The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Patterns explained
Aramis orchestrates a scheme to obtain the patterns of the king's new dresses from the royal tailor Percerin, ostensibly for a painter to create a portrait for a surprise at Fouquet's fête at Vaux.
What happens
Aramis orchestrates a scheme to obtain the patterns of the king's new dresses from the royal tailor Percerin, ostensibly for a painter to create a portrait for a surprise at Fouquet's fête at Vaux. D'Artagnan and Porthos are drawn into the intrigue, with Aramis using persuasion and veiled threats to overcome Percerin's objections.
Themes in this chapter
Court Intrigue and Deception
Aramis employs cunning and manipulation to extract the king's dress patterns from Percerin, weaving a web of deception under the guise of a surprise for the king.
Power and Ambition
Fouquet's ambition to impress the king through elaborate surprises reflects the power dynamics at court, while Aramis's scheming demonstrates his own strategic ambitions.
Friendship and Betrayal
D'Artagnan's uneasy observation of Aramis's plot hints at the tension between their old friendship and the potential betrayal of trust involved in the scheme.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Observes Aramis's manipulation of Percerin with suspicion and amusement, remaining neutral but perceptive.
- Porthos
Accompanies d'Artagnan to Percerin's shop, demanding a dress for the fête and reacting with indignation at the tailor's initial refusal.
- Aramis
Masterminds the plot to obtain the king's dress patterns, using flattery and implied threats to coerce Percerin into compliance.
- Nicolas Fouquet
Referenced as the orchestrator of the fête and the supposed source of the request for the king's dress patterns.
- Louis XIV
Mentioned as the intended recipient of the surprise portrait, with his dresses being the focus of the scheme.
- Molière
Appears briefly, signaling to d'Artagnan and observing the interactions in Percerin's room.
- Jean de La Fontaine
Referenced as a member of Fouquet's Epicureans, the poetical society.
- Pélisson
Mentioned as a member of the Epicureans, part of the context for the scheme.
Key passages
“The king's dresses! Give the king's dresses to any mortal whatever! Oh! for once, Monseigneur, Your Grace is mad!”
Percerin is horrified at the idea of sharing the king's garments with anyone, calling Aramis insane.
Highlights the audacity of Aramis's request and the strict secrecy surrounding royal attire.
“I say, that—' 'That you are, doubtless, free to refuse. I know well—and I by no means count upon compelling you, my dear Monsieur. I will say more, I even understand all the delicacy you feel in taking up with M. Fouquet's idea; you dread appearing to flatter the king.'”
Aramis pretends to accept Percerin's refusal while subtly implying that refusal would displease Fouquet and the king.
Demonstrates Aramis's manipulative rhetoric, using reverse psychology to pressure Percerin.
“What! you do not understand that M. Fouquet wishes to afford the king the surprise of finding his portrait on his arrival at Vaux; and that the portrait, which will be a striking resemblance, ought to be dressed exactly as the king will be on the day it is shown?”
Aramis explains that the dress patterns are needed so a painter can create a portrait of the king in the exact outfit he will wear at the fête.
Reveals the plausible pretext used to justify the request for the patterns.
