# LXXIII: Fatality explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

The four friends witness the explosion of the felucca after Mordaunt sets it on fire. Mordaunt survives and swims toward their boat, begging for mercy. Despite Athos's pleas to save him, the others refuse. Mordaunt grabs Athos and drags him underwater, but Athos resurfaces alone; Mordaunt's body floats dead with a dagger in its chest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Justice

Mordaunt's vengeful attempt to kill the musketeers and his own death underscore the theme of retribution and fatal justice.

### Friendship and Loyalty

The musketeers' united refusal to save Mordaunt and their immediate care for Athos highlight their deep bond and loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Athos

Pleads for Mordaunt's life, extends his hand to save him, is dragged underwater, and emerges alone after Mordaunt's death.

### D'Artagnan

Refuses to save Mordaunt, threatens him with an oar, and later expresses relief at his death.

### Porthos

Initially wants to strangle Mordaunt, later expresses joy at Athos's survival.

### Aramis

Calmly draws his sword, threatens to cut off Mordaunt's hand, and shows rare emotion at Athos's survival.

### Mordaunt

Sets fire to the felucca, jumps into the sea, begs for mercy, drags Athos underwater, and dies with a dagger in his chest.

### Grimaud

Shouts with joy when Athos resurfaces and is lifted into the boat.

## Key lines

> come to me! come to me! D’Artagnan began to be touched. The boat at this moment turned around, and the dying man was by that turn brought nearer Athos. 'Monsieur the Comte de la Fère,' he cried, 'I supplicate you! pity me! I call on you—where are you? I see you no longer—I am dying—help me! help me!'

Mordaunt desperately calls for Athos's help as the boat turns, pleading for mercy.

_Mordaunt's final plea for salvation, which Athos initially tries to grant._

> Here I am, sir! said Athos, leaning and stretching out his arm to Mordaunt with that air of dignity and nobility of soul habitual to him; here I am, take my hand and jump into our boat.

Athos extends his hand to Mordaunt, offering to save him despite their enmity.

_Athos's noble gesture, which leads to his near-drowning._

> Ah! my mother, cried Mordaunt, with eyes on fire with a look of hate impossible to paint, I can only offer thee one victim, but it shall at any rate be the one thou wouldst thyself have chosen!

Mordaunt, in a final act of vengeance, drags Athos into the sea as a sacrifice to his mother.

_Mordaunt's last vengeful act, fulfilling his hatred._

> It was not I who killed him, said Athos in a soft, low tone, ’twas destiny.

Athos attributes Mordaunt's death to fate rather than his own actions.

_Athos's reflection on the inevitability of the outcome._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxiii-fatality
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters