The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
Sword-Thrusts in the Water (Concluded) explained
D'Artagnan confronts de Wardes in his apartment before witnesses, including Athos, de Guiche, Buckingham, Manicamp, and Raoul.
What happens
D'Artagnan confronts de Wardes in his apartment before witnesses, including Athos, de Guiche, Buckingham, Manicamp, and Raoul. De Wardes accuses d'Artagnan of a past dishonorable act against his father. D'Artagnan admits the fault, citing his youth and repentance. Athos reveals the woman involved was 'Milady,' who later murdered Buckingham's father. D'Artagnan forces de Wardes to apologize to Raoul for insulting his mother, threatening imprisonment. De Wardes, humiliated, accepts Buckingham's challenge to a duel in Calais.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Loyalty
D'Artagnan defends his honor by admitting past faults and demanding a public apology for Raoul, while de Wardes's accusations challenge the code of honor.
Friendship and Betrayal
Athos supports d'Artagnan by revealing the truth about Milady, and Buckingham allies with d'Artagnan's principles against de Wardes.
Court Intrigue and Deception
The confrontation involves hidden pasts, accusations of deception, and the use of a royal lettre de cachet to threaten imprisonment.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Hosts the confrontation, admits past dishonor, forces de Wardes to apologize, and threatens him with the Bastille.
- Athos
Waits in d'Artagnan's apartment, reveals the identity of the woman as Milady, linking her to Buckingham's father's murder.
- Raoul de Bragelonne
Present as the offended party; receives de Wardes's apology and declares no animosity.
- De Wardes
Accuses d'Artagnan of dishonoring his father, forced to apologize to Raoul, accepts Buckingham's duel challenge.
- Duke of Buckingham
Present as witness, challenges de Wardes to a duel in Calais, motivated by despair and rage.
- De Guiche
Present among the witnesses to the confrontation.
- Manicamp
Arrives with de Wardes and is present during the proceedings.
Key passages
“I have repented of it, and more than that—I still repent it, M. de Wardes.”
D'Artagnan admits his past wrongdoing and emphasizes his ongoing regret.
D'Artagnan acknowledges his youthful dishonor and expresses sincere remorse.
“I am an Englishman, and, in my turn, I propose to you what you proposed to others to no purpose. Since you, therefore, are so terribly incensed, take me as a remedy.”
Buckingham offers himself as a target for de Wardes's anger, proposing a duel in Calais.
Buckingham challenges de Wardes to a duel, seeking an outlet for his own despair and rage.