The Count of Monte Cristo

The Friends’ Farewell

The Count of Monte Cristo departs with Maximilian and Emmanuel while Albert remains with Beauchamp and Château-Renaud. Beauchamp congratulates Albert on his conduct during the duel with Monte Cristo, noting his rare chivalric generosity. Château-Renaud taps his boot with his cane, offering cooler praise. Albert explains that a serious matter occurred between himself and Monte Cristo, and his friends begin to advise him to leave France for calmer countries where the point of honor is better understood.

Advice to Leave France

Beauchamp counsels Albert to seek quietude and oblivion in Naples, the Hague, or St. Petersburg, recommending he return to France only after a few years. Château-Renaud agrees, noting that dishonored duels induce serious subsequent duels. Albert receives their advice graciously but reveals he already intended to quit France, thanking them for their services as his seconds. His determined tone suggests a finality that makes continuing conversation difficult. Beauchamp and Château-Renaud exchange glances and depart with farewell salutations.

Albert Returns Home

Albert rides alone to his house on the Rue du Helder. As he arrives, he notices his father Count de Morcerf watching from behind the bedroom curtain before turning away with a sigh. The young man proceeds to his own apartments, reflecting on the luxuries that have surrounded him since infancy—pictures, landscapes, and fine possessions. He takes down his mother’s portrait from its gilded frame and begins organizing his belongings.

A Son’s Inventory

Albert methodically arranges his Turkish arms, English guns, Japanese china, silver-mounted cups, and artistic bronzes. He examines every cupboard, placing keys in each and gathering all pocket money and fancy jewels into a drawer of his secretaire, which he leaves open. He creates an exact inventory of everything, placing it prominently on the table after clearing away accumulated books and papers. His servant arrives despite orders not to disturb, explaining that Count de Morcerf has summoned him to question him about the morning’s duel.

The Father’s Inquiry

Albert instructs his servant to tell his father only the truth—that he apologized to the Count of Monte Cristo. As Albert completes his inventory, he observes his father departing in a carriage. With the house temporarily empty, Albert proceeds to his mother’s room, where he discovers Mercédès engaged in similar preparations. The countess has been arranging laces, dresses, jewels, linen, and money in drawers, carefully collecting keys—paralleling her son’s own meticulous preparations to leave.

Mother and Son United

Mother and son stand face to face, both having independently resolved to abandon their home. Mercédès and Albert embrace as Albert exclaims “My mother!” An artist capturing their expressions would have created a beautiful painting. These proofs of their shared energetic resolution move Albert, who expresses concern for his mother’s welfare rather than his own fate.

Shared Resolutions

Albert asks his mother what she is doing, and she replies by asking the same of him. When Albert reveals he intends to bid farewell to the house and to her, Mercédès reveals she too is leaving, having hoped Albert would accompany her. Albert insists he cannot share his fate with her—he must live without rank or fortune, beginning a hard apprenticeship and borrowing from friends like Franz to survive. Mercédès begs him not to speak of poverty and hunger, but Albert remains firm, citing his youth, strength, and newly discovered willpower.

Taking the Name Herrera

Albert declares he must abandon the family name, which he cannot bear given his father’s shameful conduct. Mercédès offers her father’s name—Herrera—suggesting her son can render it illustrious through his future career. She encourages him to break with former friends but not to despair, reminding him he is barely twenty-two years old with life ahead. She accepts that she herself has no future, only the grave awaiting her beyond this house’s threshold. Albert agrees to fulfill all her wishes and share her hopes, proposing they act promptly while his father is away.

Preparations to Depart

Mother and son prepare to leave immediately. Mercédès declares herself ready, and Albert rushes to fetch a carriage. He recalls a small furnished house available on the Rue des Saints-Pères where his mother might find humble but decent lodging. As the carriage arrives and Albert alights, Bertuccio approaches with a letter from the Count of Monte Cristo. Albert takes the letter, opens it, reads it, and looks around for Bertuccio, but the messenger has vanished.