The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Wine of Melun explained
King Louis XIV, eager to reach Vaux and see La Vallière, is delayed at Melun by a ceremonial wine-tasting orchestrated by Colbert.
What happens
King Louis XIV, eager to reach Vaux and see La Vallière, is delayed at Melun by a ceremonial wine-tasting orchestrated by Colbert. D'Artagnan, suspicious of Aramis's motives and Colbert's schemes, navigates the tension between the king's impatience and the need for military escort. He ultimately advises the king to ride ahead with a small party, allowing Louis to arrive at Vaux as a friend rather than a monarch, much to Colbert's dismay.
Themes in this chapter
Court Intrigue and Deception
Colbert's orchestration of the Melun delay and d'Artagnan's suspicions of Aramis's motives highlight the pervasive scheming at court.
Power and Ambition
Colbert's ambition to ruin Fouquet and the king's impatience to assert his will reflect the dynamics of power and personal ambition.
Friendship and Betrayal
D'Artagnan's internal conflict between loyalty to Aramis and duty to the king underscores the tension between old friendships and new political realities.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Suspicious of Aramis's motives and Colbert's schemes; advises the king to ride ahead to Vaux with a small escort.
- Louis XIV
Impatient to reach Vaux and see La Vallière; frustrated by delays at Melun orchestrated by Colbert.
- Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Orchestrates the delay at Melun to annoy Fouquet; rebuffed by d'Artagnan and the king.
- Nicolas Fouquet
Awaits the king at Vaux with his household and friends, unaware of the tensions en route.
- Anne of Austria
Fatigued and in pain; questions the timing of the journey to Vaux.
- Marie de Mancini
Not directly mentioned in excerpts; omitted as no evidence.
Key passages
“Like Calypso, who could not be consoled at the departure of Ulysses, our Gascon could not console himself for not having guessed why Aramis had asked Percerin to show him the king’s new costumes.”
D'Artagnan was deeply troubled by his inability to understand Aramis's motives for inspecting the king's new costumes.
Highlights d'Artagnan's suspicion and unease about Aramis's actions.
““Who was fool enough to occasion this delay?” muttered the king, between his teeth, as the chief magistrate was in the middle of a long address. “Not I, certainly,” replied d’Artagnan, “but I believe it was M. Colbert.””
The king blamed someone for the delay, and d'Artagnan pointed out Colbert as the culprit.
Shows d'Artagnan's willingness to deflect blame onto Colbert, deepening their rivalry.
““I shall be quits,” said d’Artagnan, as he galloped along, “by getting a little talk with Aramis this evening. And then, M. Fouquet is a man of honor. Mordioux! I have said so, and it must be so.””
D'Artagnan resolved to confront Aramis that evening, reaffirming his belief in Fouquet's integrity.
Reveals d'Artagnan's plan to seek clarity and his trust in Fouquet's character.