Chapter 17: Bonacieux at Home

Summary

     The title sounds like it could be made into a particularly old-fashioned and dramatic reality TV show, but the chapter is even better. So much suspense! So much at stake! Basically, the king may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but he realizes that the cardinal is putting an inordinate amount of emphasis on the queen wearing the diamond studs. The king decides to find out whether there is a reason, by talking to the queen. Curiously enough, the king seems aware that the cardinal is trying to cause trouble, yet is still more loyal to the cardinal than to the queen.  So, he marches up to Queen Anne, and imperiously tells her to wear the studs. She seems frightened and pale, and though the king is oblivious to the reason, he sadistically enjoys her discomfort. During their little chat, the king lets slip that the cardinal insisted upon her ornamentation, and Queen Anne realizes that the cardinal’s spies know everything and want to get her into trouble. She is miserable and terrified by the time the king leaves. 

     She feels so hopeless and alone that she sinks to her knees and begins to weep desperately. Suddenly, the sweet voice of a lovely angel Madame Bonacieux pierces her sobs. She has heard the whole conversation and assures the queen that she will try her best to get the studs from the duke back in time for the ball. She plans to quickly dispatch a messenger to the duke, explaining the situation, and have him send back the studs. Queen Anne rapidly writes a letter to the duke, and hands it to Madame Bonacieux. The queen is extremely grateful, and gives her a ring to sell in order to pay for the journey to London. Luckily, the ring is hers to give away this time! Madame Bonacieux once again reassures the queen that she is not one of the spies, and would give up her life for Queen Anne. Then, she leaves at a brisk pace, intending to use her idiotic husband to deliver the message to the duke.

     Sadly, since they have not seen each other since her abduction, Madame Bonacieux doesn’t know about the horrible switch in loyalties that her husband has undergone. Totally loyal to the cardinal, M. Bonacieux is fully determined to spy on his wife and tell Rochefort everything. On her way home, Madame Bonacieux annoys me by thinking fondly and longingly of d’Artagnan. However, when the Bonacieux couple reunites, both the M. and Mme. seem genuinely happy to see each other. Madame Bonacieux tries to get her husband to agree to deliver the message, but he argues that he is the cardinal’s man now. She is outraged, and they fight bitterly about whether he should be loyal to the cardinal or to the queen. Though M. Bonacieux is tempted to let it go for his wife’s sake, he grows firm in his opinion when she loses her temper and calls him avaricious and cowardly. M. Bonacieux then decides to tell Rochefort that the queen desperately wants to send a message to London. Oh no! He makes an excuse, and hurries off. Madame Bonacieux reflects on how stupid and stubborn her husband is, and how upset she is at letting down the queen by not sending off the message yet. While she is lost in these dark thoughts, d’Artagnan cheerily (and incredibly creepily) knocks from above, and asks her to open the door so he may come down and be let inside. Good lord!

Reaction

     The impending romance between Madame Bonacieux and d’Artagnan is getting me a bit blue, but the chapter was exciting. I am genuinely afraid for the queen, and I really hope she does not get into trouble because of the diamond studs. Again, Madame Bonacieux was cool for appearing suddenly and agreeing to save the queen’s reputation. However, d’Artagnan was not cool for appearing suddenly above Madame Bonacieux. Was he listening the whole time? Does he always listen to the Bonacieux household?!?

     My favorite line was from the argument between M. and Madame Bonacieux:

M. Bonacieux - “For in truth, I think I have hitherto been deceived in you. I really believe you are a man, and a violent one, too."

Madame Bonacieux – “And you, you are a woman--a miserable woman, stupid and brutal.”

Well then. What a strange argument!