The Trial and Execution of Milady

The final confrontation where Milady is judged and executed by her enemies on the banks of the Lys.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Pursuit

The Hunt Begins The Clues After Constance's death, d'Artagnan and his friends find a paper dropped by Rochefort that reads "Armentieres." They realize Milady is heading there. They set out in pursuit, joined by Lord de Winter. The Trail Planchet, sent ahead, discovers that Milady has taken refuge in a house near the Lys. The friends surround the house and capture her. She is brought before them for judgment. The Tribunal The four friends, Lord de Winter, and the executioner of Lille form a court. Each accuses Milady of her crimes. She is given no chance to defend herself; the verdict is predetermined.

The Execution

Justice on the Lys The Sentence Athos pronounces the sentence: death. Milady, defiant, curses her judges. The executioner binds her and leads her to the riverbank. She struggles and screams, but no one intervenes. The Beheading The executioner raises his sword and beheads Milady with a single blow. He wraps her body and head in his red cloak, places them in a boat, and rows to the middle of the Lys. He throws the bundle into the river, saying, "Let the justice of God be done!" The Aftermath The friends watch from the shore. D'Artagnan, though relieved, is haunted by Constance's death. Athos is somber, having finally avenged his brother. The execution marks the end of Milady's reign of terror, but the cost has been high.

after the poisoning of Constance

near the end of the story