# Madame de Bellière's Plate explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

> Chapter companion for The Vicomte de Bragelonne by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

Madame de Bellière, reeling from the revelation of Colbert's and Marguerite Vanel's treachery against Fouquet, resolves to liquidate her entire fortune—gold and silver plate, jewels, and diamonds—to raise funds. She negotiates with her goldsmith, M. Faucheux, converting her assets into cash to aid Fouquet, and sets off for Saint-Mandé with the money.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Betrayal

Marguerite Vanel's betrayal of Fouquet and Colbert's machinations underscore the theme of treachery among allies.

### Greed and Corruption

Colbert's and Marguerite's greed drives the plot against Fouquet, while Madame de Bellière's sacrifice contrasts with their corruption.

### Love and Sacrifice

Madame de Bellière's willingness to sacrifice her entire fortune for Fouquet exemplifies selfless love.

## Character check-ins

### Madame de Bellière

Determined to save Fouquet, she liquidates her plate and jewels, raising nearly a million francs.

### Nicolas Fouquet

The intended beneficiary of Madame de Bellière's financial sacrifice, though he does not appear directly in the chapter.

### Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Revealed as the mastermind behind the plot against Fouquet, using Marguerite Vanel as his instrument.

### Marguerite Vanel

Colbert's accomplice, described as a woman without heart who betrayed Fouquet.

### Louis XIV

Implicated as an accomplice in the plot, betraying the duplicity of his father and Mazarin.

## Key lines

> The crooked atoms of Descartes triumphed; to the man without compassion was united a woman without heart.

The cynical philosophy of Descartes prevailed, pairing a ruthless man with a heartless woman.

_Reflects the narrator's judgment on Colbert and Marguerite Vanel's alliance._

> I wish everything to be settled this evening. Do you accept?

Madame de Bellière insists on completing the sale of her jewels immediately.

_Demonstrates her urgency and determination to raise funds for Fouquet._

> I will not conceal from you that I shall make fifty thousand francs by the transaction.

The goldsmith admits he will profit significantly from the deal.

_Highlights the financial realities and the jeweler's honesty in the transaction._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/102-madame-de-belli-re-s-plate
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters