The Count of Monte Cristo

Vampa and Teresa’s Unspoken Mutual Affection

Although Teresa was universally recognized as the most beautiful girl of the Sabines, no one spoke to her of love because everyone knew she was beloved by Vampa. The two had never declared their affection, yet had grown together like intertwined trees, their wish to see each other becoming a necessity. They would have preferred death to a day’s separation, with Teresa now sixteen and Vampa seventeen.

Cucumetto’s Brigand Band in the Lepini Mountains

A band of brigands established in the Lepini mountains began attracting attention. Though brigands have never been truly extirpated from the Roman neighborhood, they sometimes lack a chief—yet when one presents himself, he rarely waits long for followers. The celebrated Cucumetto, pursued from the Abruzzo and driven from the kingdom of Naples, had crossed the Garigliano and taken refuge between Sonnino and Juperno, hoping to surpass Decesaris and Gasparone.

Cucumetto’s Abduction of Rita

Cucumetto abducted a young girl, Rita, the daughter of a surveyor of Frosinone. Under bandit law, a captured girl belongs first to her captor, after which the rest draw lots for her. Carlini, Rita’s lover and a member of Cucumetto’s troop, recognized her and felt his heart sink, knowing her fate. As a three-year faithful servant who had once saved Cucumetto’s life by shooting a dragoon, Carlini hoped for the chief’s pity and took him aside while Rita sat at the foot of a huge pine, hiding her face with her head-dress.

Carlini’s Plea for Rita’s Mercy

Carlini confessed his affection for Rita, their promises of fidelity, and their nightly meetings in nearby ruins. He begged Cucumetto to make an exception in her favor since her father was rich and could pay a large ransom. Cucumetto had actually encountered Rita that night when Carlini had been sent to a village, and Carlini’s entreaties seemed to sway the chief, who told him to find a shepherd to carry a message to Rita’s father in Frosinone.