Who is the comtesse?

Comtesse de Tournay

The Comtesse is a French aristocrat rescued by the Scarlet Pimpernel in the opening section of the novel, but her husband is left behind, prompting the dramatic rescue that dominates the novel's main plot. She is helped to escape from the city by the Scarlet Pimpernel, who dresses like an old hag and sneaks her family out through the gate in the back of a cart.