# The Four Old Friends Prepare to Meet Again explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

D'Artagnan and Porthos discuss their recent meeting with Cardinal Mazarin, who compensated them for their lost horses but did not mention Porthos's barony. They prepare to meet Athos and Aramis at the Place Royale, though d'Artagnan is wary of their former friends' motives. Meanwhile, Athos and Aramis enter Paris, with Aramis urging caution and suggesting they go armed, while Athos laments the loss of their old friendship. They ultimately meet at the designated spot.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

The chapter explores the erosion of trust among the four friends, as d'Artagnan and Aramis each suspect the others of betrayal, while Athos mourns the loss of their former bond.

### Class and Ambition

Porthos's hope for a barony and d'Artagnan's financial dealings with Mazarin highlight how ambition and class aspirations strain old friendships.

### Revolution and Rebellion

The Fronde is a constant backdrop, with Planchet's Frondeur song and the mention of Broussel's popularity reflecting the growing rebellion against Mazarin.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Returns from the Palais Royal after meeting Mazarin; discusses compensation for horses and expresses distrust of Athos and Aramis.

### Porthos

Dines with d'Artagnan at the Hôtel de la Chevrette; shares in the compensation and prepares for the rendezvous.

### Athos

Enters Paris with Aramis; argues for going unarmed to the meeting, but reluctantly agrees to Aramis's precautions.

### Aramis

Urges caution and suggests going armed to the rendezvous, suspecting d'Artagnan and Porthos may have turned against them.

### Planchet

Expresses Frondeur sympathies and provides news about Broussel; accompanies d'Artagnan and Porthos with a carbine.

### Bazin

Attends Athos and Aramis on their journey to Paris.

### Friquet

Mentioned as a source of news for Planchet; a singing boy at Notre Dame patronized by Bazin.

### Mazarin

Receives d'Artagnan at the Palais Royal; compensates him for lost horses and expresses displeasure that Broussel survived.

## Key lines

> I am a Gascon, only when I succeed.

D'Artagnan tells Mazarin he only claims his Gascon heritage when he achieves his goals.

_D'Artagnan uses wit to deflect Mazarin's criticism of his failure._

> Un vent de fronde S'est levé ce matin; Je crois qu'il gronde Contre le Mazarin.

A wind of rebellion has risen this morning; I believe it rumbles against Mazarin.

_Planchet sings a popular Frondeur song, indicating the widespread discontent._

> You make me the most miserable of men; you disenchant a heart not wholly dead to friendship.

Athos tells Aramis that his suspicions about d'Artagnan and Porthos deeply sadden him and undermine their old friendship.

_Athos laments the loss of trust among the four friends._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxvii-the-four-old-friends-prepare-to-meet-again
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters