Madame Danglars’ Morning Journey to the Palais de Justice
Madame Danglars leaves her home by carriage, travels discreetly through Paris to the Faubourg Saint Germain, transfers to a cab, dons a heavy black veil to conceal her face, and arrives at the Palais de Justice in the Rue de Harlay, crossing the Salle des Pas-Perdus unremarked thanks to her plain attire.
Madame Danglars’ Private Meeting with Procureur Villefort
At the Palais, Madame Danglars is recognized immediately by the door-keeper and escorted through a private passage to Villefort’s office. Villefort secures the room by bolting the door, drawing the curtains, and inspecting every corner before greeting her and offering her a chair, as she struggles to breathe from violent palpitations.
Villefort’s Regret Over Their Delayed Painful Conversation
Villefort remarks on how long it has been since they last spoke alone, expressing regret that their reunion must take the form of a painful conversation, to which Madame Danglars replies that the discussion will surely be more painful for her than for him.
Villefort’s Musings on Life’s Permanent Traces and Sorrow
Villefort reflects bitterly that all human actions leave traces on life’s path, comparing each step to an insect’s track on sand, and noting that for many people that path is traced by tears—a thought he utters aloud rather than directs at Madame Danglars.
Madame Danglars’ Appeal for Mercy from Villefort
Madame Danglars, trembling and overwhelmed, begs Villefort for compassion, telling him that sitting in the chair from which so many guilty creatures have departed makes her feel as though she is the accused before a menacing judge rather than a visitor.
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