The Count of Monte Cristo

Count’s Gloom and Resolve

Count’s Gloom and Resolve After Mercédès leaves, Monte Cristo falls into profound melancholy, his mind numb and his lamp burning low as he questions the vanity of his long-nursed revenge. The thought that Mercédès might throw herself between the duelists and make him appear ridiculous drives a surge of pride: he would sooner die than be humiliated. Concluding that his death must be seen as deliberate rather than self-inflicted cowardice, he resolves to publicize the suicide of his plan—and thereby his own end—by adding an explanatory codicil to his will.

Drafting the Will Codicil

Drafting the Will Codicil In the small hours, Monte Cristo unlocks a secret drawer and writes a codicil beneath his Paris will, framing his death as the chosen withdrawal of an agent of Providence whose vengeful scheme has been overtaken by love. He then composes a second clause bequeathing twenty millions hidden in the grotto on Monte Cristo to Maximilian Morrel, with the expressed wish that, if Maximilian is free, he marry Haydée, daughter of Ali Pasha, who is already constituted heiress of the remaining roughly sixty millions in lands, foreign funds, and palaces.

Haydée’s Distress and Fainting

Haydée’s Distress and Fainting The new dawn finds Haydée asleep on a chair outside the Count’s door, having kept vigil until exhaustion overcame her. Carrying her to her room after she awakens, reads the bequest, tears the will into four pieces, and faints at his feet, Monte Cristo is struck for the first time by the possibility that her devotion exceeds a daughter’s love, and he murmurs that he might still have been happy. Returning to his study, he re-copies the destroyed will, seals it in three places, and hears Maximilian’s cabriolet arrive in the courtyard.

Morrel’s Early Visit

Morrel’s Early Visit Maximilian arrives twenty minutes ahead of schedule, sleepless and needing reassurance, and Monte Cristo greets him with an embrace and entrusts him with the sealed will to deliver to his solicitor. Maximilian recounts his failed attempt the previous night at Tortoni’s to substitute swords for pistols by appealing to Beauchamp and Château-Renaud. To demonstrate his terrible proficiency, Monte Cristo fires four successive shots that shear the edges off an ace of clubs, leaving Morrel pale and acknowledging that Albert’s only hope lies in the Count’s emotion or generosity.

Duel Preparations

Duel Preparations Monte Cristo outlines the agreed terms: he will fire first at twenty paces, Morrel having claimed that concession for the challenged party. Dismissing Morrel’s plea to wound rather than kill Albert, he insists he intends to be carried home from the encounter and hints that a supernatural warning has shown him his time has run out. He produces his pistols, and Maximilian steps away to verify that the opposing seconds have brought weapons of their own.

Travel to the Duel Site

Travel to the Duel Site With the carriage ready and the clock striking eight, Monte Cristo pauses briefly at a door to muffle a sob from within before taking his seat beside Maximilian and Emmanuel. During the ride he questions Maximilian about his heart and learns that his young captain loves another, which costs him his hope that Morrel might one day wed Haydée. He rallies with a stoic observation about retiring politely from the world’s drawing-room, and the carriage draws up at the appointed place of meeting, the Count stepping down first to offer his friends his hand.

Arrival of Duel Seconds

Arrival of Duel Seconds Morrel and Emmanuel disembark to find two seconds already waiting beneath the trees, and Beauchamp and Château-Renaud approach courteously but coldly. A second carriage then brings an unexpected addition: Franz and Debray, summoned that morning by Albert, who has clearly wished all his circle present to witness both the challenge and the combat. Beauchamp produces new, unused pistols for the affair, and Morrel deduces Albert’s purpose in gathering so many witnesses to the morning’s deadly business.