The Count of Monte Cristo

Villefort Questions Monte Cristo’s Motives

Villefort Questions Monte Cristo’s Motives Villefort muses that secrets, like Hamlet’s foul deeds, eventually rise to the surface, though often misleadingly. He reasons that the story may have reached some priest, and thence M. de Monte Cristo, who might simply be seeking to enlighten himself. Yet he puzzles over what interest a Maltese shipowner’s son and discoverer of a Thessalian mine, visiting Paris for the first time, could possibly have in such a gloomy and useless fact. Reassuring himself that no contact could ever have existed between them, he utters words he himself does not quite believe, for he fears not the revelation itself but the identity of the hand that authored it.

Madame de Saint-Méran’s Grieving Arrival

Madame de Saint-Méran’s Grieving Arrival Villefort’s brooding is interrupted by the sound of a carriage and an aged person ascending the stairs amid tears and lamentations. Unannounced, an old lady enters, her shawl on her arm and bonnet in her hand, with white hair swept back from a yellow forehead and grief-swollen eyelids nearly concealing her eyes. She collapses into the nearest chair, crying out that she shall die of her grief. Servants gather at the doorway, including Noirtier’s old servant, drawn by the commotion.

Announcement of M. de Saint-Méran’s Death

Announcement of M. de Saint-Méran’s Death Villefort rises and hurries to his mother-in-law. Upon learning that M. de Saint-Méran is not with her, he presses her for an explanation, and she responds in a stupefied voice that the marquis is dead—so suddenly that Villefort recoils in astonishment, clasping his hands together.

Recounting M. de Saint-Méran’s Final Hours

Recounting M. de Saint-Méran’s Final Hours The marchioness recounts that the marquis had been unwell for days but insisted on traveling to see Valentine. Six leagues from Marseilles, after eating his customary lozenges, he fell into an unnaturally deep sleep; she hesitated to wake him, though his face seemed flushed and his temples throbbed. As darkness fell, she dozed, only to be roused by a piercing shriek as he violently threw back his head. Despite smelling salts, the postilion’s stopping, and the valet’s assistance, all was over, and she arrived at Aix beside a corpse. A doctor confirmed it was an apoplectic stroke. Following her husband’s wish, she had him placed in a leaden coffin and preceded the body by a few days. Now, numbed by grief, she asks to see Valentine.

Villefort Fetches Valentine from the Ball

Villefort Fetches Valentine from the Ball Unable to tell Valentine that her grandmother has arrived while she is at a ball, Villefort summons a cab and goes himself to fetch his wife and daughter from Madame de Morcerf’s. He appears so pale that Valentine rushes to him, sensing misfortune. When he informs her that her grandmamma has arrived, she trembles and asks about her grandfather; Villefort responds only by offering his arm. Valentine nearly faints, and the family departs the ball in a cloud of sadness. At the foot of the stairs, Barrois awaits with a message from Noirtier.

Noirtier’s Reaction to Saint-Méran’s Death

Noirtier’s Reaction to Saint-Méran’s Death Barrois, half-scared, rushes to inform his master. Though Noirtier and Saint-Méran were never close friends, the death of one old man weighs heavily on another. Noirtier lets his head fall upon his chest, overwhelmed and thoughtful, then closes one eye in inquiry. When Barrois reports that Madame de Saint-Méran has arrived and her husband is dead, and answers Valentine’s whereabouts—at the ball, in full dress—Noirtier signals that he wishes to see her, and Barrois promises to intercept her upon her return.

Valentine Visits Her Grieving Grandmother

Valentine Visits Her Grieving Grandmother Valentine finds her grandmother in bed, and the interview is marked only by silent caresses, heart-wrung sobs, broken sighs, and burning tears. Madame de Villefort withdraws at her husband’s side, suggesting her presence only deepens her mother-in-law’s grief, to which the marchioness agrees and asks Valentine to stay. The procureur, overcome with astonishment at the death, follows his wife, while the exhausted marchioness eventually yields to a feverish sleep. A small table with orangeade, her usual beverage, is placed within reach.