# The Friends of M. Fouquet explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

D'Artagnan returns to Paris after investigating Belle-Isle, learning of Porthos's death and Aramis's escape. He reports to King Louis XIV, who reveals he already knows the details. The king shows clemency by allowing Aramis to remain free. D'Artagnan then presents Fouquet's friends—Pélisson, Gourville, and La Fontaine—who plead for Madame Fouquet's financial support. The king, moved by their tears, grants permission for them to raise money for her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Betrayal

D'Artagnan's loyalty to his friends Porthos and Aramis contrasts with the king's political betrayal of Fouquet.

### Power and Ambition

Louis XIV demonstrates his absolute power by showing clemency, while Fouquet's fall illustrates the cost of ambition.

### Greed and Corruption

Fouquet's corruption is implied, but the king's mercy highlights the tension between justice and compassion.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Returns to Paris, reports to the king about Belle-Isle, and presents Fouquet's friends to Louis XIV.

### Louis XIV

Receives d'Artagnan, shows clemency toward Aramis, and grants permission for Fouquet's friends to aid Madame Fouquet.

### Porthos

Reported dead, buried under the rocks of Locmaria at Belle-Isle.

### Aramis

Escaped to Bayonne via a royal vessel; the king allows him to remain free.

### Nicolas Fouquet

Imprisoned; his friends plead for his wife's financial support.

### Pélisson

Leads the delegation of Fouquet's friends, pleading for Madame Fouquet.

### Gourville

Part of the delegation, weeps before the king.

### Jean de La Fontaine

Part of the delegation, weeps and kneels before the king.

## Key lines

> The king had returned to Paris, and with him d'Artagnan, who, in twenty-four hours, having made with greatest care all possible inquiries at Belle-Isle, succeeded in learning nothing of the secret so well kept by the heavy rock of Locmaria, which had fallen on the heroic Porthos.

D'Artagnan returned to Paris with the king after investigating Belle-Isle but could not uncover the secret of the rock that killed Porthos.

_D'Artagnan's investigation yields no information about Porthos's death._

> I knew that M. du Vallon had buried himself beneath the rocks of Locmaria; I knew that M. d'Herblay had taken one of my vessels with its crew, and had compelled it to convey him to Bayonne.

The king reveals he already knows about Porthos's death and Aramis's escape to Bayonne.

_Louis XIV demonstrates his intelligence network by knowing events before d'Artagnan reports them._

> Sire, we supplicate you, with clasped hands and bended knees, as a divinity is supplicated! Madame Fouquet has no longer any friends, no longer any means of support; she weeps in her deserted home, abandoned by all those who besieged its doors in the hour of prosperity; she has neither credit nor hope left.

Pélisson begs the king for mercy, describing Madame Fouquet's destitution and abandonment.

_The friends of Fouquet plead for financial aid for his wife._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/261-the-friends-of-m-fouquet
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters