The Count of Monte Cristo

Albert’s Conversation with Monte Cristo

Albert’s Conversation with Monte Cristo As Albert leaves the Danglars box, Monte Cristo emerges from his own, leaving Ali to guard the door while a curious crowd gathers around the Nubian. The two men walk together, and Monte Cristo remarks on Parisian curiosity. Albert explains that the count has become the most celebrated person in Paris through lavish gifts, the rescue of Madame de Villefort, and his racing exploits. Monte Cristo feigns indifference to the opera’s music, preferring hashish-induced dreams, and the conversation turns to Haydée’s guzla playing, which Morcerf recalls hearing during a breakfast in Rome before the count falls silent.

Monte Cristo Meets the Danglars Family

Monte Cristo Meets the Danglars Family During the third act, Morcerf returns to the Danglars box. After the curtain falls, Monte Cristo enters to greet the baroness, who effusively thanks him for the horses and for saving Madame de Villefort—though he credits Ali for the latter. He is then introduced to Eugénie, who bluntly asks whether Haydée is his daughter; he replies that she is a poor Greek orphan in his care. When Madame Danglars mentions Morcerf’s service under Ali Tepelini at Yanina, Monte Cristo leans over the front of the box beside the general.

Haydée Accuses Morcerf of Treachery

Haydée Accuses Morcerf of Treachery As Haydée scans the theatre for her guardian, she catches sight of Monte Cristo’s pale features beside Morcerf’s face and recoils as if she had beheld Medusa. She cries out and nearly faints, prompting Ali to open the box door. After calming her with a remedy from a small phial, Monte Cristo returns to her side. Seizing his icy hand, Haydée demands to know whom he had been speaking with, and upon hearing Morcerf’s name, her eyes flash with rage. She denounces him as the wretch who sold her father to the Turks and built his fortune on the price of his treachery, while Monte Cristo acknowledges having heard rumors in Epirus and asks her to recount the full story.