# XXXV: All Cats Are Grey in the Dark explained — The Three Musketeers

> Chapter companion for The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

D'Artagnan, disguised as the Comte de Wardes, visits Milady de Winter at night, having sent a letter through Kitty. Milady, believing him to be de Wardes, professes her love and gives him a sapphire ring. D'Artagnan, torn between hatred and attraction, struggles with his deception. After the encounter, he shows the ring to Athos, who recognizes it as a family jewel and becomes deeply disturbed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

D'Artagnan impersonates the Comte de Wardes to manipulate Milady, leading to a web of lies and emotional turmoil.

### Love and Betrayal

Milady's professed love is directed at a false identity, while Kitty's loyalty is betrayed by both D'Artagnan and her mistress.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Disguises himself as the Comte de Wardes to deceive Milady, receives her ring, and later confides in Athos.

### Milady de Winter

Believes she is meeting the Comte de Wardes, expresses her love, and gives him a sapphire ring.

### Kitty

Delivers D'Artagnan's letter to Milady, suffers in silence as she witnesses the deception, and is heartbroken.

### Athos

Listens to D'Artagnan's account and recognizes the sapphire ring as a family jewel, reacting with shock and anger.

## Key lines

> The heart of the best woman is pitiless toward the sorrows of a rival.

Even the kindest woman shows no mercy for a rival's pain.

_Reflects the cruelty of romantic competition._

> When I am insulted I do not faint; I avenge myself!

I don't collapse when insulted; I seek revenge.

_Highlights Milady's vengeful nature._

> This woman exercised over him an unaccountable power; he hated and adored her at the same time.

She had a strange hold on him, making him both hate and love her.

_Captures D'Artagnan's conflicted emotions toward Milady._

## Links

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- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters