The Count of Monte Cristo

第四十章 The Breakfast

This chapter opens with a gathering of Parisian elites at Albert de Morcerf’s home, awaiting a delayed breakfast. The group discusses timing constraints for expected guests, political grievances related to M. Danglars’ upcoming public appearances, and circulating gossip about a potential marriage between Morcerf and Mlle. Eugénie Danglars, as they wait for additional attendees to arrive.

Breakfast Timing and Guest Deliberations

The group debates breakfast timing, noting a gentleman and diplomatist guest will cause a 2–3 hour delay, but agree to eat at 11 a.m. regardless, passing the time with sherry and biscuits. Morcerf laments that he must endure M. Danglars’ speech at the Chamber of Deputies that morning and his wife’s social event that evening, complaining about the state of the constitutional government.

Morcerf-Danglars Marriage Gossip

The conversation turns to rumors of a marriage between Albert de Morcerf and Eugénie Danglars. Beauchamp insists the match will never happen, arguing the aristocratic Count of Morcerf would never agree to a mésalliance for a paltry 2 million francs, dismissing the sum as comparable to the value of a small boulevard theatre or local railroad. Debray counters that the financial gain is worth sacrificing a portion of Morcerf’s family coat of arms, noting Morcerf would still have more heraldic martlets than the House of Guise even after giving three to his wife, and Morcerf is ambivalent about the proposed match.

Introduction of Maximilian Morrel

The servant announces the arrival of Château-Renaud and Maximilian Morrel. Château-Renaud introduces Morrel as his close friend and personal preserver, a refined, dignified young captain of Spahis decorated with the Legion of Honor, whom the group has previously encountered in Marseilles during dramatic circumstances. Morcerf greets Morrel warmly, and Château-Renaud teases that Morrel is responsible for saving his life.