# Which Treats of Carpentry Operations, and Furnishes Details Upon the Mode of Constructing Staircases explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Montalais and Malicorne devise a scheme to help the king secretly meet Louise de La Vallière. Malicorne proposes constructing a hidden staircase between Saint-Aignan's rooms and Louise's chamber, using a carpenter to cut through the wooden floor. Saint-Aignan agrees to the plan, seeing it as a way to gain royal favor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Court Intrigue and Deception

Malicorne and Saint-Aignan plot a secret staircase to enable the king's clandestine meetings, highlighting the deceptive maneuvers typical of court life.

### Love and Sacrifice

La Vallière's timidity and Malicorne's loss of his appointment for her sake underscore the sacrifices made for love.

### Power and Ambition

Saint-Aignan's eagerness to gain royal favor through the staircase plan illustrates the pursuit of power and advancement at court.

## Character check-ins

### Mademoiselle de Montalais

Communicates advice to La Vallière and participates in the plot to bring the lovers together.

### Louise de La Vallière

Moved to a top-story room with barred windows; receives Malicorne's letter and responds to his inquiries about her floor and bed placement.

### Malicorne

Devises the staircase plan, communicates with La Vallière via a silk winder, and persuades Saint-Aignan to participate.

### De Guiche

His rooms are referenced as the model for the plan.

### Madame de Navailles

Surveils the private staircase and bars the windows of La Vallière's room for security.

### Louis XIV

The king is the intended beneficiary of the secret staircase, enabling him to meet La Vallière.

## Key lines

> As nothing is so probable as improbability, so natural as romance, this kind of Arabian Nights story succeeded perfectly with Madame.

The improbable tale of the two weeping girls was so romantic that Madame believed it completely.

_Highlights the effectiveness of Malicorne's deception._

> I am presenting you with a Jacob’s ladder, which is better than the promise of an additional step in the peerage—perhaps, even with a good estate to accompany your dukedom.

This staircase is a greater gift than a promotion to duke, possibly even with a landed estate.

_Malicorne emphasizes the immense value of the secret staircase to Saint-Aignan._

## Links

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