第三十章 The Fifth of September
This chapter, set on the Fifth of September, follows the Morrel family as they face imminent ruin from a massive unpaid debt, leading the family patriarch to plan suicide to preserve his honor, before an unexpected series of miraculous events saves them from disaster.
Morrel Reveals Bankruptcy and Suicide Plan to Maximilian
After Madame Morrel informs her son Maximilian of the family’s catastrophic financial state, the young man rushes to find his father, only to discover Morrel is hiding a pair of pistols under his coat, intended for suicide after he is unable to pay a 287,500 franc debt due in 30 minutes, with only 15,257 francs in total assets remaining.
Maximilian Accepts Father’s Fate, Receives Final Commands
Morrel presents Maximilian with a full balance sheet confirming he has exhausted every possible resource to avoid bankruptcy. Maximilian initially agrees to join his father in death, but Morrel reminds him of his duty to care for his mother and sister. Maximilian resigns himself to living, removes his military epaulets as a symbol of his acceptance, and accepts his father’s final command to prioritize repaying the sympathetic Thomson & French firm first, and to work to restore the family’s name and honor.
Morrel Awaits Creditor, Prepares for Suicide
After Maximilian leaves, Morrel instructs his distraught clerk Cocles to announce the arrival of the Thomson & French agent when he arrives in 10 minutes. Morrel then waits alone for the 30-minute payment window to close, tormented by his choice between dying to preserve his reputation as an honest man or living as a disgraced bankrupt, and briefly hesitates as he thinks of his daughter Julie before reaching for his pistol again.
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