Twenty Years After Chapter 49 Summary

Summary

Anne of Austria returns to her oratory furious at how the people have shown more zeal for Broussel than for high princes, reflecting that citizens defended a plebeian as if defending themselves. Mazarin paces anxiously, minimizing Broussel as "a name," but the next day Broussel's triumphant entry into Paris and the cries of "Long live Broussel!" alarm the cardinal and his spies. The queen's calm, by contrast, suggests she is preparing a bold countermove.

The city remains tense: barricades remain easy to rebuild, and Rochefort, the chevalier d’Humières, Louvières, and other Fronde sympathizers surf the unrest. D'Artagnan dispatches Raoul back to the army after a visit to Madame de Chevreuse; Louvières basks in vindication. Rumor spreads that the Prince de Condé has returned, possibly revealed by Madame de Longueville, and spoken talk among captains and sheriffs surfaces about seizing the king to protect him from hostile advisers. Anne meets with the prince through the night and then confronts Mazarin by day with a plan to carry off the king and strike at Paris. Mazarin warns her of the dangers and points out that palace exits are watched; nevertheless Anne, desperate, remembers D'Artagnan's past loyalty and resolves to recruit him to effect her escape, hurriedly beginning to write.

Key events

1. Anne laments that the people defended Broussel over noble prisoners and reflects on popular sympathies.
2. Broussel returns to Paris to popular acclaim, surprising and worrying Mazarin.
3. Parliament orders disarmament, but barricades and popular patrols reappear and Fronde tension continues.
4. Rumors circulate that the Prince de Condé has returned; citizens debate seizing the king.
5. Anne and the prince confer all night; Anne proposes carrying off the king and making war on Paris.
6. Mazarin cautions Anne about the danger and the guarded palace; Anne decides to seek D'Artagnan's help and begins writing.

Analysis

This chapter tightens political suspense and shifts the novel from street agitation to a concentrated private conspiracy. Dumas contrasts public spectacle (Broussel's triumph, barricades, popular patrols) with intimate strategy (Anne's midnight conference with the prince and her private plotting with Mazarin). The queen's hatred of Paris and her willingness to contemplate civil war reveal her passionate character and foreshadow large-scale confrontation. Mazarin's pragmatic caution and his detailed observation of palace guards underscore the theme of power constrained by physical realities: plots can be grand on paper but blocked by surveillance and logistics.

Narratively, the chapter uses parallel scenes—popular enthusiasm vs. royal plotting—to build dramatic irony: readers see both the people's mood and the court's response, increasing tension. The recall of D'Artagnan functions as an inciting instrument: Anne's sudden recollection of his past service converts personal gratitude into strategic necessity, preparing a character-centred solution to a political problem. Symbolically, Broussel—once dismissed as "a name"—becomes a force, representing popular legitimacy that challenges aristocratic assumptions. The chapter also tightens alliances and misalignments (Rochefort, Louvières, Gondy) thereby widening the field of actors for the next escalation.

Important quotes

“What! the people have seen Monsieur de Condé, a prince of the blood royal, arrested by my mother-in-law, Maria de Médicis; they saw my mother-in-law, their former regent, expelled by the cardinal; they saw Monsieur de Vendôme, that is to say, the son of Henry IV., a prisoner at Vincennes; and whilst these great personages were imprisoned, insulted and threatened, they said nothing; and now for a B”

Anne of AustriaAnne voices her fury and amazement that Parisians rose for Broussel rather than for high nobles, revealing popular sympathy with commoners.

“I will reduce this rebellious city to ashes. I will extinguish the fire with blood! I will perpetuate the crime and punishment by making a frightful example. Paris!; I—I detest, I loathe it!”

Anne of AustriaAnne declares the extreme severity of her plan and her hatred of Paris, signaling her readiness to contemplate brutal measures.

“Ungrateful woman that I am, for twenty years I have forgotten this man, whom I ought to have made a maréchal of France. My mother-in-law expended gold, caresses, dignities on Concini, who ruined her; the king made Vitry maréchal of France for an assassination: while I have left in obscurity, in poverty, the noble D’Artagnan, who saved me!”

Anne of AustriaAnne recalls D'Artagnan's past loyalty and decides to call on him, pivoting the plot toward a personal enlistment to execute her escape plan.

Characters in Chapter 49

• Anne of Austria
• Cardinal Mazarin
• Broussel
• Louvières
• Friquet
• Rochefort
• Chevalier d’Humières
• D'Artagnan
• Raoul de Bragelonne
• Madame de Chevreuse
• Prince de Condé
• Madame de Longueville
• Abbé de Gondy
• Duc de Beaufort
• Mordaunt
• Cromwell
• Concini
• Vitry
• Maria de Médicis
• Monsieur de Vendôme
• Charles I