The Count of Monte Cristo

Albert’s Departure

Beauchamp delivers a final cold bow and retires to the press-room. Albert vents his fury upon a pile of newspapers, switching them violently with his stick and sending them flying across the office. After this outburst, he departs—though not without walking several times past the press-room door, as if half-minded to enter. He continues his rage in his carriage, lashing its front as he had the newspapers that bore the offending article.

Meeting Morrel

As Albert crosses the barrier in his carriage, he encounters Morrel, who is walking briskly with a bright eye. Morrel is passing the Chinese Baths, appearing to have come from the direction of the Porte Saint-Martin and heading toward the Madeleine. Albert observes that here passes a happy man—an opinion the narrative suggests is not mistaken.

KAPITEL 79. The Lemonade

Chapter 79, titled “The Lemonade,” centers on Maximilian Morrel’s urgent visit to Noirtier’s house in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré. During the visit, Valentine, with Noirtier’s approval, presents Morrel with their plan for eventual marriage. The happy occasion turns to horror when the old servant Barrois, after drinking a glass of lemonade, collapses in violent convulsions. Doctor d’Avrigny arrives, recognizes the symptoms of poisoning, and rushes to recover the remaining lemonade, confirming it is contaminated as a second paroxysm seizes Barrois. Chapter 79, titled “The Lemonade,” depicts Dr. d’Avrigny’s urgent investigation into the sudden illness of Barrois, Noirtier’s loyal servant. Through pointed questioning of Noirtier, interrogation of the dying Barrois, and a chemical test using syrup of violets, d’Avrigny conclusively proves that the lemonade was poisoned. Barrois dies rapidly, and d’Avrigny directly accuses Villefort of presiding over a household plagued by serial poisonings, leaving the prosecutor horrified and overwhelmed.

KAPITEL 79. The Lemonade

Chapter 79, titled “The Lemonade,” centers on Maximilian Morrel’s urgent visit to Noirtier’s house in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré. During the visit, Valentine, with Noirtier’s approval, presents Morrel with their plan for eventual marriage. The happy occasion turns to horror when the old servant Barrois, after drinking a glass of lemonade, collapses in violent convulsions. Doctor d’Avrigny arrives, recognizes the symptoms of poisoning, and rushes to recover the remaining lemonade, confirming it is contaminated as a second paroxysm seizes Barrois.

Morrel Rushes to Noirtier’s Summons

Morrel arrives at Noirtier’s residence in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré after receiving an urgent summons. He has run on foot from the Rue Meslay, placing more faith in his own legs than in a cab-horse. The elderly servant Barrois, sixty years old, struggles to keep pace with the young, lovesick Morrel. The two men are bound together by their connection to Noirtier. Upon arrival, Barrois ushers Morrel through a private entrance into the study, closing the door behind them. Valentine soon enters, looking beautiful in her mourning dress, followed by Noirtier in his wheeled armchair, who greets Morrel with great kindness.

Noirtier and Valentine Present Their Marriage Plan to Morrel

Valentine, acting as Noirtier’s interpreter, explains their plan to Morrel. Noirtier intends to leave Villefort’s house and take apartments elsewhere, with Valentine to live nearby under his protection. They will await M. de Villefort’s consent, and if he refuses, they will wait until Valentine comes of age in ten months, when she will be free and independent. At that point, with Noirtier’s approval, she will fulfill her promise to marry Morrel. Until then, they will conform to circumstances and wait patiently, with Noirtier commanding Morrel to take no rash action that could compromise their happiness. Morrel swears obedience, and the lovers share a tender moment while Barrois smiles upon them from the room.

Barrois Collapses After Drinking Lemonade

Noirtier directs attention to a decanter of lemonade, and Valentine offers Barrois a glass, noting how hot and perspiring he looks. Barrois takes the glass and drains it completely. As Valentine and Morrel exchange farewells, the doorbell rings—it is past noon on Saturday, and Valentine suspects it is the doctor. Barrois staggers back into the room to announce Doctor d’Avrigny, but he is clearly unwell. He collapses in violent convulsions at Noirtier’s feet, his features contorted, his body rigid, and foam appearing around his mouth. M. de Villefort appears on the threshold, and Valentine cries out for help. Madame de Villefort descends with smelling-salts but makes a peculiar inquiry about what Barrois has eaten. Valentine explains he drank only a glass of Noirtier’s lemonade. Madame de Villefort starts visibly at this information and glances between the servant and master. Morrel, hidden behind a curtain, slips away by a back staircase, while Villefort fetches the doctor.