The historical novel entitled The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic and truly deserves
this prestigious title. The author of this enthralling 267 page book is Baroness Emma
Orczy and it was published by Dodd, Mead & Company in the year 1964. The scene is
set in the terrorized Paris of revolutionary France in the 1800's. During this time
period nobody was safe from the horrifying grasp of 'Madame la Guillotine' which
claimed hundreds of lives every day. But a few brave men headed by a courageous
person known only as the anonymous Scarlet Pimpernel, helped the innocent escape from
their deaths. By use of trickery and deceit, these 20 men helped many endangered
aristocrats escape from France back to the safety of England. There, the lives of the
royalty and honored citizens were protected. Among the most widely acknowledged
person of high society at the time was Lady Marguerite Blakeney who was also known as
being the 'cleverest woman in Europe.'
She had married a man by the name of Sir
Percy Blakeney who had flattered her with his deep love. But they soon grew apart
after Lady Blakeney confessed to her husband how she had accidentally been involved in
sending a noble family to the guillotine. Feeling shocked and disappointed towards his
wife, Sir Percy's adoration of her was not shown anymore. However he continued on
with his life of which a part was left untold to his wife whom he could not trust. He
never let her know of the secretive life he led as the celebrated Scarlet Pimpernel.
Later on, Lady Blakeney was blackmailed into making a deal with a French spy
named Chauvelin. He had promised the return of her beloved brother, Armand, from
death in France if she promised to help in leading...