The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The King's Uneasiness explained
King Louis XIV and Saint-Aignan, having overheard the conversation of the young women in the woods, discuss the encounter.
What happens
King Louis XIV and Saint-Aignan, having overheard the conversation of the young women in the woods, discuss the encounter. The king feigns a passion for La Vallière to conceal his true feelings for Madame Henrietta. When La Vallière faints, the king publicly shows concern, but his private conversation with Madame reveals the strain of maintaining the pretense.
Themes in this chapter
Court Intrigue and Deception
The king and Madame Henrietta conspire to maintain a false narrative of the king's affection for La Vallière, highlighting the pervasive deception at court.
Love and Sacrifice
The king's feigned love for La Vallière is a sacrifice of personal honesty to protect his true feelings for Madame Henrietta.
Characters to notice
- Louis XIV
The king feigns uneasiness about La Vallière to mask his true feelings for Madame Henrietta; he orchestrates a public display of concern.
- De Wardes
Saint-Aignan is the king's confidant in this chapter, accompanying him in the woods and discussing the overheard conversation.
- Louise de La Vallière
She faints in the woods and is discovered by the king and Saint-Aignan; the king uses her as a pretext to approach Madame.
- Mademoiselle de Montalais
She is with La Vallière and calls for help when La Vallière faints; she is astonished to see the king.
- Henrietta of England
Madame Henrietta converses privately with the king, reminding him to maintain the pretense of caring for La Vallière.
- Athenaïs
She assists Montalais in helping La Vallière after the fainting.
Key passages
““What, sire,” said the second figure, advancing timidly, “has Your Majesty put our young sentimentalists to flight?” “It seems so,” said the king, “and you can show yourself without fear.””
Saint-Aignan asks if the king scared away the young women, and the king confirms they have fled.
The king and Saint-Aignan discuss the women they overheard in the woods.
““Saint-Aignan,” he said, “do you not hear someone moaning?” “Yes, sire, and weeping, too, it seems.” “It is in this direction,” said the king. “It sounds like the tears and sobs of a woman.””
The king hears a woman crying and directs Saint-Aignan to investigate.
The king and Saint-Aignan discover La Vallière and her companions.
““Take care, sire,” said Henrietta to him, in a low tone, “you do not show yourself as indifferent as you ought to be.” “Alas!” replied the king, in the same tone, “I much fear we have entered into an agreement above our strength to keep.””
Madame Henrietta warns the king to act more indifferent, and he admits the pretense is difficult to maintain.
The king and Madame Henrietta discuss the strain of their deception.