The Count of Monte Cristo

Provision of required family documents by the Count

Provision of required family documents by the Count Relieved at the Major’s predicament, Monte Cristo reveals that he himself possesses the necessary papers, sent by the prudent Abbé Busoni. He produces the priest’s certificate of the marriage of Cavalcanti and Oliva Corsinari at the church of San Paolo del Monte-Cattini, as well as the baptismal register of Andrea Cavalcanti from the curé of Saravezza. The Major, astonished, clasps his hands in admiration. Monte Cristo hands the documents over, telling him to give them to his son, who will know to keep them safe, since obtaining duplicates would be nearly impossible. He expresses satisfaction that the Major understands the value of these “invaluable” papers.

Conversation about the Marchioness Corsinari and agreed backstory

Conversation about the Marchioness Corsinari and agreed backstory Turning to the mother of the young man, Monte Cristo notes that she has been dead for ten years; the Major, with theatrical sorrow, mimes weeping with a checked handkerchief. They then settle on the story Cavalcanti must tell in France. Rather than the Italian tale of gypsy abduction, which would not be believed in Paris, the Count devises a more credible version: the Major sent his son to a provincial college for his education and has now come to Paris to complete it. The reason for his stay in Via Reggio since his wife’s death will be presented as mourning. Should anyone ask about the fifteen-year separation, the agreed explanation is that an unfaithful tutor, bribed by the Corsinari family, stole the child to extinguish the Cavalcanti name—an only son, making the threat plausible. The Major accepts this arrangement.