Twenty Years After · Chapter
The Timely Arrival of d’Artagnan in Paris explained
D'Artagnan arrives in Paris and meets Porthos at the Hôtel de la Chevrette.
What happens
D'Artagnan arrives in Paris and meets Porthos at the Hôtel de la Chevrette. They visit Cardinal Mazarin, who offers them rewards for their service. News arrives that the Duc de Beaufort has escaped from Vincennes, and Mazarin orders d'Artagnan and Porthos to pursue him, promising a barony for Porthos and a captaincy for d'Artagnan.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Ambition
D'Artagnan and Porthos seek advancement—Porthos desires a barony, d'Artagnan a captaincy—highlighting their ambition within the rigid class structure.
Power and Corruption
Mazarin uses promises of titles and rewards to manipulate d'Artagnan and Porthos into serving his political ends, reflecting the corrupting influence of power.
Revolution and Rebellion
Beaufort's escape from Vincennes signals the growing rebellion against Mazarin's authority, setting the stage for the Fronde.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Arrives in Paris from Blois, meets Porthos, and negotiates with Mazarin for a captaincy.
- Porthos
Waiting at the Hôtel de la Chevrette, dressed in a sky-blue waistcoat; agrees to serve Mazarin in hopes of a barony.
- Mazarin
Receives d'Artagnan and Porthos, offers rewards, and is alarmed by news of Beaufort's escape.
- Planchet
Accompanies d'Artagnan to Paris but does not go to court due to his standing with the cardinal.
- Mousqueton
Complains about the poor stabling and cooking at the hotel; prepares horses for the mission.
- Beaufort
Escapes from the donjon of Vincennes, prompting the pursuit by d'Artagnan and Porthos.
Key passages
“At Blois, d’Artagnan received the money paid to him by Mazarin for any future service he might render the cardinal.”
D'Artagnan collected payment from Mazarin at Blois for potential future services.
Establishes d'Artagnan's mercenary relationship with Mazarin.
“Porthos came down at once to the threshold of the hotel. “Ah, my dear friend!” he cried, “what bad stabling for my horses here.””
Porthos immediately greeted d'Artagnan, complaining about the poor stabling for his horses.
Shows Porthos's concern for his horses and his dissatisfaction with his lodgings.
““My lord,” said d’Artagnan, “it is twenty years since Cardinal de Richelieu made me lieutenant.” “Yes, and you would be gratified if Cardinal Mazarin should make you captain.””
D'Artagnan reminded Mazarin of his long service, hinting at a desire for promotion to captain.
Highlights d'Artagnan's ambition and the passage of time since his earlier career.
““Monsieur du Vallon, your barony is on the back of the Duc de Beaufort’s horse; you have nothing to do but to overtake it.””
Mazarin told Porthos that his barony depends on capturing the escaped Duc de Beaufort.
Illustrates Mazarin's tactic of linking rewards directly to dangerous missions.