# A Quarter of an Hour’s Delay explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Fouquet, determined to rescue his imprisoned friends Lyodot and D'Eymeris, visits Madame de Bellière for assistance but is delayed by the presence of the jealous Marguerite Vanel. After a tense exchange, Pélisson warns that Marguerite has gone to Colbert. Rushing to the Palais, Fouquet learns that the prisoners have been moved to Vincennes by the king's order a quarter of an hour earlier, thwarting his plan.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Betrayal

Fouquet's loyalty to his imprisoned friends is contrasted with Marguerite Vanel's betrayal in reporting to Colbert.

### Court Intrigue and Deception

The chapter revolves around secret visits, jealous informants, and a race against the king's orders.

## Character check-ins

### Nicolas Fouquet

The superintendent, desperate to free his friends, visits Madame de Bellière and then the concierge, only to find the prisoners have been moved.

### Pélisson

Fouquet's loyal advisor, who warns him of Marguerite Vanel's betrayal and urges haste.

### Madame de Bellière

The marquise whom Fouquet visits for help; she confesses her love is tied to his misfortune.

### Marguerite Vanel

Jealous former lover who leaves Madame de Bellière's house and orders her coachman to go to Colbert.

### Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Fouquet's rival, to whom Marguerite Vanel reports, leading to the prisoners' transfer.

## Key lines

> “I expected you,” said the marquise, with a tender sigh. “Oh! no,” cried he, “or you would have sent away that woman.”

The marquise claims she anticipated Fouquet's visit, but he retorts that if she truly expected him, she would have dismissed Marguerite Vanel beforehand.

_Highlights the tension and jealousy in Fouquet's relationship with Madame de Bellière._

> “To M. Colbert’s!” said Pélisson, in a hoarse voice.

Pélisson reveals that Marguerite Vanel ordered her coachman to drive to Colbert's residence, signaling betrayal.

_Key moment of betrayal that sets the plot in motion._

> “About a quarter of an hour.” “Whither have they gone, then?” “To Vincennes⁠—to the donjon.” “An order from the king.”

The concierge informs Fouquet that Lyodot and D'Eymeris were moved to Vincennes just fifteen minutes earlier by royal decree.

_The critical delay that foils Fouquet's rescue plan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/59-a-quarter-of-an-hour-s-delay
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters