The Count of Monte Cristo

第五章 The Marriage Feast

The chapter opens on a bright morning as the wedding feast of Edmond Dantès and Mercédès is set out on the second floor of La Réserve, where guests from the crew of the Pharaon and other friends gather on the wooden balcony in their finest attire an hour before the twelve o’clock celebration. The arrival of M. Morrel, the shipowner, is greeted with enthusiastic applause, and the company rejoices in the news that Dantès will succeed the late Captain Leclere, while Fernand, the disappointed lover who trails behind the radiant bridal pair, grows increasingly pale and tormented by dark, unspoken emotions. The festive mood swells as the guests feast on Arlesian sausages, lobsters, prawns, and other delicacies, and Dantès announces that thanks to M. Morrel’s influence the usual formalities have been waived so that he and Mercédès will be wed at the city hall within the hour, with a second, more elaborate marriage feast to follow upon his return from Paris. The joyful clamor is suddenly shattered by the measured tread of soldiers on the stairs and three authoritative knocks on the door; a magistrate enters in the name of the law and arrests Edmond Dantès before the stunned assembly, leaving his father to plead in vain for mercy and the celebration to collapse into dread and confusion.

Feast Preparations and Early Guest Arrival

Feast Preparations and Early Guest Arrival

Morrel’s Attendance Confirmed

Rumors had circulated among the gathered guests that the owners of the Pharaon might deign to attend the nuptial feast at La Réserve, but most doubted such condescension was possible. Danglars, arriving with Caderousse, dispelled these doubts by reporting that he had spoken with M. Morrel, who confirmed his intention to dine at the establishment. Shortly afterward, M. Morrel himself appeared and was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the crew, who hailed his visit as a sign that their beloved Dantès would soon be elevated to captain of the ship, a sentiment M. Morrel further encouraged by descending to meet the bridal party and personally escorting Mercédès up the wooden steps to the chamber where the feast awaited.