Twenty Years After Chapter 62 Summary

Summary

D’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis ride toward London after fleeing the scene of recent events, debating whether to leave England or remain to witness the unfolding crisis. Athos recalls D’Artagnan’s earlier vow to die where honor demands, and the four resolve to stay until they see the outcome; they also want a chance to settle accounts with Mordaunt. Concerned about recognition, they agree to change clothes and cut their hair so as to pass as Puritans.

They reach London before dawn and pass the gate by claiming to be messengers for Colonel Harrison; Athos’s fluent English and convincing story ease suspicion. At the Bedford Tavern they are welcomed by the Spanish host (Senor Perez), and the landlord outfits them in Puritan-style garments. From a window the friends see the king’s carriage and spot Harrison and Mordaunt among the escort. The next day they hear a public proclamation summoning Charles I to appear before Parliament; Athos scoffs at the legitimacy of such an act but listens as the host explains how Colonel Bridge has 'weeded' Parliament of Royalists. The friends discuss the likely fate of the king and vow vengeance on Mordaunt if they can; they decide to attend the parliamentary sessions that begin the following day.

Key events

1. The four friends decide to remain in England to witness the crisis and possibly confront Mordaunt.
2. They plan and carry out disguises—new clothes and shaved heads—to pass as Puritans.
3. Athos gains entry to London by pretending to be a messenger for Colonel Harrison.
4. They lodge at the Bedford Tavern with the Spanish host (Senor Perez).
5. They see the king arrive and identify Harrison and Mordaunt in his escort.
6. A public proclamation summons Charles I to Parliament, and the friends discuss Bridge’s 'weeding' of Parliament.

Analysis

This chapter shifts the novel’s setting into the heart of political conflict: London and the public legal spectacle surrounding Charles I. By having the four musketeers disguise themselves as Puritans, Dumas dramatizes questions of identity, loyalty and performance—how appearance can deceive, and how political allegiance is often signaled by dress. The friends’ decision to remain despite the danger foregrounds their codes of honor and curiosity; Athos’s reference to D’Artagnan’s earlier vow anchors personal loyalty against the impersonal machinery of state justice. The episode with the Spaniard/host provides local color and exposition: the 'weeding' of Parliament via Colonel Bridge explains how the new regime neutralizes Royalist power and raises the stakes for the king and for any sympathizers.

Narratively, the chapter functions as a hinge from pursuit to observation: the protagonists move from physical action to witnessing political theater, positioning them as both participants and spectators. Foreshadowing appears in the identification of Mordaunt among the escort and in the friends’ sworn intent to kill him—this personal vendetta is now intertwined with national events. The mixture of comic detail (ill-fitting disguises, Porthos’s preoccupation with breakfast) and solemn political discussion balances tone, keeping characters true to their personalities while advancing the plot toward the parliamentary sessions the friends plan to attend.

Important quotes

““This time,” said D’Artagnan, when they were sufficiently distant to proceed at a trot, “I think all is lost and we have nothing better to do than to reach France.”

D’ArtagnanD’Artagnan suggests leaving England after recent events, prompting debate among the friends about honor and staying to witness the crisis.

““We will invoke the remembrance of that poor De Winter, for whom he seemed to have a great regard; we will tell him that we have come as amateurs to see what is going on; we will spend with him a guinea each per day; and I think that by taking all these precautions we can be quite undisturbed.””

AramisAramis outlines a plan to lodge safely at the house of the Spanish host by invoking De Winter’s name and paying liberally.

““When I speak of the pure parliament,” resumed the host, “I mean the one which Colonel Bridge has weeded.””

Senor Perez (landlord)The landlord explains how Colonel Bridge removed many Royalist members from Parliament, revealing how the new power consolidates control.

Characters in Chapter 62

• D’Artagnan
• Athos
• Porthos
• Aramis
• Mousqueton
• Senor Perez
• Colonel Harrison
• Monsieur Bridge
• Mordaunt
• Charles I
• Noll Cromwell
• landlord