Emma Orczy

“ There are nineteen of us ready to lay down our lives for the Scarlet Pimpernel if he is in danger."
"There is no need for lives just now, my friend," she said drily; "my wits and four swift horses will serve the necessary purpose. But I must know where to find him. See," she added, while her eyes filled with tears, "I have humbled myself before you, I have owned my fault to you; shall I also confess my weakness?—My husband and I have been estranged, because he did not trust me, and because I was too blind to understand. ”

“ Chauvelin's eyes are fixed upon you all, he will scarce notice me. Quick, Sir Andrew!—the coach is ready, and there is not a moment to be lost. . . . I must get to him! I must!" she repeated with almost savage energy, "to warn him that that man is on his track. . . . Can't you see—can't you see, that I must get to him . . . even . . . even if it be too late to save him . . . at least . . . to be by his side . . . at the least."
"Faith, Madame, you must command me. Gladly would I or any of my comrades lay down our lives for our husband. If you will go yourself. ”

“ Percy, the husband whom she loved with all the ardour which her admiration for his bravery had kindled, was in immediate, deadly peril, through her hand. She had betrayed him to his enemy—unwittingly 'tis true—but she had betrayed him, and if Chauvelin succeeded in trapping him, who so far was unaware of his danger, then his death would be at her door. His death! when with her very heart's blood, she would have defended him and given willingly her life for his.
She had ordered her coach to drive her to the "Crown" inn; once there, she told her coachman to give the horses food and rest. ”