The Count of Monte Cristo

CAPÍTULO 46. Unlimited Credit

Chapter 46. Unlimited Credit In this chapter, the Count of Monte Cristo visits Baron Danglars to settle the terms of the unlimited credit extended to him by Thomson & French. Through a series of escalating exchanges, Monte Cristo disarms the banker’s skepticism, secures a generous first-year allowance of six million francs, deflects questions about his fortune with hints of a long-dormant family treasure, and is ultimately led toward a formal introduction to the Baroness Danglars, where Lucien Debray and a connection to the Morcerfs also surface.

Danglars Questions the Unlimited Credit

Danglars Questions the Unlimited Credit Baron Danglars admits to Monte Cristo that he came specifically to request an explanation of the term “unlimited” in his letter of credit, searching his breast-pocket to produce the document for the count’s inspection.

The Meaning of ‘Unlimited’

The Meaning of ‘Unlimited’ Monte Cristo asks whether the word is unfamiliar in France, noting that the letter’s authors are Anglo-Germans. Danglars concedes that the wording itself is faultless but professes doubt about the document’s standing and reach.

Thomson & French’s Solvency

Thomson & French’s Solvency Feigning anxiety, Monte Cristo asks if Danglars questions the solvency of Thomson & French and mentions that he himself holds considerable property with them. Danglars, with a faintly mocking smile, assures the count that the firm is perfectly solvent, reserving his objection solely to the vagueness of the word “unlimited.”

Monte Cristo’s Innocent Simplicity

Monte Cristo’s Innocent Simplicity Maintaining a graceful suavity backed by an assumed simplicity, Monte Cristo presses the banker, turning the question back on him until Danglars grows visibly uncomfortable. The count’s polite demeanor steadily gains ground over the banker’s forced civility, which edges toward impertinence.

The Baron’s Limits

The Baron’s Limits Monte Cristo deduces that while Thomson & French set no bounds to their commitments, Danglars keeps strict limits on his own. When he coldly suggests that he must therefore be the first to question the baron’s resources, Danglars bristles with haughty indignation, claiming his wealth has never before been doubted.

A Mere Million

A Mere Million Throwing himself back in his chair with purse-proud confidence, Danglars offers to meet even a demand of one million francs. Monte Cristo cuts him off, smiling, and dismisses the sum as a mere trifle he is accustomed to carrying in his pocket-book or dressing-case.

Treasury Orders from the Pocket

Treasury Orders from the Pocket Monte Cristo produces a small case of visiting-cards and draws forth two treasury orders of 500,000 francs each, payable at sight to the bearer. The revelation stuns Danglars, whose pupils dilate horribly as he trembles on the verge of apoplexy.

Three Letters of Credit

Three Letters of Credit Monte Cristo explains that, anticipating doubt, he obtained two additional unlimited letters of credit—one from Arstein & Eskeles of Vienna to Baron Rothschild, the other from Baring of London upon M. Lafitte. Danglars scrutinizes the signatures and is forced to acknowledge their authenticity.

Danglars Vanquished

Danglars Vanquished Convinced of the documents’ genuineness, Danglars rises as if saluting the power of gold itself and offers profuse apologies for his astonishment. He pledges the bank’s full cooperation, while Monte Cristo presses for any remaining trace of suspicion, which Danglars emphatically denies.

Six Millions a Year

Six Millions a Year Monte Cristo names six million francs as the probable expenditure of his first year in France, threatening to draw further if needed but claiming he will not stay longer than twelve months. He asks for 500,000 francs by the following morning, to be delivered half in gold and half in bank-notes.

The Ancient Family Fortune

The Ancient Family Fortune Danglars, humbled, confesses that wealth on this scale has been wholly unknown to him. Monte Cristo attributes it to a long-dormant family treasure forbidden from use for a set period, with accumulated interest doubling the capital, only recently come into his hands—promising Danglars fuller knowledge in time.