Twenty Years After
- The Shade of Cardinal Richelieu.
- In a splendid chamber of the Palais Royal, formerly styled the Palais Cardinal, a man was sitting in deep reverie, his head supported on his hands, leaning over a gilt and inlaid table which was…
- A Nightly Patrol.
- In ten minutes Mazarin and his party were traversing the street “Les Bons Enfants” behind the theatre built by Richelieu expressly for the play of “Mirame,” and in which Mazarin, who was an…
- Dead Animosities.
- D’Artagnan arrived at the Bastile just as it was striking half-past eight. His visit was announced to the governor, who, on hearing that he came from the cardinal, went to meet him and received him…
- Anne of Austria at the Age of Forty-six.
- When left alone with Bernouin, Mazarin was for some minutes lost in thought. He had gained much information, but not enough. Mazarin was a cheat at the card-table. This is a detail preserved to us by…
- The Gascon and the Italian.
- Meanwhile the cardinal returned to his own room; and after asking Bernouin, who stood at the door, whether anything had occurred during his absence, and being answered in the negative, he desired…
- D’Artagnan in his Fortieth Year.
- Years have elapsed, many events have happened, alas! since, in our romance of “The Three Musketeers,” we took leave of D’Artagnan at No. 12 Rue des Fossoyeurs. D’Artagnan had not failed in…
- Touches upon the Strange Effects a Half-pistole may have upon a Beadle and a Chorister.
- D’Artagnan, as he crossed the Pont Neuf, congratulated himself on having found Planchet again, for at that time an intelligent servant was essential to him; nor was he sorry that through Planchet…
- How D’Artagnan, on going to a Distance to discover Aramis, discovers his old Friend on Horseback behind his own Planchet.
- On entering the hotel D’Artagnan saw a man sitting in a corner by the fire. It was Planchet, but so completely transformed, thanks to the old clothes that the departing husband had left behind,…
- The Abbe D’Herblay.
- At the extremity of the village Planchet turned to the left in obedience to the orders of Aramis, and stopped underneath the window which had light in it. Aramis alighted and clapped his hands three…
- Monsieur Porthos du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds.
- Thanks to what Aramis had told him, D’Artagnan, who knew already that Porthos called himself Du Vallon, was now aware that he styled himself, from his estate, De Bracieux; and that he was, on…
- How D’Artagnan, in discovering the Retreat of Porthos, perceives that Wealth does not necessarily produce Happiness.
- D’Artagnan passed through the iron gate and arrived in front of the chateau. He alighted as he saw a species of giant on the steps. Let us do justice to D’Artagnan. Independently of every selfish…
- In which it is shown that if Porthos was discontented with his Condition, Musqueton was completely satisfied with his.
- As they returned toward the castle, D’Artagnan thought of the miseries of poor human nature, always dissatisfied with what it has, ever desirous of what it has not.
- Two Angelic Faces.
- The road was long, but the horses upon which D’Artagnan and Planchet rode had been refreshed in the well supplied stables of the Lord of Bracieux; the master and servant rode side by side,…
- The Castle of Bragelonne.
- Whilst this scene was going on, D’Artagnan remained with open mouth and a confused gaze. Everything had turned out so differently from what he expected that he was stupefied with wonder.
- Athos as a Diplomatist.
- D’Artagnan retired to bed--not to sleep, but to think over all he had heard that evening. Being naturally goodhearted, and having had once a liking for Athos, which had grown into a sincere…
- The Duc de Beaufort.
- The circumstances that had hastened the return of D’Artagnan to Paris were as follows:
- Describes how the Duc de Beaufort amused his Leisure Hours in the Donjon of Vincennes.
- The captive who was the source of so much alarm to the cardinal and whose means of escape disturbed the repose of the whole court, was wholly unconscious of the terror he caused at the Palais Royal.
- Grimaud begins his Functions.
- Grimaud thereupon presented himself with his smooth exterior at the donjon of Vincennes. Now Monsieur de Chavigny piqued himself on his infallible penetration; for that which almost proved that he…
- In which the Contents of the Pates made by the Successor of Father Marteau are described.
- In half an hour La Ramee returned, full of glee, like most men who have eaten, and more especially drank to their heart’s content. The pates were excellent, the wine delicious.
- One of Marie Michon’s Adventures.
- Whilst these projects were being formed by the Duc de Beaufort and Grimaud, the Comte de la Fere and the Vicomte de Bragelonne were entering Paris by the Rue du Faubourg Saint Marcel.
- The Abbe Scarron.
- There was once in the Rue des Tournelles a house known by all the sedan chairmen and footmen of Paris, and yet, nevertheless, this house was neither that of a great lord nor of a rich man. There was…
- Saint Denis.
- The day had begun to break when Athos arose and dressed himself. It was plain, by a paleness still greater than usual, and by those traces which loss of sleep leaves on the face, that he must have…
- One of the Forty Methods of Escape of the Duc de Beaufort.
- Meanwhile time was passing on for the prisoner, as well as for those who were preparing his escape; only for him it passed more slowly. Unlike other men, who enter with ardor upon a perilous…
- The timely Arrival of D’Artagnan in Paris.
- At Blois, D’Artagnan received the money paid to him by Mazarin for any future service he might render the cardinal.
- An Adventure on the High Road.
- The musketeers rode the whole length of the Faubourg Saint Antoine and of the road to Vincennes, and soon found themselves out of the town, then in a forest and then within sight of a village.
- The Rencontre.
- They rode on in this way for ten minutes. Suddenly two dark forms seemed to separate from the mass, advanced, grew in size, and as they loomed up larger and larger, assumed the appearance of two…
- The four old Friends prepare to meet again.
- “Well,” said Porthos, seated in the courtyard of the Hotel de la Chevrette, to D’Artagnan, who, with a long and melancholy face, had returned from the Palais Royal; “did he receive you…
- The Place Royale.
- They proceeded silently to the centre of the Place, but as at this very moment the moon had just emerged from behind a cloud, they thought they might be observed if they remained on that spot and…
- The Ferry across the Oise.
- We hope that the reader has not quite forgotten the young traveler whom we left on the road to Flanders.
- Skirmishing.
- The halt at Noyon was but brief, every one there being wrapped in profound sleep. Raoul had desired to be awakened should Grimaud arrive, but Grimaud did not arrive. Doubtless, too, the horses on…
- The Monk.
- Two men lay prone upon the ground, one bathed in blood and motionless, with his face toward the earth; this one was dead. The other leaned against a tree, supported there by the two valets, and was…
- The Absolution.
- This is what had taken place: We have seen that it was not of his own free will, but, on the contrary, very reluctantly, that the monk attended the wounded man who had been recommended to him in so…
- Grimaud Speaks.
- Grimaud was left alone with the executioner, who in a few moments opened his eyes.
- On the Eve of Battle.
- Raoul was aroused from his sombre reflections by his host, who rushed into the apartment crying out, “The Spaniards! the Spaniards!”
- A Dinner in the Old Style.
- The second interview between the former musketeers was not so formal and threatening as the first. Athos, with his superior understanding, wisely deemed that the supper table would be the most…
- A Letter from Charles the First.
- The reader must now cross the Seine with us and follow us to the door of the Carmelite Convent in the Rue Saint Jacques. It is eleven o’clock in the morning and the pious sisters have just finished…
- Cromwell’s Letter.
- At the very moment when the queen quitted the convent to go to the Palais Royal, a young man dismounted at the gate of this royal abode and announced to the guards that he had something of importance…
- Henrietta Maria and Mazarin.
- The cardinal rose, and advanced in haste to receive the queen of England. He showed the more respect to this queen, deprived of every mark of pomp and stripped of followers, as he felt some…
- How, sometimes, the Unhappy mistake Chance for Providence.
- “Well, madame,” said De Winter, when the queen had dismissed her attendants.
- Uncle and Nephew.
- The horse and servant belonging to De Winter were waiting for him at the door; he proceeded toward his abode very thoughtfully, looking behind him from time to him to contemplate the dark and silent…
- Paternal Affection.
- Whilst this terrible scene was passing at Lord de Winter’s, Athos, seated near his window, his elbow on the table and his head supported on his hand, was listening intently to Raoul’s account of…
- Another Queen in Want of Help.
- Athos had not failed to send early to Aramis and had given his letter to Blaisois, the only serving-man whom he had left. Blaisois found Bazin donning his beadle’s gown, his services being required…
- In which it is proved that first Impulses are oftentimes the best.
- The three gentlemen took the road to Picardy, a road so well known to them and which recalled to Athos and Aramis some of the most picturesque adventures of their youth.
- Te Deum for the Victory of Lens.
- The bustle which had been observed by Henrietta Maria and for which she had vainly sought to discover a reason, was occasioned by the battle of Lens, announced by the prince’s messenger, the Duc de…
- The Beggar of St. Eustache.
- D’Artagnan had calculated that in not going at once to the Palais Royal he would give Comminges time to arrive before him, and consequently to make the cardinal acquainted with the eminent services…
- The Tower of St. Jacques de la Boucherie.
- At a quarter to six o’clock, Monsieur de Gondy, having finished his business, returned to the archiepiscopal palace.
- The Riot.
- It was about eleven o’clock at night. Gondy had not walked a hundred steps ere he perceived the strange change which had been made in the streets of Paris.
- The Riot becomes a Revolution.
- The closet into which D’Artagnan and Porthos had been ushered was separated from the drawing-room where the queen was by tapestried curtains only, and this thin partition enabled them to hear all…
- Misfortune refreshes the Memory.
- Anne of Austria returned to her oratory, furious.
- The Interview.
- It had been D’Artagnan’s practice, ever since the riots, to sleep in the same room as Porthos, and on this eventful morning he was still there, sleeping, and dreaming that a yellow cloud had…
- The Flight.
- When D’Artagnan returned to the Palais Royal at five o’clock, it presented, in spite of the excitement which reigned in the town, a spectacle of the greatest rejoicing. Nor was that surprising.…
- The Carriage of Monsieur le Coadjuteur.
- Instead of returning, then, by the Saint Honore gate, D’Artagnan, who had time before him, walked around and re-entered by the Porte Richelieu. He was approached to be examined, and when it was…
- How D’Artagnan and Porthos earned by selling Straw, the one Two Hundred and Nineteen, and the other Two Hundred and Fifteen Louis d’or.
- Mazarin was desirous of setting out instantly for Saint Germain, but the queen declared that she should wait for the people whom she had appointed to meet her. However, she offered the cardinal…
- In which we hear Tidings of Aramis.
- D’Artagnan went straight to the stables; day was just dawning. He found his horse and that of Porthos fastened to the manger, but to an empty manger. He took pity on these poor animals and went to…
- The Scotchman.
- And now our readers must leave the Standard to sail peaceably, not toward London, where D’Artagnan and Porthos believed they were going, but to Durham, whither Mordaunt had been ordered to repair…
- The Avenger.
- They all four entered the tent; they had no plan ready--they must think of one.
- Oliver Cromwell.
- “Have you been to the general?” said Mordaunt to D’Artagnan and Porthos; “you know he sent for you after the action.”
- Jesus Seigneur.
- Whilst Mordaunt was making his way to Cromwell’s tent, D’Artagnan and Porthos had brought their prisoners to the house which had been assigned to them as their dwelling at Newcastle.
- In which it is shown that under the most trying Circumstances noble Natures never lose their Courage, nor good Stomachs their Appetites.
- The little troop, without looking behind them or exchanging a word, fled at a rapid gallop, fording a little stream, of which none of them knew the name, and leaving on their left a town which Athos…
- Respect to Fallen Majesty.
- As our fugitives approached the house, they found the ground cut up, as if a considerable body of horsemen had preceded them. Before the door the traces were yet more apparent; these horsemen,…
- D’Artagnan hits on a Plan.
- As night closed in they arrived at Thirsk. The four friends appeared to be entire strangers to one another and indifferent to the precautions taken for guarding the king. They withdrew to a private…
- London.
- As soon as the noise of the hoofs was lost in the distance D’Artagnan remounted the bank of the stream and scoured the plain, followed by his three friends, directing their course, as well as they…
- The Trial.
- The next morning King Charles I. was haled by a strong guard before the high court which was to judge him. All London was crowding to the doors of the house. The throng was terrific, and it was not…
- Whitehall.
- The parliament condemned Charles to death, as might have been foreseen. Political judgments are generally vain formalities, for the same passions which give rise to the accusation ordain to the…
- The Workmen.
- Toward midnight Charles heard a great noise beneath his window. It arose from blows of hammer and hatchet, clinking of pincers and cranching of saws.
- Remember!
- The mob had already assembled when the confession terminated. The king’s children next arrived--the Princess Charlotte, a beautiful, fair-haired child, with tears in her eyes, and the Duke of…
- The Man in the Mask.
- The snow was falling thick and icy. Aramis was the next to come in and to discover Athos almost insensible. But at the first words he uttered the comte roused himself from the kind of lethargy in…
- Cromwell’s House.
- It was, in fact, Mordaunt whom D’Artagnan had followed, without knowing it. On entering the house he had taken off his mask and imitation beard, then, mounting a staircase, had opened a door, and…
- Conversational.
- Though Mordaunt had been so completely taken by surprise and had mounted the stairs in such utter confusion, when once seated he recovered himself, as it were, and prepared to seize any possible…
- The Skiff “Lightning.”
- D’Artagnan had judged correctly; Mordaunt felt that he had no time to lose, and he lost none. He knew the rapidity of decision and action that characterized his enemies and resolved to act with…
- Port Wine.
- In ten minutes the masters slept; not so the servants---hungry, and more thirsty than hungry.
- End of the Port Wine Mystery.
- Grimaud waited till he heard the bolt grind in the lock and when he was satisfied that he was alone he slowly rose from his recumbent posture.
- Fatality.
- Scarcely had D’Artagnan uttered these words when a ringing and sudden noise was heard resounding through the felucca, which had now become dim in the obscurity of the night.
- How Musqueton, after being very nearly roasted, had a Narrow Escape of being eaten.
- A deep silence reigned for a long time in the boat after the fearful scene described.
- The Return.
- During the six weeks that Athos and Aramis had been absent from France, the Parisians, finding themselves one morning without either queen or king, were greatly annoyed at being thus deserted, and…
- The Ambassadors.
- The two friends rode rapidly down the declivity of the Faubourg, but on arriving at the bottom were surprised to find that the streets of Paris had become rivers, and the open places lakes; after the…
- The three Lieutenants of the Generalissimo.
- The night was dark, but still the town resounded with those noises that disclose a city in a state of siege. Athos and Aramis did not proceed a hundred steps without being stopped by sentinels placed…
- The Battle of Charenton.
- As Athos and Aramis proceeded, and passed different companies on the road, they became aware that they were arriving near the field of battle.
- The Road to Picardy.
- On leaving Paris, Athos and Aramis well knew that they would be encountering great danger; but we know that for men like these there could be no question of danger. Besides, they felt that the…
- The Gratitude of Anne of Austria.
- Athos found much less difficulty than he had expected in obtaining an audience of Anne of Austria. It was granted, and was to take place after her morning’s “levee,” at which, in accordance…
- Cardinal Mazarin as King.
- The arrest produced no sensation, indeed was almost unknown, and scarcely interrupted the course of events. To the deputation it was formally announced that the queen would receive it.
- Precaution’s.
- After quitting Anne, Mazarin took the road to Rueil, where he usually resided; in those times of disturbance he went about with numerous followers and often disguised himself. In military dress he…
- Strength and Sagacity.
- Now let us pass the orangery to the hunting lodge. At the extremity of the courtyard, where, close to a portico formed of Ionic columns, were the dog kennels, rose an oblong building, the pavilion of…
- Strength and Sagacity--Continued.
- Supper was eaten in silence, but not in sadness; for from time to time one of those sweet smiles which were habitual to him in moments of good-humor illumined the face of D’Artagnan. Not a…
- The Oubliettes of Cardinal Mazarin.
- At first, on arriving at the door through which Mazarin had passed, D’Artagnan tried in vain to open it, but on the powerful shoulder of Porthos being applied to one of the panels, which gave way,…
- Conferences.
- Mazarin turned the lock of a double door, on the threshold of which they found Athos ready to receive his illustrious guests according to the notice Comminges had given him.
- In which we begin to think that Porthos will be at last a Baron, and D’Artagnan a Captain.
- At the expiration of ten minutes Aramis arrived, accompanied by Grimaud and eight or ten followers. He was excessively delighted and threw himself into his friends’ arms.
- Shows how with Threat and Pen more is effected than by the Sword.
- D’Artagnan knew his part well; he was aware that opportunity has a forelock only for him who will take it and he was not a man to let it go by him without seizing it. He soon arranged a prompt and…
- In which it is shown that it is sometimes more difficult for Kings to return to the Capitals of their Kingdoms, than to make an Exit.
- Whilst D’Artagnan and Porthos were engaged in conducting the cardinal to Saint Germain, Athos and Aramis returned to Paris.
- Conclusion.
- On going home, the two friends found a letter from Athos, who desired them to meet him at the Grand Charlemagne on the following day.
More Information
- Twenty Years After• (paperback)
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“Two decades have passed since the musketeers triumphed over Cardinal Richelieu and Milady. Time has weakened their resolve, and dispersed their loyalties. But treasons and strategems still cry out for justice: civil war endangers the throne of France, while in England Cromwell threatens to send Charles I to the scaffold. Dumas brings his immortal quartet out of retirement to cross swords with time, the malevolence of men, and the forces of history. But their greatest test is a titanic struggle with the son of Milady, who wears the face of Evil.” (Alexandre Dumas)
