The Three Musketeers

The cardinal asks d’Artagnan personal questions about his background and his family. He also tells d’Artagnan that he knows about his fight with Rochefort in Meung. D’Artagnan is wary about how well-informed the cardinal is and does his best not to give away any crucial information, even though it seems like the cardinal already knows everything anyway.

After reciting d’Artagnan’s many adventures back to him, including his mission to England for the diamond tags, the cardinal scolds d’Artagnan for not coming to see him sooner. D’Artagnan apologizes and explains that he assumed the cardinal was mad at him. The cardinal ignores d’Artagnan’s point and instead chooses to compliment him for his conduct. He even offers d’Artagnan a position in his guards if he performs well at La Rochelle.

D’Artagnan thanks the cardinal for his offer but he cannot accept it. He likes his current position and he knows he would be alienated from all of his friends if he accepted a spot with the cardinal. The cardinal cannot believe that d’Artagnan is willing to turn him down. The cardinal warns d’Artagnan that he’s already made a lot of enemies in Paris. The cardinal also says that he is one of the few people who can actually protect d’Artagnan. D’Artagnan is skeptical of this claim, although he doesn’t say so out loud. Despite the cardinal’s arguments, d’Artagnan still turns down the position.

After his meeting with the cardinal, d’Artagnan returns to his friends and assures them that everything is fine. He also tells them about his strange interaction with the cardinal. Privately, d’Artagnan wonders if he made the right choice. The next day, everyone goes to the Louvre and reports for duty. All of the musketeers are excited and ready to go, as is d’Artagnan. However, as d’Artagnan gets ready to leave, Milady plots her revenge. She pays two men to join D’Artagnan’s company. Although the exact nature of her plot is not yet clear, it is obvious that these men have been sent to kill d’Artagnan.