Twenty Years After · Chapter
Conclusion explained
The four friends part ways after the Fronde ends, with Athos returning to Bragelonne, Aramis visiting Normandy, Porthos heading to his barony, and d'Artagnan preparing for the campaign in Flanders.
What happens
The four friends part ways after the Fronde ends, with Athos returning to Bragelonne, Aramis visiting Normandy, Porthos heading to his barony, and d'Artagnan preparing for the campaign in Flanders. Porthos reveals that the man he killed was Bonacieux, and d'Artagnan takes a new apartment while keeping his old room.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and political reversal of Madame de Longueville…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Friendship and Loyalty
The four friends part with emotional embraces, promising to remember each other.
- Class and Ambition
D'Artagnan aspires to become Maréchal of France, while Porthos enjoys his barony.
Characters to notice
- Athos
Returns to Bragelonne, leaves Raoul with d'Artagnan.
- Aramis
Departs for Normandy at the Duchess de Longueville's invitation.
- Porthos
Returns to his barony, reveals he killed Bonacieux.
- D'Artagnan
Becomes captain of the Musketeers, prepares for the Flanders campaign.
- Raoul
Left with d'Artagnan to join the war in Flanders.
- Mousqueton
Accompanies Porthos back to his barony.
- Pretty Madeleine
D'Artagnan's hostess, provides him a new apartment.
Key passages
“The four friends embraced with tears in their eyes. Then they departed, without knowing whether they would ever see each other again.”
The four friends hugged and cried, then left, uncertain if they would meet again.
Emotional farewell among the musketeers.
“I expect to be made Maréchal of France!”
I hope to become a Marshal of France.
D'Artagnan's ambitious goal.
“'Twas that low fellow, Bonacieux.”
It was that wretched man, Bonacieux.
Porthos identifies the man he killed.
