Chapter 19: Plan of Campaign

Summary

     As he walks to M. de Treville’s place, D’Artagnan feels quite happy with the mission and excited by the prospects of money and Madame Bonacieux’s love. D’Artagnan quickly secures a meeting with M. de Treville, and decides to tell the worthy gentleman everything. However, M. de Treville is so devoted to the king and queen that he refuses to allow d’Artagnan to tell him about his mission, just to ensure that he doesn’t compromise the queen’s honor. He advises d’Artagnan that such a dangerous journey (the cardinal’s men will try to kill d’Artagnan!) is best not taken alone, and tells d’Artagnan to take the three Musketeers.  D’Artagnan happily agrees, and also agrees not to tell them anything either. M. de Treville tells d’Artagnan to hurry up and find them, and begins furiously writing out permission slips for the Fearsome Four. He tells d’Artagnan that the slips will be delivered to them soon.

     D’Artagnan visits Aramis first. Aramis is sad for some reason, and tries to attribute it to religious texts that fill him with grief. Of course. D’Artagnan, however, knows the real reason for Aramis’s melancholy – it is the Duchesse de Chevreuse. If you remember, she had lodged in Aramis’s house when she and the Duke of Buckingham were in Paris. Apparently, Aramis has a high class foreign lover! Ooh, scandalous. Aramis had made up that story about the doctor of theology’s daughter. Now everything makes sense! Except…why is Aramis sad? He thinks that the duchesse (and yes it is spelled that way) ran off because she despises him. D’Artagnan explains that she ran off because she was about to be arrested. Silly Aramis. D’Artagnan similarly gathers up Athos and Porthos, and all agree to serve on the mission, despite not knowing why they have to deliver a letter to London, and despite the mortal peril. They divide up d’Artagnan’s money and begin to plan the journey.

    Porthos comes up with a hilariously elaborate plan that includes splitting up, leaving by different routes at different times, and having Planchet pretend to be d’Artagnan. Athos, even more amusingly, snobbishly comments that Planchet is a servant and thus cannot have so much participation in an adventure. D’Artagnan says that Porthos’s plan is too intricate. So, Athos proposes that everyone sticks together (and they arm the servants). D’Artagnan agrees and all four get super pumped up, jumping and yelling.

Reaction

     I actually adored this chapter. I must have subconsciously missed the Musketeers! However, Athos insulted Planchet, so he gets one brownie point subtracted for that. I love that Aramis is having an affair with a royal lady. It’s just so unexpected and amusing! Porthos will be so jealous.

     My favorite line was by far from Porthos’s plan: “‘I will go by the way of Boulogne to clear the way; Athos will set out two hours after, by that of Amiens; Aramis will follow us by that of Noyon; as to d'Artagnan, he will go by what route he thinks is best, in Planchet's clothes, while Planchet will follow us like d'Artagnan, in the uniform of the Guards.’” Hey Porthos, I like the plan!