The Count of Monte Cristo

Debray, Château-Renaud, and Beauchamp Converse About the Funeral

Debray, Château-Renaud, and Beauchamp gather to discuss the funeral: they mourn Valentine’s youth, beauty, and sudden death, reference the marriage contract she was set to sign weeks prior, debate the identity of the man hosting the reception, note that a newspaper article about the series of deaths in Villefort’s home may displease the procureur, and observe that Monte Cristo (who was on his way to visit his banker Danglars) and Morrel are absent from the gathering.

Monte Cristo Heads to Danglars’ Residence

Beauchamp correctly notes that he encountered the Count of Monte Cristo on his way to the funeral, as the count was traveling to Danglars’ residence on the Rue de la Chaussée d’Antin.

Danglars Shares News of Eugénie’s Departure

Danglars greets Monte Cristo and laments a string of recent misfortunes, including Morcerf’s public dishonor and death, the scandal caused by Benedetto’s villainy, and finally reveals that his daughter Eugénie has left Paris: unable to bear the insult to their family from Benedetto, she traveled away with a relative (not her mother) and will likely not return to France due to her pride, a grief Monte Cristo notes is easily soothed by Danglars’ vast wealth.

Danglars Signs Five Million Franc Bonds

Danglars mentions he was in the process of signing five 1-million-franc Bank of France bearer bonds, having already signed two, and completes the remaining three signatures in Monte Cristo’s presence.

Monte Cristo Claims Danglars’ Five Million Franc Deposit

Monte Cristo seizes the five signed bonds to settle a debt: he notes he holds a 6-million-franc credit with Danglars, having already drawn 900,000 francs, so the 5 million in bonds covers the remaining balance plus a 100,000-franc surplus, which he forgives. He presents a full receipt for the 6 million, leaving Danglars horrified; though Danglars initially protests the funds were earmarked for charity, he eventually consents to let Monte Cristo keep the bonds, while nervously framing the loss as a trivial difference in payment form.