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Twenty Years After: Mazarin

Louis XIII of France is dead. His son, the king, is but ten years of age. The mighty Richelieu is in his grave. Mazarin is cardinal, and though but a ghost of his illustrious predecessor, he holds almost absolute control over the queen--Anne of Austria.

The conditions are opportune for a story of personal daring and bloody encounter.

Mazarin is an Italian and is universally hated. Paris is leagued against the ministry, and the soldiers of the royal guard are attacked and their lieutenant, Cummings, is wounded. Everywhere there are forebodings and cries of "Down with Mazarin." The cardinal disguises himself and inspects the city. He finds the "Frondeurs"--the insurrectionists--in full sway. Somehow he must secure trusty servants or downfall awaits him. D'Artagnan, the lieutenant of the Musketeers, is recommended, together with his three sturdy colleagues. Count de Rochefort is brought from confinement in the Bastile to testify to d'Artagnan's allegiance, and is freed by the mob while being taken back to prison. Mazarin is in despair and he tells the queen that "the whole world conspires to break their bonds," and d'Artagnan is directed to find his three friends and attach them to the royal service. Aramis--Abbe d'Herblay--is an ecclesiastic in love with Mme. de Longueville. He hates the cardinal and refuses.

Porthos---the giant--living in luxury as M. de Valon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds, desires above all else to be a baron. He enlists. Athos--M. de la Fere--reformed from drink and devoted to a young ward--Viscount de Bragelonne--is still, as of old, a noble-minded lover of the people, and will not serve the cardinal.