The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

In this section, we see what happened to Athos and we are introduced to the Duc de Beaufort.

What is your impression of Athos and his young ward? You may already know or suspect that Raoul will figure in the epic, since one of the books is named after him. Louise de la Valliere was a real person, though everything in this section is invented.

D'Artagnan has been wrong about all of his friends. He thought Aramis would be devout, Porthos satisfied with his riches, and Athos a worn-out drunkard. How does d'Artagnan present his offer differently to Athos than he did to the others?

The Duc de Beaufort is also a historical figure. Wikipedia says:

Beaufort is a picturesque figure in French history of the 17th century. He was the second son of César de Vendôme, an illegitimate son of King Henry IV of France by his mistress, Gabrielle d'Estrées. He began his career in the army and served in the first campaigns of the Thirty Years' War, but his ambitions and unscrupulous character soon found a more congenial field in the intrigues of the court. In 1642 he joined in the conspiracy of Cinq Mars against Cardinal Richelieu, and upon its failure was obliged to live in exile in England until Richelieu's death.

Returning to France, Beaufort became the centre of a group, known as the "cabale des Importants [fr]", in which court ladies predominated, especially the Duchess of Chevreuse and the Duchess of Montbazon . For an instant after the king's death, this group seemed likely to prevail, and Beaufort to be the head of the new government. Cardinal Mazarin gained the office, and Beaufort, accused of a plot to murder Mazarin, was imprisoned in Vincennes, in September 1643.

The drawings, insults and other entertainments designed by the duke to insult Mazarin reminded me of today's social media. Even though the duke is indefinitely confined, he still has numerous privileges, going out to play tennis, having writing materials (until he misuses them), having decent food, being allowed to keep a dog, etc. This is in contrast to the horrible conditions most prisoners endured and is based on his nobility (and probably money, which allows him to buy food and other comforts.) The duke was known for his malapropisms, which Dumas tries to replicate.

Do you have an idea as to how Grimaud can help the duke escape? We know he is surrounded by multiple guards.

I have mixed feelings about this 3rd reunion scene.
I must admit I like the new and improved Athos, but I don’t see why he couldn’t be more honest with D’Artagnan. He says he despises Mazarin but that’s all. Aramis is perceived as the ‘sly’ one, but he was much more open with D’Artagnan.

...it seemed to him that Athos was not in all respects sincere and frank...It was evident that he no longer possessed the confidence of his friend.

D’Artagnan is very perceptive as usual.
He realizes that Athos must be corresponding with Aramis and that Rochefort may have gotten to him first. He also guesses that Raul may not be an ‘adopted’ son.
He respects Athos too much to play games, but he ultimately decides not to betray his secrets to a man not inclined to entertain them.

By the way, does anyone else find Raul’s infatuation with a 7 year old girl disturbing?
I get that they live in the province and there isn’t much entertainment, but that’s a big age difference (15 and 7).
If she had a childish crush on him it would be ‘cute’, but the other way round it’s kind of creepy.

I like how D’Artagnan mocks him and says he has no choice but to marry her. 😁

Ana wrote: "By the way, does anyone else find Raul’s infatuation with a 7 year old girl disturbing? I get that they live in the province and there isn’t much entertainment, but that’s a big age difference (15 and 7)."

I did find this weird. I wonder how it was perceived by people of Dumas' time period.

Maybe he needs Raoul to be a certain age for upcoming events but he wanted to put in Louise. I think it is in the notes of the Ellsworth translation that there was a rumor of a youthful romance for her in the provinces. But it's funny if he suddenly had an attack of historical accuracy with the age of Louise when he generally disregards that sort of thing. And Raoul is totally fictional. Or maybe he is wanting to make sure the affair can't be serious?

Many readers have struggled with Raoul who comes across as a bit too much the perfect gentlemen and therefore not that interesting. Athos had his flaws in the first book with his melancholy and drinking. Now he seems to have some hidden purpose. D'Artagnan as a youth was boastful, headstrong and sly. Maybe Raoul is a bit impulsive but otherwise he is perfect. Awfully innocent for a 15-year-old of the time. Girls were sometimes married by that age. And he never suspects that Athos is his father in spite of the resemblance? There would have been plenty of talk in the neighborhood about that. In some ways, illegitimacy was more accepted than in later eras. The Duc de Beaufort is the son of an illegitimate heir of Henri IV and everyone knows that and it seems to be not a big deal.

I am a little behind and will probably need a few days to finish the chapters. Then I will read your comments and make mine.

Robin P wrote: "Maybe he needs Raoul to be a certain age for upcoming events. But it's funny if he suddenly had an attack of historical accuracy with the age of Louise when he generally disregards that sort of thing...."

Very true. I would have preferred if Dumas made them both 15.
Then it would be much more believable.
Since it is 'historical fiction' I can overlook some historical inaccuracies as long as the story is good.
I do find Raul boring though. I remember liking him even less in the sequels.

I just noticed something curious - my free English copy from Project Gutenberg entirely omits the part where Athos asks D’Artagnan to give Raul a fencing lesson. Later it also skips over the lesson itself and goes straight to the part where D’Artagnan receives a letter from Paris.
Very strange. I wonder what else (if anything) is missing from the free copy.

I finally read part of Ellsworth's translation and it is definitely more modern. The illustrations are beautiful.

Sometimes the Gutenberg versions have glitches, like repeated sentences or pages. But it might have to do with the translation. We ran into the issue at the end of The Three Musketeers where some omitted the mention of Milady's child. We hear about him in this section. Apparently the child was cared for by a nanny or maybe a "wet nurse" in the country, as he is never mentioned in the scenes at Milady's house. She certainly wasn't the domestic type. I don't remember if we ever find out who the boy's father was. We also don't know how Athos knew it was a boy, or even that she had a child. She didn't use that as an excuse either to be let go by her brother or to avoid being executed. (Maybe Athos made inquiries?)

I always assumed the father was Lord Winter’s brother (the one who Milady poisoned). Of course in those days there was no way to know for sure ;)
Athos probably found out from either D’Artagnan or Lord Winter.
But you’re right - it’s interesting that Milady never used her son as a reason to be spared.

Ana wrote: "I always assumed the father was Lord Winter’s brother (the one who Milady poisoned). Of course in those days there was no way to know for sure ;)
Athos probably found out from either D’Artagnan or..."

I think you're right, I had forgotten that link in Milady's chain of doomed lovers.

I do not have the fencing lesson, too. :(

"And who is this Cerberus?" "A certain Monsieur Grimaud, my lord". When I read this I laughed out loud!
I think it is sad that D'Artagnan and Athos cannot be honest and say each other what they really think. D'Artagnan wants them to fight for Mazarino, that is for the Queen. I can understand why Athos does not agree, but now I can undestand less why D'Artagnan is willing to do it. Is it only, as he tells Athos, to better his life and position? Fact is, they did agree in the past, they do not anymore now.

I thought it was rather funny how Beaufort spent his time showing the misdoings of and his hatred for Mazarin.
I especially liked the scene with the dog and was wondering whether the dancing of the rope might be an omen of some kind for the escape, but maybe that is too far-fetched.

I was surprised that La Ramée had given Grimaud so much responsibility for such an important prisoner so quickly without knowing him that well and with knowing that Beaufort had already made up several plans of escape. Even if he himself was not open for bribes how could he be sure that Grimaud would not be that. But then, of course, there are the other guards. I wonder what kind of consequences the playing of tennis balls over the wall might have on escaping as implicated by Grimaud.

Regarding Athos, I like him much more now than in the three Musketeers, maybe due to his sobriety. He always was to me this hopeless drunkard who was somehow wasting his life and life’s advantages.
Will it be ever revealed whether he is Raoul’s father or not? As you mentioned it was much more common to present illegitimate children in those days. So I do not see any reason to keep it such a secret except for maybe avoiding questions about the mother. 😉 Being assumed an orphan makes that easier.

I was also astonished about this rather creepy “love affair” of Raoul and the girl. I could also see it as being a crush of a little girl, but not of a 15-year old boy towards her except for a brotherly affection.

By the way, I am reading through some of the explanatory notes in my edition which state that Louise was in fact 4 years old at that time.
Dumas does not seem to care much about dates and numbers in these novels as they do not seem to add up historically.

Since the age was not the real one anyway, Dumas could have made her 15.

I agree. 😊

Hedi wrote: "I thought it was rather funny how Beaufort spent his time showing the misdoings of and his hatred for Mazarin.
I especially liked the scene with the dog and was wondering whether the dancing of the..."

You will find out about Raoul's birth but I don't remember if it is in this book or a later one.

Robin P wrote: "You will find out about Raoul's birth but I don't remember if it is in this book or a later one."

It's coming up really soon :)
Dumas certainly keeps it interesting.

Definitely very soon - time-wise for me about 2 hours after I had written the post. 😉
I am now well into the next section.