Chauvelin's scheme to capture the Princesse de Monsantes before she can escape to England succeeds and she and her servant fall into his trap. Sir Percy hears about it and hatches his own scheme, rescuing the Princesse and her servant from under Chauvelin's nose and smuggling them to England. Outraged, Chauvelin travels to England, planning to kidnap the Princesse and bring her back to France. Meanwhile, the Prince has hired a Chinese decorator to remodel a wing of the palace, and Sir Percy decides to use the man in his plan to thwart Chauvelin's plot.

Answering an appeal from the Princesse Melanie de Monsantes to bring her brother Jacques to safety from France, the Pimpernel finds him but he refuses to leave and instead asks the Pimpernel for help in frustrating Chauvelin's latest plan.

Sir Percy notices a beautiful woman showing an unusual interest in the Prince of Wales’s affairs and is unconvinced by her replies to his questions. Perhaps it's time for the Pimpernel to show his true colours.