# London explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

The four musketeers arrive in London, disguise themselves as Puritans, and witness the political turmoil surrounding King Charles I's capture and impending trial. They discuss the hopelessness of the royal cause, the role of Colonel Bridge in purging Parliament, and their shared desire for revenge against Mordaunt.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

The four musketeers remain united, agreeing to stay in London together despite the danger, and vow mutual revenge against Mordaunt.

### Revenge and Justice

Aramis, Porthos, and D'Artagnan each declare their intent to kill Mordaunt, viewing it as a debt to be settled.

### Power and Corruption

The 'pure parliament' is described as a weeded assembly, with Colonel Bridge removing obstructive members to consolidate power, reflecting the corruption of political processes.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Leads the group to London, proposes returning to France but agrees to stay; arranges disguises and suggests killing Mordaunt.

### Athos

Insists on staying to witness the king's fate; speaks English fluently, guides the group to the Bedford Tavern, and questions the legitimacy of the 'pure parliament.'

### Porthos

Worries about defeat but agrees to stay; chooses a wine-colored doublet and sea-green breeches; expresses confusion over languages.

### Aramis

Agrees to stay, seeks revenge on Mordaunt; selects a dark-blue military cloak and discusses the political situation.

### Mordaunt

Seen at the carriage window escorting the king; the musketeers vow to kill him.

### Mousqueton

Acts as barber, cutting the musketeers' hair for their Puritan disguises.

### Harrison

Seen at the carriage window with Mordaunt; the musketeers use his name to gain entry into London.

## Key lines

> This time, I think all is lost and we have nothing better to do than to reach France.

D'Artagnan suggests they should give up and return to France.

_D'Artagnan's initial defeatism contrasts with Athos's resolve to stay._

> We ought to witness this great tragedy even to its last scene.

Athos insists they must see the king's fate through to the end.

_Athos's sense of duty and honor drives the group to remain in London._

> It appears to me that we have an account to settle with him, and that it is not our custom to leave a place without paying our debts, of this kind, at least.

Aramis feels they owe Mordaunt revenge and won't leave without exacting it.

_The musketeers' code of honor includes personal vengeance._

> He took them up, just as he formerly used to take up the stones from the road, and threw them out of the house.

Colonel Bridge removed obstructive parliament members like stones from a road.

_Metaphor for the purge of Parliament by Colonel Pride._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxii-london
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters