Twenty Years After · Chapter
LXXXVIII: Shows How with Threat and Pen More Is Effected Than by the Sword explained
D'Artagnan, having secured the capture of Cardinal Mazarin, prepares to travel to Saint Germain to negotiate with Queen Anne of Austria.
What happens
D'Artagnan, having secured the capture of Cardinal Mazarin, prepares to travel to Saint Germain to negotiate with Queen Anne of Austria. He first secures the loyalty of Aramis, Porthos, and Athos, ensuring they will not release Mazarin. Arriving at Saint Germain, he presents himself to the queen, delivering Mazarin's letter and explaining the situation. He then boldly threatens the queen, arguing for the recognition and reward of himself and his friends, and presents a treaty that addresses the demands of the Fronde leaders but not their own, leaving their personal rewards to be negotiated orally.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Ambition
D'Artagnan and his friends seek recognition and reward for their service, negotiating for status and fortune.
Power and Corruption
The use of threats and negotiation to control the cardinal and influence the queen demonstrates the corrupting influence of power.
Friendship and Loyalty
D'Artagnan relies on the loyalty of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis to secure their collective goals.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Takes charge of the mission to negotiate with the queen, securing promises from his friends and traveling alone to Saint Germain.
- Aramis
D'Artagnan warns him to mistrust Athos and Porthos regarding Mazarin's escape; Aramis asserts his own ambitions.
- Porthos
D'Artagnan convinces him to guard Mazarin firmly, appealing to his desire for a barony and fear of hanging.
- Athos
Gives his word to D'Artagnan that Mazarin will remain captive, which reassures D'Artagnan more than any royal signature.
- Mazarin
Has been captured and is being held by the three musketeers; his letter is used by D'Artagnan to gain audience with the queen.
- Anne of Austria
Queen who conceals her unease about Mazarin's disappearance; receives D'Artagnan and listens to his demands and threats.
- Bernouin
Mazarin's valet who discovers the cardinal's disappearance and alerts the queen; later greets D'Artagnan at Saint Germain.
Key passages
“D’Artagnan knew his part well; he was aware that opportunity has a forelock only for him who will take it and he was not a man to let it go by him without seizing it.”
D'Artagnan understood that opportunity must be grasped quickly, and he was determined not to miss his chance.
Highlights D'Artagnan's proactive and opportunistic nature.
“I needed nothing less than that consideration, my dear d’Artagnan, to persuade myself to adopt the role of jailer. I give you my word that you will find the cardinal where you leave him.”
Athos agreed to guard Mazarin only because D'Artagnan's life depended on it, and he promised to keep him secure.
Shows Athos's sense of honor and loyalty to D'Artagnan.
“We do ourselves justice, Madame, even in assuming the high position that we have. We do not think ourselves worthy to stand near such great names.”
D'Artagnan modestly claims that he and his friends do not expect to be listed alongside the high-ranking nobles in the treaty.
Reflects D'Artagnan's strategic humility in negotiation.
