Parting of Morrel, Château-Renaud, and Debray
At the Place Louis XV, the three young men part ways: Morrel heads toward the Boulevards, Château-Renaud toward the Pont de la Révolution, and Debray toward the Quai. Morrel and Château-Renaud presumably return to their domestic lives, but Debray takes a different route.
Debray Arrives at Danglars’ House
Rather than going home, Debray crosses the Carrousel, passes through the Rue Saint-Roch, and arrives at M. Danglars’ door at the same moment as Villefort’s landau, which drops off the baroness at her house. Debray enters the courtyard with the air of a familiar guest, hands his horse to a footman, and offers his arm to escort Madame Danglars to her apartments.
Baroness Checks on Daughter Eugénie
Once alone in the courtyard, Debray questions the baroness about her agitation during the count’s story. She attributes her state to “shocking spirits” all evening, but Debray suspects a deeper cause and resolves to press her later. At her apartment door, the baroness meets her confidential maid, Mademoiselle Cornélie, who reports that Eugénie practiced all evening and then went to bed, though the sound of the piano can still be heard—it is Mademoiselle Louise d’Armilly playing.
Debray Questions the Baroness’ Agitation
After the maid leaves, the baroness emerges in a loose dress and sits beside Debray on a couch, where she pensively caresses the little spaniel. Debray watches her in silence, then asks candidly whether something is vexing her. When she denies it, rises to look in a mirror, and declares she looks “frightful,” Debray smiles and prepares to contradict her, but the moment is broken by the sudden opening of the door.
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