The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
Baisemeaux de Montlezun explained
D'Artagnan encounters Baisemeaux, the governor of the Bastille, who is in a panic over a debt to Aramis.
What happens
D'Artagnan encounters Baisemeaux, the governor of the Bastille, who is in a panic over a debt to Aramis. Baisemeaux reveals that Aramis acted as his surety for the purchase of his position, and that a payment of five thousand pistoles is due the next day. D'Artagnan advises him to seek out M. Fouquet to find Aramis. Meanwhile, Athos expresses his weariness of court life and his desire to return to Blois, while d'Artagnan tries to persuade him to stay.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because Raoul reaches his emotional and psychological nadir, fully interna…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Friendship and Betrayal
Aramis's role as surety for Baisemeaux highlights the bonds of obligation and trust, while d'Artagnan's curiosity about Aramis's motives suggests underlying intrigue.
- Greed and Corruption
Baisemeaux's financial desperation and the corrupt system of purchasing official positions reflect the theme of greed and corruption within the court.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Interacts with Baisemeaux, learns of his debt to Aramis, and advises him to contact Fouquet. Later converses with Athos about Raoul and court life.
- Baisemeaux de Montlezun
Governor of the Bastille, desperate about a payment due to Aramis. Reveals the financial arrangement for his position.
- Aramis
Referenced as the Bishop of Vannes and the surety for Baisemeaux's position. His whereabouts are sought by Baisemeaux.
- Athos
Discusses Raoul's potential duel with de Wardes and expresses his desire to leave Paris and return to Blois.
- Raoul de Bragelonne
Mentioned as being at risk of a duel with de Wardes and facing the king's wishes regarding a marriage.
- Nicolas Fouquet
Referenced as the owner of Belle-Isle and the one who nominated Aramis as bishop; playing cards with the king.
Key passages
“I give you my sacred word of honor”
Baisemeaux swears to keep d'Artagnan's advice secret.
Baisemeaux promises not to reveal d'Artagnan's suggestion to seek Fouquet.
“This is a strange affair”
D'Artagnan finds the situation puzzling.
D'Artagnan muses on Aramis's motives for helping Baisemeaux.
“I am no longer a young man who can make terms with the meanness of the day.”
Athos feels too old to tolerate the pettiness of court life.
Athos explains his weariness with court intrigues to d'Artagnan.
