The Three Musketeers · Chapter
XXXVII: Milady’s Secret explained
D'Artagnan spends the night with Milady, who believes him to be the Comte de Wardes.
What happens
D'Artagnan spends the night with Milady, who believes him to be the Comte de Wardes. He confesses his deception, revealing that he and de Wardes are the same person. Enraged, Milady attacks him with a dagger, but he escapes into Kitty's room. During the struggle, D'Artagnan sees the fleur-de-lis branded on Milady's shoulder, uncovering her secret past.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
D'Artagnan impersonates the Comte de Wardes to seduce Milady, leading to a violent confrontation when the truth is revealed.
Love and Betrayal
D'Artagnan's love for Milady is intertwined with betrayal as he deceives her, and she in turn seeks vengeance.
Justice and Vengeance
Milady's desire for vengeance against de Wardes drives the plot, and D'Artagnan's discovery of her secret sets the stage for future conflict.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Reveals his identity to Milady, discovers her branded secret, and narrowly escapes her attack.
- Milady de Winter
Enraged by D'Artagnan's deception, she attempts to kill him, and her secret fleur-de-lis brand is exposed.
- Kitty
Assists D'Artagnan's escape by opening her door and bolting it after him.
- Comte de Wardes
Referenced as the rival D'Artagnan impersonated to gain Milady's affection.
Key passages
“D’Artagnan left the hotel instead of going up at once to Kitty’s chamber, as she endeavored to persuade him to do—and that for two reasons: the first, because by this means he should escape reproaches, recriminations, and prayers; the second, because he was not sorry to have an opportunity of reading his own thoughts and endeavoring, if possible, to fathom those of this woman.”
D'Artagnan avoided going directly to Kitty's room, partly to evade her emotional pleas and partly to reflect on his own feelings and understand Milady's motives.
D'Artagnan's internal conflict and strategic thinking before confronting Milady.
“What was most clear in the matter was that d’Artagnan loved Milady like a madman, and that she did not love him at all.”
It was obvious that D'Artagnan was deeply infatuated with Milady, while she had no genuine affection for him.
Highlights the imbalance in their relationship.
“Pale and trembling, Milady repulsed d’Artagnan’s attempted embrace by a violent blow on the chest, as she sprang out of bed.”
Milady, pale and shaking, violently pushed D'Artagnan away and leaped out of bed.
Milady's violent reaction to D'Artagnan's confession.
“Then the cambric was torn from her beautiful shoulders; and on one of those lovely shoulders, round and white, d’Artagnan recognized, with inexpressible astonishment, the fleur-de-lis—that indelible mark which the hand of the infamous executioner had imprinted.”
Her nightdress tore, revealing a fleur-de-lis branded on her shoulder, a mark of criminal punishment that shocked D'Artagnan.
The pivotal moment when D'Artagnan discovers Milady's secret.
“Ah, wretch! cried she, you have basely betrayed me, and still more, you have my secret! You shall die.”
She screamed that he had treacherously betrayed her and now knew her secret, so he must die.
Milady's fury and threat after her secret is exposed.