The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Storm explained
The king, despite a gloomy and oppressive morning, insists on proceeding with a promenade to satisfy his personal desires.
What happens
The king, despite a gloomy and oppressive morning, insists on proceeding with a promenade to satisfy his personal desires. He works with Colbert and Lyonne, but his attention is drawn to Fouquet, whom he summons and, after a tense exchange, invites himself to the fête at Vaux. The court proceeds on the promenade, with the king maneuvering to join Louise de La Vallière's carriage, while Madame attempts to disrupt his plans.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Ambition
Louis XIV asserts his royal will over the promenade and manipulates Fouquet into inviting him to Vaux, demonstrating his growing ambition and control.
Court Intrigue and Deception
Madame's maneuver to stop the promenade and the king's countermove to join La Vallière's carriage illustrate the deceptive games of the court.
Love and Sacrifice
The king's preoccupation with Louise de La Vallière drives his actions, showing the power of romantic love over royal duties.
Characters to notice
- Louis XIV
Determined to proceed with the promenade despite the gloomy weather, he summons Fouquet and invites himself to the fête at Vaux, while his thoughts are consumed by Louise de La Vallière.
- Nicolas Fouquet
Summoned by the king, he is pressured into inviting Louis to his fête at Vaux, a favor he fears will lead to his ruin.
- Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Observed smiling with sinister delight after receiving a pocketbook from a secretary, he is present during the king's work session.
- Louise de La Vallière
Still pale from the previous evening's events, she gets into a carriage with three companions, and the king maneuvers to accompany her.
- Henrietta of England
Madame, hoping to regain the king's attention, orders the promenade to stop and decides to walk, attempting to disrupt the king's pursuit of La Vallière.
- Aramis
Retires quietly among the courtiers and disappears after Fouquet is summoned by the king.
- Maria Theresa of Spain
The young queen accompanies Madame in her carriage and asks the king to choose the direction of the promenade.
- Anne of Austria
The queen-mother, suffering from illness, does not wish to go out on the promenade.
Key passages
“The dawn of the following day was dark and gloomy, and as everyone knew that the promenade was down in the royal programme, everyone’s gaze, as his eyes were opened, was directed towards the sky.”
The next morning was overcast, and since the promenade was scheduled, everyone looked to the sky with concern.
Sets the ominous mood for the chapter.
“The king, instinctively, on noticing Fouquet, turned towards Colbert, who was smiling, and seemed full of benevolence and delight, a state of feeling which had arisen from the very moment one of his secretaries had entered and handed him a pocketbook, which he had put unopened into his pocket.”
When the king saw Fouquet, he glanced at Colbert, who was smiling contentedly after receiving a pocketbook from a secretary.
Highlights Colbert's secretive pleasure and the underlying tension.
“I should be the happiest man in the world, sire, since the very day on which Your Majesty were to be jealous of Vaux, I should possess something worthy of being offered to you.”
Fouquet flatters the king by saying he would be happiest if the king were jealous of his estate, Vaux.
Shows Fouquet's diplomatic response to the king's pressure.
