Twenty Years After · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

Read with companions Book page

Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.

Chapter 1
The Ghost of Cardinal Richelieu
Cardinal Mazarin, alone in the Palais Royal, reflects on the growing discontent among the French people and the magistrates, who are enraged by his taxes and the sale of appointments. He fears the mob and the parliament, but resolves to manipulate the factions. He summons D'Artagnan, disguises himself as a musketeer, and sets out to inspect the outposts, confident in his ability to navigate the crisis.
Chapter 2
A Nightly Patrol
Mazarin and his party patrol the agitated streets of Paris, observing the growing unrest and the birth of the 'Fronde' movement. D'Artagnan leads the escort with stoic professionalism. Mazarin questions Guitant about d'Artagnan's past and seeks information on Rochefort. The chapter ends with Mazarin giving d'Artagnan a sealed order for the Bastille.
Chapter 3
Dead Animosities
D'Artagnan escorts Rochefort from the Bastille to meet Cardinal Mazarin. Rochefort and d'Artagnan renew their old friendship and make a pact to help each other. Mazarin questions Rochefort about his imprisonment and seeks his loyalty, but Rochefort refuses to guard the Duc de Beaufort, claiming friendship with him. Rochefort then tells the story of the diamond studs to pique Mazarin's interest in d'Artagnan and his former comrades.
Chapter 4
Anne of Austria at the Age of Forty-Six
Mazarin visits Queen Anne in her private chambers, seeking to uncover her past allies and press her into political action. Through a tense exchange, Anne defends her honor by revealing relics from her relationship with Buckingham, including letters and the knife used in his assassination. Mazarin, aiming to consolidate power against the nobility, urges her to recall the loyal servants who once aided her against Richelieu, specifically naming d'Artagnan. The chapter also introduces the young Louis XIV, who shows early signs of defiance toward Mazarin.
Chapter 5
The Gascon and the Italian
Cardinal Mazarin, seeking to employ d'Artagnan for a secret mission, recalls the musketeer's past service to the queen and offers him money to reunite his old friends Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. D'Artagnan, suspicious of Mazarin's frugality, accepts the commission but is disappointed to find the advance payment is only silver crowns.

Free preview

86 more chapter companions sit beside the text in BetterReads — open a free preview to unlock the rest.

86 more companions → free preview

The Ghost of Cardinal Richelieu

A Nightly Patrol

Dead Animosities

Anne of Austria at the Age of Forty-Six

The Gascon and the Italian