The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Arithmetic of M. de Mazarin explained
King Louis XIV visits the ailing Cardinal Mazarin to request a million livres to aid his exiled brother, King Charles II of England.
What happens
King Louis XIV visits the ailing Cardinal Mazarin to request a million livres to aid his exiled brother, King Charles II of England. Mazarin, feigning poverty and citing France's own financial needs, produces an account showing a deficit and refuses the request. The king is humiliated but persists, while the lieutenant of Musketeers (d'Artagnan) overhears the entire conversation from a hidden cabinet, reflecting on the melancholy service and master he serves.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Ambition
Mazarin wields financial arithmetic as a tool of control, humiliating the young king and asserting his dominance over state affairs.
Greed and Corruption
Mazarin's hoarding of wealth and manipulation of accounts, despite his public denial of riches, reveals the corruption of the minister.
Fate and Tragedy
The tragic fate of Charles II, abandoned by his cousin due to political and financial constraints, echoes the theme of royal misfortune.
Characters to notice
- Louis XIV
The young king visits Mazarin to plead for financial aid for his brother Charles II, but is humiliated by the cardinal's refusal and demonstration of France's debts.
- Jules Mazarin
The cardinal, bedridden with gout, calculates France's finances and refuses the king's request for a million livres, using arithmetic to justify his denial.
- D'Artagnan
The lieutenant of Musketeers secretly overhears the king's conversation with Mazarin from a hidden cabinet, and reflects on the melancholy nature of his service.
- Bernouin
Mazarin's valet de chambre, who assists the cardinal with his calculations and is ordered to bring the account book.
- Charles II
The exiled King of England, whose request for aid is the subject of the king's plea to Mazarin, though he does not appear in person.
Key passages
“your heart at rest by granting it, my dear sire." "Well, this is what brings me here," said the king, with a beating of the heart that had no equal except the beating of the heart of the minister; "I have just received a visit from my brother, the king of England."”
The king tells Mazarin that he has come because he was visited by his brother, King Charles II of England, and his heart is troubled by the request.
Louis XIV reveals the purpose of his visit, setting the stage for the conflict over financial aid.
“"Sire," replied Mazarin, "I thank you for your good opinion with regard to myself, but we have nothing to do yonder: they are a set of madmen who deny God, and cut off the heads of their kings."”
Mazarin dismisses the English as dangerous fanatics who behead their kings, refusing to involve France in their affairs.
Mazarin's contempt for the English and his political pragmatism are evident.
“"Cardinal," said Louis, raising his head, "that family of mendicants is a branch of my family."”
Louis XIV reminds Mazarin that the beggarly Stuarts are his own relatives.
The king asserts his dynastic duty despite his poverty.
“"Sire," replied Mazarin, in the same tone, "remember this proverb, which I give you as the expression of the soundest policy: 'Rejoice at being poor when your neighbor is poor likewise.'"”
Mazarin advises the king to be glad of his own poverty if it means his neighbor is equally poor.
The cardinal's cynical political maxim encapsulates his refusal to help Charles II.
“"A melancholy service," said he, "and a melancholy master!"”
D'Artagnan mutters to himself that his service is dismal and his master is a sad figure.
D'Artagnan's private judgment of the king and his own role after overhearing the conversation.
