# Dream of Vengeance explained — The Three Musketeers

> Chapter companion for The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

Milady, frustrated by d'Artagnan's absence, writes him a letter inviting him to visit. D'Artagnan, despite his promise to Athos, decides to go, rationalizing that it would be impolitic not to. At her residence, Milady feigns affection and asks d'Artagnan to avenge her against an enemy, whom she reveals as the Comte de Wardes. D'Artagnan, playing along, agrees to kill de Wardes. Milady promises him her tenderness in return and arranges a secret meeting later that night, leaving Kitty heartbroken.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Both d'Artagnan and Milady engage in elaborate deception: Milady feigns love to manipulate d'Artagnan, while d'Artagnan pretends to be ignorant of her schemes to further his own agenda.

### Love and Betrayal

D'Artagnan's feigned love for Milady and his betrayal of his promise to Athos are central, as is Milady's betrayal of her true intentions behind her affectionate facade.

### Justice and Vengeance

Milady seeks personal vengeance against de Wardes, and d'Artagnan agrees to act as her instrument of revenge, blurring the line between justice and personal vendetta.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Visits Milady after receiving her letter, feigns love, and agrees to avenge her against de Wardes.

### Milady de Winter

Manipulates d'Artagnan by feigning affection and asking him to kill de Wardes as revenge.

### Kitty

Acts as a messenger between d'Artagnan and Milady; is heartbroken by d'Artagnan's continued involvement with Milady.

### Comte de Wardes

Mentioned as Milady's enemy and the target of her vengeance; d'Artagnan agrees to kill him.

## Key lines

> That evening Milady gave orders that when M. d’Artagnan came as usual, he should be immediately admitted; but he did not come.

Milady ordered that d'Artagnan be let in right away when he arrived, but he never showed up that evening.

_Highlights Milady's expectation and d'Artagnan's deliberate absence._

> D’Artagnan smiled; this jealous anger of Milady was his revenge.

D'Artagnan felt satisfied seeing Milady's jealousy, as it served as his own form of payback.

_Shows d'Artagnan's strategic manipulation of Milady's emotions._

> Instinct made poor Kitty guess a part of what was to happen.

Kitty's intuition foreshadowed the trouble that would follow.

_Emphasizes Kitty's awareness and her role as a sympathetic figure._

> D’Artagnan was again in the presence of the Circe who had before surrounded him with his enchantments.

D'Artagnan found himself once more under the spell of Milady, who had previously captivated him.

_Compares Milady to the enchantress Circe, underscoring her seductive power._

> Avenge me of that infamous de Wardes , said Milady, between her teeth, and I shall soon know how to get rid of you.

Milady muttered to herself that once d'Artagnan avenged her by killing de Wardes, she would dispose of him too.

_Reveals Milady's true, murderous intentions beneath her feigned affection._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxvi-dream-of-vengeance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters