An Evening at the Theatre
Franz and Albert change into evening wear and head to the Argentina Theatre, where they take their seats in the count’s private box. During the first act, the Countess G—— enters, immediately spots Franz and Albert in the box, and fixes her opera glass on them. Franz invites Albert to join him in paying their respects to the countess, and they go to her box to greet her.
Conversation with the Countess G——
The countess teases Franz about his close friendship with the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo, referring to him as a “vampire” and asking for details about his background. Franz and Albert explain they met him through their hotel landlord, that he is a Tuscan count who owns the island of Monte Cristo, is fabulously wealthy and eccentric, and has been extremely generous to them during their stay. The countess also asks about the beautiful Greek woman Franz saw the previous night, and Albert mentions the blue domino he spotted at the Rospoli Palace, which the countess did not notice during her own time at the Carnival. The conversation is interrupted by another visitor, and the friends return to their hotel later.
The Greek and the Blue Domino
Albert describes the windows of the Rospoli Palace he saw the count occupying: two hung with yellow damask, and one with white damask with a red cross, where he spotted the blue domino. Franz and Albert identify this blue domino as the Greek woman they saw playing the guzla the previous night, linking her to the count’s accommodations at the palace.
Procuring Peasant Costumes
The next morning, Signor Pastrini arrives with a tailor carrying ready-made Roman peasant costumes, as no tailor could complete new outfits in such a short timeframe. Franz and Albert select identical peasant ensembles, and the tailor adds long ribbons to their hats and colorful silk sashes to complete the traditional festive attire. Albert tries on his blue velvet peasant outfit, is very pleased with his appearance, and the pair are admiring their reflections when the Count of Monte Cristo enters.
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