Twenty Years After · Chapter
X: Monsieur Porthos du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds explained
D'Artagnan, guided by information from Aramis, sets out to find Porthos, now styling himself Du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds after acquiring the estates of Bracieux and Pierrefonds.
What happens
D'Artagnan, guided by information from Aramis, sets out to find Porthos, now styling himself Du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds after acquiring the estates of Bracieux and Pierrefonds. Traveling with Planchet, he journeys through the countryside, eventually locating Porthos's château near Pierrefonds. Upon arrival, he is greeted by a prosperous and rotund Mousqueton, who joyfully announces his master's good fortune. D'Artagnan reflects on the contrast between Porthos's apparent happiness and his own disillusioned state, fearing that his mission to recruit Porthos for political intrigue will fail.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
D'Artagnan's journey to reunite with Porthos and the warm reception by Mousqueton highlight enduring bonds despite time and distance.
Class and Ambition
Porthos's acquisition of multiple estates and titles illustrates the theme of social climbing and the pursuit of status.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Sets out to find Porthos, reflecting on his own disillusions and the contrast with Porthos's apparent happiness.
- Planchet
Accompanies d'Artagnan, showing loyalty and concern for safety, and reunites with Mousqueton.
- Porthos
Now styled Du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds; not directly seen but described as prosperous and happy.
- Mousqueton
Now a prosperous steward, fat and joyful, warmly greets d'Artagnan and Planchet.
Key passages
“Thanks to what Aramis had told him, d’Artagnan, who knew already that Porthos called himself Du Vallon, was now aware that he styled himself, from his estate, de Bracieux; and that he was, on account of this estate, engaged in a lawsuit with the Bishop of Noyon.”
D'Artagnan learned from Aramis that Porthos now used the name Du Vallon de Bracieux and was in a legal dispute with the Bishop of Noyon over the estate.
Establishes Porthos's new identity and legal troubles.
“D’Artagnan, sick of the closeness of Paris, thought that when a man had three names of his different estates joined one to another, he ought to be very happy in such a paradise; then he shook his head, saying, 'If I were Porthos and d’Artagnan came to make me such a proposition as I am going to make to him, I know what I should say to it.'”
D'Artagnan envied Porthos's apparent happiness in the countryside but doubted his own mission would succeed.
Reveals d'Artagnan's inner conflict and foreshadows potential failure.
“Mousqueton, as fat as a pig, rolling about with rude health, puffed out with good living, who, recognizing d’Artagnan and acting very differently from the hypocrite Bazin, slipped off his horse and approached the officer with his hat off...”
Mousqueton, now plump and healthy, enthusiastically greeted d'Artagnan, contrasting with Bazin's earlier hypocrisy.
Highlights Mousqueton's prosperity and loyalty.