D'Artagnan reaches Paris on a yellow horse, collects three duels before dinner, and by evening has bound himself to the men he will serve for the rest of his life. Behind the swordplay: a queen's indiscretion, a cardinal's patience, and a woman more dangerous than any of them. Paintings of court intrigue and Gascon bravado; the Gilded Library decoration runs to crossed rapiers, a plumed hat and the diamond studs the plot turns on.