The Three Musketeers · Chapter
Plan of Campaign explained
D'Artagnan visits M.
What happens
D'Artagnan visits M. de Tréville to seek his aid in a secret mission to London on behalf of the queen. Tréville advises him not to travel alone and arranges leave of absence for Athos, Porthos, and Aramis to accompany him. The four friends gather, pool their money, and plan their journey, deciding to travel together for safety.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Friendship
The musketeers and D'Artagnan demonstrate unwavering loyalty, agreeing to risk their lives for the queen's mission without full knowledge of the details.
Courage and Heroism
D'Artagnan and his friends show courage in the face of potential death, planning to fight through any opposition to deliver the letter.
Deception and Disguise
The plan to travel in disguise and use false leaves of absence highlights the theme of deception to achieve their goal.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Takes the lead in planning the mission to London, seeking Tréville's help and rallying his friends.
- M. de Tréville
Provides leave of absence and strategic advice, warning D'Artagnan of the dangers of traveling alone.
- Athos
Receives his leave of absence and agrees to follow D'Artagnan, proposing the plan to travel together.
- Porthos
Initially questions the mission but agrees to join, contributing to the discussion of the travel plan.
- Aramis
Joins the group after being summoned, concerned about secrecy regarding the lady he hosted.
- Planchet
Called upon to prepare the horses for the journey.
- Grimaud
Summoned by Athos to ready the horses.
- Mousqueton
Called by Porthos to assist with preparations.
- Bazin
Summoned by Aramis to join them at Athos's residence.
Key passages
“D'Artagnan went straight to M. de Tréville's. He had reflected that in a few minutes the cardinal would be warned by this cursed stranger, who appeared to be his agent, and he judged, with reason, he had not a moment to lose.”
D'Artagnan hurried to Tréville's, knowing the cardinal would soon learn of his plans from the mysterious stranger.
D'Artagnan's urgency underscores the high stakes and the cardinal's pervasive influence.
“In that case you will not get beyond Bondy. I tell you so, by the faith of de Tréville.”
Tréville warns D'Artagnan that he will be killed before reaching Bondy if he travels alone.
Tréville's warning emphasizes the danger of the mission and the need for companions.
“Four men traveling together would be suspected. D'Artagnan will give each of us his instructions.”
Porthos suggests they travel separately to avoid suspicion, with D'Artagnan directing each.
Porthos proposes a strategic plan to evade detection by the cardinal's agents.
“If I should be killed, one of you must take it, and continue the route; if he be killed, it will be another's turn, and so on—provided a single one arrives, that is all that is required.”
D'Artagnan insists they travel together so that if one falls, another can carry on the mission.
D'Artagnan's plan ensures the letter's delivery even if they face casualties.
