The Count of Monte Cristo

Andrea’s Parisian Success

M. Andrea Cavalcanti successfully established himself in Parisian society after inheriting papers proving his lineage as son of the Marquis Bartolomeo and Marchioness Oliva Corsinari. Within a fortnight, he gained a respectable position, being addressed as “Count” and reputed to possess 50,000 livres per annum. His father’s supposed vast riches buried in the quarries of Saravezza became a constant topic of discussion, and a learned man even corroborated having seen these quarries, lending credibility to assertions previously considered doubtful.

Monte Cristo Calls on Madame Danglars

Monte Cristo visited Danglars’ home one evening to find the banker absent. Madame Danglars, who experienced nervous shudders at the count’s name since the dinner at Auteuil, received him graciously. His noble countenance and agreeable manner soon dispelled her fears. In the boudoir, Monte Cristo observed Andrea Cavalcanti dressed elegantly, wearing a sparkling diamond on his finger despite advice against it, while directing admiring glances toward Mademoiselle Danglars.

Eugenie and Mademoiselle d’Armilly

Mademoiselle Danglars proved as cold and satirical as ever, receiving Andrea’s attentions with indifference that made his sighs and glances seem to fall against an impenetrable shield. She coldly bowed to Monte Cristo and seized the first opportunity to escape to her study, where she and Mademoiselle Louise d’Armilly, her singing teacher, performed together at the piano as a charming tableau vivant. Danglars later brought Andrea into the same room with his daughter, much to the baroness’s concern about what would happen if Albert de Morcerf discovered a rival there.