# On the Eve of Battle explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxiv-on-the-eve-of-battle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters