The Apparition explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Sacrifice

  Louise's love for the king conflicts with her promise to Raoul, forcing her to consider sacrificing her honor or her heart.

• Court Intrigue and Deception

  The secret staircase, Montalais's spying, and Madame's letter illustrate the pervasive deception and surveillance at court.

Characters to notice

• Louise de La Vallière

  Receives the king secretly; fears discovery and scandal; confesses her love for Louis and her dilemma regarding Raoul.

• Louis XIV

  Visits Louise via a hidden staircase; proposes using Saint-Aignan's rooms for meetings; agrees to Saint-Aignan's presence.

• Mademoiselle de Montalais

  Interrupts the king's visit; warns Louise that Madame suspects the affair and has sent a letter to England about Raoul.

• Raoul de Bragelonne

  Mentioned as the recipient of Madame's letter; Louise struggles with her promise to marry him.

• De Guiche

  Mentioned as the presumed occupant of the rooms below, but corrected to Saint-Aignan.

Key passages

• “Oh, sire! ... there is not one moment in which the poor girl whose secret you surprised at Fontainebleau, and whom you came to snatch from the foot of the cross itself, does not think of you.”

  Louise confesses that she thinks of the king constantly, recalling how he discovered her secret at Fontainebleau and rescued her from the cross.

  Louise's declaration of love and reference to their earlier encounter.

• “Well, this evening a letter has been dispatched by Madame to Saint James’s, with directions for the courier to go straight to Hampton Court... the name of Bragelonne.”

  Montalais reveals that Madame has sent a letter to England, likely summoning Raoul de Bragelonne, which threatens Louise's secret.

  Montalais warns Louise of Madame's plot to involve Raoul.