The Count of Monte Cristo

The Ballet Poliska

The Ballet Poliska The curtain rises on the ballet Poliska, an exemplary Italian production staged by Henri with remarkable grace and coordination. Though the performance is worthy of attention, Franz remains captivated by the beautiful Greek, who watches the ballet with childlike delight while her companion sits utterly motionless and indifferent throughout the loud orchestral clamor.

第三十四章 The Colosseum

After the ballet concludes and the second act of Parisina begins, Franz finally recognizes the pale, mysterious figure in the opposite box as the Count of Monte Cristo, the strange inhabitant he had encountered the previous evening in the Colosseum ruins. Alarmed by the count’s ghastly appearance and unsettling manner, the countess urges Franz to escort her home, where she confesses her superstitious fears and persuades him to abandon his pursuit of the mysterious stranger for the night. Upon returning to the hotel, Franz finds Albert arranging a fanciful disguise as Neapolitan reapers with a gilded ox-cart for the carnival, and their host Pastrini soon interrupts with the startling news that the Count of Monte Cristo himself, their neighbor on the same floor, has offered them seats in his carriage and places at the Palazzo Rospoli windows, followed by a liveried servant delivering the count’s formal calling cards.

Ballet Concludes to Enthusiastic Applause

The ballet reaches its conclusion and the curtain falls amid the loud, unanimous plaudits of an enthusiastic and delighted audience. The performance has clearly captivated the spectators in the opera house.