# XXVI: The Rencontre explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

D'Artagnan and Porthos, pursuing the Duc de Beaufort on behalf of Cardinal Mazarin, encounter a series of ambushes. They fight fiercely, but are ultimately surrounded by Beaufort's men. Athos and Aramis reveal themselves as allies of the duke, leading to a tense standoff. The four former friends agree to a conference at the Place Royale to decide their future relations. Beaufort departs, and D'Artagnan and Porthos return to Paris, learning that one of their victims was Councillor Broussel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

The four former friends are torn apart by conflicting loyalties to Mazarin and the Fronde, yet they agree to a conference to preserve their bond.

### Honor and Duty

Athos insists on a meeting to maintain honor, while D'Artagnan laments the loss of their shared honor as soldiers.

### Revolution and Rebellion

Beaufort's escape and the ambush highlight the growing rebellion against Mazarin's authority.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Leads the pursuit of Beaufort, fights fiercely, and reluctantly agrees to a conference with Athos and Aramis.

### Porthos

Fights alongside D'Artagnan, defeats several opponents, and mourns the division among the friends.

### Athos

Reveals himself as an ally of Beaufort, proposes a solemn conference, and shows generosity by providing horses to D'Artagnan and Porthos.

### Aramis

Fights alongside Athos and suggests that D'Artagnan and Porthos join their side.

### Beaufort

Leads the troop that surrounds D'Artagnan and Porthos, grants them freedom at Athos's request, and sends a letter praising their valor to Mazarin.

### Mousqueton

Wounded in the fight, cared for by Grimaud.

### Grimaud

Brings horses from Athos to D'Artagnan and Porthos, then helps the wounded Mousqueton.

### Rochefort

Appears briefly, taunting D'Artagnan and Porthos after the confrontation.

## Key lines

> Friends! do you regret you have not shed our blood?

Athos asks D'Artagnan and Porthos if they are sorry they didn't kill each other.

_Athos expresses the pain of their division._

> Alas! our honor as soldiers is lost to us forever!

D'Artagnan laments that their military honor is gone.

_D'Artagnan feels the shame of fighting former comrades._

> What consoles me is that, at least, in this chase, d'Artagnan has done me one good turn—he has destroyed Broussel.

Mazarin finds comfort that D'Artagnan accidentally killed the troublesome Broussel.

_Mazarin misinterprets the killing as a political advantage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxvi-the-rencontre
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters