The Count of Monte Cristo

The Mysterious Rescue

A young peasant suddenly opens Carmela’s window, leaps into the chamber, and carries her down to the grass with superhuman skill and strength, where she faints. By the time she revives, her rescuer has vanished and cannot be found or identified.

The Gift in the Grotto

The next day, Luigi leads Teresa to the grotto, which he has converted into a dressing-room lit by wax candles around a mirror. The pearl necklace, diamond pins, and the rest of Carmela’s costume lie displayed on a rustic table; Teresa darts inside in a cry of joy.

The Traveller on the Road

As Teresa dresses, Luigi spots a horseman on a nearby hill, lost between Palestrina and Tivoli. He guides the traveller to the cross-roads, refuses wages, accepts two Venetian sequins as a gift for his bride, and trades a hand-carved poniard whose worth he dismisses.

Sinbad the Sailor

The traveller names himself Sinbad the Sailor. Franz d’Épinay starts at the name, recalling past associations, while Albert amusedly remembers childhood adventures. The name, like that of the Count of Monte Cristo, stirs a host of memories in Franz.

The Abduction of Teresa

Approaching the grotto on his return, Vampa hears cries and sees a man carrying Teresa toward the forest, like Nessus bearing Deianira. The abductor already leads him by three-quarters of the distance, leaving no hope of pursuit.

Vampa’s Shot

Realizing he cannot overtake the ravisher, Vampa plants his feet, shoulders his carbine, tracks the fleeing figure for a second, and fires.

CAPÍTULO 33. Roman Bandits

Chapter 33. Roman Bandits. After Luigi Vampa kills the bandit Cucumetto to rescue his betrothed Teresa, he and Teresa flee into the Roman forest and reach the bandit stronghold of Rocca Bianca, where Vampa claims Cucumetto’s position as captain. Franz and Albert then discuss the legendary Vampa before departing by carriage for the Colosseum through the streets of Rome.

Cucumetto’s Death

Cucumetto’s Death. As the ravisher attempts to flee with Teresa, he suddenly collapses, struck down by a ball from Luigi Vampa. The young herdsman’s unerring aim pierces Cucumetto’s heart, and the bandit dies in agony on the ground with clenched hands, a contorted mouth, and menacing eyes. Vampa recognizes the dead man as Cucumetto, who had once been saved by the two young peasants but had become enamored of Teresa and sworn to possess her.

Teresa Unharmed

Teresa Unharmed. When the shot rings out, Teresa’s legs give way beneath her and she falls on her knees ten paces from the dying man. Vampa rushes to her in fear that the ball has also struck his betrothed, but he finds her entirely unharmed—fright alone has overcome her. Once assured of her safety, Vampa turns his attention to the corpse.

Vampa Claims Cucumetto’s Dress

Vampa Claims Cucumetto’s Dress. Vampa carries Cucumetto’s body into a nearby grotto while Teresa waits outside. Upon emerging a quarter of an hour later, he announces to Teresa that since she is dressed, it is now his turn to clothe himself, and he has assumed the entire costume of the slain Cucumetto.

The Elaborate Costumes

The Elaborate Costumes. Teresa is dressed from head to foot in the magnificent garb of the Count of San-Felice’s daughter, with a cashmere gown, pearl earrings and necklace, and sapphire, emerald, and ruby ornaments—making her look like an Alpine shepherdess from a Florian painting. Vampa’s costume is equally elegant: a garnet velvet vest with cut-gold buttons, an embroidered silk waistcoat, a Roman scarf, a gold-worked cartridge-box, sky-blue velvet breeches fastened with diamond buckles, ornamented deerskin garters, a multicolored-ribboned hat, two watches at his girdle, and a splendid poniard. Teresa cries out in admiration, and Vampa resembles a painting by Léopold Robert or Schnetz.

Teresa Pledges to Follow Vampa

Teresa Pledges to Follow Vampa. Pleased by the effect his costume has on Teresa, Vampa asks if she is ready to share his fortune, whatever it may be, and to follow him wherever he goes. Teresa answers enthusiastically that she will follow him to the world’s end. She takes his arm without questioning where he is leading her, finding him at that moment as handsome, proud, and powerful as a god.