第一百十一章 Expiation
Having acknowledged his guilt before the court, Villefort departs from the Palais de Justice in a state of utter confusion and physical distress, casting aside his judicial robe as an unbearable burden and hastening home in his carriage. Upon the road, the image of his wife Héloïse suddenly pierces his conscience with red-hot force, for he has just condemned her to death and now realizes she might be preparing to die at that very moment, and he determines that she must live and that he will confess his own crimes to her. Rushing to her room, he discovers her already dead from poison, and in her boudoir he finds his young son Edward also lifeless, his mother having first poisoned herself and then her child rather than face the scaffold alone, leaving a note asserting that a good mother cannot depart without her son. Monte Cristo, present in Noirtier’s room and identified as the long-lost Edmond Dantès whom Villefort once condemned to die in the dungeons of the Château d’If, is dragged by the bereaved father to view the twin corpses, upon which he becomes pale and feels he has exceeded the bounds of vengeance, taking the child away while Villefort descends into madness and furiously digs in the garden, seeking to unearth some buried treasure. Overwhelmed by doubt that he has done right, Monte Cristo departs Paris the following day with Morrel, praying he has not done too much.
Villefort’s Departure
Despite the density of the crowd at the Palais, M. de Villefort saw it part before him. Great afflictions inspire awe even in the worst times, and crowds generally sympathize with those suffering catastrophic misfortune. Even criminals are rarely insulted during trial. Though he had acknowledged his guilt, Villefort was protected by his grief. There are situations that men understand by instinct but which reason cannot explain—the greatest poet is he who gives utterance to the most natural and vehement outburst of sorrow. When the sufferer is sincere, listeners rightly regard his cry as sublime.
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.