The Count of Monte Cristo

Feigning Sleep

Valentine seized the count’s hand, saying she thought she heard a noise and begging him to leave. He replied farewell for the present, walking on tiptoe toward the library door with a sad, paternal smile that filled her heart with gratitude. Before closing the door, he turned and issued a fearful injunction: not a movement, not a word, to let them think she slept, or perhaps she might be killed before he could help her. With this warning, the count disappeared through the door, which noiselessly closed after him.

KAPITEL 101. Locusta

This chapter centers on Valentine de Villefort’s midnight vigil as she awaits potential danger, following Monte Cristo’s warning about her stepmother’s murderous intentions. The chapter reveals the full extent of Madame de Villefort’s plot to eliminate Valentine for inheritance money and introduces the Count’s countermeasure to save her through a mysterious pastille.

Midnight Vigil

Valentine remains alone as midnight approaches, listening to clocks strike the hour. She counts the seconds, comparing them to her heart’s faster beatings. Unable to imagine anyone desiring her death, she questions what she could have done to provoke an enemy.

A Dreadful Suspicion

The thought that an assassin might tire of poison and resort to steel fills Valentine with terror. She fears Monte Cristo may not arrive in time to rescue her, and she may never see Morrel again. She nearly decides to ring for help but recalls the Count’s luminous eye and feels ashamed at the thought of owing him more debt.

The Count’s Signal

Twenty minutes pass slowly, followed by another ten. The half-hour strikes, and Valentine hears the sound of fingernails grating against the library door—Monte Cristo’s signal that he still watches and advises her to do the same. Simultaneously, she detects movement near Edward’s room.

The Poisoner Arrives

A door opens slowly, and Valentine throws herself down, shading her eyes. She hears a voice whisper her name twice, but she remains silent as promised. The sound of liquid pouring into her empty glass follows, and she ventures to glance through her eyelashes.

Madame de Villefort’s Visit

Valentine sees a woman in a white dressing-gown pouring liquid from a phial into her glass. Madame de Villefort leans over the bed to check if Valentine sleeps, and the girl shudders. She notices the woman’s hand clasps what might be a long sharp knife. Valentine forces herself to close her eyes while the poisoner completes her task and withdraws.

The Step-Mother’s Hand

Valentine recognizes her stepmother and cannot suppress a shudder that vibrates the bed. Madame de Villefort retreats to the shadows, watching for any movement. The fair, round arm of a woman barely twenty-five years old retreats after spreading death.

Monte Cristo Returns

The grating against the library door snaps Valentine from her stupor. Monte Cristo reappears at the noiseless door and asks if she still doubts. Valentine groaning admits she saw but cannot believe what she witnessed.

The Poison Identified

Monte Cristo explains that Madame de Villefort has changed tactics—brucine is no longer employed but replaced with a simple narcotic. He raises the glass to his lips and confirms he can taste alcohol in which the poison is dissolved. He warns that drinking it would doom Valentine.

The Inheritance Revealed

Valentine learns she is targeted because she possesses 200,000 livres a year that prevents Madame de Villefort’s son Edward from enjoying the fortune. The inheritance comes from Valentine’s maternal relations, making her a obstacle to the boy’s wealth.

A Chain of Crimes

Monte Cristo reveals that Monsieur and Madame de Saint-Méran died for this fortune, that Noirtier was sentenced the day he made Valentine his heir, and that Valentine herself must die so her father would inherit, leaving Edward as successor. Valentine asks if all these crimes were committed for the sake of a child.

The Grandfather’s Fate

Valentine questions why her grandfather is permitted to live. Monte Cristo explains that with Valentine dead, the fortune would naturally revert to her brother unless he were disinherited. Additionally, killing the grandfather would appear unnecessarily criminal and pointless.