# The Butterfly-Chase explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

The king receives a note from Madame and arranges a rendezvous in the gardens under the guise of a butterfly hunt. They discuss Monsieur's jealousy and the queen's suspicions, their conversation growing increasingly intimate as they sit together in a secluded bench.

## Themes in this chapter

### Court Intrigue and Deception

The butterfly hunt serves as a public cover for a private, intimate rendezvous between the king and Madame, masking their true intentions from the court.

### Love and Sacrifice

The king and Madame express their mutual affection while acknowledging the constraints of their positions and the jealousy of their spouses.

### Friendship and Betrayal

Monsieur's jealousy and the queen's suspicions threaten the bond between the king and Madame, highlighting the fragility of trust in courtly relationships.

## Character check-ins

### Louis XIV

Arranges a butterfly hunt to meet Madame privately; discusses Monsieur's jealousy and the queen's suspicions.

### Henrietta of England

Sends a note to the king and orchestrates a meeting in the gardens; engages in intimate conversation with Louis.

### Philippe d'Orléans

Mentioned as being jealous of the king and complaining to the queen-mother.

### Anne of Austria

Reported to have spoken to the king about Monsieur's jealousy and the queen's complaints.

### Maria Theresa

Mentioned as being jealous of the king and complaining about the bathing parties.

### De Guiche

Mentioned as one of the men Monsieur is jealous of.

### Duke of Buckingham

Mentioned as one of the men Monsieur is jealous of.

### Saint-Aignan

Picks up the stunned butterfly for the king; watches the king and Madame's conversation.

## Key lines

> Come quickly, I have a thousand things to say to you.

Madame urgently summons the king for a private conversation.

_The note initiates the secret rendezvous._

> You see, Madame, that I, too, am hunting on your behalf!

The king pretends to join the butterfly hunt as a cover for meeting Madame.

_The king uses the hunt as a pretext for their private meeting._

> How admirably we are placed here for conversation.

The king remarks on the secluded bench's suitability for a private talk.

_The bench provides a hidden spot for their intimate discussion._

> Do you know that Monsieur refuses to see me?

Madame reveals that her husband is avoiding her.

_Madame shares the immediate consequence of Monsieur's jealousy._

> My mother represented to me that Monsieur entered her apartments like a madman, that he uttered a thousand complaints against you, and—forgive me for saying it—against your coquetry.

The king reports that the queen-mother told him Monsieur accused Madame of coquetry.

_The king relays the accusations made by Monsieur._

> Is it possible that a brother and sister cannot converse together, or take pleasure in each other's company, without giving rise to remarks and suspicions?

Madame questions why innocent conversation between them is seen as suspicious.

_Madame defends their relationship as innocent._

> You have no pity—you are killing me.

The king expresses anguish at Madame's denial of deeper feelings.

_The king reveals his emotional turmoil._

> Take care, sire, Monsieur de Saint-Aignan is looking at you.

Madame warns the king that they are being watched.

_The court's surveillance forces them to be cautious._

> Poor king, murmured Madame, as she lightly touched the king's hand.

Madame sympathizes with the king's plight and touches his hand.

_A moment of physical intimacy and shared understanding._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/112-the-butterfly-chase
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters