The Count of Monte Cristo

The Corsican Upbringing

The Corsican Upbringing Andrea continues his story, explaining that a man who had sworn vengeance against his father had been concealed in the garden that night, witnessed the burial, and stabbed Villefort before discovering the child still living. The man carried him to a foundling asylum, where he was registered as number 37. Three months later, a woman traveled from Rogliano to Paris, claimed him as her son, and raised him in Corsica.

Madame Danglars’ Collapse

Madame Danglars’ Collapse Andrea explains how his perverse disposition led him to crime, and how his adopted father told him the crime belonged to his real father, who consigned him to hell or misery. He reveals his mother thought him dead and is not guilty. Upon hearing this account, a lady in the crowd falls into violent hysterics. She is carried out of the hall, and Madame Danglars is recognized as her thick veil drops off.

Demanding Proof

Demanding Proof The president demands proofs for Benedetto’s accusations, warning that such a tissue of horrors requires the clearest evidence. Benedetto laughs and suggests the court simply look at M. de Villefort if they want proof. Everyone turns toward the procured, who can no longer bear the universal gaze. He advances staggering into the midst of the tribunal, with disheveled hair and face marked by his own fingernails.

Villefort’s Confession

Villefort’s Confession Benedetto directly addresses Villefort as “Father,” asking if he wishes for proof. Villefort, stammering in a hoarse voice, declares it useless. When the president demands to know what he means, Villefort states he cannot struggle against the deadly weight crushing him and acknowledges himself guilty of everything the young man has accused him of. He declares himself under the authority of his successor and staggers toward the door, which opens mechanically before him.

The Trial Adjourned

The Trial Adjourned A dull, gloomy silence pervades the assembly following Villefort’s confession. The president attempts to help him recover, suggesting the accusation has disordered his reason, but Villefort insists he is in possession of all his senses while his body alone suffers. He declares himself in the hands of an avenging God and departs. The president then adjourns the session, announcing fresh inquiries will be made and the case will be tried next session by another magistrate.

Reactions of the Crowd

Reactions of the Crowd Beauchamp comments that drama cannot match this unnatural reality. Château-Renaud suggests he would rather end his career like M. de Morcerf with a pistol-shot than face such a catastrophe. Debray reflects on his almost-matronial connection to Villefort’s family, noting his daughter did well to die. As Andrea leaves calmly, more interesting than ever, a sergeant-at-arms is bribed with a louis and responds that there will be extenuating circumstances for the accused.

CAPÍTULO 111. Expiation

Having acknowledged his guilt before the court, Villefort departs from the Palais de Justice in a state of utter confusion and physical distress, casting aside his judicial robe as an unbearable burden and hastening home in his carriage. Upon the road, the image of his wife Héloïse suddenly pierces his conscience with red-hot force, for he has just condemned her to death and now realizes she might be preparing to die at that very moment, and he determines that she must live and that he will confess his own crimes to her. Rushing to her room, he discovers her already dead from poison, and in her boudoir he finds his young son Edward also lifeless, his mother having first poisoned herself and then her child rather than face the scaffold alone, leaving a note asserting that a good mother cannot depart without her son. Monte Cristo, present in Noirtier’s room and identified as the long-lost Edmond Dantès whom Villefort once condemned to die in the dungeons of the Château d’If, is dragged by the bereaved father to view the twin corpses, upon which he becomes pale and feels he has exceeded the bounds of vengeance, taking the child away while Villefort descends into madness and furiously digs in the garden, seeking to unearth some buried treasure. Overwhelmed by doubt that he has done right, Monte Cristo departs Paris the following day with Morrel, praying he has not done too much.