The Count of Monte Cristo

Haydée States Her Vengeance Motive

When the president asks who counseled her, Haydée explains that she has long wished to avenge her illustrious father. Since arriving in France she has lived in retirement at her noble protector’s home, keeping up with the world through newspapers, periodicals, and music. Learning of that morning’s proceedings in the House of Peers and the evening’s session, she wrote to the court of her own accord. The Count of Monte Cristo, currently in Normandy, is entirely unaware of her actions, and she fears only his disapproval.

Haydée Accuses Fernand Mondego of Betrayal

Asked if she recognizes the accused, Haydée turns and identifies Morcerf as Fernand Mondego, the French officer who led her father’s troops, surrendered the castle of Yanina, brought back a false mandate of pardon, obtained the pasha’s ring to command Selim the fire-keeper, stabbed Selim, and sold her and her mother to El-Kobbir. She cries that he still bears his master’s blood on his brow, and invokes her mother’s words—describing how the man sold them, forsook them, and counted El-Kobbir’s gold pieces with a large-wounded right hand. Morcerf instinctively hides his mutilated hand in his bosom and collapses, overwhelmed.

Morcerf Flees After Failing to Defend Himself

When pressed to answer, Morcerf at first calls the accusations a base plot by his enemies, but he cannot sustain any defense. He offers no reply, no plea of “not guilty,” and no decision on further inquiries. His gaze, meant to soften, fails to disarm his judges. He glances toward the ceiling as if afraid to face the heavenly tribunal, then tears open his coat and flees the room like a madman, his footsteps echoing down the corridor and his carriage rattling away into the night.