Twenty Years After Chapter 90 Summary

Summary

Athos summons d'Artagnan and Porthos to meet him at the Grand Charlemagne; they arrive to find him and Aramis in travel costume. Aramis explains that the end of the Fronde leaves little for him in Paris and that the Duchess de Longueville has invited him to Normandy to arrange matters during her son's baptism, after which he expects to retire to his convent at Noisy-le-Sec. Athos announces that he is returning to Bragelonne to manage his estate and safeguard young Raoul’s future, since Raoul's fortune is only what Athos possesses. Because war is breaking out in Flanders, Athos asks d'Artagnan to take Raoul with him to the campaign rather than leave the youth at Blois, hoping military life will form him into a brave, loyal man.

The four friends embrace with tears, uncertain whether they will meet again. D'Artagnan and Porthos walk back together; Porthos invites d'Artagnan to remain with him and enjoy baronial life, but d'Artagnan, eager for the upcoming campaign and ambition, declares his intent to go to war and jokes about high rank. They part warmly. Shortly after leaving, Porthos suddenly remembers the identity of the man he had killed: Bonacieux. Porthos departs with Mousqueton. D'Artagnan returns to the Hôtel de la Chevrette and arranges new lodgings with his hostess Madeleine, asking for a first-floor apartment to appear as a captain while keeping his old garret as a private refuge. The chapter closes on the snug domestic note of D'Artagnan planning his future while the circle of friends dissolves into separate paths.

Key events

1. Athos summons the friends and reveals travel plans with Aramis.
2. Aramis accepts an invitation from Madame de Longueville and plans to go to Normandy, then Noisy-le-Sec.
3. Athos announces his return to Bragelonne and entrusts Raoul to d'Artagnan.
4. The four friends say tearful farewells, uncertain if they'll meet again.
5. Porthos and d'Artagnan part; Porthos recalls he killed Bonacieux.
6. D'Artagnan returns to the Hôtel de la Chevrette, arranges new lodgings with Madeleine.

Analysis

This concluding chapter performs the twin tasks of emotional closure and narrative redirection. It dissolves the intimate group unit formed over the novel—Athos, Aramis, Porthos, d'Artagnan and Raoul—by giving each a deliberate outward trajectory: religious retreat, estate stewardship, baronial life, and military ambition. The chapter emphasizes themes of duty versus desire (Athos choosing paternal duty over Parisian pleasures; d'Artagnan choosing ambition and campaign), the passage from youthful camaraderie to separate adult responsibilities, and the persistence of loyalty even amid separation. The farewell scene, with its embrace and unslept night, offers emotional catharsis: success and fulfilled hopes are paired with melancholy and uncertainty about the future.

Symbolically, keeping the old garret while taking a first-floor apartment suggests d'Artagnan's attempt to reconcile his past identity with his new rank—public appearance versus private self. Porthos's offhand recollection that the slain man was Bonacieux provides a closing, almost comic, line that undercuts grandeur with domestic familiarity and reminds readers that violence in the story has personal consequences. Narratively, the chapter functions as a hinge: it disperses characters to new settings (Bragelonne, Normandy, Flanders campaigns), setting up future developments while providing a tidy, affective end to this portion of the tale. The tone balances wistfulness with practical decisions, underscoring Dumas's interest in honor, friendship, and the responsibilities those ideals impose.

Important quotes

““What!” cried Porthos, “are we all going away, then? I also have made my preparations this morning.””

PorthosPorthos reacts with surprise and reveals he has already prepared to leave, underlining the imminent separation.

““Take him and teach him to be as brave and loyal as you are yourself.””

AthosAthos entrusts Raoul to d'Artagnan, expressing his wish that Raoul learn courage and loyalty from his friend.

““’Twas that low fellow, Bonacieux.””

PorthosPorthos suddenly remembers the identity of the man he killed, a terse moment that adds a domestic, ironic touch to the farewell.

Characters in Chapter 90

• Athos
• Aramis
• Porthos
• d'Artagnan
• Raoul de Bragelonne
• Madame de Longueville
• Mousqueton
• Madeleine
• Bonacieux