I pray to you to add to your many protestations of friendship a little more clearness in your speech and, if possible, a little more brevity.

What then is the purpose which you had in view when you enticed my husband to come over to France ?" "My purpose was the destruction of the Scarlet Pimpernel, not the death of Sir Percy Blakeney.

Believe me, I have a great regard for Sir Percy.
He is a most accomplished gentleman, witty, brilliant, an inimitable dandy.

Why should he not grace with his presence the drawing-rooms of London or of Brighton for many years to come ?" She looked at him with puzzled inquiry.

For one moment the thought flashed through her mind that, after all, Chauvelin might be still in doubt as to the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel....