The Laughing Cavalier: The Story of the Ancestor of the Scarlet Pimpernel

"The Laughing Cavalier: The Story of the Ancestor of the Scarlet Pimpernel" by Orczy is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around Gilda Beresteyn in 17th century Haarlem, whose life becomes entangled with the life of a fugitive nobleman, Willem van Stoutenburg. The book explores themes of love, loyalty, and the consequences of political intrigue during a tumultuous time in Dutch history. The opening of the story introduces Gilda as she reflects on the political unrest surrounding her, particularly the betrayal and looming execution of the Barneveld family. As she grapples with her emotions about a past lover, Willem, he suddenly appears at her window, seeking refuge from pursuers. The tension escalates as she helps him hide, all while she is painfully aware of the implications of her actions—particularly given her father's loyalty to the Stadtholder and his commitment to justice. Their reunion not only rekindles old feelings but places Gilda at the center of a dangerous political web, setting the stage for further drama and intrigue. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Baroness Emma Orczy, usually known as Baroness Orczy or to her family and friends as Emmuska Orczy, was a Hungarian-born British novelist and playwright. She is best known for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel, the alter ego of Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English fop who turns into a quick-thinking escape artist in order to save French aristocrats from "Madame Guillotine" during the French Revolution, establishing the "hero with a secret identity" in popular culture.