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Twenty Years After · Chapter

Conclusion explained

The four friends part ways after the Fronde ends, with Athos returning to Bragelonne, Aramis visiting Normandy, Porthos heading to his barony, and d'Artagnan preparing for the campaign in Flanders.

What happens

The four friends part ways after the Fronde ends, with Athos returning to Bragelonne, Aramis visiting Normandy, Porthos heading to his barony, and d'Artagnan preparing for the campaign in Flanders. Porthos reveals that the man he killed was Bonacieux, and d'Artagnan takes a new apartment while keeping his old room.

Themes in this chapter

  • Friendship and Loyalty

    The four friends part with emotional embraces, promising to remember each other.

  • Class and Ambition

    D'Artagnan aspires to become Maréchal of France, while Porthos enjoys his barony.

Characters to notice

  • Athos

    Returns to Bragelonne, leaves Raoul with d'Artagnan.

  • Aramis

    Departs for Normandy at the Duchess de Longueville's invitation.

  • Porthos

    Returns to his barony, reveals he killed Bonacieux.

  • D'Artagnan

    Becomes captain of the Musketeers, prepares for the Flanders campaign.

  • Raoul

    Left with d'Artagnan to join the war in Flanders.

  • Mousqueton

    Accompanies Porthos back to his barony.

  • Pretty Madeleine

    D'Artagnan's hostess, provides him a new apartment.

Key passages

  • The four friends embraced with tears in their eyes. Then they departed, without knowing whether they would ever see each other again.

    The four friends hugged and cried, then left, uncertain if they would meet again.

    Emotional farewell among the musketeers.

  • I expect to be made Maréchal of France!

    I hope to become a Marshal of France.

    D'Artagnan's ambitious goal.

  • 'Twas that low fellow, Bonacieux.

    It was that wretched man, Bonacieux.

    Porthos identifies the man he killed.

Twenty Years After — Conclusion Explained