# The Lottery explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

At a gathering in the queen-mother's apartments, a lottery is held for a pair of magnificent bracelets. The king wins the lottery but, instead of offering the prize to the queen or Madame, he presents the bracelets to Louise de La Vallière, causing astonishment and jealousy among the court.

## Themes in this chapter

### Court Intrigue and Deception

The lottery becomes a stage for hidden rivalries and strategic alliances, as characters maneuver for favor and influence.

### Love and Sacrifice

The king's public gift to La Vallière signals his romantic interest, while La Vallière's modesty and self-denial highlight the theme of sacrificial love.

### Greed and Corruption

The covetous reactions to the bracelets reveal the materialistic desires and moral compromises of the courtiers.

## Character check-ins

### Anne of Austria

Hosts the gathering and oversees the lottery; she is visibly disturbed by the king's gift to La Vallière.

### Louis XIV

Wins the lottery and publicly gives the bracelets to Louise de La Vallière, defying courtly expectations.

### Louise de La Vallière

Receives the king's gift of the bracelets, causing a stir among the courtiers.

### Henrietta of England

Observes the lottery with keen interest; her hopes are dashed when the king gives the bracelets to La Vallière.

### Mademoiselle de Montalais

Acts as a confidante to La Vallière; she is envious of the bracelets but outwardly embraces her friend.

### Athenaïs

Flirts with Saint-Aignan and spreads the news of the king's gift to La Vallière.

### De Guiche

Observes Madame's distress and abruptly leaves the assembly.

### Malicorne

Whispers to Montalais about their future prospects amid the commotion.

## Key lines

> The king was the only one who did not exhibit any satisfaction. He merely thanked Fortune for what she had done for him, in addressing a slight salutation to the young girl who had been chosen as her proxy.

Unlike everyone else, the king showed no joy at winning; he simply acknowledged the draw with a polite nod to the girl who drew the number.

_Highlights the king's detachment from the lottery's material prize, foreshadowing his true intention._

> La Vallière fixed a look almost of indifference upon the jewels. 'Oh, how beautiful, how magnificent these bracelets are!' exclaimed Montalais; 'and yet you do not go into ecstasies about them, Louise! You are no true woman, I am sure.' 'Yes, I am, indeed,' replied the young girl, with an accent of the most charming melancholy; 'but why desire that which can never, by any possibility, be ours?'

Louise barely glanced at the bracelets, prompting Montalais to scold her for not being excited. Louise answered softly that there was no point in wanting something she could never have.

_Reveals La Vallière's humility and her sense of unworthiness, which paradoxically attracts the king's attention._

> The king, his head bent forward, was listening to what Louise was saying. Hardly had the vibration of her voice reached his ear than he rose, radiant with delight, and passing across the whole assembly, from the place where he stood, to La Vallière, 'You are mistaken, Mademoiselle,' he said, 'you are a woman, and every woman has a right to wear jewels, which are a woman's appurtenance.'

The king, overhearing Louise's remark, immediately stood up, crossed the room, and told her she was wrong—every woman deserved jewels.

_Shows the king's impulsive decision to give the bracelets to La Vallière, defying court protocol and signaling his favor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/140-the-lottery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters