# Manicamp and Malicorne explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Malicorne visits Manicamp in Orléans, who is in dire financial straits and has sold nearly all his clothes. Through a series of bets and negotiations, Malicorne secures a second commission for a maid of honor, leveraging Manicamp's influence with the Comte de Guiche. Manicamp provides written orders for Malicorne to deliver to Guiche, and Malicorne pays him five hundred pistoles for a place in Monsieur's household, then writes to Montalais about the progress.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Betrayal

Malicorne and Manicamp's relationship is transactional, with each using the other for personal gain, highlighting the mercenary nature of their friendship.

### Greed and Corruption

The buying and selling of court positions for money and personal advantage underscores the corruption within the court system.

## Character check-ins

### Malicorne

Visits Manicamp in Orléans, negotiates for a second maid of honor commission, and pays five hundred pistoles for a place in Monsieur's household.

### Manicamp

In financial distress, sells his last decent clothes, but uses wit and bets to secure money from Malicorne without leaving bed.

### De Guiche

Referenced as the source of influence for obtaining commissions; Manicamp writes orders for Malicorne to deliver to him.

### Mademoiselle de Montalais

Recipient of Malicorne's letter announcing the progress of the commission.

### Louise de La Vallière

Mentioned by Malicorne as the friend for whom the second commission is intended.

## Key lines

> Malicorne, then, left Blois, as we have said, and went to find his friend, Manicamp, then in temporary retreat in the city of Orléans.

Malicorne departed from Blois to visit Manicamp, who was staying in Orléans.

_Sets the scene for the chapter's action._

> Manicamp, reduced to this extremity of neither playing nor dancing, for a week at least, was, consequently, very sad; he was expecting a usurer, and saw Malicorne enter.

Manicamp, having been unable to enjoy amusements for a week, was miserable; he anticipated a moneylender but instead saw Malicorne.

_Illustrates Manicamp's dire financial state._

> Manicamp raised himself with a sigh, and leaning on his left elbow, in his best hand, traced the following lines:⁠— 'Good for an order for a place of maid of honor to Madame, which M. le Comte de Guiche will take upon him to obtain at sight. De Manicamp.'

Manicamp sighed, propped himself up, and wrote a note authorizing an order for a maid of honor position, to be fulfilled by the Comte de Guiche.

_Manicamp's clever scheme to win a bet without leaving bed._

> Malicorne took up the pen, ink, and paper again, and presented them all to Manicamp. 'Write!' said he. 'Dictate!' 'An order for a place in the household of Monsieur.'

Malicorne handed writing materials to Manicamp and instructed him to write an order for a position in Monsieur's household.

_The negotiation for a more valuable commission._

> Manicamp began to scoop up his gold by handfuls, and pour it in cascades upon his bed.

Manicamp gathered the gold coins in handfuls and let them fall in streams onto his bed.

_Depicts Manicamp's delight at receiving payment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/80-manicamp-and-malicorne
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
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