The Man In The Iron Mask

The king hopes to arrive as early as possible since the only time he can talk to the woman he loves, La Valliere, will likely be at night after the ceremony is over. D’Artagnan considers the events of the past few weeks and becomes increasingly suspicious of Aramis and Fouquet’s intentions in holding the fete. D’Artagnan also notes that a fete at this level of spectacle would ruin a wealthy man, and he wonders how Fouquet can afford it being as poor as he is. He wants to confront Colbert, the financier, but his oath as a musketeer (“All for one and one for all”) prevents him from going behind Aramis’s back. He resolves to talk to Aramis directly at the first chance he gets. Colbert arranges for the king’s escort to stop in the city of Melun to try fine wines, but the king quickly becomes impatient as the delay means he will most likely not be able to walk with La Valliere tonight. D’Artagnan proposes that he and the king ride ahead to greet Fouquet as friends, so they do not have to endure the hours-long protocol that would precede a formal visit.

During the dinner banquet at the fete, the king’s displeasure quietly increases as he notes all the luxuries Fouquet enjoys—such as a wine glass more expensive than the king’s entire royal wine cellar—and how he does not have those same luxuries in his royal residence. When the food is served, Fouquet personally waits on the king, and his wife waits on Anne of Austria, the queen mother. King Louis eats heartily, as does D’Artagnan, and the king has his nighttime walk with La Valliere. The king retires to his room and asks to speak with Colbert.

D’Artagnan finds Aramis in his room, working with the Epicureans on the next day’s theatrical entertainment. Porthos has fallen asleep in one of Aramis’s armchairs. The Epicureans leave, and with Porthos asleep, D’Artagnan begins to press Aramis to let him in on his plans. D’Artagnan tells Aramis that if he cannot help him, he will at least stay out of his way, but Aramis does not reveal anything to D’Artagnan. Aramis assures him that he is plotting nothing, and his explanations eventually satisfy D’Artagnan. D’Artagnan leaves, taking the half-asleep Porthos with him, and as soon as they are gone, Philippe emerges from his hiding place in the alcove. Aramis shows Philippe a hole in the floor through which they can observe the king’s room below so that he can learn the king’s nighttime routines. They overhear the king’s meeting with Colbert. The king asks how Fouquet can host such extravagant fetes, and Colbert produces documentation of a deposit of 13 million in Fouquet’s name that has not been repaid. Colbert asserts that Fouquet took the money for his own use and that he can have all the evidence presentable by the next day.

The next day, the king makes no effort to hide his discontent, and no one present is able to cheer him. At night when he takes his walk with La Valliere, he confides in her his plan to have Fouquet arrested for stealing from the crown. La Valliere urges the king to be certain, so Colbert presents his evidence to reassure her. However, La Valliere argues that the honorable thing to do would be to not arrest Fouquet under his own roof and that the king should wait. Colbert is displeased with her assessment of the situation, but the king agrees with her. While they embrace, Colbert slyly takes a piece of paper from his pocket and lets it fall to the ground. Suddenly, torchlight illuminates the path, and Colbert ushers La Valliere away. Once she is gone, Colbert points out the paper to the king, claiming that La Valliere dropped it as she left.

When the torchbearers arrive, with Fouquet leading the way, the evening’s fireworks display begins. While everyone else focuses on the fireworks above the chateau, King Louis reads the note he believes La Valliere dropped. He thought initially that it might be a love letter she wrote to him or one he wrote to her, but it turns out to be an older letter from Fouquet to La Valliere when he tried to woo her some time ago. King Louis is immediately enraged, thinking that Fouquet stole royal funds and is also trying to steal his mistress. That night, once his attendants leave, the king summons D’Artagnan and orders him to arrest Fouquet.