The Count of Monte Cristo

Peasant Mask Snatches Albert’s Torch

Instantly, a mask wearing the well-known costume of a peasant woman snatches Albert’s moccoletto (carnival torch) from him without any resistance from Albert. Franz is too far away to hear their exchange, but sees no sign of hostility between the two.

Albert Disappears with the Peasant Girl

Albert disappears arm-in-arm with the peasant-masked girl, and Franz watches them move through the crowd until he loses sight of them in the Via Macello.

Carnival Ends as All Torches Go Out

The bell signaling the end of the Carnival sounds suddenly, and at the exact same moment every moccoletto is extinguished as if by enchantment, as though a single massive gust of wind had blown out all the revelers’ torches at once.

Franz is Left in Utter Darkness

Franz is left in total darkness: the only audible sound is that of carriages carrying masked attendees home, and the only visible light comes from a few lamps burning behind windows. The Carnival is over.

KAPITEL 37. The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian

The chapter opens with Franz d’Épinay experiencing an unprecedented rapid shift from gaiety to profound melancholy as he traverses Rome, which seems transformed into a vast, tomb-like city under the influence of a dark night; a waning moon does not rise until 11 PM, leaving the streets he travels in deep, intense obscurity. This chapter follows the Count of Monte Cristo and Franz as they mount a rapid night rescue mission to retrieve Franz’s friend Viscount Albert de Morcerf, who has been abducted and held for ransom in the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian by a band of brigands led by Luigi Vampa. After securing Albert’s release through a confrontation with Vampa, the group returns to the nighttime ballroom where Albert had been attending earlier.

KAPITEL 37. The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian

The chapter opens with Franz d’Épinay experiencing an unprecedented rapid shift from gaiety to profound melancholy as he traverses Rome, which seems transformed into a vast, tomb-like city under the influence of a dark night; a waning moon does not rise until 11 PM, leaving the streets he travels in deep, intense obscurity.

Franz’s Sudden Melancholy in Dark Rome

Franz is struck by an unusually sudden, intense shift from joy to sadness as Rome appears to turn into a massive tomb under a dark, demonic night atmosphere; the waning moon does not rise until 11 o’clock, plunging the city streets he travels through into near-total darkness.

Franz Dines Alone Awaiting Albert at the Hôtel de Londres

After a short ride, Franz arrives at the Hôtel de Londres where dinner is waiting, but he dines alone since Albert had told him he would not return soon. When landlord Signor Pastrini asks about Albert’s absence, Franz claims he accepted an invitation the prior evening. Plagued by unease from the sudden end of the moccoletti festival, the replacement of light with darkness, and the silence after the prior night’s turmoil, Franz eats silently despite Pastrini’s repeated offers of assistance. He resolves to wait for Albert as late as possible, orders a carriage for 11 PM, and asks Pastrini to notify him immediately when Albert returns.

Franz Inquires After Albert at the Duke of Bracciano’s

At 11 PM, Albert still has not returned, so Franz travels to the Duke of Bracciano’s palace, one of Rome’s most celebrated homes, hosted by the duchess, a heiress of the Colonnas family. Franz and Albert had brought letters of introduction to the duke and duchess, who immediately ask about Albert’s whereabouts. Franz says he last saw Albert when the moccili were being extinguished, lost him in the Via Macello, does not know where he went but suspects he was heading to a rendezvous. The duke and visiting Countess G (accompanied by the duke’s brother Signor Torlonia) warn that the gloomy night, with the Tiber River near the Via Macello, is dangerous for people out late, and Franz feels his own worries confirmed by their shared concern.