I Will Repay

I Will Repay was written by Baroness Emmuska Orczy and originally published in 1906, this is a sequel novel to the Scarlet Pimpernel. The second Pimpernel book written by Orczy, it comes chronologically third in the series, after Sir Percy Leads the Band and before The Elusive Pimpernel. The story starts in 1784, before the French revolution. Wealthy Paul Deroulede has offended the young Vicomte de Marny by speaking disrespectfully of his latest infatuation, Adele de Montercheri. Deroulede had not intended to get into the quarrel but has a tendency to blunder into things -- 'no doubt a part of the inheritance bequeathed to him by his bourgeois ancestry.' Incensed at the slur on Adele, whom he sees as a paragon of virtue, the Vicomte challenges Deroulede to a duel, a fight which Deroulede does not want - for he knows and respects the boy's father, the Duc de Marny. Swords drawn, the fight ensues in the centre of the salon but despite his noble lineage, the Vicomte de Marny is no match for Deroulede's swordplay, especially when addled with wine and rage. Deroulede disarms his opponent and having won the duel, draws back but the boy refuses to back down without complete satisfaction and demands that Deroulede get down on his knees and apologize.