# M. de Mazarin's Receipt explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Fouquet discovers that Mazarin's receipt for thirteen million francs has been stolen from his cabinet, realizing that Madame de Chevreuse has sold it to Colbert. Aramis urges him to resist, but Fouquet insists on honorably keeping his word to sell the office of procureur-général to Vanel, Colbert's ally. The chapter ends with Vanel's arrival, sealing Fouquet's peril.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Corruption

The theft of Mazarin's receipt and Colbert's machinations expose the financial corruption at the heart of the court.

### Friendship and Betrayal

Aramis's loyalty to Fouquet contrasts with the betrayal by Madame de Chevreuse and Marguerite Vanel.

### Honor and Loyalty

Fouquet's insistence on keeping his word to Vanel, even at the cost of ruin, highlights his personal code of honor.

## Character check-ins

### Nicolas Fouquet

Discovers the theft of Mazarin's receipt and faces ruin; insists on keeping his word to Vanel despite Aramis's warnings.

### Aramis

Reveals Madame de Chevreuse's sale of letters to Colbert; tries to persuade Fouquet to break his promise to Vanel.

### Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Implied as the recipient of the stolen receipt and Madame de Chevreuse's letters; Vanel's new ally.

### Madame de Chevreuse

Sold Mazarin's letters to Colbert, precipitating the crisis.

### Vanel

Arrives to finalize the purchase of the office of procureur-général; husband of Marguerite Vanel and Colbert's tool.

### Marguerite Vanel

Former mistress of Fouquet; now allied with Colbert.

### Gourville

Announces Vanel's arrival to Fouquet.

## Key lines

> I remember the paper as if I saw it; it is thick, somewhat crumpled, with gilt edges; Mazarin had made a blot upon the figure of the date.

Fouquet recalls the receipt's exact appearance: thick paper, gilt edges, and a blot on the date.

_Fouquet's precise memory underscores the shock of its disappearance._

> That Mazarin's receipt has been stolen from me; Madame de Chevreuse was right, chevalier; I have appropriated the public funds, I have robbed the state coffers of thirteen millions of money; I am a thief, Monsieur d'Herblay.

Fouquet realizes the receipt is gone and fears he will be branded a thief.

_Fouquet's despair at the loss of the only proof of his innocence._

> I shall sign.

Fouquet insists on completing the sale to Vanel despite the danger.

_Fouquet's stubborn adherence to his word seals his fate._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/188-m-de-mazarin-s-receipt
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters