Chapter 51 Summary

Back at the campaign, both sides are waiting for word from Buckingham. The besieged town of La Rochelle is waiting for word that Buckingham is coming as he had promised, to assist them with reinforcements; and the cardinal is waiting for word that he has been assassinated and is unable to come. One afternoon, the cardinal comes upon the Musketeers, and as he notices them first he advances quietly hoping to overhear them. Their servants are keeping guard however, and warn them, so they hastily put away a letter which he tries to question them about. They exchange implied threats, until the cardinal finally pretends to acquiesce in good humor, and he leaves, privately angry. The men go back to the letter, which is from Aramis' seamstress at Tours, and has news of Madame Bonancieux's location. She is at a convent in Bethune...