Chapter 62: Two Varieties of Demons

Summary

          This chapter was super fun to blog, because I got a little help from my new friend, the Comte de Rochefort! The title refers to, of course, the charming Milady and aforementioned Rochefort. The pair makes pleasantries and then discusses their various crimes casually, as if talking about what they had for breakfast. Rochefort praises Milady for pretending to be Madame Bonacieux’s friend, and they gossip condescendingly about the oddly gullible woman. They also talk about the Fearsome Four. Milady says that the only dangerous ones out of the four are Athos and d’Artagnan. She says that Porthos is stupid and she knows about Aramis’s mistress, so she has blackmail material. I notice that she omitted their servants. Not wise, Milady. After some discussion about transportation, they decide to meet at Armentieres. Amusingly, Rochefort just cannot remember the place’s name. He promises to repeat it in his head until he memorizes it, but both are kind of afraid that he will forget, so Milady writes the name on a piece of paper. She is dubious about doing so, but Rochefort insists. Rochefort sticks it in his hat lining carefully. He then inquires how she knows this place so well. Milady explains that she was brought up near the convent. Wow, d’Artagnan always suspected that she was secretly French! I guess he was right. Rochefort then makes sure he got all the important points of their talk by reviewing it out loud. Heh, he seems to have a terrible memory. 
He summarizes this chapter quite well. So without further ado:

Rochefort’s Summary

     “Buckingham dead or grievously wounded; your conversation with the cardinal overheard by the four Musketeers; Lord de Winter warned of your arrival at Portsmouth; d'Artagnan and Athos to the Bastille; Aramis the lover of Madame de Chevreuse; Porthos an ass; Madame Bonacieux found again; to send you the chaise as soon as possible; to place my lackey at your disposal; to make you out a victim of the cardinal in order that the abbess may entertain no suspicion; Armentieres, on the banks of the Lys. Is that all, then?”

(Back to mine!)

     Not bad, Rochefort, are you trying to replace me?! Milady reminds him that he forgot to ask her if she has money. He asks her how much she needs. Milady humorously demands all that is in his pockets. He complies and she fills her purse. They then bid each other farewell, and Rochefort rides away. 

Reaction

          This chapter was so simple, and may be dismissed as mere filler – except for the beautiful dialogue. It was so beautiful that I just want the rest of the novel to be Milady and Rochefort being spies and best friends and the servants also being spies and all of them going on secret missions together for justice and yeah, I really want a spin-off novel. Basically, without Dumas saying so directly we can still see that Milady and Rochefort are pretty close and know each other well. They converse easily and without drama or romance, and it’s very refreshing. They sound like good friends. I wish we’d seen more of them before - their dialogue is light-hearted and fun! With great chapters, I often have a hard time picking a favorite line, but I chose their farewell banter:

Milady: "Capital! Adieu, Chevalier."

Rochefort: "Adieu, Countess."

Milady: "Commend me to the cardinal."

Rochefort: "Commend me to Satan."

And then they smile at each other and part ways. This is the best friendship in the novel! They joke; they talk naturally! It’s great. 

Rochefort’s Reaction

     Geneyric likes our dialogue; our farewell was funny; there should be a spin-off novel. Is that all, then?

Yes Rochefort, that is all. You are so funny. Now leave.