Promotion of d'Artagnan to Lieutenant

Cardinal Richelieu, after a private interview in which d'Artagnan confesses to the trial and execution of Milady de Winter, is struck by the young man's loyalty, courage, and resourcefulness. Instead of punishing him for taking the law into his own hands, the cardinal offers him a lieutenant's commission in the Musketeers, a position d'Artagnan's three friends each refuse, insisting he is the most deserving.

The Interview and the Cardinal's Judgment

Summoned to the cardinal's quarters at the bridge of La Pierre, d'Artagnan finds himself alone with his Eminence. Richelieu accuses him of corresponding with the kingdom's enemies, surprising state secrets, and thwarting his general's plans. D'Artagnan, calm and resolute, counters by revealing that his accuser is Milady de Winter, a woman branded by French justice, a bigamist, a poisoner, and an attempted murderer. He then relates the full story of her crimes: the poisoning of Constance Bonacieux, the trial by his friends and Lord de Winter, and the execution on the banks of the Lys. The cardinal, though initially stern, is visibly shaken by the revelation of Milady's death and the scope of her villainy. He slowly tears up the safe-conduct paper d'Artagnan presents, a document that would have pardoned him, and instead writes a new commission.

The Lieutenant's Commission

Richelieu writes a few lines on a parchment, affixes his seal, and hands it to d'Artagnan. The commission is for a lieutenant in the Musketeers, but the name is left blank. "You can write it yourself," the cardinal says, adding, "though the name be blank, it is to you I give it." D'Artagnan, overwhelmed, falls at the cardinal's feet, declaring his life is now his Eminence's. The cardinal, charmed by having won over this rebellious nature, taps him familiarly on the shoulder and tells him to do with the commission what he will.

The Friends' Refusal

D'Artagnan first offers the commission to Athos, who smiles and says it is too much for Athos and too little for the Comte de la Fere, urging d'Artagnan to keep it. He then goes to Porthos, who is admiring himself in a wedding suit. Porthos explains that the husband of his duchess has died, and he is about to marry the wealthy widow, so he has no need of the lieutenancy. Finally, d'Artagnan finds Aramis kneeling before a prie-dieu. Aramis declares that the recent adventures have disgusted him with military life and that he is determined to enter the Lazarist order after the siege. Each friend, in his own way, affirms that d'Artagnan is the most worthy of the honor.

D'Artagnan's Acceptance and the End of an Era

Returning to Athos, who is finishing a bottle of Malaga, d'Artagnan finds that his friend has already written his name in the commission. Athos tells him, "nobody is more worthy than yourself." D'Artagnan, overwhelmed with emotion, lets his head sink into his hands, weeping as he realizes that his three inseparable friends will now go their separate ways. Athos consoles him, saying, "You are young; and your bitter recollections have time to change themselves into sweet remembrances." The promotion marks the end of the four friends' shared adventures and the beginning of d'Artagnan's independent career as a leader of men.