the plot: Chauvelin recruits Historical Figure Theresa Cabarrus, who has immediately become my second-favorite Orczy villain, in his latest anti-Pimpernel plot. Theresa Cabarrus is engaged to Tallien, but she's not really into the Terror and is a historically important moderating influence -- a fact which Baroness Orczy would sort of like to ignore in making her a Scarlet Pimpernel villain but can't quite bring herself to do --- but she but also would very much like to be wealthy and important and doesn't mind compromising her principles to do so, but she also has this royalist ex that she's sort of fond of and would prefer not to see die but is also deeply and justifiably annoyed by, because for once Orczy and I agree on the fact that he's kind of a tool --
THERESA'S EX: "My God! Do you not know that I would at any time lay down my life for yours?"
THERESA: "I do entreat you not to go into heroics at this hour, and not to put on tragic airs."
(Theresa's Ex also has his own ex-girlfriend, who is deeply and justifiably stressed out by the fact that he's recruited her baby brother and sister into The Ill-Advised Anti-Revolution Revolution; I spent the whole book very worried that he was going to be Redeemed through her Love but in fact their breakup scene at the very beginning of the book manages for once to stick! Good for you, Theresa's Ex's Ex.)
Anyway, Chauvelin tries to threaten Theresa into seducing! the Scarlet Pimpernel! Theresa thinks ... this is hilarious nonsense.
THERESA: "Think how the accusation would sound, citizen Robespierre! The citoyenne Cabarrus, for refusing to make amorous overtures to the mysterious Englishman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, and for refusing to administer a love-philtre to him as prepared at the bidding of Citizen Robespierre! Confess! Confess that we none of us would survive such ridicule!"
By this point I am fully Team Theresa, and Percy agrees when
( the usual sort of full book spoilers )
