Twenty Years After · Chapter
How, Sometimes, the Unhappy Mistake Chance for Providence explained
Queen Henrietta Maria, in distress over the plight of her husband King Charles I, meets with Lord de Winter to discuss finding the four former musketeers to aid the king.
What happens
Queen Henrietta Maria, in distress over the plight of her husband King Charles I, meets with Lord de Winter to discuss finding the four former musketeers to aid the king. The young Viscount de Bragelonne arrives with a letter from the Count de Guiche announcing the French victory at Lens. Through Raoul, de Winter and the queen discover that the Comte de la Fère is Athos, one of the men they seek, and de Winter resolves to visit him immediately.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
De Winter's devotion to the queen and the search for the former musketeers highlight loyalty to the crown and old bonds.
Poverty and Suffering
The queen's reduced circumstances are evident as she offers her diamond cross and order for funds, and the palace is described as dark and deserted.
Class and Ambition
The queen promises duchies and gold to those who aid her, reflecting the intersection of class privilege and political ambition.
Characters to notice
- Queen Henrietta
Distressed queen seeking aid for her husband Charles I; receives news of the battle of Lens and learns Athos is in Paris.
- Lord de Winter
Devoted to the queen's cause; recognizes Athos from Raoul's description and plans to visit him.
- Raoul
Delivers a letter from the Count de Guiche to the queen; reveals that his guardian is the Comte de la Fère (Athos).
- Madame Henrietta
Young princess who shows concern for the Count de Guiche; blushes at his name.
- Athos
Identified as the Comte de la Fère, the guardian of Raoul; sought by de Winter and the queen for aid.
- D'Artagnan
Mentioned as a friend of Athos; de Winter notes he cannot be counted on.
- Count de Guiche
Writes the letter to the queen as secretary for his father; fought bravely at the battle of Lens.
- Marshal de Grammont
Author of the letter to the queen, though unable to write due to a wound; advises the queen to profit from the victory at Lens.
Key passages
“I will give to each a duchy the day that we reascend the throne, besides as much gold as would pave Whitehall.”
The queen promises each helper a duchy and enough gold to cover Whitehall if they regain the throne.
Shows the queen's desperation and the high stakes of the royal cause.
“I have preserved this diamond cross which came from my mother, and this order of St. Michael which came from my husband. They are worth about fifty thousand pounds. I had sworn to die of hunger rather than part with these precious pledges; but now that this ornament may be useful to him or his defenders, everything must be sacrificed.”
The queen offers her valuable heirlooms, worth about fifty thousand pounds, to fund the king's defense, breaking her vow to keep them.
Illustrates the queen's sacrifice and the dire financial straits of the exiled court.
“Providence has declared for us, since I have found this brave man again in so miraculous a manner.”
De Winter sees the discovery of Athos as a sign of divine favor.
Reflects the theme of chance being mistaken for providence.
