The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
In Which Porthos Thinks He Is Pursuing a Duchy explained
Aramis and Porthos flee from Vaux with great speed, covering forty leagues in eight hours.
What happens
Aramis and Porthos flee from Vaux with great speed, covering forty leagues in eight hours. At Orléans, they find no horses at the post, but Aramis arranges a carriage to visit the Comte de la Fère. Meanwhile, Athos and Raoul are at the château, where Athos tries to console Raoul over Louise de La Vallière's betrayal, justifying her actions by love. The chapter ends with Aramis and Porthos arriving at Athos's home.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Betrayal
Raoul's sense of betrayal by Louise is central; Athos defends her, while Aramis and Porthos's flight suggests loyalty to each other.
Love and Sacrifice
Athos argues that Louise's love for Louis absolves her betrayal, highlighting love's power to justify sacrifice.
Power and Ambition
Porthos's desire for a duchy and Aramis's frantic flight reflect personal ambition and the pursuit of power.
Characters to notice
- Aramis
Flees with Porthos, driven by urgency and mental torment; arranges a carriage to visit Athos.
- Porthos
Follows Aramis eagerly, hoping for a duchy; misunderstands the mission as a secret royal proposal.
- Athos
At home with Raoul, offering consolation and defending Louise's actions; receives Aramis and Porthos.
- Raoul de Bragelonne
Deeply grieving over Louise's infidelity; listens to his father's counsel but remains inconsolable.
- Louise de La Vallière
Referenced as the object of Raoul's grief; Athos justifies her betrayal by love for the king.
- Grimaud
Mentioned as the comte's intendant who sets the price for the carriage hire.
Key passages
““Hush!” replied the latter, “know only that our fortune depends on our speed.””
Aramis tells Porthos to be quiet and that their wealth relies on how fast they travel.
Aramis emphasizes the urgency of their flight.
““I shall be made a duke!” said Porthos, aloud. He was speaking to himself.”
Porthos mutters to himself that he will become a duke.
Porthos's ambition and misunderstanding of the mission.
““A woman who would have yielded to a king because he is a king,” said he, “would deserve to be styled infamous; but Louise loves Louis. Young, both, they have forgotten, he his rank, she her vows. Love absolves everything, Raoul.””
Athos tells Raoul that a woman who submits to a king for his rank is infamous, but Louise loves Louis sincerely, and their youth and love excuse their actions.
Athos defends Louise's betrayal by framing it as true love.