# The Bath explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

During a royal hunting party and bathing excursion at Vulaines, King Louis XIV and Madame Henrietta share increasingly intimate moments, culminating in the king assisting her to mount her horse and kissing her arm. The courtiers observe and gossip, while the queen mother Anne of Austria later confronts Louis about his behavior.

## Themes in this chapter

### Court Intrigue and Deception

The courtiers' whispered remarks and the king's flirtation with Madame, despite her marriage to his brother, exemplify the deceptive and gossip-ridden atmosphere of the court.

### Love and Sacrifice

The king's open affection for Madame and the implied suffering of de Guiche highlight the theme of forbidden love and personal sacrifice.

## Character check-ins

### Louis XIV

The king is the center of attention, engaging in flirtatious behavior with Madame and later being confronted by his mother.

### Henrietta of England

Madame is the object of admiration and the king's attentions during the bath and ride.

### Anne of Austria

The queen mother watches for the king's return and leads him to a private conversation, the nature of which is implied to be a reprimand.

### Philippe d'Orléans

Monsieur is notably absent, reported to be asleep, and is the subject of courtiers' gossip.

### De Guiche

Mentioned as an object of pity among the courtiers, suggesting his romantic disappointment.

## Key lines

> the king took her in his arms in such a manner that Madame’s arm was clasped like a circlet of alabaster around the king’s neck. Louis, as he withdrew, involuntarily touched with his lips the arm, which was not withheld

The king lifted Madame onto her horse, and she wrapped her arm around his neck; as he stepped back, he kissed her arm, and she did not pull away.

_This moment underscores the growing intimacy between Louis and Henrietta._

> Madame hastened to look for Monsieur, for she instinctively understood that he had been far too long kept from sharing in this joy. The king went to rejoin the queens; he knew he owed them⁠—one especially⁠—a compensation for his long absence.

Madame went to find her husband, realizing he had been excluded too long, while the king returned to the queens, aware he owed them, particularly one, an apology for his absence.

_The king and Madame both feel a need to make amends for their behavior._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/111-the-bath
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters