# XXX: Milady explained — The Three Musketeers > Chapter companion for The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. ## What happens D'Artagnan, torn between his love for Constance Bonacieux and his curiosity about Milady, rides to St. Germain to investigate. He encounters Lubin, the lackey of the Comte de Wardes, and intercepts a billet intended for de Wardes, which turns out to be a romantic invitation from Milady. D'Artagnan then witnesses a heated argument between Milady and a cavalier, whom she identifies as her brother. D'Artagnan intervenes, leading to a confrontation with the Englishman, whom he recognizes as the man from Amiens who won his horse and nearly won his diamond. The chapter ends with D'Artagnan preparing for a duel. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Betrayal D'Artagnan's love for Constance is tested by his growing intrigue with Milady, while Milady's billet to de Wardes hints at romantic deception. ### Deception and Disguise D'Artagnan intercepts a billet meant for another, and Milady's true intentions remain hidden, weaving a web of mistaken identity and hidden motives. ### Courage and Heroism D'Artagnan boldly intervenes in Milady's quarrel and challenges her brother to a duel, showing his readiness to fight for honor. ## Character check-ins ### D'Artagnan Driven by love for Constance and curiosity about Milady, he rides to St. Germain, intercepts a billet meant for de Wardes, and confronts Milady's brother. ### Milady de Winter Seen in her carriage at St. Germain; she sends a billet to de Wardes, quarrels with her brother, and coolly departs as D'Artagnan intervenes. ### Planchet Accompanies D'Artagnan, recognizes Lubin, and mistakenly receives the billet intended for de Wardes. ### Athos At home in the Rue Férou, drinking wine; he listens to D'Artagnan's plans but declines to join the ride to St. Germain, expressing cynicism about women. ### Constance Bonacieux Mentioned as the object of D'Artagnan's love; he is determined to find her but is diverted by his pursuit of Milady. ### Comte de Wardes Referenced as the recipient of Milady's billet; he is recovering from four sword wounds inflicted by D'Artagnan. ### Lubin Lackey of the Comte de Wardes, spotted by Planchet at St. Germain; he does not recognize Planchet. ## Key lines > d’Artagnan was not of a very sentimental character, the mercer’s pretty wife had made a real impression upon his heart. As he said, he was ready to go to the end of the world to seek her; but the world, being round, has many ends, so that he did not know which way to turn. Though D'Artagnan wasn't overly emotional, Constance had truly captured his heart. He claimed he'd travel anywhere to find her, but the world's roundness left him unsure where to start. _Highlights D'Artagnan's conflicted feelings and his aimless search for Constance._ > A person who takes more interest in you than she is willing to confess wishes to know on what day it will suit you to walk in the forest? Tomorrow, at the Hôtel Field of the Cloth of Gold, a lackey in black and red will wait for your reply. An anonymous admirer, who cares more than she admits, asks when you'd like to stroll in the forest. Reply via a black-and-red lackey at the Hôtel Field of the Cloth of Gold tomorrow. _The billet reveals Milady's secret interest in de Wardes, which D'Artagnan intercepts._ > She terminated it by an action which left no doubt as to the nature of this conversation; this was a blow with her fan, applied with such force that the little feminine weapon flew into a thousand pieces. She ended the argument by striking with her fan so hard that it shattered into pieces, clearly showing her fury. _Illustrates Milady's temper and the intensity of her quarrel with her brother._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxx-milady - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters