The Count of Monte Cristo

The Visitors’ Apartment

The dedicated visiting space for the court of Saint-Bernard is outlined: a long rectangular room split by two iron gratings placed three feet apart to prevent physical contact or the passing of items between visitors and prisoners. The space is damp, wretched, and considered a rare paradise by inmates who only ever leave the Lions’ Den for far harsher fates.

Andrea’s Appearance

A young prisoner, Andrea Cavalcanti (calling himself Benedetto), is introduced in the courtyard, standing out from other inmates for his once-fine, now-torn clothes that he carefully maintains to keep looking polished, along with his crisp shirt and gleaming varnished boots polished with an embroidered handkerchief. Other prisoners watch him with a mix of mockery and curiosity, referring to him as a “prince” and noting his elegant appearance despite his imprisonment.

Requesting Money

Andrea begs a nearby jailer for 20 francs to buy a dressing gown, claiming he needs it to receive an important expected visitor, and insisting he will be repaid quickly with no risk to the jailer, as he has wealthy relations. When other prisoners offer to pool money to help him, Andrea arrogantly rejects them, stating he is not their comrade and refusing to be associated with them.

Threat of Violence

Incensed by Andrea’s insult, the other prisoners turn hostile, threatening him with brutal beatings: la savate, a beating with an iron-heeled shoe, and l’anguille, a beating with a sand-filled handkerchief. The crowd closes in on Andrea as violence looms, with the jailer making no move to intervene, as he enjoys the spectacle.

Masonic Recognition

As the prisoners prepare to attack, Andrea uses a secret Masonic sign he learned from Caderousse, rolling his tongue around his cheeks and smacking his lips. The other prisoners immediately recognize the sign, drop their weapons, back down, and leave him alone, stating they respect his right to his own ways. The stunned jailer inspects Andrea, who protests the treatment, before an inspector calls Andrea’s name.

Called to the Visitors’ Room

The inspector calls Andrea to the visiting room, and Andrea acts haughtily, claiming his noble Cavalcanti status means he will be treated better than common prisoners, before rushing out of the courtyard. Both the jailer and the other prisoners are left confused and amazed by the sudden turn of events.

Anticipating the Visit

Andrea’s internal monologue reveals his belief that his mysterious powerful protector is still watching over him. He reasons that the visit cannot be from an examining magistrate, prison director, or doctor, so it must be his protector come to help him, and he resolves not to take any risky action that might alienate his protector before he is certain he has been completely abandoned.

Meeting Bertuccio

Andrea is led to the visiting room, and is shocked to see his former steward Bertuccio standing behind the opposite grating, looking at him with sad astonishment.

Confronting Bertuccio

Andrea confronts Bertuccio, demanding to know who sent him to the prison and how he found Andrea’s location. Andrea accuses Bertuccio of arranging his fabricated noble Italian identity, his sudden fortune, his invitation to the Auteuil dinner with Parisian elites, and bailing him out of his earlier legal trouble, and insists he will learn the identity of his real father no matter the cost.

Bertuccio’s Warning

Bertuccio sternly warns Andrea never to speak the name of the Count of Monte Cristo again, telling him the count is too favored by heaven to be the father of a wretch like Andrea. He warns Andrea that he is in far more danger than he realizes, and the powerful people who have helped him will turn on him instantly if he oversteps, insisting he is not dealing with common criminals. Andrea refuses to back down from his demand to learn his father’s identity.

Interview Ends

A jailer interrupts the private conversation to take Andrea to meet the examining magistrate, ending the visit. Bertuccio says he will return the next day, and Andrea begs him to leave a few crowns at the gate so he can buy necessities. Bertuccio jingles a small amount of coins but gives him no more, leaving Andrea uncertain but still determined to uncover his parentage as he is led away in the prison cart.