# M. Baisemeaux de Montlezun’s Accounts explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Aramis visits Baisemeaux at the Bastille, where the governor details his complex accounting system for prisoner upkeep, revealing his financial struggles and the peculiar economics of the prison. Baisemeaux shows Aramis the prison register, pointing out repeat offenders and a mysterious prisoner named Marchiali, whose resemblance to someone important is hinted at. The chapter ends with them going to breakfast.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Corruption

Baisemeaux's detailed accounting reveals a system of profiteering from prisoners, with economies and tricks to maximize his income, reflecting the corruption in the prison administration.

### Court Intrigue and Deception

Aramis's hidden interest in the prisoner Marchiali and his careful questioning of Baisemeaux hint at deeper political schemes and secrets within the Bastille.

## Character check-ins

### Aramis

Visits Baisemeaux at the Bastille, listens to his accounts, examines the prison register, and shows interest in the prisoner Marchiali.

### Baisemeaux de Montlezun

Governor of the Bastille, discusses his prisoner feeding system and finances, shows Aramis the register, and mentions the prisoner Marchiali.

### D'Artagnan

Mentioned by Baisemeaux as having been spoken to about the prison finances.

### Nicolas Fouquet

Mentioned as the owner of Belle-Isle and the one Baisemeaux thought to ask for Aramis's address.

### Jules Mazarin

Mentioned in the context of past prison governance and the prisoner Martinier's mazarinades.

## Key lines

> I told him that I fed my prisoners too well.

Baisemeaux mentioned to d'Artagnan that he provides his prisoners with overly generous meals.

_Baisemeaux explains his conversation with d'Artagnan about prison expenses._

> It is he who presumes to resemble the⁠—

Baisemeaux whispers to Aramis that the prisoner Marchiali dares to look like a certain important person.

_Baisemeaux reveals the secret about Marchiali's resemblance to someone of high status._

## Links

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