The Count of Monte Cristo

Morrel’s Agitated Grief at the Cemetery

Upon arriving at Père-Lachaise, Monte Cristo spots a shadow moving between yew trees and recognizes it as Maximilian Morrel, who has followed the procession unnoticed. Morrel, pale, livid, and convulsively crushing his hat, stands apart on an elevation overlooking the mausoleum, observing every detail of the funeral service, which includes standard mournful orations and the priests’ chant. Onlookers note his violent agitation, and when the service concludes, Morrel slips away before Château-Renaud can find him.

Valentine’s Funeral Service Concludes

The standard funeral service for Valentine proceeds, with eulogists lamenting her premature death, grieving her father’s loss, and referencing her past mercy toward condemned criminals, relying on traditional mournful tropes and references to Malherbe’s poetry. Monte Cristo pays no mind to the service, fixated entirely on Morrel’s distress. After the service ends, funeral guests depart Paris, and Morrel vanishes from the crowd before his acquaintances can locate him.

Monte Cristo Follows Morrel to His Home

After the funeral, Monte Cristo hides behind a large tomb to wait for Morrel, who approaches the now-empty mausoleum, kneels to pray at the tomb, and murmurs Valentine’s name. The count steps forward to speak, but Morrel responds with feigned calm, insisting he is only praying, then brushes dust from his knees and walks slowly toward Paris. Monte Cristo dismisses his carriage and follows Morrel at a distance, watching as he crosses the canal and enters the Rue Meslay before disappearing into his home.

Monte Cristo Prevents Morrel’s Suicide

Monte Cristo arrives at Morrel’s home and is greeted by Julie, who confirms Maximilian has just returned. He rushes up to Morrel’s locked room; concerned that ringing the bell might prompt Morrel to act on his suicidal intent, he breaks a window pane with his elbow to enter. Inside, he finds Morrel, who has been writing a suicide note and has pistols on his desk. Morrel initially denies his plans, but when Monte Cristo reveals he knows of his intent, Morrel admits he intends to kill himself, raging at the count for raising his hopes of saving Valentine only to let her die. Monte Cristo firmly declares he will not allow the suicide.

Monte Cristo Reveals His Identity as Edmond Dantès

When Morrel demands to know who has the right to stop him, Monte Cristo reveals he is Edmond Dantès: the man who saved Morrel’s father from suicide years prior, sent a purse to Morrel’s sister Julie, and captained the Pharaon to save the elder Morrel’s failing business. Overwhelmed, Morrel falls at his feet before rushing to summon Julie and Emmanuel, revealing the count as their long-unknown benefactor. The Morrel family embraces the count with gratitude, and he admits he concealed his identity for 11 years, only revealing it now due to Morrel’s desperate situation. He asks Emmanuel to watch over Morrel, and Julie presents the silken purse he had anonymously given the family years earlier, which he asks to keep as a token of their affection rather than a reminder of his past anonymous charity.

CAPÍTULO 105. The Cemetery of Père-Lachaise

Monte Cristo, preparing to leave France within a week, asks to be left alone with the grief-stricken Maximilian Morrel, who remains immobile and despairing over the loss of Valentine. Pressing him with the authority of a father, the count urges Morrel to hope, recounts his own past despair, and finally proposes a solemn pact: Morrel must live for one month under Monte Cristo’s care, and if, by the 5th of September—the tenth anniversary of the day the count saved Morrel’s father from suicide—he is not cured, he will be given pistols and poison to end his life. Morrel, shaken yet obedient, accepts these terms with a childlike reverence, while Monte Cristo informs him that Haydée has departed to await him and invites the young man to take her place in his household on the Champs-Élysées.

The Count’s Impending Departure

Monte Cristo announces to Julie and Emmanuel that he will leave France within a week, noting the injustice of a country where those who deserved heavenly vengeance lived happily while his own father perished of hunger and grief. He observes that Morrel remains unmoved by the news.