How M. d’Eymeris’s Diamond Passed Into the Hands of M. d’Artagnan explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Greed and Corruption

  Fouquet's lavish payment and gift of a diamond to D'Artagnan contrast with the minister's own financial troubles and the corruption of the court.

• Honor and Loyalty

  D'Artagnan's duty to the king and his role in the execution, despite personal sympathy, underscores the tension between honor and loyalty to the crown.

• Friendship and Betrayal

  Fouquet's grief over the loss of his friend D'Eymeris and his conflicted feelings toward D'Artagnan, who was instrumental in the execution, highlight themes of friendship and betrayal.

Characters to notice

• D'Artagnan

  Visits Fouquet to collect his pension, reveals his role in the execution of Lyodot and D'Eymeris, and receives payment and a diamond ring from Fouquet.

• Nicolas Fouquet

  Initially dismissive of D'Artagnan, but upon learning of his actions, pays him generously and gifts him a diamond from D'Eymeris, showing both grief and magnanimity.

• Gourville

  Intermediary between Fouquet and D'Artagnan; informs Fouquet of D'Artagnan's identity and role in the day's events.

• The Abbé Fouquet

  Present during the confrontation; expresses anger and malice toward D'Artagnan, but is silenced by Fouquet.

Key passages

• ““I?” cried Fouquet, and he smiled bitterly. “If I had any knowledge of mankind, if I were⁠—instead of being a frivolous, inconsequent, and vain spirit⁠—of a prudent and reflective spirit; if, in a word, I had, as certain persons have known how, regulated my life, you would not receive twenty thousand livres a year, but a hundred thousand, and you would belong not to the king but to me.””

  Fouquet bitterly reflects that if he had been more prudent and less frivolous, he would have paid D'Artagnan far more and secured his loyalty for himself rather than for the king.

  Fouquet expresses regret over his own lack of foresight and acknowledges D'Artagnan's worth.

• ““Monsieur,” said he, “this stone was given me by a friend of my childhood, by a man to whom you have rendered a great service.” “A service⁠—I?” said the musketeer; “I have rendered a service to one of your friends?” “You cannot have forgotten it, Monsieur, for it dates this very day.” “And that friend’s name was⁠—” “ M. d’Eymeris.””

  Fouquet gives D'Artagnan a diamond ring, explaining it belonged to his childhood friend D'Eymeris, to whom D'Artagnan has just rendered a great service—though that service was his execution.

  The irony of the 'service' is central to the chapter's tension.