Debray Reflects on Their Misfortune
Albert thanks Debray coolly, declaring that they are still rich enough not to require anyone’s assistance: they are leaving Paris and will have 5,000 francs left once the journey is paid. The parallel strikes Debray forcefully—blood mounts to his temples, for he holds a million in his own pocketbook, and he reflects that the same house once housed two women: one justly dishonored, who left with 1,500,000 francs under her cloak, and Mercédès, unjustly stricken but sublime in misfortune, who is rich with only a few deniers. The contrast appals him; he mutters a few words of civility and hurries downstairs. That same night, he possesses a fine house on the Boulevard de la Madeleine and an income of 50,000 livres.
Mercédès Departs for Marseille
The next day, at about five o’clock in the afternoon, just as Debray is signing his deed, Madame de Morcerf affectionately embraces her son and enters the coupé of the diligence, which closes upon her. She begins her journey south toward Marseilles, alone, with only the cashmere shawl and a portion of the proceeds Albert has secured for her.
Unseen Observer Laments Their Lost Happiness
Meanwhile, a man is hidden in Lafitte’s banking-house, behind one of the little arched windows above the desks. He watches Mercédès enter the diligence and Albert withdraw, then passes his hand across a forehead clouded with doubt. He exclaims in anguish, “Alas, how can I restore the happiness I have taken away from these poor innocent creatures? God help me!”—a final indication that an unseen conscience bears responsibility for their ruin.
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