The Original: The Scarlet Pimpernel
Sequels: Sir Percy Leads the Band, League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel, Way of the Scarlet Pimpernel, Eldorado, Lord Tony's Wife, I Will Repay, The Elusive Pimpernel, Sir Percy Hits Back, Mam'zelle Guillotine, Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel, and The Life and Exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel (not by Baroness Orczy)
Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Original Time of Plot: 1792-1794
The Plot:
The beautiful and clever actress, Marguerite St. Just, unhappily married to a wealthy and handsome but inane Englishman named Sir Percy Blakeney. In this year of 1792, her loyalties are torn between her republican sympathies and her revulsion at the brutality of the Terror. The couple are suffering an estrangement brought on by the fact that Lady Blakeney is responsible for the execution of the Marquis de St. Cyr and family. Taking advantage of her confusion, a French revolutionary agent, Chauvelin (who has been dispatched by the Revolutionary government to England), blackmails her into helping him discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel, a daring master of disguise who leads a band of Regency bucks in rescuing French aristos from the guillotine. She is given the ultimatum of aiding Chauvelin or risking her brother life, who is in league with the Scarlet Pimpernel. Lady Blakeney uses her feminine wiles to uncover a few clues to the Pimpernel's identity and immediate plans, which she does in fact turn over to the French agent Chauvelin. After discovering that the Scarlet Pimpernel and her husband are one and the same, Marguerite soon realizes she has made a terrible error of judgment, and she sets off pell-mell for France to redeem herself by rescuing the Scarlet Pimpernel or dying in the attempt. The Scarlet Pimpernel successfully eludes Chauvelin and is reconciled with his wife.
The rest of the series contains the stories of various rescues performed by the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, almost all told from the perspective of those he rescues or those out to oppose him, and the romance between Sir Percy and Lady Blakeney. Highlights in the series include Eldorado, where the Scarlet Pimpernel rescues the dauphin from the Temple Prison and Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel, where the hero is instrumental in bringing about the downfall of Robespierre and the Reign of Terror.
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Below are links to the threads written so far. Please note that some of the content may be unsuitable for persons under 18yrs of age.
An Abrupt Meeting
- Flashback of the first meeting between Marguerite Saint-Just and Suzanne du Tournai
London Calling
- Suzanne du Tournai and Marguerite Saint-Just's first trip to England.
Salon (Flashback)
- Early encounter between Percy, Chauvelin and Marguerite
After the Salon
- Continuation of the Salon thread between Percy and Marguerite.
It Happened One Night
- A garden party at Saint-Cyr's house shortly after the fall of the Bastille.
Brother and Sister
- Armard and Marguerite speak on love and expectations.
Christmas in Paris
- Percy's proposal to Marguerite
A Decision
- Marguerite and Suzanne discuss Percy's proposal and Marguerite's feelings for Percy
Christmas Soiree
- The denunciation of the Marquis de Saint-Cyr - Continuation of Christmas in Paris
Mourning in Place Greve
- Glynde's surprise turns unbelievably sour.
How the League was Formed
- Percy's first day of marriage is spoiled with the discovery of the death of friends and bitter treachery.
The Accredited Agent
- Chauvelin is dispatched to England to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Awaiting the Native Flower
- Citoyen Chauvelin meets with Lady Blakeney to elicit her aide
Two Worlds, One Man
- Introduction of Chauvelin's daughter, Fleurette.
A Day Shopping
- Lady Blakeney has an unpleasant encounter with Mdm. Danglars.
Awaiting Percy
- Sir Percy confronts his wife.
Morning Comes
- Chauvelin stops by Richmond with Fleurette to collect some letters from Marguerite.
Reasons for Hating Blakeney
- Conversation between Chauvelin and Fleurette.
Waiting for a Miracle
- Introduction of the du Tournais' plight
Kulmsted
- Kulmsted is freed from prison and finds his benefactor is de Villefort
Nous Aider
- The comte du Tournai is arrested
Sir Philip's fall from grace
- a pistol, a woman, and lots of brandy
Nearing Dover
- Otherwise known as the boat ride through Hell. Sir Percy and his men brave the English Channel in the middle of a storm.
The Fisherman's Rest
- Dover at Last! The League arrives in Dover and Lord Tony's father catches up with them.
And They're Off Again
- Sir Percy and his men plan their next trip to France.
Heading to France
- The League is finally on its way.
William le Blanc
- Introduction of William le Blanc
Suspicion
- Enjolras suspect Armand Saint-Just, and sends Eponine with a letter to Chauvelin.
Meeting in Paris
- Armand Saint-Just meets up with Andrew Ffoulkes to discuss the trial of the King
And the Band Was All Together
- The League prepares for a rescue
The Distinguished Gentleman
- Lord Bathurst visits the duTournais.
Denunciation
- Chauvelin informs Marguerite of suspicion on her brother
Back on Track
- The League rescues du Tournai, and family
Waiting for the Next Tide
- The League splits up. Percy, Hastings, and MacKensie, having missed the tide, stay an extra night in France
Dover
- The League arrives in Dover with the du Tournais; Chauvelin captures Armand and spirits him away
And So the Truth Comes Out
- The League reunites at the Fisherman's Rest, and Armand's disappearance is discussed
Teresia
- Chauvelin recruits Teresia Cabarrus to find the Scarlet Pimpernel
�migr�s to London
- Teresia arrives in Dover and stumbles across the path of the League
Bearer of Bad News
- Chauvelin arrives in Richmond to tell Marguerite that her brother is in prison and the ultimatum for his release
Embassy
- Andrew escourts the DuTournais to the Embassy, Suzanne gets ill during the ride, and Andrew's intentions towards her become known
Homecoming
- Percy comes home to see his wife, while Marguerite debates on going along with Chauvelin's plans.
Cold Comfort
- Armand in La Force.
1 O'clock
- Marguerite agrees to help Chauvelin find the Scarlet Pimpernel
The Long Road
- Teresia and Bathurst arrive in London.
The Spanish Embassy
- Chauvelin meets with Teresia in London.
The Next Morning
- Percy and the League meet with Lord Grenville for a debriefing.
The Joys of Marriage
- Sir Percy and Lady Blakeney prepare for Shipwash's Soiree
Shipwash's Soiree
- Introduction of Valmont into English society.
The Beautiful Spaniard
- Bathurst and Teresia at Shipwash's Party.
The Hunt
- Chauvelin sets up his spies to watch for the Pimpernel.
The League
- The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel at the Shipwash Soiree.
Treachery
- Marguerite betrays the Pimpernel.
From Bad to Worse
- Treachery is discovered.
In the Stables
- Chauvelin and Teresia try to crash a meeting of the League.
Tying Up Loose Ends
- The ball continues
Richmond
- Marguerite's return to Richmond after the party.
On the Road to Perdition
- The League prepares to save Armand.
The Evidence
- Chauvelin prepares to spring his trap on the Pimpernel.
Undecided
- Teresia discards Bathurst, and sets out to confront the Pimpernel in his own home.
Meetings and Departures
- Teresia surprises Marguerite with an unexpected visit.
The Trap
- Chauvelin and Leroux look in on Armand.
Searching
- Marguerite travels to France in secret, meets Chauvelin, and finds her brother.
Chez Plancher
- Percy goes undercover at Marat's, and is discovered by Teresia while Dewhurst, attended by Ffoulkes, is set as bait for Chauvelin.
Waiting
- The remaining members of the rescue-party await further instructions.
Subtle Changes
- As a result of her last encounter with Sir Andrew, the shy wall-flower blossoms.
La Force
- Chauvelin's surveillance of Armand, and Lady Blakeney continues.
The Bad News
- Hastings delivers the news about Lady Blakeney's whereabouts to the Pimpernel.
Jail-break
- The League races to retrieve Armand before the city can storm the prison.
Problems at Home
- Marguerite finds an unlikely ally
Getaway
- A sickly Armand is rushed to safety
High Stakes*
- The League moves to save the Pimpernel before the city can storm the prisons
The Other Prisoner*
- Percy has a visitor, while Bathurst remains stubbornly loyal.
Bitterest Foes
- Percy continues to goad his enemy while imprisoned
A Series of Unfortunate Events*
- Marguerite is at the mercy of Chauvelin's dark whims
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