An Oriental Feast
The repast surpasses Parisian expectations entirely. Monte Cristo provides a feast fit for Arabian fairies, with fruits from four continents displayed in Chinese vases and Japanese jars. Rare birds with brilliant plumage and enormous fish adorn massive silver dishes, accompanied by wines from the Archipelago, Asia Minor, and the Cape in grotesque bottles designed to enhance flavor.
The Pursuit of the Impossible
Monte Cristo explains his philosophy of life to the assembled guests. The marvelous consists of what we do not understand, and we truly desire what we cannot obtain. He claims his study is seeing incomprehensible things and procuring impossibilities, satisfying his wishes through will and money alone. He cites the two fish before them as examples—one from beyond St. Petersburg, the other from Naples—caught fifty leagues and five leagues away respectively.
The Impossible Procured
Château-Renaud identifies a sterlet from the Volga while Cavalcanti recognizes a lamprey from Lake Fusaro. When the guests cry “Impossible!” Monte Cristo reveals his method: each fish traveled in a specially built wagon filled with river plants, the sterlet surviving twelve days, the lamprey eight. He then commands Baptistin to bring in four more live fish in casks, demonstrating his impossible procurements to astonished guests.
The Miraculous Renovation
Château-Renaud marvels at the house’s transformation. Only five or six days ago the house had a different entrance and an empty paved courtyard; now a splendid lawn bordered by ancient-looking trees has appeared. Monte Cristo explains his love for grass and shade. When Madame de Villefort mentions her miraculous escape through the old entrance, the count reveals he prefers seeing the Bois de Boulogne from his gate.
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