# How, Sometimes, the Unhappy Mistake Chance for Providence explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxix-how-sometimes-the-unhappy-mistake-chance-for-providence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters