The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
The Scarlet Pimpernel takes place in 1792, at the start of the French Revolution. Marguerite St. Just, a beautiful French actress, is the wife of the wealthy Englishman Sir Percy Blakeney, a baronet. Before their marriage, Marguerite took revenge on the Marquis de Saint-Cyr, who had ordered her brother to be beaten for his love interest in the Marquis's daughter, with the unintended consequence of sending the Marquis and his sons to the guillotine. . When Percy found out, he separated from his wife. Marguerite, for her part, became disappointed with Percy's shallow, dandy lifestyle.
Meanwhile, the "League of the Scarlet Pimpernel", a secret society of twenty English aristocrats, "one to command and nineteen to obey", are working to save their French counterparts from the daily executions of the reign of terror. Their leader, the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel, gets his nickname from the little red flower he draws on his messages. Although London society speaks, only its supporters and perhaps the Prince of Wales know the true identity of the Pimpernel. Like many others, Marguerite is spellbound by the daring exploits of the Pimpernel.
At a ball attended by the Blakeneys, a line by Percy about "the elusive Pimpernel" goes around and entertains the other guests. During this time, Marguerite is subjected to the blackmail of the citizen Chauvelin, the new cunning French envoy in England. Chauvelin's agents have stolen a letter proving that his beloved brother Armand is in cahoots with the Pimpernel. Chauvelin offers to trade Armand's life for his help against the Pimpernel. Contemptuous of her seemingly spiritless and loveless husband, Marguerite does not go to him for help or advice. Instead, she passes on information that allows Chauvelin to learn the true identity of the Pimpernel.
Later that night, Marguerite finally announces to her husband the terrible danger that threatens her brother and pleads for his help. Percy promises to save him. After Percy's unexpected departure for France, Marguerite discovers with horror (and simultaneous pleasure) that he is the Pimpernel. He had hid behind the character of a dull, slow-witted fop to cheat the world. He had not told Marguerite, fearing that she would betray him, as she had done to the Marquis de Saint-Cyr. Desperate to save her husband, she decides to pursue Percy in France to warn him that Chauvelin knows his identity and his purpose. She persuades Sir Andrew Ffoulkes to accompany her, but due to the tide and the weather, neither they nor Chauvelin can leave immediately.
In Calais, Percy openly approaches Chauvelin in the Gray Cat, a decrepit inn whose owner is in Percy's pay. Despite Chauvelin's best efforts, the Englishman manages to escape by offering Chauvelin a pinch of snuff, which turns out to be pure pepper. Thanks to a daring plan executed under Chauvelin's nose, Percy saves Marguerite's brother Armand and the Comte de Tournay, the father of a school friend of Marguerite's. Marguerite pursues Percy to the end, determined to warn him or to share his fate. Percy, heavily disguised, is captured by Chauvelin, who does not recognize him so that he can escape.
With Marguerite's love and courage amply proven, Percy's ardor is rekindled. Back onboard their schooner, the DayDream, the happy and reconciled couple returns to England. Sir Andrew marries the Earl's daughter, Suzanne.
