The Alexandre Dumas Library

Vicomte De Bragelonne Chapter XVI - "Remember!"

In which a young king, plunged in melancholy and misfortune, encounters the devoted Comte de la Fere, whom he reveres as a guardian of his father's memory and hopes. Their conversation reveals a solemn bond forged by past loyalty and a glimmer of renewed resolve to confront the burdens of destiny together.

Vicomte De Bragelonne Chapter XVIII - In which D'Artagnan seeks Porthose and only finds Mousqueton

In which D’Artagnan, in pursuit of his absent friend Porthos, encounters the faithful but infirm Mousqueton and learns of the regimented pleasures that fill his master’s days at Pierrefonds. Amid reflections on friendship’s fading and the passage of time, he resolves to return to Paris, bearing a heart heavy with melancholy yet stirred by unyielding resolve.

Vicomte De Bragelonne Chapter XVII - In which Aramis is sought and only Bazin is found

In which D’Artagnan arrives at a manor to find the sought-after Aramis absent, instead encountering Bazin, a pedantic yet cordial tutor whose allegiances and knowledge offer little illumination upon the mysterious travels of his master. Their encounter reveals the close ties between Aramis and the influential Fouquet, setting a tone of intrigue and subtle rivalry amidst the quiet life of the provincial presbytery.

Vicomte De Bragelonne Chapter XV - The Proscribed

In which the young king wrestles with the heavy weight of duty and desire, penning a letter that both binds and betrays, while courtiers bustle with whispered intrigues and masked intentions. Meanwhile, a forsaken prince contemplates the cruel mockery of hope amid the unrelenting shadows of exile, his sorrow mirrored in the indifferent warmth of a May morning.

Vicomte De Bragelonne Chapter XIV - In which the King and the Lieutenant each give Proofs of Memory

In which the King and his loyal lieutenant engage in a poignant exchange revealing the latter’s weary desire to retire from service after decades of dedication, and the monarch wrestles with the bitter truths laid bare before him. The conversation unfolds with a mixture of respect and candour, illuminating the deep bonds and unspoken grievances that colour the fabric of their shared history.