The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The King's Card-Table explained
During a memorable evening at the king's card-table, Madame captivates the court with her wit and charm, drawing the attention of King Louis XIV and eclipsing the queens.
What happens
During a memorable evening at the king's card-table, Madame captivates the court with her wit and charm, drawing the attention of King Louis XIV and eclipsing the queens. The king's distraction leads to financial irregularities, and he demands four million francs from Superintendent Fouquet for a fête at Fontainebleau. Fouquet, troubled by the demand, consults Aramis, who advises him to pay and hints at future assistance, while also reminding him of a debt to Baisemeaux for the governorship of the Bastille.
Themes in this chapter
Court Intrigue and Deception
The card-table becomes a stage for political maneuvering, as Madame's charm distracts the king, Colbert plots against Fouquet, and financial demands are made under the guise of a fête.
Power and Ambition
Louis XIV asserts his authority by demanding a huge sum from Fouquet, while Colbert's ambition to undermine the superintendent is evident.
Greed and Corruption
Noblemen take advantage of the king's distraction to pocket money, and the king's demand for four million francs reveals the greed of the crown.
Characters to notice
- Louis XIV
The king is distracted by Madame's charm, blushes and sighs in her presence, and later demands four million francs from Fouquet for a fête at Fontainebleau.
- Henrietta of England
Madame dominates the evening with her wit and beauty, captivating the king and the court, and showing little regard for the departing Buckingham.
- Nicolas Fouquet
The superintendent is present at the card-table and is pressed by the king for four million francs, which he agrees to provide despite financial strain.
- Aramis
Aramis counsels Fouquet to pay the king's demand, advises calmness, and reminds him of a debt to Baisemeaux for the Bastille governorship.
- Anne of Austria
The queen mother observes Madame's power and acquiesces, leading the young queen to retire.
- Duke of Buckingham
Buckingham is hurt by Madame's changing attitude and grows colder, preparing for his departure.
- De Guiche
De Guiche is inseparable from Buckingham and converses with him about the projected voyage, while showing extravagant delight in Madame's success.
- Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Colbert whispers counsel to the king, prompting the demand for money from Fouquet, and smiles triumphantly at the superintendent's difficulty.
Key passages
“The king hardly paid any attention to her departure, notwithstanding the pretended symptoms of indisposition by which it was accompanied.”
The king ignored the young queen's feigned illness as she left.
Highlights the king's preoccupation with Madame.
“The king only recovered his attention in some degree at the moment that Monsieur Colbert... whispered a counsel of some sort into the still tingling ears of the king.”
The king's focus returned only when Colbert whispered advice to him.
Shows Colbert's influence over the king.
“The very day I refuse, Colbert will procure the money; whence I know not, but he will procure it: and I shall be lost.”
If I refuse, Colbert will find the money somehow, and I will be ruined.
Fouquet's fear of Colbert's machinations.
