ink_n_imp | 'ZOUNDS!

Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say 'Antonella' at will to old ladies.

Finished the Scarlet Pimpernel this morning*, and there 'twas fair better than a duel. One, Percy made Chauvelin CHOKE on his SOUP. Literally. Percy waltzes [or would it be minuets, considering the time period? ;) ] in, and--seeing right through Chauvelin's disguise as a priest--greets him by name, completely throwing the normally insanely cool-headed Chauvelin for a loop.

Two, Percy and Chauvelin then proceeded to play chicken over soup. And Percy won. Thanks to a snuff box filled with pepper.

Having finished this book, I am highly, HIGHLY amused by how much the authoress went out of her way to put as much unadulterated EVIL in the villain Chauvelin as you can fit into such a wee book. Whenever you think there might be some moral ambiguity to his character, oh, don't worry. She'll have him order the beating up of some poor hapless character (...who just so happens to be Percy in disguise, BTW) just to prove you wrong. I'll be damned if the man don't wander the streets of Paris just LOOKING for puppies to kick.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy this book, and definitely want to go and buckle some swashes with an inane laugh now. But alas, tis only working in the anthropology lab today for this Antonella.

* I went to bed last night at 11, THINKING I was going to get a good night's sleep, when I woke up at 3:30 am. Some tossing and turning later, I said fuck all and got out of bed. Sleep and I. We used to be such chummy pals :(