The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
Fontainebleau at Two O'Clock in the Morning explained
Saint-Aignan, having left the king's apartment, searches for de Guiche to gather information about La Vallière.
What happens
Saint-Aignan, having left the king's apartment, searches for de Guiche to gather information about La Vallière. He finds de Guiche in a moonlit garden, lost in thought. Saint-Aignan attempts to question him about Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente, but de Guiche deflects, claiming no involvement. After their conversation, Saint-Aignan, alone, overhears whispers from the trees—a woman on a ladder speaking with a man in a chestnut tree.
Themes in this chapter
Court Intrigue and Deception
Saint-Aignan's elaborate plans to manipulate information about La Vallière and de Guiche exemplify the deceptive nature of court life.
Friendship and Betrayal
Saint-Aignan's calculated approach to de Guiche, using feigned friendship to extract information, underscores themes of betrayal.
Characters to notice
- De Guiche
Found by Saint-Aignan standing motionless in the garden, gazing at Madame's window; deflected questions about Tonnay-Charente.
- Louis XIV
Mentioned as having just received Fouquet; Saint-Aignan acts on his behalf.
- Nicolas Fouquet
Entered the king's apartment as Saint-Aignan left.
- Louise de La Vallière
Subject of Saint-Aignan's scheming; he seeks information about her from de Guiche.
- Henrietta of England
Madame; her window is the focus of de Guiche's attention.
- Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente
Mentioned by Saint-Aignan as a supposed interest of de Guiche, which de Guiche denies.
Key passages
“Saint-Aignan had quitted the king’s apartment at the very moment the superintendent entered it.”
Saint-Aignan left the king's room just as Fouquet arrived.
Sets the scene for Saint-Aignan's subsequent actions.
“He was one of those valuable courtiers whose vigilance and acuteness of perception threw all other favorites into the shade.”
Saint-Aignan was a courtier whose sharpness and watchfulness surpassed other favorites.
Describes Saint-Aignan's character and skill at court.
“De Guiche had, after his conversation with Madame, carried away such a weight of happiness, that all his strength of mind was hardly sufficient to enable him to support it.”
De Guiche was overwhelmed with happiness after speaking with Madame.
Reveals de Guiche's emotional state and his attachment to Madame.
“Saint-Aignan's plan was as follows: If the information obtained was satisfactory, he would inform the king, with alacrity, that he had lighted upon a pearl, and claim the privilege of setting the pearl in question in the royal crown.”
Saint-Aignan planned to tell the king if the information about La Vallière was good, presenting her as a treasure.
Outlines Saint-Aignan's opportunistic strategy.
“It was with such ideas as these, which the fire of covetousness had caused to dawn in half an hour, that Saint-Aignan, the son of earth, as La Fontaine would have said, determined to get de Guiche into conversation.”
Driven by greed, Saint-Aignan decided to engage de Guiche in conversation.
Highlights Saint-Aignan's mercenary motives.
“For de Guiche it was the dawn of unutterable happiness; he would have bestowed a treasure upon a beggar, had one stood before him, to secure him uninterrupted indulgence in his dreams.”
De Guiche was so happy he would have given anything to remain undisturbed in his reverie.
Emphasizes de Guiche's blissful state.
