# Cromwell's House explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

Mordaunt meets with Cromwell in a secret London retreat, discussing the execution of Charles I and a failed rescue plot. Cromwell reveals he knew of the conspiracy and allowed it to proceed, having taken precautions. He grants Mordaunt permission to pursue the four Frenchmen. Later, d'Artagnan, Porthos, Athos, and Aramis corner Mordaunt in the same room, confronting him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Justice

Mordaunt seeks personal vengeance against the four Frenchmen, while Cromwell frames the king's death as divine justice.

### Power and Corruption

Cromwell's secret plans and manipulation of the rescue plot illustrate his ruthless political pragmatism.

## Character check-ins

### Mordaunt

Confronts Cromwell about the execution and rescue plot, then is cornered by the four musketeers.

### Cromwell

Holds a secret meeting with Mordaunt, discussing the king's death and the failed rescue.

### D'Artagnan

Leads the ambush on Mordaunt, calmly orchestrating the capture.

### Porthos

Assists d'Artagnan in cornering Mordaunt, eager for confrontation.

### Athos

Remains a distant observer during the confrontation, appearing overcome.

### Aramis

Participates in the ambush, biting his lip in impatience.

### Grimaud

Scouts Mordaunt's movements from outside the house, reporting to the musketeers.

## Key lines

> It is not for me to judge. It rests between his conscience and his God.

Cromwell refuses to judge the masked executioner, leaving the matter to divine judgment.

_Cromwell's moral detachment from the execution._

> The only sublime ideas in politics are those which bear fruit.

Cromwell values only political plans that succeed.

_Cromwell's pragmatic philosophy._

> I neither know nor wish to know him. Provided Charles is dead, it is the axe, not the man, we must thank.

Cromwell dismisses the identity of the executioner, focusing solely on the result.

_Cromwell's indifference to the means._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxviii-cromwell-s-house
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters