The Three Musketeers · Chapter
LXI: The Carmelite Convent at Béthune explained
Milady arrives at the Carmelite convent in Béthune, where she ingratiates herself with the abbess by sharing court gossip and feigning victimhood at the hands of Cardinal Richelieu.
What happens
Milady arrives at the Carmelite convent in Béthune, where she ingratiates herself with the abbess by sharing court gossip and feigning victimhood at the hands of Cardinal Richelieu. She learns that another boarder, called Kitty, is also there—a name that sparks vengeful thoughts. Milady rests and later meets the novice, who is revealed to be a young woman of delicate complexion, and the two form a wary acquaintance.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Milady feigns victimhood and sympathy to manipulate the abbess, concealing her true role as the cardinal's agent.
Justice and Vengeance
Milady's thoughts are consumed by vengeance against d'Artagnan and Athos, driven by past grievances and the promise of the cardinal's reward.
Characters to notice
- Milady de Winter
Arrives at the convent, manipulates the abbess with tales of court intrigue, and learns of a boarder named Kitty, stirring her desire for vengeance.
- Cardinal Richelieu
Referenced as the orchestrator of Milady's mission and the persecutor of the convent's boarder; Milady sends him a letter reporting her success.
- Kitty
Mentioned as the convent boarder under the name Kitty; Milady suspects she may be her former chambermaid, rekindling anger.
- Athos
Recalled by Milady as her husband, the Comte de la Fère, and as d'Artagnan's friend, whom she hopes to involve in her vengeance.
- D'Artagnan
Referenced as the target of Milady's vengeance, now in her power due to her successful mission against Buckingham.
- Duke of Buckingham
Mentioned in Milady's letter to the cardinal, confirming he will not set out for France.
Key passages
“Milady began to think she should soon grow weary of a convent life; she resolved, then, to risk something in order that she might know how to act afterward.”
Milady decided to take a chance and probe the abbess's loyalties by sharing scandalous stories about the cardinal.
Milady tests the abbess's discretion to gauge her political alignment.
“Great criminals bear about them a kind of predestination which makes them surmount all obstacles, which makes them escape all dangers, up to the moment which a wearied Providence has marked as the rock of their impious fortunes.”
Notorious wrongdoers seem to have a fate that helps them overcome every hurdle until Providence finally decides to bring them down.
Narrator's reflection on Milady's seemingly charmed ability to evade capture.
“She remembered that almost unlimited promise which the cardinal had given her if she succeeded in her enterprise. She had succeeded; d'Artagnan was then in her power!”
Milady recalled the cardinal's generous reward for her success, and realized she now had d'Artagnan at her mercy.
Milady's vengeful satisfaction at having d'Artagnan within her grasp.