d'Artagnan vs. Milady de Winter

The escalating personal vendetta between d'Artagnan and Milady, from her attempts to seduce him to her final poisoning of Constance.

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First Encounter and Deception

A Dangerous Attraction The Meeting D'Artagnan is introduced to Milady by Lord de Winter after the duel with the Englishmen. He is immediately captivated by her beauty. Milady, however, is already plotting against him, having recognized him as the man who thwarted her mission to steal the diamond studs. The False Affair Milady, believing d'Artagnan to be the Comte de Wardes, writes him love letters. D'Artagnan, pretending to be de Wardes, responds and arranges a rendezvous. He spends the night with Milady, but she discovers his true identity and is furious. The Revelation Milady, enraged, tries to kill d'Artagnan. He escapes, but she vows revenge. This incident marks the beginning of a deadly feud that will claim many lives.

The Poisoning Attempt

A Deadly Gift The Forged Letter Milady sends d'Artagnan a letter purportedly from his friends, along with a dozen bottles of Anjou wine. The wine is poisoned. D'Artagnan plans a dinner, but the poison kills Brisemont, a soldier who drinks the lees. The Investigation D'Artagnan realizes the wine was meant for him. He and his friends investigate but cannot prove Milady's involvement. The attempt heightens their vigilance and deepens d'Artagnan's desire for revenge. A Narrow Escape D'Artagnan survives, but the attempt shows that Milady will stop at nothing. She is determined to kill him, and he must be constantly on guard.

The Murder of Constance

The Final Blow The Poisoning Milady, having escaped from England, finds Constance at the convent in Bethune. Pretending to be a friend, she poisons Constance's wine. Constance dies in d'Artagnan's arms. The Vow of Vengeance D'Artagnan is devastated. He joins Athos, Lord de Winter, and the others in hunting down Milady. Her murder of Constance transforms his quest for justice into a burning need for vengeance. The Execution Milady is captured and executed. D'Artagnan watches from the riverbank, his revenge complete but his heart broken. The conflict that began with a stolen letter ends with a death on the Lys.

early in the story

during the siege of La Rochelle

near the end of the story