# Sword-Thrusts in the Water explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Raoul seeks out de Guiche, who confesses his jealous obsession with the Duke of Buckingham over Madame. De Guiche has already sent a challenge to Buckingham, and Raoul is caught between his loyalty to his friend and his respect for the duke. At a court gathering, d'Artagnan assists Raoul by interrupting a conversation between Buckingham and Fouquet, allowing Raoul to speak with the duke. The chapter builds tension as de Guiche's jealousy threatens to erupt into a duel, with Raoul attempting to mediate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Betrayal

Raoul is torn between his loyalty to de Guiche and his respect for Buckingham, highlighting the fragile nature of friendships amid romantic rivalries.

### Court Intrigue and Deception

The chapter is steeped in courtly maneuvering, with characters using polite conversation to mask challenges and hidden agendas.

### Love and Sacrifice

De Guiche's obsessive love for Madame drives him to risk his life and reputation, embodying the theme of love as a destructive force.

## Character check-ins

### Raoul de Bragelonne

Acts as a mediator between de Guiche and Buckingham, seeking to prevent a duel while managing both men's confidences.

### De Guiche

Confesses his consuming jealousy of Buckingham and his determination to challenge him, having already sent a letter.

### Duke of Buckingham

The object of de Guiche's jealousy; he is conversing with Fouquet and later approached by Raoul via d'Artagnan's intervention.

### D'Artagnan

Assists Raoul by interrupting Buckingham and Fouquet's conversation, using his new rank as captain of the Musketeers.

### Nicolas Fouquet

Present in the gallery, discussing Belle-Isle with Buckingham; d'Artagnan joins their group.

### Louis XIV

Seated at the card table with the queen-mother and young queen, a focal point of the court's attention.

### Philippe d'Orléans

Approaches Buckingham with feigned politeness, expressing regret at his impending departure.

### De Wardes

Present with de Guiche and Manicamp; maintains a cold distance from Raoul since the barricade affair.

## Key lines

> I have tried, but in vain, to overcome the feeling you saw dawn in me, increase, and take entire possession of me. I have summoned all your advice and my own strength to my aid. I have well weighed the unfortunate affair in which I have embarked; I have sounded its depths; that it is an abyss, I am aware, but it matters little for I shall pursue my own course.

De Guiche admits he cannot resist his growing passion for Madame, despite knowing it will lead to his ruin.

_De Guiche's confession to Raoul reveals his fatalistic determination to pursue his love regardless of consequences._

> During the last three days Madame has been living in a perfect intoxication of gayety. On the first day, I dared not look at her; I hated her for not being as unhappy as myself. The next day I could not bear her out of my sight; and she, Raoul—at least I thought I remarked it—she looked at me, if not with pity, at least with gentleness. But between her looks and mine, a shadow intervened; another’s smile invited hers. Beside her horse another’s always gallops, which is not mine; in her ear another’s caressing voice, not mine, unceasingly vibrates.

De Guiche describes his torment as he watches Madame's happiness with Buckingham, feeling overshadowed and jealous.

_This passage vividly captures de Guiche's jealousy and the intensity of his emotional turmoil._

> I no longer love to madness, Raoul, I am being engulfed by a whirlpool of jealousy.

De Guiche declares that his love has transformed into an all-consuming jealousy.

_A succinct expression of de Guiche's descent into obsessive jealousy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/94-sword-thrusts-in-the-water
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters