The Count of Monte Cristo

Conversation on Death

Seated opposite each other in the grotto’s marvelous dining room, decorated with statues bearing baskets of fruits and flowers, Morrel addresses the Count as a being descended from a wiser, more advanced world. He says he is almost inclined to ask whether death is painful, as though the Count had experienced it. The Count responds with tender gravity that death is painful only if the outer covering of the body is violently broken—by a dagger, a bullet, or similar means—and that one will then suffer and repent. He affirms the truth of Morrel’s observation that there is a secret of luxury and pain in both life and death, and describes how, in a future age, death may become as sweet as slumber in a beloved’s arms.

Count’s Fortune Offer

Morrel, taking the Count’s hand, now understands why he has been brought to this desolate spot—it is because the Count loves him well enough to grant him a sweet, painless death in which he can fade away pronouncing Valentine’s name and pressing the Count’s hand. He thanks him. The Count, however, falters inwardly, haunted by the doubt that has plagued him since the Château d’If: what if his effort to make Morrel happy is misplaced, and Morrel has not suffered enough to merit this restitution? He offers Morrel a fortune of nearly a hundred millions, declaring that he regards Morrel as a son and would sacrifice his life and wealth to save him—saying that with such resources Morrel can overturn the world, be even criminal, but live.

Morrel Accepts the Poison

Morrel coldly reminds the Count of his word and checks his watch: it is half-past eleven. He insists the Count cannot take his life in his own house, and when the Count attempts to stop him, Morrel accuses him of loving him for his own sake rather than for Morrel’s, and rises to leave. The Count’s face brightens, and he consents: “It is well… you wish it—you are inflexible. Yes, as you said, you are indeed wretched and a miracle alone can cure you. Sit down, Morrel, and wait.” He unlocks a closet with a key from his gold chain, retrieves a silver casket chased with four Caryatid-like figures, and from it draws a golden box whose top springs open at a touch. The box is ornamented with sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, and contains a waxy, unctuous substance shimmering in mixed blue, red, and gold.

Morrel Consumes the Poison

The Count scoops a small quantity of the greenish substance with a gilt spoon and offers it to Morrel, who accepts with deep gratitude. The Count then takes a second spoon and prepares to take some himself, explaining that he, too, is weary of life and this opportunity presents itself. Morrel seizes his hand and cries out: “Stay!” He tells the Count that he, who loves and is beloved, who has faith and hope, must not follow his example—for the Count it would be a crime. He bids the Count farewell, promising to tell Valentine what has been done for him, then slowly and without hesitation swallows the mysterious substance.

Onset of Poison Effects

Silence falls. Ali enters silently, brings pipes and coffee, and disappears. The lamplight in the hands of the marble statues gradually fades, and the room’s perfumes grow fainter. From the shadow, the Count watches with bright eyes as an overpowering sadness takes hold of Morrel. His hands relax their grip, the objects in the room lose form and color, and his disturbed vision begins to perceive doors and curtains opening in the walls. Morrel cries out, “Friend, I feel that I am dying; thanks!”—and the chapter ends.

CAPÍTULO 117. The Fifth of October

Chapter 117. The Fifth of October The chapter resolves the principal fates in the Count of Monte Cristo. Morrel lies dying and receives a vision of Monte Cristo and Valentine; Monte Cristo reunites the lovers and requests that Valentine watch over Haydée. When Monte Cristo announces that Haydée must leave him, she confesses her love, which he accepts as a sign of divine pardon. After Morrel revives, Jacopo delivers Monte Cristo’s farewell letter bequeathing his properties to the young couple and entrusting them with the maxim “Wait and hope.” The Count and Haydée then depart by sea as Morrel and Valentine watch from the shore.