The Three Musketeers · Chapter
Lover and Husband explained
D'Artagnan overhears Madame Bonacieux's conversation with her husband and offers to help her with the queen's secret mission to London.
What happens
D'Artagnan overhears Madame Bonacieux's conversation with her husband and offers to help her with the queen's secret mission to London. After a mutual declaration of love, she entrusts him with the mission and gives him the cardinal's money. They hide in d'Artagnan's room as Bonacieux conspires with the man of Meung, who tries to learn the queen's plans. Bonacieux discovers the missing money and raises an alarm, but d'Artagnan departs on his mission.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
D'Artagnan and Constance's mutual declaration of love contrasts with Bonacieux's betrayal of his wife to the cardinal's agent.
Deception and Disguise
The characters hide, eavesdrop, and use deception to protect the queen's secret, including d'Artagnan and Constance hiding in his room.
Loyalty and Friendship
D'Artagnan's loyalty to the queen and Constance is demonstrated through his willingness to risk his life for the mission.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Offers to serve the queen by traveling to London, declares his love for Constance, and hides with her from her husband.
- Constance Bonacieux
Confides the queen's secret to d'Artagnan, gives him the cardinal's money, and hides with him in his room.
- Monsieur Bonacieux
Conspires with the man of Meung to betray his wife's mission, then raises an alarm when he discovers the missing money.
- Comte de Rochefort
The man of Meung who questions Bonacieux about his wife's activities and the queen's plans.
- M. de Tréville
Mentioned as a trusted loyal gentleman whom d'Artagnan plans to ask for a furlough.
- Queen Anne of Austria
The queen whose secret mission is entrusted to d'Artagnan; Constance prays for her protection.
- Cardinal Richelieu
The cardinal's money is used by Constance to fund the mission; Bonacieux hopes to gain favor with him.
- Planchet
Borrowed by Porthos for the evening, so he does not answer the door when Bonacieux knocks.
Key passages
“I have at least two of the three qualities you stand in need of, and here I am.”
D'Artagnan claims he possesses the bravery, intelligence, and devotion needed for the queen's mission.
He offers himself as the man to travel to London.
“I swear to you before God, Madame, that if I am taken while accomplishing the orders you give me, I will die sooner than do anything that may compromise anyone.”
D'Artagnan vows to die rather than betray the queen or Constance if captured.
He makes a solemn oath to protect the secret.
“It will be a double amusing affair to save the queen with the cardinal's money!”
D'Artagnan finds it ironic and humorous to use the cardinal's own funds to help the queen.
He accepts the moneybag from Constance.
“Your life is devoted from this moment, and does not belong to you. In the name of the queen I forbid you to throw yourself into any peril which is foreign to that of your journey.”
Constance reminds d'Artagnan that his life is now dedicated to the queen's mission and forbids him from seeking revenge.
She stops him from attacking the man of Meung.
