Twenty Years After · Chapter
The Ambassadors explained
Athos and Aramis return to Paris and go to the Louvre to report to Queen Henrietta about King Charles I's fate.
What happens
Athos and Aramis return to Paris and go to the Louvre to report to Queen Henrietta about King Charles I's fate. They find the queen already receiving news from other ambassadors, the Duc de Châtillon and Monsieur de Flamarens, who falsely claim the king has been saved. Athos and Aramis expose the lie, leading to a tense confrontation and a duel arranged for the next day. Afterwards, they discuss their next moves, including the possibility of arresting Mazarin, and decide to seek allies among the Frondeurs.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Duty
Athos and Aramis feel compelled to correct the false news and defend their honor against the ambassadors' lies.
Revenge and Justice
Aramis challenges Châtillon to a duel to settle the insult, seeking personal justice.
Revolution and Rebellion
The chapter discusses the Fronde and the possibility of arresting Mazarin, reflecting the rebellious atmosphere.
Characters to notice
- Athos
Returns from England with Aramis to report to Queen Henrietta; confronts the false ambassadors and arranges a duel.
- Aramis
Returns with Athos; challenges the Duc de Châtillon to a duel and proposes arresting Mazarin.
- Queen Henrietta
Receives conflicting news about her husband King Charles I; initially misled by false ambassadors.
- Duc de Châtillon
Brings false news of King Charles I's salvation; challenged to a duel by Aramis.
- De Flamarens
Accompanies Châtillon; attempts to prevent the duel citing Châtillon's command of an expedition.
- Raoul
Mentioned as not being at the Hôtel du Grand Charlemagne; has gone to the prince.
- Grimaud
Accompanies Athos and Aramis after they leave the Louvre.
- Blaisois
Accompanies Athos and Aramis after they leave the Louvre.
Key passages
“The two friends rode rapidly down the declivity of the Faubourg, but on arriving at the bottom were surprised to find that the streets of Paris had become rivers, and the open places lakes; after the great rains which fell in January the Seine had overflowed its banks and the river inundated half the capital.”
Athos and Aramis rode quickly through the Faubourg but were shocked to find the streets flooded like rivers and squares like lakes, as the Seine had overflowed after heavy January rains.
Describes the flooded state of Paris upon their return.
“On hearing those two names the queen uttered a cry of joy, which the two gentlemen heard. 'Poor queen!' murmured Athos.”
When the queen heard the names of Athos and Aramis, she cried out joyfully, and Athos pitied her.
Highlights the queen's desperate hope for good news from England.
“Athos turned pale and laid his hand on his heart. 'Well!' exclaimed the queen, who remarked this movement and his paleness. 'Speak,'”
Athos went pale and clutched his chest, prompting the queen to urge him to speak.
Shows Athos's distress at having to reveal the truth about King Charles.
“What have you done with Monsieur de Bruy? Has he by any possibility gone to change his face which was too like that of Monsieur de Mazarin? There is an abundance of Italian masks at the Palais Royal, from harlequin even to pantaloon.”
Aramis sarcastically asks Châtillon about Monsieur de Bruy, implying he might have changed his face to resemble Mazarin, mocking the cardinal's Italian origins.
Aramis insults Mazarin and Châtillon, escalating the conflict.
