The Count of Monte Cristo

Baron Danglars Calls at Monte Cristo

At about two o’clock, a calash drawn by a pair of magnificent English horses stops at Monte Cristo’s door. Its occupant, dressed in a blue coat with matching buttons, a white waistcoat bearing a massive gold chain, brown trousers, and a profusion of black hair, presents himself as a man past fifty who desires to be taken for not more than forty. The baronial arms on the carriage panels identify him as a baron. He directs his groom to inquire whether the Count of Monte Cristo resides there and is within. While waiting, the man surveys the house, garden, and servants’ livery with an attention so close as to border on impertinence. His keen but cunning gaze, thin lips drawn tightly over his teeth, broad projecting cheekbones, flat forehead, and the enlargement at the back of his skull mark a physiognomy that is anything but prepossessing—save to those who, dazzled by his splendid equipage, the enormous diamond in his shirt, and the red ribbon at his buttonhole, consider him all that is admirable and enviable.

Refused at the Gate

The groom taps at the porter’s lodge and asks if the Count of Monte Cristo lives there. The concierge confirms that his excellency resides at the house, but, glancing inquiringly at Ali, receives a sign in the negative and adds that the count does not receive visitors that day. When the groom presses, the concierge replies that he never speaks to his excellency, and that the valet de chambre must carry any message. The groom returns crestfallen to the carriage and reports what has passed. Danglars, somewhat taken aback, murmurs that the man must be a prince rather than a count to be styled “excellency” and to be approached only through a valet, but he reflects that it does not signify since the count holds a letter of credit on him, and he will have to see the count when his money is required. Throwing himself back in his carriage, Danglars calls out in a voice that rings across the road, “To the Chamber of Deputies.”

Monte Cristo’s Assessment of Danglars

Apprised in time of the visit, Monte Cristo has observed the baron from behind the blinds of his pavilion with a lorgnette, scrutinizing him as closely as Danglars scrutinized the house and servants. The count pronounces that the fellow has a decidedly bad countenance, expressing disgust at the flat receding forehead, the round vulture-shaped head, and the sharp-hooked nose resembling a buzzard’s beak. Striking the brazen gong, he summons Bertuccio and remarks that he thought the steward had been instructed to purchase the finest pair of horses in Paris, and yet another pair, fully as fine, stands outside, not in his stables.

The Purchase of the Horses

Ali turns pale and hangs his head, but the count, addressing him gently in Arabic, assures him it is not his fault since he does not understand the points of English horses. Bertuccio then explains that the horses were not to be sold when he purchased the count’s pair. Monte Cristo shrugs and retorts that all things are to be sold to those willing to pay the price, and that Danglars gave 16,000 francs for the horses in question. He orders the steward to offer the banker double that sum, observing that a banker never loses an opportunity of doubling his capital. When Bertuccio asks if the count is really in earnest, Monte Cristo fixes him with a look equally surprised and displeased.

Instructions to Baptistin

The count announces that he must pay a visit that evening and wishes the horses, with completely new harness, to be at the door with his carriage by five o’clock. When Bertuccio timidly points out that it is already two o’clock, the count calmly replies that he is perfectly aware. Turning to Ali, he directs that all the horses in the stables be led before the windows of his young lady so that she may select those she prefers for her carriage, and that she be asked whether it is her pleasure to dine with him; if so, dinner is to be served in her apartments. Ali is dismissed, and the count summons his valet de chambre.