He runs quickly home after receiving the ring from the Queen, who was indeed very grateful. Planchett, his faithful servant shows him a letter. Madame Bonacieux would like to meet him at that night. He waited for a long time, but she didn't come, he found out from a man that a group of men had kidnapped her, among them was the mysterious stranger. He told Treville everything and decided to go find out the fate of his friends, as it would be a good idea to lay low for awhile from the cardinal. Porthos and Aramis had been injured and weren't fit to travel yet, but they were improving. Athos had barricaded himself in the cellar with his servant. The cardinal had warned everyone to hinder the men. D'Artagan and Athos were drinking some when Athos told the story of why he doesn't have a wife. His wife had been branded on the shoulder, which meant she had done some awful crime so he killed her.
The next day they traveled to pick up Porthos and Aramis, and at last they were all back together. On arriving Treville gave them all letters to leave for a campaign and to get all the proper equipment. This posed a problem since they all lacked suffiecent funds. Porthos had his lady friend help him out. D'Artagan sees Milady and receives a letter accidently from her to the Comte de Wardes and realizes that she is interested in the Count. He also gets in an argument with her brother and arranges a duel.
D'Artagan whens the duel, but spares the brother's life, who in return introduces him to Milady. He really wants to know her position at court, but is entrapped by her charms. Her pretty maid is quite in love with him. One day, Kitty takes d'Artagnan aside and confesses that she loves him. She tells him that Milady does not love him, she loves the Comte de Wardes. D'Artagnan persuades Kitty to let him overhear Milady confessing her hatred of d'Artagnan, because if he had killed Lord de Winter, she would have inherited all the Lord's money. She says the only reason she hasn't "dealt with him" is that the Cardinal wants her to treat him carefully. She also mentions her involvement in the kidnapping of Madame Bonacieux. He uses Kitty to intercept letters between Milady and the Comte. He sends her a false letter under the Comte's name, making an arrangement to meet at her house. Kitty helps d'Artagnan because she loves him, and d'Artagnan pretends to return her feelings, even having sex with her to make his act convincing.
Under the identity of the Count d'Artagan comes to Milady's room late at night, planning to compromise her and make her tell him where Constance is and reveal his true self, but he is seduced by her and receives a ring from her. d'Artagnan realizes what a mess he's gotten himself into. He goes to Athos for advice. Athos tells him to stay away from Milady, he also recognizes the ring, which is odd. Milady is infuriated at the "Comte" and wants revenge, and so sends d'Artagnan a letter, inviting him to come visit her again. He goes, and she seduces him, exchanging sex for the promise that he will kill the Comte, whom she says has greatly insulted her. D'Artagnan finally just tells her that it was he she slept with as the Comte, and produces the ring to prove it. Milady is overcome with fury, and attacks d'Artagnan. He tears her shirt, and sees that she has a Fleur-de-Lis branded on her left shoulder.
He tells Athos everything and they realize that it is Athos' branded wife. They sold the ring and both then had enough money to buy their equipment. He has two letters, he sees Constance briefly, and the Cardinal offers him a position as a guard, which is quite baffling, he refuses.
Reaction:
d'Artagan shows his poorest qualities in this part of the book. He completely uses the poor maid Kitty, for the evil Milady. He makes quite a mess, which could have easily been avoided if had more self-control. I feel very sorry for Athos at this point as well.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment