# Désirée Candeille — The Elusive Pimpernel character guide

> Désirée Candeille in The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Candeille, Mademoiselle Candeille, Demoiselle Candeille, Citizeness Candeille

**First appearance:** 0004-iii-ex-ambassador-chauvelin

## Snapshot

A French actress with a talent for intrigue and a talent for trouble, hired by Chauvelin to sing her way into London's drawing rooms.

## Who they are

Désirée Candeille has worn out her welcome in both Paris and London, and Chauvelin's offer arrives just as the authorities order her out of England. She takes his money and his diamonds and slips into Richmond society as a celebrated singer, playing a part she finds deliciously suited to her gifts. Her vanity and her appetite for revenge make her a dangerous tool, and the reader watches her performance with the uneasy sense that she may not stay a tool for long.

## In the story

### [For the Poor of Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/vi-for-the-poor-of-paris)

The French actress and ex-colleague of Marguerite, she claims to be raising money for the poor of Paris and seeks Marguerite's patronage.

### [VII: Premonition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/vii-premonition)

Present as a chaperone, appears distressed and puzzled, suspected by Marguerite of being in league with Chauvelin.

### [The Invitation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/viii-the-invitation)

The young actress soliciting patronage, whom Marguerite introduces to the Prince; her role is suspected to be part of Chauvelin's scheme.

### [IX: Demoiselle Candeille](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/ix-demoiselle-candeille)

Protagonist of the chapter; a French actress of humble birth who rose to stardom. She is in London, facing expulsion under the Aliens Bill, and is recruited by Chauvelin to perform a role in his plot. She receives a diamond necklace once owned by the Duchesse de Marny.

### [Lady Blakeney's Rout](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/x-lady-blakeney-s-rout)

Arrives with Chauvelin, beautifully dressed with a diamond necklace, and curtsies elaborately to Marguerite.

### [The Challenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xi-the-challenge)

Insults Juliette, wears the stolen jewels, and demands satisfaction.

### [XIII: Reflections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xiii-reflections)

Leaves Blakeney Manor with Chauvelin, having played her part in the evening's scheme with sangfroid and skill.

### [XIV: The Ruling Passion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xiv-the-ruling-passion)

Approaches Marguerite in the garden, offering her maid's passport and expressing a desire to help, though Marguerite remains suspicious.

### [The Passport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xvi-the-passport)

Provided the passport that Marguerite uses for her disguise; her motives are unclear but Marguerite is grateful.

### [Boulogne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xvii-boulogne)

Mentioned as having passed through Boulogne with her maid Céline Dumont, exposing Marguerite's false passport; her supposed remorse was part of Chauvelin's plot.

### [XXI: Suspense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxi-suspense)

Mentioned as the woman who aided Chauvelin in setting the trap for Marguerite.

### [XXVI: The Terms of the Bargain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxvi-the-terms-of-the-bargain)

Mentioned by Chauvelin as the actress chosen to impersonate the Goddess of Reason at the national fête in Boulogne, due to her recent services to the Republic.

### [The Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxvii-the-decision)

Mentioned by Sir Percy in his banter about the national fête and the amnesty.

### [XXX: The Procession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxx-the-procession)

Serves as the Goddess of Reason in the procession, reflecting on her role in bringing the Scarlet Pimpernel to France and feeling apprehension amidst the revelry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/desiree_candeille
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters