The Count of Monte Cristo

The Glove is Thrown

Monte Cristo asks where Albert has come from and suggests he has lost his senses. Albert responds that as long as he understands Monte Cristo’s perfidy and makes him understand his intention to be revenged, he will be sufficiently reasonable. Monte Cristo says he does not understand and that Albert’s tone is too high—he is at home here and alone has the right to raise his voice above another’s. He points to the door with commanding dignity and orders Albert to leave. Albert declares he will know how to make Monte Cristo leave his home, clasping the count’s glove in his convulsed grasp. Monte Cristo quietly advises him that making a display of a challenge is in poor taste and not becoming to everyone. At the name “M. de Morcerf,” a murmur of astonishment passes through the spectators, who have talked of nothing but Morcerf all day. Albert understands the allusion immediately and is about to throw his glove at the count when Morrel seizes his hand while Beauchamp and Château-Renaud hold him back, fearing the scene will exceed the limits of a challenge. Without rising, Monte Cristo merely stretches out his arm and takes the damp, crushed glove from Albert’s clenched hand. In a solemn tone, he declares that he considers the glove thrown and will return it wrapped around a bullet, ordering Albert to leave or face being thrown out by his servants. Wild, almost unconscious, with inflamed eyes, Albert steps back and Morrel closes the door. Monte Cristo resumes his opera glass as though nothing has occurred, his face like marble and his heart like bronze.