The Man In The Iron Mask

Aramis has supper with Baisemeaux at the Bastille. Baisemeaux tells Aramis he knows of his past as a musketeer, as Baisemeaux himself was in the musketeers, too. A messenger arrives with an order of release. At first, Baisemeaux seems intent on delaying the release despite the order being labeled urgent because he wants to finish their supper and not let their food go cold. Aramis convinces him otherwise, claiming that releasing the prisoner would shorten the man’s suffering and “God will repay [Baisemeaux] in paradise with years of felicity” (79). While Baisemeaux’s eyes are elsewhere, Aramis switches the release paper with one from his pocket.

Baisemeaux insists the release order was for Seldon, but Aramis insists it is for Marchiali—the man whom the reader now knows is actually Philippe. The two debate this point briefly, finally settling it by re-reading the order together: it is indeed for Marchiali. (The order for Seldon is now in Aramis’s pocket after he switched it.) Baisemeaux is determined to confront the courier to determine the order’s legitimacy, but Aramis asks for a pen and paper to write an order of his own on the spot. Baisemeaux agrees to release the prisoner immediately. Once freed, Philippe leaves the Bastille with Aramis, and they travel by carriage out of the city and to the forest of Senart. There, the carriage driver pulls off into a side avenue, so any other carriages on the road do not stop to bother them while Aramis and Philippe have a private conversation. Aramis unstraps his pistols, as there is no further need for them.

Aramis describes to Philippe the full extent of his plan. Philippe does not wish to harm his brother, especially after hearing Aramis explain that it is likely his brother would not survive imprisonment. Philippe thinks exile is a better option, as he firmly wishes to avoid bloodshed. Aramis only partially empathizes with Philippe’s focus on protecting his brother as much as possible, as he himself has no brother and is alone in the world. When Philippe asks Aramis if there is even a single person he loves, Aramis responds that he does love Philippe. Sensing that Philippe has uncertainties about his future if he agrees to take the throne, Aramis offers him enough money to afford a large swath of land in the countryside where he can live a quiet life. Philippe steps out of the carriage to take a walk and consider his options.

Philippe takes in the night air while Aramis awaits his answer. After ten minutes, he turns back to Aramis and announces his decision to join the plot. Aramis tests Philippe’s knowledge of the royal family and other persons surrounding the king based on a collection of papers sent to him in secret while still in prison. Philippe memorized the information, and the two agree that the person who may present a challenge in keeping the switch a secret is Mademoiselle de la Valliere, the king’s mistress. To eliminate the risk she presents, Philippe plans to send La Valliere back to her former fiancé, a man named Raoul. Philippe wants to immediately make Aramis his prime minister, but Aramis wants to be the Pope. They agree to promote Aramis to a cardinal first to not raise suspicion.