In these chapters we move away from the world of adventure and into the world of romance and intrigue. When d’Artagnan reads Constance Bonacieux’s letter, he is elated; no amount of personal danger can prevent him from keeping his rendezvous. Treville warns him to leave Paris that very night, but d’Artagnan will not leave until his rendezvous with Constance Bonacieux, the woman for whom he completed the arduous and dangerous mission to London. D’Artagnan’s elation is particularly evident when he impulsively and impetuously gives his servant, Planchet, an “ecu” (about $8.00, probably equal to more than two or three months’ salary).
These two chapters continue to present Monsieur Bonacieux as a slimy, distasteful person. We first saw his spitefulness when he refused to go to London to aid the queen. Now we see something so despicable as his helping “the man from Meung” (actually, Count de Rochefort) kidnap Bonacieux’s own wife, Constance. No doubt Dumas intended this scene to justify Constance’s decision to have a romantic liaison with d’Artagnan.
These chapters also focus again on the immense power which the cardinal wields. Seemingly, Cardinal Richelieu is omnipresent and omniscient—a very dangerous combination. Durnas’ precise characterization of Richelieu will justify d’Artagnan’s later adventures—particularly when he realizes that he must leave Paris immediately and remain out of reach of the cardinal and his spies.
