The Count of Monte Cristo

Morrel’s Surprising Timely Repayment of July Debts

Contrary to widespread commercial belief that Morrel will be unable to remain solvent amid his series of financial reversals, he successfully pays all his July obligations on schedule, surprising creditors who had assumed his ruin was only delayed until the end of the month.

Disappearance of Thomson & French’s Agent and Pharaon Crew

The Thomson & French agent who granted Morrel the extension vanishes from Marseille shortly after his visit, leaving no trace of his whereabouts beyond the memories of the mayor, prison inspector, and Morrel. Similarly, the crew of Morrel’s lost ship the Pharaon also disappears, having found new positions elsewhere.

Captain Gaumard’s Return and Penelon’s Awkward Meeting

Recovered from his illness, Captain Gaumard of the Pharaon returns to Marseille from Palma. Morrel visits him to console him for the loss of the ship and brings him his unpaid wages. As Morrel leaves, he encounters Penelon, a former sailor from the Pharaon, who is awkwardly embarrassed to meet his former employer, dressed in new fine clothes that suggest he has found new employment.

Morrel’s Goodwill Toward His Former Sailors

Understanding Penelon’s embarrassment stems from not having grieved the loss of the Pharaon long enough before taking new work, Morrel expresses warm wishes that Penelon’s new employer treats him as well as Morrel did, and that he is more fortunate than Morrel has been.

Morrel’s Failed Efforts to Secure New Credit

Throughout August, Morrel makes extraordinary efforts to renew his credit or access old lines of funding, but banks refuse to extend him credit even for 90-day bills, a stark contrast to the confidence his commercial paper once commanded. Rumors spread that he has fled Marseille and left his staff to handle creditors, but he returns on August 31 and pays all outstanding bills on schedule, leading observers to push their predicted bankruptcy date to the end of September.