第六十四章 The Beggar
After the guests depart from Count Monte Cristo’s estate, Andrea Cavalcanti is stopped by a mysterious beggar outside the house who reveals himself as Caderousse, formerly the innkeeper from Pont du Gard, addressing the young man as “Benedetto.” This encounter quickly becomes a tense negotiation as Caderousse blackmails Andrea, threatening to expose what appears to be their shared criminal past unless Andrea agrees to pay him a regular stipend. Andrea reluctantly hands over ten gold louis and promises one hundred fifty francs monthly, while Caderousse explains that his ragged appearance and lack of papers make it impossible for him to pass through the Parisian barriers without being arrested as a fugitive from the prison at Toulon. To solve this problem, Caderousse strips Andrea of his hat and steals the groom’s greatcoat to disguise himself as a servant, allowing them both to pass unquestioned through the checkpoint. Once inside Paris, Caderousse abandons the scheme to resemble a retired baker as he had planned, instead keeping the stolen garments and disappearing into a courtyard with Andrea’s property, leaving the young man to lament that complete happiness remains unattainable in this world.
Evening Departure Plans
As evening falls, Madame de Villefort expresses her desire to return to Paris, a sentiment Madame Danglars shares but has not dared to voice. M. de Villefort takes the initiative to signal departure, offering Madame Danglars a seat in his landau under his wife’s care. M. Danglars, deeply absorbed in conversation with Major Cavalcanti, pays no attention to the arrangements being made. Monte Cristo observes the exchange between Villefort and Madame Danglars, having noticed their whispered conversation earlier. He makes no objections to the departure plans, allowing Morrel, Château-Renaud, and Debray to leave on horseback while the ladies travel in Villefort’s carriage. Danglars, increasingly delighted with Major Cavalcanti, offers the major a seat in his own carriage.
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