Lubin

Lubin is the servant of the Comte de Wardes, a nobleman in the service of Cardinal Richelieu and a rival of d'Artagnan. Though a minor character, Lubin appears at two critical junctures in the narrative, first as a helpless witness to his master's defeat and later as an unwitting informant who provides d'Artagnan with crucial intelligence. His presence serves to connect the aftermath of a violent encounter with the ongoing web of intrigue surrounding Milady and the cardinal's agents.

Identity and Role

Lubin is first introduced during d'Artagnan's journey to England, when the young Gascon intercepts the Comte de Wardes on the road to Calais. After a fierce duel in which d'Artagnan wounds de Wardes four times, Lubin is subdued by Planchet, who "grasped him by the throat, and pressed as hard as he could" to prevent him from crying out for help. D'Artagnan then gags Lubin with a handkerchief and binds him to a tree alongside his wounded master, ensuring the pair cannot interfere with his mission. This episode establishes Lubin as a loyal but powerless attendant, caught in the violent consequences of his master's enmity with d'Artagnan.

Later Encounter and Revelation

Weeks afterward, d'Artagnan encounters Lubin again at St. Germain, where the lackey is now employed at a house whose terrace he is seen walking upon. Planchet, recognizing him, engages him in conversation while d'Artagnan observes from behind a hedge. Lubin, who does not remember Planchet, unwittingly reveals that the Comte de Wardes is still alive, though "very weak, having lost almost all his blood" from the four sword wounds d'Artagnan inflicted. This information is vital to d'Artagnan, as it confirms that his enemy survived and may still pose a threat. Lubin's role here is that of an unwitting conduit of intelligence, his loose talk providing d'Artagnan with a clearer picture of the consequences of his actions and the state of his adversaries.

Narrative Significance

Lubin functions as a minor but effective narrative device, bridging the gap between the violent climax of the Calais duel and its aftermath. His presence at St. Germain also places him within the orbit of Milady, whose carriage is seen nearby, further entangling the threads of conspiracy. Through Lubin, the reader learns that de Wardes survived, a fact that carries implications for the ongoing conflict between d'Artagnan and the cardinal's faction. His character, though thinly drawn, serves to advance the plot by providing essential information at a moment when d'Artagnan is piecing together the network of his enemies.