Twenty Years After · Chapter
On the Eve of Battle explained
Raoul and the Count de Guiche encounter the Spanish army near Lens and report to the Prince de Condé.
What happens
Raoul and the Count de Guiche encounter the Spanish army near Lens and report to the Prince de Condé. The prince interrogates a multilingual prisoner with Raoul's help, then devises a battle plan to retake Lens and defeat the enemy.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Duty
Raoul and de Guiche demonstrate loyalty and courage by reporting to the prince and aiding in the war effort.
Class and Ambition
The young noblemen seek to prove themselves in battle and gain favor with the prince, reflecting social ambition.
Characters to notice
- Raoul
Accompanies Count de Guiche, interprets for the prince, and delivers a crucial letter.
- Count de Guiche
Son of Marshal de Grammont, reports enemy movements to the prince.
- Prince de Condé
The young general commanding the French forces, devises the battle plan.
- Marshal de Grammont
Father of Count de Guiche, introduces the young men to the prince.
- Athos
Mentioned as having advised Raoul to saddle his own horse.
- Madame de Longueville
The prince's sister, whose letter Raoul carries.
Key passages
“The prince leaped to his feet, extending his hand in the direction whence came the sound, there was no mistaking it—it was the noise of cannon.”
The prince stood up abruptly, pointing toward the distant cannon fire, which was unmistakable.
Condé's immediate reaction to the sound of battle.
“In a moment the plan of the battle which on the following day was to save France the second time from invasion was unrolled in his mind.”
Within moments, Condé conceived the strategy that would protect France from invasion the next day.
Condé's tactical genius is highlighted.