# LXXX: The Gratitude of Anne of Austria explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

Athos obtains an audience with Anne of Austria at Saint Germain to plead for the release of his friends d'Artagnan and Porthos, who have disappeared after returning from England. Despite the queen's initial haughtiness and Mazarin's interference, Athos's dignified insistence and veiled references to past services force Anne to promise action. However, as soon as Athos leaves, the queen orders his arrest. Athos is taken by Comminges, but not before calling out to Aramis, who acknowledges the arrest calmly.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Duty

Athos acts out of loyalty to his friends and a sense of duty, confronting the queen despite the political turmoil.

### Power and Corruption

Anne of Austria and Mazarin use their authority to arrest Athos after a false promise, showing the corrupt use of power.

### Class and Ambition

The tension between the old nobility (Athos) and the court (Anne and Mazarin) reflects class struggles and political ambition.

## Character check-ins

### Athos

Obtains an audience with Anne of Austria to demand the release of d'Artagnan and Porthos; is arrested after the audience.

### Anne of Austria

Queen regent who reluctantly agrees to Athos's request but immediately orders his arrest.

### Mazarin

Cardinal and minister who supports the queen's decision to arrest Athos.

### Comminges

Officer who arrests Athos and takes his sword.

### Aramis

Seen by Athos in the crowd; acknowledges Athos's arrest with calm composure.

### D'Artagnan

One of Athos's imprisoned friends; his disappearance is the subject of Athos's plea.

### Porthos

The other imprisoned friend mentioned by Athos.

## Key lines

> I think Your Majesty will have no need to apply to the police to know where my friends are, but that if you will deign to interrogate the cardinal he can reply without any further inquiry than into his own recollections.

Athos suggests that the queen can simply ask Mazarin about the whereabouts of d'Artagnan and Porthos, implying the cardinal is responsible for their disappearance.

_Athos directly implicates Mazarin in the imprisonment of his friends._

> Madame, I serve the king.

When asked if he belongs to the Fronde, Athos declares his loyalty is to the king, not to any faction.

_Athos asserts his allegiance to the monarchy above the political conflicts of the Fronde._

> Aramis, I am arrested. Good, replied Aramis, calmly.

Athos informs Aramis of his arrest, and Aramis responds with calm acceptance.

_Aramis's calm reaction suggests he is not surprised or alarmed by Athos's arrest._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxx-the-gratitude-of-anne-of-austria
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters