The Three Musketeers · Chapter
Porthos explained
D'Artagnan visits M.
What happens
D'Artagnan visits M. de Tréville to report the disappearance of Madame Bonacieux, and Tréville advises him to leave Paris temporarily. Returning home, d'Artagnan confronts Monsieur Bonacieux, whose muddy shoes and evasive answers suggest he was involved in his wife's abduction. Later, d'Artagnan visits the wounded Porthos, who claims a knee strain but is actually recovering from a duel. Porthos admits he lost his money and horse gambling, and his wealthy mistress has not replied to his request for funds. Meanwhile, Planchet reveals that the cardinal's officer, M. de Cavois, came to summon d'Artagnan, but Planchet cleverly lied that d'Artagnan had already left for Troyes.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Monsieur Bonacieux's lies about his muddy shoes and his involvement in his wife's abduction highlight the theme of deception; Planchet's clever falsehood to M. de Cavois also underscores this motif.
Loyalty and Friendship
D'Artagnan's visit to the wounded Porthos and his concern for his friend's well-being demonstrate the bonds of loyalty among the musketeers.
Power and Politics
Cardinal Richelieu's attempt to summon d'Artagnan through M. de Cavois illustrates the political machinations and the cardinal's pervasive influence.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Seeks Tréville's advice about Constance's abduction; deduces Bonacieux's complicity; visits the wounded Porthos; learns of the cardinal's summons.
- M. de Tréville
Listens to d'Artagnan's account, suspects Cardinal Richelieu's involvement, and advises d'Artagnan to leave Paris.
- Monsieur Bonacieux
D'Artagnan notices his muddy shoes and evasive lies, concluding he helped abduct his own wife.
- Porthos
Found in bed recovering from a duel (claims a knee strain); admits losing his money and horse at dice; awaits funds from his mistress.
- Planchet
Reports M. de Cavois's visit from the cardinal and cleverly tells him d'Artagnan has already left for Troyes.
- Mousqueton
Attends to Porthos, playing lansquenet with him and overseeing the cooking.
- M. de Cavois
Captain of the cardinal's Guards, visits d'Artagnan's lodgings with a summons from the cardinal.
Key passages
“Instead of returning directly home, d’Artagnan alighted at the door of M. de Tréville, and ran quickly up the stairs.”
D'Artagnan went straight to Tréville's office instead of going home.
D'Artagnan seeks Tréville's counsel immediately after the night's events.
“A rogue does not laugh in the same way that an honest man does; a hypocrite does not shed the tears of a man of good faith. All falsehood is a mask; and however well made the mask may be, with a little attention we may always succeed in distinguishing it from the true face.”
A dishonest person's laugh and tears are different from those of an honest person; falsehood is a mask that can be seen through with careful observation.
D'Artagnan reflects on the nature of deception as he scrutinizes Bonacieux.
“The husband had presided at the abduction of his wife.”
Bonacieux himself had orchestrated the kidnapping of his own wife.
D'Artagnan realizes Bonacieux's complicity in Constance's disappearance.
“I wrote to her to send me fifty louis or so, of which I stood absolutely in need on account of my accident.”
Porthos asked his mistress for about fifty louis to cover his expenses after his injury.
Porthos reveals his financial dependence on his wealthy mistress.
