The Count of Monte Cristo

Andrea’s Parisian Success

M. Andrea Cavalcanti successfully established himself in Parisian society after inheriting papers proving his lineage as son of the Marquis Bartolomeo and Marchioness Oliva Corsinari. Within a fortnight, he gained a respectable position, being addressed as “Count” and reputed to possess 50,000 livres per annum. His father’s supposed vast riches buried in the quarries of Saravezza became a constant topic of discussion, and a learned man even corroborated having seen these quarries, lending credibility to assertions previously considered doubtful.

Monte Cristo Calls on Madame Danglars

Monte Cristo visited Danglars’ home one evening to find the banker absent. Madame Danglars, who experienced nervous shudders at the count’s name since the dinner at Auteuil, received him graciously. His noble countenance and agreeable manner soon dispelled her fears. In the boudoir, Monte Cristo observed Andrea Cavalcanti dressed elegantly, wearing a sparkling diamond on his finger despite advice against it, while directing admiring glances toward Mademoiselle Danglars.

Eugenie and Mademoiselle d’Armilly

Mademoiselle Danglars proved as cold and satirical as ever, receiving Andrea’s attentions with indifference that made his sighs and glances seem to fall against an impenetrable shield. She coldly bowed to Monte Cristo and seized the first opportunity to escape to her study, where she and Mademoiselle Louise d’Armilly, her singing teacher, performed together at the piano as a charming tableau vivant. Danglars later brought Andrea into the same room with his daughter, much to the baroness’s concern about what would happen if Albert de Morcerf discovered a rival there.

Danglars Conceals His Losses

Madame Danglars boasted to Monte Cristo of her husband’s strength of mind after he had lost three or four hundred thousand francs that morning due to a failure at Milan. The count observed that Danglars was beginning to conceal his losses, noting that a month earlier he would have boasted of them. When Monte Cristo suggested he would regain his money at the Bourse, the baroness corrected him, insisting her husband never speculated. The count then advised her to secure an independent fortune, advice that made her blush despite her efforts.

The Broken Engagement

Madame Danglars informed Monte Cristo of the tragic fate befalling the Villefort family. The Marquis of Saint-Méran had died shortly after departing for Paris, followed soon after by the marchioness upon her arrival. The planned marriage between their daughter and Franz d’Épinay had apparently been broken off the previous morning, though the reason remained unknown. Monte Cristo responded with philosophical detachment about the natural order of mortality.

Albert de Morcerf’s Arrival

The Vicomte Albert de Morcerf arrived at the Danglars residence looking handsome and in high spirits. He bowed politely to the baroness, familiarly to Danglars, and affectionately to Monte Cristo before inquiring after Mademoiselle Danglars. When informed she was at the piano with M. Cavalcanti, Albert retained his calm demeanor despite the implications of a rival’s presence with his betrothed.

Albert’s Indifference

Albert demonstrated remarkable coolness throughout the encounter, making no display of jealousy despite finding Andrea alone with Eugénie. He praised Cavalcanti’s tenor voice and Eugénie’s soprano in an apparently sincere manner, remarking on what a delightful concert they must have provided. Danglars grew increasingly annoyed at the young man’s indifference, eventually taking Monte Cristo aside to discuss his concerns about the engagement.

Danglars Seeks to End the Match

Danglars expressed frustration to Monte Cristo about Albert’s cold demeanor, declaring he had promised to give his daughter to a man who loved her, not one who did not. He questioned the wisdom of proceeding with the Morcerf match given Albert’s apparent lack of affection and his father’s questionable past. The banker requested Monte Cristo to speak explicitly with the elder Morcerf to either confirm the marriage with a fixed day and conditions or end negotiations entirely.

The Courier from Greece

Upon returning from his private conversation with Monte Cristo, Danglars appeared visibly agitated after receiving an important courier from Greece. His manner changed dramatically, and he cast suspicious glances at Albert when the young man inquired casually about King Otho’s wellbeing. Monte Cristo observed the banker’s distress and turned away to conceal any expression of pity that might have betrayed his own knowledge of the situation.