Introductory Note
Drawn tenderly by Dumas as a master, lover of good cheer and art; his grand fête at Vaux sealed his downfall, and he lived nearly twenty years in prison.
Dramatis Personae
Superintendent of Finance, a powerful and wealthy minister.
The Messenger
Not directly present, but the letter from Condé implies his involvement in court affairs.
In Which Aramis Is Sought, and Only Bazin Is Found
Mentioned as the patron who secured Aramis's bishopric; his grand retinue passes by the presbytery at night, impressing d'Artagnan.
D’Artagnan Travels for the House of Planchet and Company
Referenced as the superintendent of finances to whom the mission's report is intended.
Smuggling
Mentioned indirectly through the context of the king's affairs, but not present in the chapter.
The Shares of Planchet and Company Rise Again to Par
Not directly present; referenced indirectly through the 'shares' metaphor.
The Donation
Mentioned as the superintendent of finances, whose accounts Colbert had previously verified, highlighting the rivalry between them.
How Anne of Austria Gave One Piece of Advice to Louis XIV, and How M. Fouquet Gave Him Another
The superintendent of finances arrives from Vaux in an hour and a half, offers the king six fast horses, and advises him to refuse Mazarin's gift on principle.
The First Appearance of Colbert
Though not present, Fouquet's administration is criticized by Colbert, who reports a deficit and years of engaged revenues, setting the stage for conflict.
The First Day of the Royalty of Louis XIV
Dismissed from the council along with other ministers; leaves the meeting with a lighthearted remark; his fortification of Belle-Île-en-Mer is revealed as a potential conspiracy.
D’Artagnan’s Lesson
D'Artagnan advises Raoul to stand well with Fouquet after Mazarin's death.
The King
Mentioned as the superintendent whose refusal of money is anticipated by the king, and whose fortifications at Belle-Île are the target of the mission.
The Houses of M. Fouquet
The superintendent works diligently in his cabinet at Saint-Mandé, then responds to secret signals and meets the Marquise de Bellière via a hidden passage.
The Abbé Fouquet
The superintendent is agitated by news of his friends' death sentence and confronts his brother's demands.
M. de La Fontaine’s Wine
Fouquet discovers Vatel buying wine for his guests and is confronted by Gourville about the gibbets meant for his friends.
The Gallery of Saint-Mandé
Hosts the gathering, reveals the plight of his friends, and orchestrates the rescue plot.
Epicureans
Hosts the fête, appears carefree but is preoccupied with the failed attempt to free prisoners.
A Quarter of an Hour’s Delay
The superintendent, desperate to free his friends, visits Madame de Bellière and then the concierge, only to find the prisoners have been moved.
Plan of Battle
The superintendent, pale with dread, orchestrates a riot to rescue Lyodot and D'Eymeris, determined to contend with the king.
How M. d’Eymeris’s Diamond Passed Into the Hands of M. d’Artagnan
Initially dismissive of D'Artagnan, but upon learning of his actions, pays him generously and gifts him a diamond from D'Eymeris, showing both grief and magnanimity.
On the Notable Difference d’Artagnan Finds Between Monsieur the Intendant and Monsieur the Superintendent
Mentioned as having paid D'Artagnan the full 20,000 livres instead of 5,000, demonstrating his generosity and financial ease.
Philosophy of the Heart and Mind
Mentioned in d'Artagnan's reflections; d'Artagnan returns his order.
The Journey
The powerful seigneur of Belle-Île, whose rebellion and kindness toward d'Artagnan are central to the musketeer's internal conflict.
68: d’Artagnan Continues His Investigations
Mentioned as the owner of Belle-Isle, whose castle is being repaired and who is building corsairs; the subject of d'Artagnan's investigation.
Wherein the Ideas of d’Artagnan, at First Strangely Clouded, Begin to Clear Up a Little
Implied as the powerful figure behind Aramis's promotion and the owner of Belle-Isle; Porthos is in his service.
In Which Porthos Begins to Be Sorry for Having Come with d’Artagnan
Recipient of the urgent letter carried by Porthos.
In Which d’Artagnan Makes All Speed, Porthos Snores, and Aramis Counsels
Receives Aramis at his cabinet; is persuaded to go to the Louvre and offer Belle-Isle to the king to forestall d'Artagnan's report.
In Which Monsieur Fouquet Acts
Acts decisively by presenting the Belle-Isle fortification plans to the king and offering a large sum of money, outmaneuvering Colbert.
In Which d’Artagnan at Last Places His Hand Upon His Captain’s Commission
Mentioned indirectly as the owner of Belle-Isle, the subject of d'Artagnan's journey.
Sword-Thrusts in the Water
Present in the gallery, discussing Belle-Isle with Buckingham; d'Artagnan joins their group.
Baisemeaux de Montlezun
Referenced as the owner of Belle-Isle and the one who nominated Aramis as bishop; playing cards with the king.
The King's Card-Table
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.
M. Baisemeaux de Montlezun’s Accounts
Mentioned as the owner of Belle-Isle and the one Baisemeaux thought to ask for Aramis's address.
The Two Friends
Discussed as the target of Colbert's schemes; the king demands millions from him, and his ruin is predicted within days.
Madame de Bellière's Plate
The intended beneficiary of Madame de Bellière's financial sacrifice, though he does not appear directly in the chapter.
The Dowry
Initially refuses the money out of pride and honor, but eventually accepts both the dowry and the marquise's love.
The Ballet of the Seasons
Mentioned indirectly in the context of Colbert's financial worries; not directly present in the chapter.
Aramis's Correspondence
Receives a love letter from Madame de Bellière and is advised by Aramis to court Mademoiselle de La Vallière; agrees to offer a fête at Vaux.
The Orderly Clerk
Visits the king late at night, tactfully praises Colbert as a 'clerk,' and leaves the king uneasy about the quality of his fêtes.
Fontainebleau at Two O'Clock in the Morning
Entered the king's apartment as Saint-Aignan left.
The New General of the Jesuits
Fouquet converses with Aramis about Belle-Isle and is alarmed by Aramis's hints of replacing the king.
The Storm
Summoned by the king, he is pressured into inviting Louis to his fête at Vaux, a favor he fears will lead to his ruin.
The Shower of Rain
Walks with Aramis, discusses the letter sent to La Vallière, the upcoming fête, and expresses astonishment at Aramis's sudden wealth.
Toby
Visits La Vallière to recover his letter, then questions his servant Toby about its delivery.
A Letter from M. Baisemeaux
His residence at Saint-Mandé is the destination of the soldier carrying the letter; the intrigue involves his circle.
In Which the Reader Will Be Delighted to Find That Porthos Has Lost Nothing of His Strength
Mentioned as Porthos's host and the one who gave him horses; has presented Belle-Isle to the king, naming Porthos as the engineer.
The Presentation of Porthos at Court
Presents Aramis to the king and requests a cardinal's hat for him; reacts with concern at Porthos's appearance.
Explanations
Referenced as the patron of Aramis and the one fortifying Belle-Isle; central to the political intrigue.
Showing How Louis, on His Part, Had Passed the Time from Ten to Half-Past Twelve at Night
Mentioned by Colbert as being occupied and possibly in love, though not present in the chapter.
Two Old Friends
Referenced as the target of Madame de Chevreuse's blackmail; Aramis acts to protect him.
Wherein May Be Seen That a Bargain Which Cannot Be Made with One Person, Can Be Carried Out with Another
Target of the conspiracy; the letters implicate him in embezzlement.
The Skin of the Bear
The target of Colbert's scheme; his post of procureur-général is being plotted against.
Two Friends
Mentioned as the more courteous and obliging man on whom the queen writes the order for the hundred thousand francs.
How Jean de La Fontaine Came to Write His First Tale
The superintendent, host of the gathering, is in financial trouble but touched by his friends' support.
La Fontaine in the Character of a Negotiator
The superintendent, host of the gathering, decides to sell his post of procureur-général to Vanel.
Madame de Bellière’s Plate and Diamonds
The superintendent orchestrates the evening, repaying Madame de Bellière's sacrifice and hosting a grand supper.
M. de Mazarin's Receipt
Discovers the theft of Mazarin's receipt and faces ruin; insists on keeping his word to Vanel despite Aramis's warnings.
Monsieur Colbert's Rough Draft
The superintendent hesitates to sell his appointment, then signs the deed under pressure, recognizing Colbert's plot.
Rivals in Politics
Displays calm superiority, invites the king to Vaux, and delivers a political blow by revealing the sale of his office to Vanel.
Rivals in Love
Mentioned as the superintendent preparing a fête at Vaux, which the king plans to attend.
Who Messire Jean Percerin Was
Mentioned as a patron who highly esteemed Percerin.
The Patterns
Referenced as the orchestrator of the fête and the supposed source of the request for the king's dress patterns.
The Beehive, the Bees, and the Honey
Oversees the preparations for the king's fête; provides a lettre de cachet and money for Seldon's mother.
Crown and Tiara
Discussed as a man to be kept as surintendant temporarily, then allowed to retire to his circle of poets and painters.
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
The surintendant, host of the grand fête, walks through his palace with a calm yet observant glance, sighing as the king approaches.
The Wine of Melun
Awaits the king at Vaux with his household and friends, unaware of the tensions en route.
Nectar and Ambrosia
The surintendant orchestrates a magnificent fête, personally waits on the king, and shows extraordinary generosity, but his display of power and wealth arouses the king's jealousy.
A Gascon, and a Gascon and a Half
Discussed as the target of Colbert's schemes; his lavish spending and missing millions are the focus of the king's suspicions.
Colbert
Fouquet is the host of the splendid fêtes, but the king's resentment and Colbert's machinations target him for arrest.
Jealousy
The host of the fête, unaware of the king's wrath, continues to show generosity and loyalty.
225: A Night at the Bastille
Suspected by the king of orchestrating a conspiracy to imprison him.
The Shadow of M. Fouquet
Realizes he is under surveillance, burns incriminating papers, and expresses gratitude to D'Artagnan.
The Morning
Mentioned as the subject of the release order; d'Artagnan and Aramis go to inform him.
The King's Friend
Freed from arrest, he is overwhelmed by Aramis's revelation of the king's substitution and the conspiracy.
Showing How the Countersign Was Respected at the Bastille
Superintendent who, upon learning of Aramis's plot, rushes to the Bastille, forces entry, and demands to see the prisoner Marchiali, threatening Baisemeaux with military action.
The King's Gratitude
Rescues the king, reveals the conspiracy, and boldly pleads for the lives of Aramis and Porthos, even at personal risk.
The False King
Arrives with the real king, realizing the extent of Aramis's plot and his own moral failure.
Among Women
The surintendant is declining in health despite the king's apparent kindness; D'Artagnan receives payment from his cashbox.
The Last Supper
Hosts a farewell dinner, aware of his impending ruin; he is pale and feverish, but remains firm in his decision to go to Nantes.
In M. Colbert’s Carriage
Mentioned as the superintendent whom Colbert seeks to ruin; Aramis is his friend and resides at Belle-Île.
The Two Lighters
The surintendant flees toward Nantes by lighter, anxious and feverish, trying to evade Colbert's pursuit.
Friendly Advice
The superintendent, ill and feverish, receives D'Artagnan's veiled warning and attempts to flee, but is trapped by the king's early arrival.
How the King, Louis XIV, Played His Little Part
Receives a warning note from Gourville, confronts the king with suspicion, and cleverly avoids arrest by feigning illness and proposing a visit to Belle-Isle.
The White Horse and the Black Horse
Flees on a white horse, refuses to fire on d'Artagnan, surrenders with dignity and later helps revive the exhausted musketeer.
In Which the Squirrel Falls—In Which the Adder Flies
Arrested and placed in an iron cage; his generosity during capture is highlighted by d'Artagnan.
Result of the Ideas of the King, and the Ideas of d’Artagnan
Implicitly referenced as one of the friends d'Artagnan seeks to save from the siege.
The Son of Biscarrat
Mentioned as having been arrested by the king's order, prompting Aramis to urge submission.
The Round of M. de Gesvres
Referenced by d'Artagnan as a 'gallant man' with whom he might be imprisoned, highlighting the parallel between their downfalls.
The Friends of M. Fouquet
Imprisoned; his friends plead for his wife's financial support.
