M. de TrĂ©ville is in a foul mood when he receives dâArtagnan, but the youth's Gascon accent briefly softens him. Before fully addressing the newcomer, TrĂ©ville summons Athos, Porthos, and Aramis into his private office. Once inside, he unleashes a furious tirade, revealing that King Louis XIII threatened to recruit future musketeers from Cardinal Richelieuâs guards. TrĂ©ville explains that the Cardinal publicly mocked the musketeers after six of his own guards arrested six of the King's men following a street brawl. Deeply insulted, TrĂ©ville demands to know why his elite soldiers allowed themselves to be disgraced, specifically questioning the whereabouts of Athos. Aramis and Porthos attempt to defend their honor by explaining that they were ambushed in a treacherous trap. Porthos adds that two of their companions were killed instantly and Athos was critically wounded, though they still managed to escape captivity rather than surrender. Suddenly, Athos enters the room. Despite being incredibly pale and severely injured from a blade that pierced his chest, he stands tall to show his unwavering devotion to the captain. Moved by this display of loyalty, TrĂ©ville praises his men, but the physical toll proves too great, and Athos collapses unconscious on the floor. A surgeon is instantly called to care for him in an adjacent room. Once the frantic crowd disperses and order is restored, TrĂ©ville turns his attention back to dâArtagnan. The young petitioner requests a musketeer's uniform, but TrĂ©ville explains that royal regulations require an applicant to serve two years in a lesser regiment or perform extraordinary feats of valor first. Wanting to assist the son of his old friend, TrĂ©ville offers d'Artagnan free enrollment at the royal academy to master horsemanship, fencing, and dancing. D'Artagnan gratefully accepts but laments the loss of his father's original introductory letter, explaining that it was stolen by a mysterious gentleman during the altercation in Meung. Upon hearing a detailed description of the thiefâincluding a scar on his temple and an association with an Englishwoman named MiladyâTrĂ©ville recognizes the man as Rochefort, a dangerous agent of the Cardinal. He sternly warns the vengeful youth to avoid this formidable adversary at all costs. Briefly suspicious that dâArtagnan might be a spy sent by Richelieu to infiltrate his inner circle, TrĂ©ville tests the young man by falsely claiming that he and the Cardinal are actually close allies. D'Artagnan responds with absolute sincerity, stating that his father explicitly commanded him to respect the King, the Cardinal, and TrĂ©ville above all others. Impressed by the youth's intelligence and direct honesty, TrĂ©ville casts his doubts aside and warms to his compatriot. He promises that his estate will always remain open to him and sits down to compose the promised letter of recommendation to the academy director.