The Scarlet Pimpernel It was an adventurous story of love and courage. In 1792, during the French Revolution, a figure called the Scarlet Pimpernel saved many aristocrats from the French. Using daring plots and disguises he escaped from the French and his arch-enemy, Chauvlin. The richest man in England, Sir Percy Blakenley was married to the most beautiful woman in France, Lady Marguerite Blankenley. Sir Percy was an important character in The Scarlet Pimpernel. The story is set in both England and France. It all started in Paris, France, at the guillotine scene. Part of the story is set at Fisherman's Rest in Dover, England. Other parts of the story took place at Sir Percy's home in Richmond, England, at the Chat Gris in Calais, France, at Lord Greenville's Ball, and at the Covent Garden Theater in England. The theme of the story was love and courage. It showed how much Sir Percy cared and loved Marguerite. Marguerite once loved him, but now took him for granted and thought of him as a dandy. He also outlined how brave Sir Percy, the Scarlet Pimpernel, had been in risking his life for that of the aristocrats. The Scarlet Pimpernel and a small band of devoted followers had dedicated their lives and fortunes to saving the innocent aristocrats of the French Revolution and the horror of the guillotine. They risked their lives on numerous occasions and saved many French nobles by bringing them safely to England. Sir Percy Blakenley, one of the richest men in England, was married to Lady Marguerite St. Just, reputedly the most beautiful and intelligent woman in Europe. She was perceived as a traitor to the French cause for having betrayed the Marquis of St. Cyr and his entire family by having them guillotined bloodied. She was tricked into doing so because of her brother Armond, who was nearly killed by them for daring to love an aristocrat's daughter. Therefore Sir Percy showed no love towards Marguerite and acted like a fool. She thought Sir Percy a vain, pompous dandy, and could not conceive how she could ever marry him. Despite this she still had feelings of love for him. Sir Percy loved her deeply, although he also hated and detested her for what she did.