The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
In Which the Squirrel Falls—In Which the Adder Flies explained
D'Artagnan reports to King Louis XIV on the arrest of Nicolas Fouquet, recounting Fouquet's generosity and his own reluctance.
What happens
D'Artagnan reports to King Louis XIV on the arrest of Nicolas Fouquet, recounting Fouquet's generosity and his own reluctance. The king, moved by the tale, rebukes Colbert and orders D'Artagnan to seize Belle-Île-en-Mer, a mission that threatens his friends Aramis and Porthos.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Ambition
Louis XIV asserts his authority by ordering the seizure of Belle-Île and humiliating Colbert, demonstrating his growing ambition to centralize power.
Honor and Loyalty
D'Artagnan's loyalty to the king is tested by his personal honor and friendship with Fouquet, leading to a conflict between duty and conscience.
Friendship and Betrayal
D'Artagnan's mission to seize Belle-Île threatens his friends Aramis and Porthos, highlighting the tension between personal bonds and royal commands.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Reports Fouquet's arrest with reluctance, defends Fouquet's character, and receives orders to seize Belle-Île-en-Mer.
- Louis XIV
Listens to d'Artagnan's account, becomes agitated, and asserts his authority by ordering the seizure of Belle-Île.
- Nicolas Fouquet
Arrested and placed in an iron cage; his generosity during capture is highlighted by d'Artagnan.
- Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Humiliated by the king after d'Artagnan's report; his rivalry with d'Artagnan is evident.
- Aramis
Mentioned as a friend of d'Artagnan who may be endangered by the Belle-Île mission.
- Porthos
Mentioned as a friend of d'Artagnan who may be endangered by the Belle-Île mission.
Key passages
“It results from all this, sire, in my eyes, at least, that the man who conducts himself thus is a gallant man, and cannot be an enemy to the king.”
D'Artagnan argues that Fouquet's noble behavior proves he is not a threat to the king.
D'Artagnan defends Fouquet's character to Louis XIV.
“I am surprised, said the king, in his sternest tone, you did not follow the fortunes of the man M. Fouquet wished to place upon my throne.”
The king rebukes d'Artagnan for his sympathy toward Fouquet, implying disloyalty.
Louis XIV questions d'Artagnan's allegiance.
“Colbert, did you make a perquisition on the house of M. Fouquet? Yes, sire. What has it produced?”
The king asks Colbert about the search of Fouquet's home and its results.
Louis XIV seeks information from Colbert about the investigation.
“You will go immediately, and take possession of the isle and fief of Belle-Île-en-Mer.”
The king orders d'Artagnan to seize Belle-Île-en-Mer without delay.
Louis XIV assigns d'Artagnan a new mission.
“A commission which, if you carry it out well, said he, will be worth a maréchal's baton to you.”
Colbert hints that success in the Belle-Île mission could earn d'Artagnan the rank of marshal.
Colbert tempts d'Artagnan with a promotion.
“You have friends in Belle-Isle, Monsieur d'Artagnan; and it is not an easy thing for men like you to march over the bodies of their friends to obtain success.”
Colbert reminds d'Artagnan that his friends Aramis and Porthos are in Belle-Île, making the mission personally difficult.
Colbert highlights the personal conflict d'Artagnan faces.
