The Count of Monte Cristo

Abbé Busoni and Noirtier

The Abbé Busoni remained alone with Noirtier in the chamber where Valentine’s body lay. The priest’s Christian exhortations, kindness, and persuasive words had restored the old man’s courage, transforming his violent despair into a calm resignation that surprised all who knew his excessive affection for his granddaughter.

The Altered Household

Since Valentine’s death, the entire establishment had changed. M. de Villefort had not seen his father since that morning. New servants were engaged—a new valet for Villefort, a new servant for Noirtier, and two women had entered Madame de Villefort’s service. New faces appeared everywhere, from the concierge to the coachmen, widening the division that had always existed between family members.

Preparing the Caderousse Case

The assizes were about to begin, and Villefort shut himself in his room, working with feverish anxiety on the case against Caderousse’s murderer. The case, like all those involving the Count of Monte Cristo, caused a great sensation in Paris. The proofs were not entirely convincing, resting on words written by an escaped galley-slave on his death-bed. Nevertheless, Villefort was convinced of Benedetto’s guilt and hoped his skill in conducting this case would flatter his self-love.

The Garden Confrontation

Once, during a weary afternoon, Villefort descended to his garden and, in a gloomy mood, began knocking off the dying rose branches with his cane. While walking, he noticed Noirtier at an open window, his eyes fixed intently on something below with an expression of hate, ferocity, and savage impatience.