The Count of Monte Cristo

Morrel’s Revival and Initial Despair

Morrel’s Revival and Initial Despair After nearly an hour during which Valentine watches over him breathlessly, Morrel’s heart begins to beat, faint breath plays on his lips, and a shudder passes through his frame. When his eyes open, they are at first fixed and expressionless; then, as sight and feeling return, grief overwhelms him. He cries that the Count has deceived him, for he is still alive, and he seizes a knife from the table.

Valentine Reassures the Revived Morrel

Valentine Reassures the Revived Morrel Valentine, with her adorable smile, gently calls to him to awake and look at her. Morrel, frantic and doubtful, dazzled as though by a celestial vision, utters a loud exclamation and falls upon his knees before her.

Jacopo Delivers Monte Cristo’s Farewell Letter

Jacopo Delivers Monte Cristo’s Farewell Letter The next morning at daybreak, Valentine and Morrel walk arm-in-arm on the seashore as Valentine recounts how Monte Cristo appeared in her room, revealed the crime against her, and saved her life by enabling her to simulate death. They emerge from the open grotto beneath a sky still glittering with stars. Morrel spots a man waiting among the rocks; Valentine identifies him as Jacopo, the captain of the yacht, and beckons him forward. Jacopo announces that he bears a letter from the Count and hands it over.

Reading of Monte Cristo’s Final Letter

Reading of Monte Cristo’s Final Letter Morrel opens and reads the letter aloud, signed by Edmond Dantès, Count of Monte Cristo. The letter announces a felucca at anchor to carry them to Leghorn, where Monsieur Noirtier awaits his granddaughter to bless her before the wedding. Monte Cristo bequeaths the contents of the grotto, his house in the Champs-Élysées, and his château at Tréport to Maximilian as wedding gifts, and entreats Valentine to give to the poor the fortune reverting to her from her mad father and her dead brother. He confesses that he thought himself for an instant equal to God, but now acknowledges with Christian humility that God alone possesses supreme power and infinite wisdom. He concludes with the reflection that there is neither happiness nor misery in the world, only comparison between states, and that all human wisdom is summed up in two words: “Wait and hope.”

Monte Cristo and Haydée’s Departure

Monte Cristo and Haydée’s Departure Valentine weeps silently as she learns of her father’s madness and her brother’s death, feeling the cost of her happiness. Morrel, uneasy at the Count’s overwhelming generosity, asks to be led to him. Jacopo points toward the horizon, where on the blue line where sky meets sea a large white sail is visible. Morrel cries out a tearful farewell to his friend and father; Valentine murmurs farewell to her sweet Haydée, her sister. Wondering whether they shall ever see them again, Morrel is answered by Valentine, who recalls the Count’s parting words: “Wait and hope (Fac et spera)!”