The Count of Monte Cristo

40010m

This section, marked with the local identifier 40010m, is included in the fourth volume of the larger work, appearing in sequence alongside the entries 40012m and 40020m as presented in the source material. It is categorized under Chapter 73, titled “The Promise,” per the provided chapter metadata for this portion of the text.

40012m

The section marked 40012m falls within Volume Four of the broader work, positioned between the source text entries labeled 40010m and 40020m in the provided sequence. It is recorded as the fourth fragment of Chapter 73, titled “The Promise”, in the accompanying chapter metadata, and carries the local section key s3 in the document’s structural hierarchy.

40020m

This section, labeled with the identifier 40020m, is a level 1 subheading nested under the root parent key in the fourth volume of the larger work, and falls within Chapter 73 titled “The Promise.” It appears after the 40010m and 40012m entries in the chapter’s fragment sequence, marking the fourth fragment in the chapter’s overall structure.

Chapter 74. The Villefort Family Vault

The chapter describes the joint funeral of the Marquis and Marchioness de Saint-Méran at Père-Lachaise cemetery, attended by a considerable crowd of mourners and aristocrats who had gathered in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré. During the funeral procession, the young officer Maximilian Morrel encounters the mourners and is particularly struck when he learns that Franz d’Épinay has seen Valentine pale and in deep sorrow, which troubles him greatly as he is secretly opposed to Franz’s marriage to Valentine. After the burial, Villefort immediately returns home with Franz and pushes to have the marriage contract signed that very day, despite the recent deaths. The notary reveals that Noirtier has disinherited Valentine entirely due to her marriage plans, but Villefort declares his father’s will will never be questioned during his lifetime. At the crucial moment when the contract is about to be signed, Barrois arrives with a summons from Noirtier, who wishes to speak to Franz immediately—a startling development that leaves everyone in astonishment and interrupts the proceedings.

The Double Funeral Procession

Two days after the deaths, a large crowd gathers at Villefort’s residence along the Faubourg Saint-Honoré. A black covered wagon containing the Marquis de Saint-Méran’s corpse arrives, and it becomes clear that those expecting to attend one funeral will witness two. Permission is obtained for both interments to occur simultaneously at Père-Lachaise cemetery, where Villefort has a family tomb prepared. The remains of Renée, Villefort’s deceased first wife, already rest there, and now her parents join her after ten years of separation. The Parisians observe the procession of old aristocracy with reverent silence.

Speculation on the Deaths and Inheritance

In one of the mourning coaches, Beauchamp, Debray, Albert, and Château-Renaud discuss the Marchioness de Saint-Méran’s sudden death. Château-Renaud recalls she appeared healthy only a year ago, leading to speculation about whether she truly died of apoplexy or simply grief following her husband’s death. Albert mentions that Franz has assured him she was sixty-six years old. The conversation turns to the inheritance: Valentine will receive 80,000 livres per annum from the Saint-Méran estate, which will double upon old Noirtier’s death. Beauchamp comments on Noirtier’s remarkable longevity, comparing him to a Conventionalist of ’93, while Albert wonders how Franz will accept a grandfather who cannot be separated from his wife.

Arrival at Père Lachaise

The funeral procession arrives at Père-Lachaise after approximately an hour. The weather is mild but dull, appropriate for the solemn occasion. Among the crowds flocking toward the family vault, Château-Renaud spots Morrel walking alone along the yew-tree bordered path.

Morrel at the Cemetery

Château-Renaud encounters Morrel and questions why he attends, assuming he must be a friend of Villefort’s. Morrel clarifies he was acquainted with Madame de Saint-Méran rather than Villefort. Albert then introduces Morrel to Franz, describing him as an excellent friend associated with affection, wit, and amiability. Morrel struggles to maintain composure when Debray mentions that Mademoiselle de Villefort appears in deep sorrow, having seen Valentine looking pale that morning. This news pierces Morrel’s heart, as he has secretly sworn to oppose Franz’s marriage to Valentine.