# XXII: The Ballet of La Merlaison explained — The Three Musketeers

> Chapter companion for The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

The chapter describes the grand ball given by the aldermen of Paris at the Hôtel de Ville, where the king and queen dance the ballet La Merlaison. The king, initially dull and preoccupied, confronts the queen about her missing diamond studs, but she reveals she has all twelve, thanks to d'Artagnan's successful mission. The cardinal's plot is foiled. Later, d'Artagnan is led by Madame Bonacieux to a closet near the queen's chamber, where he receives a ring as a reward and a promise of a note.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Betrayal

D'Artagnan's devotion to the queen and Madame Bonacieux contrasts with the cardinal's attempt to betray the queen through the missing studs.

### Power and Politics

The cardinal's manipulation of the studs affair highlights the political intrigue between the crown and the cardinal's influence.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Hides in a closet, receives a ring from the queen, and is later led by Madame Bonacieux.

### Constance Bonacieux

Guides d'Artagnan through the Hôtel de Ville, leading him to the queen's closet.

### Queen Anne of Austria

Appears cheerful at the ball, successfully displays all twelve diamond studs, thwarting the cardinal's scheme.

### King Louis XIII

Attends the ball looking dull and preoccupied, later confronts the queen about the studs.

### Cardinal Richelieu

Observes from a gallery, expecting the queen to be missing studs, but his plan fails.

## Key lines

> He heard her approach and withdraw from the partially open door; and twice or three times he even saw the shadow of a person intercept the light. At length a hand and an arm, surpassingly beautiful in their form and whiteness, glided through the tapestry.

D'Artagnan heard the queen moving nearby and saw her shadow; then a beautiful white hand and arm appeared through the tapestry.

_D'Artagnan's secret encounter with the queen, receiving her ring as a reward._

> The queen remained for a short time to receive the compliments of the city dignitaries and to reply to the salutations of the ladies. All at once the king appeared.

The queen greeted the officials and ladies briefly before the king suddenly arrived.

_The tense moment at the ball when the king confronts the queen about the studs._

> I thank you, Madame, for the deference you have shown to my wishes, but I think you want two of the studs, and I bring them back to you.

The king thanked the queen for obeying him but noted she was missing two studs, which he returned.

_The king's attempt to expose the queen's supposed disobedience, which backfires._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxii-the-ballet-of-la-merlaison
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters