The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Mediator explained
King Louis XIV visits Madame Henrietta to mediate her marital dispute with Monsieur.
What happens
King Louis XIV visits Madame Henrietta to mediate her marital dispute with Monsieur. Madame threatens to return to England, but the king persuades her to stay, proposing an alliance between them. Their conversation becomes flirtatious, and the king leaves with heightened color, misleading the courtiers about the nature of the interview.
Themes in this chapter
Court Intrigue and Deception
The Chevalier de Lorraine manipulates court factions, and the king's private mediation is observed and misinterpreted by courtiers.
Power and Ambition
Louis XIV asserts his authority as mediator, while Madame uses her beauty and wit to negotiate a favorable alliance.
Love and Sacrifice
Madame's flirtatious negotiation with the king and her references to past attachments (Buckingham, Guiche) highlight romantic tensions and sacrifices.
Characters to notice
- Louis XIV
Acts as mediator between Madame and Monsieur, flirts with Madame, and proposes an alliance.
- Henrietta of England
Complains of humiliation and threatens to return to England; negotiates an alliance with the king.
- Louise de La Vallière
Present among the ladies of honor, pale and supported by Montalais as the king passes.
- Mademoiselle de Montalais
Supports La Vallière with whispered encouragement during the king's entrance.
- Le Chevalier de Lorraine
Observes the court's anxiety and spreads mischief, later comments on the king's color.
- De Guiche
Mentioned as having been associated with Madame; retires to his own room out of apprehension.
- Philippe d'Orléans
Monsieur is the source of the marital misunderstanding, though not present in the scene.
- Duke of Buckingham
Referenced as having been dismissed from court due to his attachment to Madame.
Key passages
“I wish to ask Your Majesty's permission to return to England.”
Madame requests the king's leave to go back to England.
Madame uses the threat of departure as a bargaining chip in her dispute with Monsieur.
“Shall we make an offensive and defensive alliance against the common enemy?”
The king proposes a mutual pact with Madame against their shared adversaries.
Louis XIV shifts from mediator to ally, forging a personal bond with Madame.
“His Majesty is always pale when he is angry.”
The Chevalier de Lorraine misinterprets the king's flushed appearance as anger.
The court's misreading of the king's demeanor underscores the theme of deception.