Chapter 42: The Anjou Wine

Summary

     The next day, d’Artagnan finally receives word from his friends. They have sent him a large shipment of Anjou wine! D’Artagnan has to go out to the field that day, so he allows a select few men to have the first taste. These men are: the half-dead guy that used to be d’Artagnan’s assassin, Planchet, and one of Planchet’s servant friends. What is this sorcery? Do the servants and sympathetic characters actually get to enjoy something nice? Good for you, d’Artagnan, it’s quite time! Oh never mind, they just are assigned to prepare it for the rest of the company to enjoy. That day, the king feels healthier, and the Musketeers finally meet up with the Guardsmen. The Fearsome Four embrace ecstatically. However, d’Artagnan soon finds out that they never sent any wine over! All four rush to the tent where the servants are preparing the wine and try to stop them – and alas, come across a horrific sight. The ex-assassin, who tried the wine, is writhing on the floor in agony, and dies while accusing d’Artagnan of poisoning him. Planchet and the servant friend try to save his life but fail to stop the fast-acting poison. D’Artagnan shows the Musketeers the letter, feeling distressed at the close call. Amusingly, Aramis is more upset that the forged letter called the Musketeers rowdy than anything else. The Fearsome Four agree that something needs to be done about Milady. After brainstorming, Aramis says that he will gather information about her, citing some, ahem, connections he has with the queen’s friends (his mistress, guys). D’Artagnan and Athos decide that d’Artagnan ought to meet with Milady and figure out an arrangement or truce using their knowledge of her branded shoulder as blackmail.

Reaction

     I knew it! As soon as wine arrived with a mysterious letter, I knew d’Artagnan ought not to drink it! I’m quite glad that Planchet escaped, but the ex-assassin blaming d’Artagnan and dying in agony is very heartrending. D’Artagnan needs to be more careful! Milady is truly an amazing villain and I’m glad we’ll be seeing more of her. D’Artagnan was rather pleasant in this chapter – except that he still melodramatically claims to love Madame Bonacieux.

     In fact, my favorite part was this little exchange:

"Yes, we. Besides, we are men; and everything considered, it is our lot to risk our lives; but she," [said d’Artagnan] in an undertone.

"What she?" asked Athos.

"Constance."

"Madame Bonacieux! Ah, that's true!" said Athos. "My poor friend, I had forgotten you were in love."

I loved the contrast between d’Artagnan’s drama and Athos’s cheerful obliviousness. I think d’Artagnan had forgotten too, Athos!