The Three Musketeers · Chapter
The Sign of the Red Dovecot explained
Athos, Porthos, and Aramis encounter Cardinal Richelieu while returning from the Red Dovecot inn.
What happens
Athos, Porthos, and Aramis encounter Cardinal Richelieu while returning from the Red Dovecot inn. The cardinal questions them about a quarrel at the inn where they defended a lady's honor against drunken men. After hearing their account, the cardinal takes them as his escort to the inn, where he meets a mysterious messenger and then ascends to see a lady. The chapter also provides background on the cardinal's political maneuvers and the musketeers' life during the siege.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Chivalry
The musketeers defend a lady's honor against drunken assailants, and Athos insists on the truthfulness of gentlemen.
Power and Politics
Cardinal Richelieu's secretive movements and political calculations highlight the theme of power and political intrigue.
Courage and Heroism
The musketeers stand their ground against the cardinal and engage in a dangerous quarrel to protect an innocent woman.
Characters to notice
- Athos
Leads the musketeers in the encounter with the cardinal, recounts the quarrel at the Red Dovecot, and maintains a haughty demeanor.
- Porthos
Accompanies Athos and Aramis; admits to striking a brigand with a bench during the quarrel.
- Aramis
Sustains a slight sword wound in the arm during the quarrel; explains his actions to the cardinal.
- Cardinal Richelieu
Encountered by the musketeers on the road; questions them about the quarrel and takes them as his escort to the Red Dovecot.
- D'Artagnan
Mentioned as being in the trenches and unable to accompany his friends that evening.
Key passages
“Your name? said the officer, who covered a part of his face with his cloak. But yourself, Monsieur, said Athos, who began to be annoyed by this inquisition, give me, I beg you, the proof that you have the right to question me.”
The officer demanded Athos's name, but Athos, growing irritated, asked for proof of the officer's authority to interrogate him.
Athos challenges the cardinal's authority before recognizing him.
“I am not willing it should be known I have left the camp; and if they follow us we shall be certain they will tell nobody.”
The cardinal expressed his desire to keep his departure from camp secret, and suggested that taking the musketeers along would ensure their silence.
The cardinal's concern for secrecy reveals his political caution.
“These fellows were drunk, said Athos, and knowing there was a lady who had arrived at the cabaret this evening, they wanted to force her door.”
Athos explained that the quarrel started because drunken men tried to break into a lady's room at the inn.
Athos justifies the musketeers' violent intervention as a defense of a woman's honor.