Alexandre Dumas
Published: 2020-07-03
Total Pages: 546
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The story begins with a man named Baisemeaux and another man, Aramis walking to a prison cell in the Bastille, the largest and most well known prison in all of France. We are told by Baisemeaux's thoughts that he and Aramis used to be good friends, but since Aramis was promoted to a position above him they are no longer close.Baisemeaux brings Aramis to a prison cell where the latter is to hear the confession of a prisoner. But the prisoner, a despairing young man, insists that he does not want to give confession. Aramis admits to the young man that the two of them have met before and that he was formerly one of the King's musketeers. The young prisoner admits that he isn't sure what he was imprisoned for and tells Aramis a story from when he was a boy. He says that while he was growing up he was kept under house arrest and lied to about the identity of his parents. He knows that his father is dead but that his mother is still alive. The prisoner asks Aramis if unveiling his presence to the world would unleash a great scandal. Aramis confirms that it would.Aramis then tells him about the rulers of France. King Louis XIII was the king of France until very recently, but he was a weak ruler and allowed himself to be led around by a man named Cardinal Richelieu.The king was married to a woman named Anne of Austria who gave birth to twins. Shortly after that Louis XIII was replaced by Louis XIV. Aramis hands the young prisoner a portrait of the current king and also a mirror, requesting that he compare his own face to the portrait. The young man is shocked by the similarities in the comparison. Aramis tells the young man that he wishes to put him on the throne of France for he is the king's son. However, the prisoner refuses. Aramis leaves, kissing the young man's hand as a sign of respect.The next day, Aramis goes to visit his friend and fellow former musketeer, D'Artagnan in his home. D'Artagnan is being fitted for a suit. Aramis tells the tailor fitting him (who is also a tailor for the king) that the king's Superintendent of Finances, Nicolas Fouquet plans to present the king with a portrait of himself on the day of the fete and he wishes to know what the king will be wearing that day so that they can match the clothes in the portrait to his actual regal dress. He asks for fabric samples from the suits. This conversation makes D'Artagnan suspicious. Aramis leaves to go and speak to Fouquet. He tells the man how the portrait idea is fairing and requesting for a letter to be given to Monsieur de Lyonne asking for the release of a man named Seldon from the Bastille.Soon, the order comes through and Baisemeaux releases the prison named Seldon but through the clever switching of orders on the part of Aramis, the young man from the beginning of the story is the one that actually gets released. The young man is named Philippe Marchiali. Aramis offers Philippe the use of his carriage and as they drive from the prison, Aramis tells him more of the story of who he truly is and why he was imprisoned.Aramis tells Philippe that the current king, his brother, is a poor ruler and proposes that he, as the kings twin, simply exchange places with him. Philippe is hesitant to agree, as he doesn't know if he wants to be king. However, he finally agrees, asking Aramis what he wants in return. Aramis informs him that he wants to be elected pope or ascend to 'the throne of St. Peter'. Philippe agrees to this as well.Back in the city of Vaux, Fouquet is seeing to the preparations for the king's arrival. Aramis arrives and views the portrait that is to be presented to the king. He and Fouquet agree that it is perfect. The men receive word that the king's men are approaching and Aramis leaves to change his clothes. We learn that his rooms are directly above the kings and that Porthos, one of the other former musketeers, is staying next door to him.