The Count of Monte Cristo

CHAPITRE 77. Haydée

This chapter concludes Haydée’s first-person account of her family’s fate after her father Ali Tepelini, Grand Vizier of Yanina, was betrayed and executed by Ottoman forces under Seraskier Kourchid.

Selim Explains the Pardon Tokens

Selim, the guardian of Ali’s hidden powder magazine, explains the pardon token system to Vasiliki: if Ali sends a poniard, it means the emperor has denied his pardon, and Selim is to light the magazine to kill the group by explosion; if a ring is sent, it means pardon is granted, and Selim is to extinguish the match and leave the magazine untouched. Vasiliki asks Selim to kill her and Haydée mercifully with the poniard instead of the explosion if the poniard arrives, which Selim agrees to do.

Messenger Arrives with Ali’s Pardon

The Palikares hear loud cries of joy, learning a French officer dispatched to Constantinople has returned with a favorable response from the emperor. A figure appears at the cavern entrance announcing the emperor has granted Ali a full pardon, restoring his life, fortune and possessions. Vasiliki rejoices, but Selim stops her from rushing out, noting he has not yet received the official ring token required to confirm the pardon.

Selim Confirms the Master’s Ring

The messenger, a trusted associate of Ali, confirms he comes in Ali’s name and carries his ring. He places the ring in a ray of light at the cavern entrance per Selim’s request, then Selim retrieves it, confirms it is Ali’s ring, kisses it, and extinguishes the lit match he was holding to guard the powder magazine.

Selim Is Killed by Kourchid’s Soldiers

The messenger gives a signal, and four of Kourchid’s soldiers emerge to stab Selim five times, killing him. The soldiers then search the cavern for any remaining fire risk before rolling on the bags of gold stored there.

Ali Tepelini’s Last Stand

Vasiliki grabs Haydée and flees through hidden passageways to a private staircase of the kiosk, where they hear Kourchid’s troops confronting Ali with a firman (imperial decree) ordering his execution. Ali laughs, fires his pistol to kill two men, and his Palikare guards join the fight. When told Selim is dead, Ali tries to escape but the flooring is blown up from below by Kourchid’s troops. Ali fights off attackers but is ultimately overwhelmed by 20 soldiers armed with sabres, pistols and poniards, disappearing in a fire and smoke as the building burns. Haydée collapses to the ground as her mother faints.

Haydée and Vasiliki Are Captured

When Vasiliki regains consciousness, she and Haydée are brought before Seraskier Kourchid. Vasiliki asks that their honor be spared even if they are to be killed, but Kourchid informs them their new master is present, pointing to the man most complicit in Ali’s murder.

Vasiliki Dies After Seeing Ali’s Severed Head

Kourchid does not keep Haydée and Vasiliki as slaves, instead selling them to slave merchants traveling to Constantinople. As they approach the city gates, Vasiliki sees Ali’s severed head displayed above the gates with an inscription identifying it as the head of Ali Tepelini, Pasha of Yanina. She lets out a piercing cry and dies immediately upon seeing it.

Haydée Is Sold to Sultan Mahmoud

Haydée is taken to the slave market, where she is purchased by a wealthy Armenian man who provides her with education and private tutors. When she turns 13, he sells her to Sultan Mahmoud.

Monte Cristo Purchases Haydée

The Count of Monte Cristo purchases Haydée from Sultan Mahmoud, using an emerald that matched the one he used to craft a box for his hashish pills, as he later explains to Albert de Morcerf.

Haydée’s Story Is Concluded

Haydée finishes her account, expressing gratitude to Monte Cristo for his kindness and noting she finds solace in recounting her misfortunes because they remind her of his goodness. Albert is left bewildered by her story, and Monte Cristo suggests they finish their coffee, noting her history is now complete.