The Count of Monte Cristo

CHAPITRE 112. The Departure

Chapter 112. The Departure In this chapter, the Count of Monte Cristo encounters Mercédès at the old Dantès home in Marseille, where she has come to bid her son Albert farewell before he departs for Africa. Their deeply emotional conversation addresses her grief, her refusal to reproach him, her self-blame for past wrongs, his understanding of his role as an instrument of divine vengeance, her sole wish for her son’s happiness, her decline of financial assistance, and their final farewell. Mercédès ends the chapter watching her son’s ship sail away while murmuring Edmond’s name.

Monte Cristo Offers Consolation to Mercédès

Monte Cristo Offers Consolation to Mercédès Approaching Mercédès at the Dantès home, the Count greets her and acknowledges he cannot restore her happiness but offers consolation as a friend. He commends her son Albert, praising his noble heart and his correct decision to serve his country. He urges Mercédès to let Albert build his own future, assuring her that adversity will strengthen him and convert into prosperity. The Count frames his remarks as though addressed to a bereaved mother who must trust her child’s path.

Mercédès Laments Her Son’s Departure

Mercédès Laments Her Son’s Departure Mercédès replies that she is utterly wretched, having been left alone in the world with only her son, who has now departed. She declares that the prosperity she prays God to grant Albert can never be enjoyed by her, for she has already drained the cup of adversity to the dregs and feels the grave is near. She thanks the Count for returning her to the place of her former happiness, saying she ought to die where happiness once was hers.

Mercédès Refuses to Reproach the Count

Mercédès Refuses to Reproach the Count When the Count says her words pierce his heart and that she has every reason to hate him, Mercédès firmly refuses. She cannot hate or blame the man who spared her son’s life, even though he had intended to destroy the son of whom Morcerf was so proud. Rising and extending her hands toward him, she tells him to look closely and find no reproach in her. Though years of grief have created an abyss between her past and present, she neither reproaches nor hates him.

Mercédès Blames Herself for Past Mistakes

Mercédès Blames Herself for Past Mistakes Mercédès turns her anguish inward, declaring she blames and hates only herself. She recalls possessing piety, innocence, and love—the ingredients of angelic happiness—and laments what she has become. Years of weeping have silvered her hair and lined her face while the Count remains young and dignified. She confesses that her first fault destroyed her life: having believed Edmond dead, having lacked the courage to save her husband along with her son, and having been “base” and “cowardly” in renouncing her affections. She calls herself a renegade of evil omen to those around her.

Monte Cristo Describes His Divine Vengeance Path

Monte Cristo Describes His Divine Vengeance Path The Count gently rebukes Mercédès for judging herself too severely, calling her noble-minded and admitting her grief disarmed him. He then describes himself as an agent of an invisible, offended Deity who chose not to withhold the fatal blow. He recounts how God endowed him with boundless fortune to fulfill divine designs, and how he trained his arm to slay, his eyes to witness suffering, and his mouth to smile at horrors. From good-natured and forgiving, he became revengeful and immovable as fate, overcoming every obstacle in his path. He warns, “Woe to those who stood in my pathway!”

Mercédès Asks for Her Son’s Happiness

Mercédès Asks for Her Son’s Happiness Mercédès declares that she, who alone recognized and comprehended him, would have admired him even had he crushed her like glass. She draws an abyss between him and the rest of mankind, saying the comparison will always torment her. She then asks the Count, before he leaves, whether she has any request to make. Her sole desire in the world is the happiness of her son, which the Count promises to promote if God spares Albert’s life. She thanks him.