The Count of Monte Cristo

KAPITEL 55. Major Cavalcanti

Chapter 55. Major Cavalcanti Monte Cristo receives the so-called Major Cavalcanti, an Italian visitor whose arrival was arranged to serve as a pretext for declining Albert Morcerf’s invitation. The Count verifies the man’s identity, reads the letter of introduction from Abbé Busoni, arranges the promised financial credit, supplies the missing legal documents, and coaches the visitor on the backstory he must maintain. The chapter concludes with the revelation that the young man Andrea Cavalcanti, introduced to Parisian society as the Major’s long-lost son, is already waiting in another room of the house.

Arrival of the visitor at Monte Cristo’s residence

Arrival of the visitor at Monte Cristo’s residence At seven o’clock, after Baptistin and M. Bertuccio had cleared the house according to plan, a cab deposits a man of about fifty-two at the gate of No. 30 Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The visitor wears a green surtout with black frogs, blue cloth trousers, heavy-soled boots, buckskin gloves, a gendarme-shaped hat, and a black-and-white striped cravat. Described as “picturesque,” he rings at the gate, confirms he is at Monte Cristo’s residence, enters, and ascends the steps. Baptistin, who has been expecting him, recognizes the white-haired, gray-moustached stranger from a prior description and ushers him into a simple, elegant drawing-room where the Count rises to greet him with a smile.

Verification of the visitor’s identity as Major Cavalcanti

Verification of the visitor’s identity as Major Cavalcanti The Italian introduces himself and the Count confirms he has been precisely informed of the arrival time. Questioning the visitor, Monte Cristo establishes his name as Marquis Bartolomeo Cavalcanti and notes that his visit was suggested not by himself but by the Abbé Busoni, whose letter of introduction the Major carries. The Major timidly allows that the French title “major” may correspond to his Italian military rank, accepting this without protest. Throughout the exchange, the visitor betrays a slight unease beneath the Count’s polite, measured questioning.

Review of the Abbé Busoni’s letter and financial provisions

Review of the Abbé Busoni’s letter and financial provisions Monte Cristo reads the Abbé Busoni’s letter aloud, confirming Cavalcanti’s patrician Luccan descent, his ancestral Florentine Cavalcanti lineage, and his half-million income, at which the Major expresses surprise. The letter also mentions the one thing needed for his happiness: the recovery of a son stolen in infancy by either a family enemy or gypsies at the age of five. The Count notes Busoni’s assurance that he can restore this son, and the Major, relieved, confirms belief in the letter to the end. When a postscript is mentioned, the Major grows anxious; the postscript specifies that Busoni has sent a 2,000-franc draft for travel expenses and credited the Major with 48,000 francs owed by Monte Cristo to the Abbé. The Major presses to ensure the postscript is as favorably received as the rest, since he has brought no other funds. The Count agrees to remit the 48,000 francs on the Major’s first request, then offers Alicante wine and biscuits.

Discussion of missing marriage and birth registration documents

Discussion of missing marriage and birth registration documents The conversation turns to Cavalcanti’s past. Although generally believed to be a bachelor, the Major admits a youthful indiscretion he wished to conceal. He describes his secret marriage to a noblewoman of Fiesole, raising moist eyes to invoke “his poor mother.” When Monte Cristo names her—Oliva Corsinari, a marchioness—the Italian is astonished at the Count’s foreknowledge. The Count then asks whether the Major brought the certificate of marriage and the register of his child’s birth. The Major admits he did not bring them, having not known they were necessary. Monte Cristo explains that in France such documents are indispensable: marriage is a civil affair, and without them doubts could be raised that would jeopardize Andrea’s position and ruin any desirable matrimonial alliance.

Provision of required family documents by the Count

Provision of required family documents by the Count Relieved at the Major’s predicament, Monte Cristo reveals that he himself possesses the necessary papers, sent by the prudent Abbé Busoni. He produces the priest’s certificate of the marriage of Cavalcanti and Oliva Corsinari at the church of San Paolo del Monte-Cattini, as well as the baptismal register of Andrea Cavalcanti from the curé of Saravezza. The Major, astonished, clasps his hands in admiration. Monte Cristo hands the documents over, telling him to give them to his son, who will know to keep them safe, since obtaining duplicates would be nearly impossible. He expresses satisfaction that the Major understands the value of these “invaluable” papers.