Twenty Years After · Chapter
Paternal Affection explained
Athos listens with paternal joy to Raoul's account of the battle and his service under the Prince de Condé.
What happens
Athos listens with paternal joy to Raoul's account of the battle and his service under the Prince de Condé. Their reunion is interrupted by Lord de Winter, who arrives deeply troubled after a visit from Mordaunt, Milady's son. De Winter reveals Mordaunt's Puritan allegiance and his role as Cromwell's envoy, and the two friends discuss their political alignment against Mazarin. They agree to meet the next day to visit Queen Henrietta of England.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Athos and Lord de Winter reaffirm their bond despite political divisions; Athos's devotion to Raoul as a father figure.
Revenge and Justice
Mordaunt's pursuit of vengeance for his mother Milady; Lord de Winter's fear of the 'sanguinary predisposition' in the son.
Honor and Duty
Raoul's account of his conduct in battle under Condé; Athos's principled stance against Mazarin despite personal cost.
Characters to notice
- Athos
Listens to Raoul's battle account with paternal pride; receives Lord de Winter and discusses Mordaunt's threat; declares he is not a Mazarinist.
- Raoul
Returns from the battle under Condé, recounts his experiences, and delivers a message from a gentleman (Lord de Winter) who wishes to see Athos.
- Lord de Winter
Visits Athos after being confronted by Mordaunt; reveals Mordaunt's identity and mission; seeks Athos's help to meet Queen Henrietta.
- Mordaunt
Mentioned as having visited Lord de Winter; identified as Milady's son and a Puritan follower of Cromwell; disguised as a monk.
- Grimaud
Leads the escort for Lord de Winter; bears a torch and musket; observes a suspicious shadow near the Rue Guénégaud.
- Aramis
Mentioned as sharing Athos's anti-Mazarin opinions; described as an abbé who remains a soldier at heart.
- D'Artagnan
Mentioned as serving Mazarin due to his need for income; Athos notes he is a loyal friend but politically aligned with the cardinal.
Key passages
“He has become an abbé, that is all.”
Aramis is now a clergyman, but otherwise unchanged.
Athos explains Aramis's new profession to Lord de Winter.
“On the contrary, said Athos, smiling, he has never been so much a musketeer as since he became an abbé, and you will find him a veritable soldier.”
Aramis is more of a soldier now than when he was a musketeer.
Athos reassures de Winter that Aramis remains a capable fighter.
“I know not, sir, but I thought it really very fine and grand!”
Raoul found the battle magnificent, though he cannot explain why.
Raoul's youthful enthusiasm for the spectacle of war.
“Yes, sir; at that instant there was such a rataplan of musketry that one might have imagined the infernal regions had opened.”
The musket fire was so loud it sounded like hell itself.
Raoul describes the intensity of the enemy's volley.