# In Which Mazarin Becomes Prodigal explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne > Chapter companion for The Vicomte de Bragelonne by Alexandre Dumas. ## What happens Cardinal Mazarin, in a rare display of generosity, gives the Duc d'Anjou a large sum of money won at play, claiming it was played on the prince's account. The gift is seen as a wedding present for the prince's impending marriage to the sister of Charles II. Athos and Raoul observe the scene, and Athos converses with the Prince de Condé, who expresses regret that Athos has retired from military service. The chapter ends with Mazarin feeling ill and calling for his physician. ## Themes in this chapter ### Greed and Corruption Mazarin's sudden prodigality is questioned by the Chevalier de Lorraine, hinting at ulterior motives behind the generous gift. ### Court Intrigue and Deception The scene is filled with undercurrents: Athos and Condé discuss the hidden meaning of Mazarin's gift, and the Chevalier de Lorraine's malicious glance suggests deeper plots. ### Power and Ambition The Prince de Condé's sigh and reflection on 'swords once more hung on the wall' reveal his stifled ambition and the shifting power dynamics at court. ## Character check-ins ### Athos Observes Mazarin's gift to the Duc d'Anjou and converses with the Prince de Condé, showing his reserved grace and insight into court affairs. ### Raoul de Bragelonne Present with Athos; Athos expects him to visit later for a private conversation. ### Jules Mazarin In a weakened state, he gives away a large sum of money to the Duc d'Anjou, then calls for his physician, fearing he is dying. ### Philippe d'Orléans Referred to as the Duc d'Anjou; he joyfully accepts the money from Mazarin and reveals it is a wedding present for his marriage to Charles II's sister. ### Le Chevalier de Lorraine The favorite of the Duc d'Anjou; he helps pocket the remaining money and questions the cardinal's motives. ### Le Prince de Condé Converses with Athos, praising Raoul and expressing regret that Athos has retired from service; he sighs over stifled ambition. ### De Guiche Mentioned as having raised the pile of gold crowns through a run of luck at play. ### Bernouin Summoned by Mazarin to send for the physician Guénaud. ## Key lines > “For me?” cried the Duc d’Anjou. “Those fifty thousand crowns; yes, Monseigneur, they are yours.” “Do you give them to me?” “I have been playing on your account, Monseigneur,” replied the cardinal, getting weaker and weaker, as if this effort of giving money had exhausted all his physical and moral faculties. The Duc d'Anjou is astonished when Mazarin tells him that the fifty thousand crowns on the table are a gift, explaining that he had been playing on the prince's behalf, though the effort visibly drains him. _Mazarin's uncharacteristic generosity and physical weakness are highlighted, foreshadowing his decline._ > “My dear chevalier, a wedding present.” “How a wedding present?” “Eh! yes, I am going to be married,” replied the Duc d’Anjou, without perceiving, at the moment, he was passing the prince and Athos, who both bowed respectfully. The chevalier darted at the young duke a glance so strange, and so malicious, that the Comte de la Fère quite started on beholding it. The Duc d'Anjou reveals to the Chevalier de Lorraine that the money is a wedding present for his upcoming marriage, and the chevalier's malicious reaction shocks Athos. _The revelation of the marriage and the chevalier's hostile glance underscore the intrigue surrounding the alliance._ > “Humph!” said he, slowly, as if speaking to himself; “our swords are once more to be hung on the wall⁠—for a long time!” and he sighed. All that sigh contained of ambition silently stifled, of extinguished illusions and disappointed hopes, Athos alone divined, for he alone heard that sigh. The Prince de Condé sighs and remarks that their swords will be hung on the wall for a long time, a sigh that Athos understands as containing stifled ambition and lost hopes. _Condé's lament reflects the political quieting of his military ambitions due to the new royal marriage alliance._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/42-in-which-mazarin-becomes-prodigal - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters