* * * * *

Twenty Years After

      In this first-rate romance, which is a sequel to “The Three
     Musketeers,” and was published in 1845, we have D’Artagnan and
     the three musketeers in the prime of middle life.  Their
     efforts on behalf of Charles I. are amazing, worthy of
     anything done when they were twenty years younger.  All the
     characters introduced are for the most part historical, and
     they are all drawn with spirit, so that our interest in them
     never flags.  A remarkable point in regard to these historical
     romances of Dumas is that, in spite of their enormous length,
     no superfluous dialogue or long descriptions prolong them. 
     Dumas took considerable liberties with the facts of history in
     several places, as, for instance, in the introduction of
     D’Artagnan and his friends to Charles I., and in making his
     trial and execution follow as quickly on his surrender as we
     are made to believe in “Twenty Years After.”  The story is
     further continued in “The Vicomte de Bragelonne.”

I.—­The Parsimony of Mazarin

The great Richelieu was dead, and his successor, Cardinal Mazarin, a cunning and parsimonious Italian, was chief minister of France.  Paris, torn and distracted by civil dissension, and impoverished by heavy taxation, was seething with revolt, and Mazarin was the object of popular hatred, Anne of Austria, the queen-mother (for Louis XIV. was but a child), sharing his disfavour with the people.

It was under these circumstances that the queen recalled how faithfully D’Artagnan had once served her, and reminded Mazarin of that gallant officer, and of his three friends.  Mazarin sent for D’Artagnan, who for twenty years had remained a lieutenant of musketeers, and asked him what had become of his friends.

“I want you and your three friends to be of use to me,” said the cardinal.  “Where are your friends?”

“I do not know, my lord.  We parted company long ago; all three have left the service.”

“Where can you find them, then?”

“I can find them wherever they are.  It would be my business.”

“And what are the conditions for finding them?”

“Money, my lord; as much money as the undertaking may require.  Travelling is dear, and I am only a poor lieutenant in the musketeers.”

“You will be at my service when they are found?” asked Mazarin.

“What are we to do?”

“Don’t trouble about that.  When the time for action arrives you shall learn all that I require of you.  Wait till that comes, and find out where your friends are.”

Mazarin gave D’Artagnan a bag of money, and the latter withdrew, to discover in the courtyard that the bag contained silver and not gold.

“Crown pieces only, silver!” exclaimed D’Artagnan; “I guessed as much.  Ah, Mazarin, Mazarin, you have no real confidence in me.  So much the worse for you!”