The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
In Which Monsieur Fouquet Acts explained
Fouquet hurries to the Louvre to confront the king and Colbert, who are plotting against him.
What happens
Fouquet hurries to the Louvre to confront the king and Colbert, who are plotting against him. Colbert accuses Fouquet of treason, including fortifying Belle-Isle, and advises the king to ruin him financially. Fouquet arrives, presents the fortification plans himself, and outmaneuvers Colbert by offering the king more money than demanded, including funds from Colbert's own coffers, before departing triumphantly.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Ambition
Fouquet and Colbert vie for influence over the king, each using financial and political maneuvers to secure their position.
Court Intrigue and Deception
Colbert plots behind Fouquet's back, while Fouquet cleverly counters by presenting the fortification plans himself and offering more money than demanded.
Greed and Corruption
Colbert accuses Fouquet of financial corruption, but the chapter shows both men manipulating the king's finances for their own ends.
Characters to notice
- Nicolas Fouquet
Acts decisively by presenting the Belle-Isle fortification plans to the king and offering a large sum of money, outmaneuvering Colbert.
- Louis XIV
Works with Colbert, signs death warrants, and is persuaded to demand a million from Fouquet, but is surprised by Fouquet's generous counteroffer.
- Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Advises the king to ruin Fouquet, accuses him of treason, and is humiliated when Fouquet reveals the money in Colbert's coffers.
- Aramis
Referenced by Fouquet as having been correct about the timing of the courier from Bretagne.
Key passages
“Ruin him, sire, that is the way.”
Destroy him financially, Your Majesty, that is the method.
Colbert advises the king to undermine Fouquet by draining his wealth.
“I shall have the honor of sending Your Majesty sixteen hundred thousand livres this evening.”
I will have the privilege of delivering 1.6 million livres to you tonight.
Fouquet offers a large sum to the king, exceeding the requested million.