The Count of Monte Cristo

Selim Confirms the Master’s Ring

The messenger, a trusted associate of Ali, confirms he comes in Ali’s name and carries his ring. He places the ring in a ray of light at the cavern entrance per Selim’s request, then Selim retrieves it, confirms it is Ali’s ring, kisses it, and extinguishes the lit match he was holding to guard the powder magazine.

Selim Is Killed by Kourchid’s Soldiers

The messenger gives a signal, and four of Kourchid’s soldiers emerge to stab Selim five times, killing him. The soldiers then search the cavern for any remaining fire risk before rolling on the bags of gold stored there.

Ali Tepelini’s Last Stand

Vasiliki grabs Haydée and flees through hidden passageways to a private staircase of the kiosk, where they hear Kourchid’s troops confronting Ali with a firman (imperial decree) ordering his execution. Ali laughs, fires his pistol to kill two men, and his Palikare guards join the fight. When told Selim is dead, Ali tries to escape but the flooring is blown up from below by Kourchid’s troops. Ali fights off attackers but is ultimately overwhelmed by 20 soldiers armed with sabres, pistols and poniards, disappearing in a fire and smoke as the building burns. Haydée collapses to the ground as her mother faints.

Haydée and Vasiliki Are Captured

When Vasiliki regains consciousness, she and Haydée are brought before Seraskier Kourchid. Vasiliki asks that their honor be spared even if they are to be killed, but Kourchid informs them their new master is present, pointing to the man most complicit in Ali’s murder.

Vasiliki Dies After Seeing Ali’s Severed Head

Kourchid does not keep Haydée and Vasiliki as slaves, instead selling them to slave merchants traveling to Constantinople. As they approach the city gates, Vasiliki sees Ali’s severed head displayed above the gates with an inscription identifying it as the head of Ali Tepelini, Pasha of Yanina. She lets out a piercing cry and dies immediately upon seeing it.