# Happy as a Prince explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Philippe d'Orléans, in a jovial mood, playfully discusses with de Guiche his plans for a sentimental retreat with Madame, causing de Guiche visible discomfort. Manicamp observes and warns de Guiche to be careful. Meanwhile, Raoul de Bragelonne takes leave of Madame Henrietta before departing for England, revealing that his marriage to Louise de La Vallière has been postponed by the king. Madame, surprised and troubled, promises to recall him soon. The chapter contrasts the prince's lighthearted domestic schemes with the underlying tensions in the relationships between the courtiers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Court Intrigue and Deception

The prince's playful talk of a sentimental retreat masks deeper tensions: de Guiche's discomfort, Manicamp's cynical observations, and Madame's hidden distress over Raoul's revelation.

### Love and Sacrifice

Raoul's love for Louise is pure but thwarted by the king's postponement, forcing him to accept exile in England. Madame's reaction hints at her own unspoken feelings.

## Character check-ins

### Philippe d'Orléans

In a cheerful mood after bathing, he teases de Guiche about his exile and reveals a whimsical plan to become a model husband and retire with Madame to Villers-Cotterets.

### De Guiche

Uneasy with the prince's talk of conjugal affection, he tries to deflect and is warned by Manicamp to be cautious. He later accepts the prince's command to attend Madame's card party.

### Manicamp

Follows de Guiche and the prince, making sardonic asides about the prince's behavior, comparing him to King Candaules and wishing Molière could hear him.

### Raoul de Bragelonne

Takes leave of Madame Henrietta before departing for England. He reveals that his marriage to Louise de La Vallière has been postponed by the king, and Madame promises to recall him.

### Henrietta of England

Receives Raoul's farewell, learns of his love for La Vallière and the king's delay, and is visibly disturbed. She writes a letter to her brother to summon Raoul back.

## Key lines

> I have some property that my brother gave me on my marriage; she has some money of her own, and not a little either, for she gets money from her brother and brother-in-law of England and France at the same time. Well! we should have left the court. I should have retired to my château at Villers-Cotterets, situated in the middle of a forest, in which we should have led a most sentimental life in the very same spot where my grandfather, Henry IV , sojourned with La Belle Gabrielle.

The prince fantasizes about leaving court life to live romantically with his wife at his country estate, echoing the legendary love affair of Henry IV.

_Philippe's naive plan contrasts sharply with the reality of his strained marriage and the court's intrigues._

> There is a great obstacle, Madame. The king's wishes on the subject. He postpones it, at least. I solicited His Majesty's consent through the Comte de la Fère, and, without absolutely refusing it, he positively said it must be deferred.

Raoul explains that the king has delayed his marriage to Louise, without giving any reason, despite his father's request.

_This reveals the king's hidden interest in La Vallière and foreshadows future conflict._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/130-happy-as-a-prince
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters