The Count of Monte Cristo

Morrel’s Dying Vision of Monte Cristo

Morrel’s Dying Vision of Monte Cristo Morrel makes a last effort to extend his hand but it falls powerless. Monte Cristo appears to grow in stature, his form standing in relief against the red tapestry with his black hair thrown back, taking on the attitude of an avenging angel. A delicious torpor permeates Morrel’s veins, his thoughts grow indistinct, and he drifts into the vague delirium that precedes death. His tongue becomes heavy in his throat and his languid eyes close, though through his eyelashes a well-known form seems to move in the surrounding obscurity.

Valentine’s Appearance to the Dying Morrel

Valentine’s Appearance to the Dying Morrel Monte Cristo opens a door, and a brilliant light from an adjoining room floods the chamber. A woman of marvellous beauty, pale and sweetly smiling like an angel of mercy, appears on the threshold. Morrel, believing himself on the threshold of heaven, recognizes her as resembling the angel he has lost. Monte Cristo points her toward Morrel, and she advances with clasped hands; Morrel mentally calls out “Valentine, Valentine!” though his lips make no sound, and he sighs as his eyes close again.

Monte Cristo Reveals His Rescue of Morrel and Valentine

Monte Cristo Reveals His Rescue of Morrel and Valentine Monte Cristo tells Valentine that she and Morrel would both have died without his intervention. He explains that the man to whom she has confided her destiny was calling her and that he has vanquished death so that the two will never again be separated on earth. He asks her to thank him, confessing that he requires this assurance, and urges her to consider Haydée as her true sister.

Valentine’s Gratitude to Monte Cristo

Valentine’s Gratitude to Monte Cristo Valentine seizes the Count’s hand and, in an irresistible impulse of joy, carries it to her lips. She thanks him with all her heart and vouches for the sincerity of her gratitude by invoking Haydée, her beloved sister, who has taught her patience during their time away from France and has spoken constantly of Monte Cristo.

Monte Cristo’s Request for Valentine to Protect Haydée

Monte Cristo’s Request for Valentine to Protect Haydée Monte Cristo, with emotion he cannot conceal, asks Valentine a favour: since she has already called Haydée her sister, he asks her to make it true, to render Haydée the gratitude she believes she owes him, and to protect her, because henceforth Haydée will be alone in the world. His voice grows thick with feeling as he speaks of Haydée’s coming solitude.

Haydée’s Heartbreak Over Planned Separation

Haydée’s Heartbreak Over Planned Separation A voice behind the Count repeats “Alone in the world!” and Haydée stands there, pale and motionless with an expression of fearful amazement. Monte Cristo explains that he will restore her name and her father’s riches, granting her freedom and a proper place in society, for he will not allow his destiny to overshadow hers any longer. Haydée lifts her transparent hands to heaven and, her voice stifled with tears, asks whether he means to leave her.

Haydée’s Confession of Love for Monte Cristo

Haydée’s Confession of Love for Monte Cristo When Monte Cristo tells Haydée to forget even his name and be happy, she bows in submission and begins to step back to retire. Valentine, supporting Morrel’s head, cries out that Haydée is pale and suffering. Haydée answers with a heartrending expression that he is her master and she his slave, with no right to be noticed. When Monte Cristo asks whether she would be displeased not to leave him, Haydée confesses that she is young, loves the life he has made sweet to her, and would die if he abandoned her.

Monte Cristo’s Acceptance of Haydée’s Love

Monte Cristo’s Acceptance of Haydée’s Love Monte Cristo asks Haydée if she loves him, and she cries out her love for him as a father, brother, and husband, declaring him the best and noblest of created beings. He opens his arms and she springs into them. He tells her that God has pardoned him, that one word from her has enlightened him more than twenty years of experience, and that through her he will again take hold on life, through her suffer, and through her rejoice. He accepts his fate, whether recompense or punishment, and embraces her.