Baroness’s Reaction to Villefort’s Name
The baroness remains composed until Danglars pronounces the name of Villefort. She then turns pale, springs up as if propelled by a mechanism, and stretches out her hands as though warding off a phantom. She advances toward her husband, as if demanding a secret he may be concealing through some odious calculation. Startled, she cries out, “M. de Villefort!—What do you mean?”
Danglars Reveals Nargonne’s Suicide
Danglars coldly explains that M. de Nargonne, her first husband, upon discovering after nine months of absence that she was six months enceinte, died of grief or rage—being neither philosopher nor banker, and finding nothing to extract from a king’s attorney. He admits his brutality and boasts of it as one of the reasons for his commercial success, adding that Nargonne killed himself rather than her because he lacked the cash to save himself. Danglars concludes that his life belongs to his cash.
Danglars’s Ultimatum Over Debray’s Loss
Danglars declares that M. Debray has caused him to lose 700,000 francs, and demands that Debray bear his share of the loss so they may continue as before. If not, he threatens, Debray may declare bankruptcy for the 250,000 livres and disappear as all bankrupts do. He allows that Debray is a charming fellow when his news proves correct, but insists that fifty others could do better when it does not.
Madame Danglars Collapses Post-Confrontation
Madame Danglars stands rooted to the spot, attempting a violent effort to respond to her husband’s final attack. She collapses into a chair, overwhelmed by thoughts of Villefort, the dinner scene, and the strange series of misfortunes that have transformed her household’s usual calm into a scene of scandalous dispute. Danglars, without even glancing at her despite her attempts to faint, shuts the bedroom door and returns to his apartments. When she recovers from her half-fainting condition, she can almost believe she has merely suffered a disagreeable dream.
CHAPITRE 66. Matrimonial Projects
This chapter centers on the financial machinations and marriage scheming surrounding the Danglars household. Danglars waits anxiously for his wife’s departure, which does not occur at the expected time, and he observes her carriage leaving. His restless anticipation leads him to the Chamber to register to speak against the budget, while his mind churns over mounting financial concerns.
Observing the Wife
Madame Danglars departs in her carriage around half-past twelve, having ordered it after Debray’s coupé fails to appear. Danglars watches her departure from behind a curtain, having given instructions to be informed of her return. When she does not appear by two o’clock, he takes his own carriage to the Chamber.
Debray’s Absence
At the usual hour Debray chooses to pay his visit to Madame Danglars on his way to the office, his coupé does not appear. This absence is noted by Danglars, who watches for his wife’s movements with growing suspicion and agitation.
The Chamber Visit
Danglars drives to the Chamber after his wife fails to return by two o’clock. During the parliamentary sitting, he displays violent marks of agitation and speaks more bitterly than ever against the ministry. His distracted state and bitter speeches suggest deeper troubles preying on his mind.
Major Cavalcanti’s Business
Between twelve and two o’clock, while waiting in his study unsealing dispatches and heaping figure upon figure, Danglars receives a visit from Major Cavalcanti. The major arrives precisely at the appointed hour, as stiff and exact as ever, to conclude his business with the banker.
Financial Troubles
Danglars reveals to Monte Cristo his recent catastrophic losses: 700,000 francs through Spanish speculation based on his wife’s dream about Don Carlos, and a bankruptcy involving Jacopo Manfredi of Trieste, who was indebted for 800,000 to 900,000 francs and has now suspended payment. His bills drawn on Manfredi are returned unpaid, and 400,000 francs in bills of exchange are also lost when the Paris correspondent disappears. He calculates his total losses at approximately 1,700,000 francs for the month.
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