# The Promenade by Torchlight explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Madame, suspecting a secret love affair between King Louis XIV and Louise de La Vallière, deliberately excludes La Vallière from a torchlight promenade to Saint-Germain, ordering her to remain behind. Meanwhile, Malicorne and Saint-Aignan secretly construct a trapdoor and staircase in La Vallière's room to enable the king to visit her. Montalais feigns a sprained foot to manipulate events, and the king, impatient and desperate, agrees to the promenade as a diversion, unaware of the plot unfolding.

## Themes in this chapter

### Court Intrigue and Deception

Madame's suspicion and manipulation, Montalais's feigned injury, and the secret construction of a trapdoor all exemplify the deceptive maneuvers within the court.

### Love and Sacrifice

Louis XIV's impatience and willingness to endure torture for love, and La Vallière's quiet acceptance of exclusion, highlight the sacrifices made for romantic attachment.

### Power and Ambition

The king's authority is tested by his own emotions, while Malicorne's industrious scheming shows ambition to gain favor through secret service.

## Character check-ins

### Louise de La Vallière

Excluded from the promenade by Madame's order; inwardly delighted at the prospect of solitude, unaware of the secret construction in her room.

### Mademoiselle de Montalais

Feigns a sprained foot to avoid the promenade and manipulates Madame into excluding La Vallière; writes a laconic note to Malicorne.

### Louis XIV

Impatient and feverish with love for La Vallière; agrees to the torchlight promenade to Saint-Germain as a diversion, following Saint-Aignan's advice.

### De Guiche

Mentioned as part of the group of officers; Montalais feigns her injury near him.

### Malicorne

Orchestrates the secret construction of a trapdoor and staircase in La Vallière's room; communicates with Montalais via notes.

### Henrietta of England

Madame; suspects the king's secret love for La Vallière and deliberately excludes her from the promenade to thwart any rendezvous.

### Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente

Selected by Madame to accompany her on the promenade, along with Montalais.

## Key lines

> Let us amuse ourselves by doing nothing, and making ourselves miserable.

We find entertainment in idleness and in making ourselves unhappy.

_Montalais quotes the late king's remark to Cinq-Mars to describe La Vallière's supposed desire for solitude._

> I will not be their dupe though

I refuse to be fooled by them.

_Madame resolves not to be deceived by the apparent plans of the king and La Vallière._

> She shall.

She will comply.

_Montalais's laconic note to Malicorne confirms that La Vallière will be made to stay behind._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/174-the-promenade-by-torchlight
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters