The Count of Monte Cristo

Conversation on Madame Danglars’ Reckless Speculative Trading

Monte Cristo remarks that Danglars must be enormously rich to gain or lose 300,000 francs in a day, but Lucien corrects him: it is not Danglars who plays—it is Madame Danglars herself, who is indeed daring. Morcerf suggests that Lucien, as secretary to the minister, ought to prevent her reckless trading, but Lucien replies that no one has any influence with the baroness, who does precisely what she pleases.

Debray and Albert Joke About Punishing Madame Danglars’ Trading

Albert proposes that he would “reform” Madame Danglars by giving her a lesson that would also serve her future son-in-law. He outlines the scheme: Lucien should spread a piece of exclusive news, such as a fabricated report that Henri IV. was seen at Gabrielle’s, causing her to buy heavily; then Beauchamp’s gazette would deny the rumor the following day, and she would lose a hundred thousand francs. Lucien half smiles but is clearly embarrassed by the suggestion. Monte Cristo, though apparently indifferent, reads the hidden secret in Lucien’s manner—an embarrassment completely lost on Albert but obvious enough to cause Lucien to shorten his visit.

Monte Cristo Announces an Auteuil Dinner for the Danglars and Villeforts

After Lucien’s departure, Monte Cristo and Albert discuss the matter further, and Monte Cristo reveals his plan: because M. Danglars is his banker and M. de Villefort has overwhelmed him with politeness in return for a service, he predicts an avalanche of dinners. To be beforehand with them, Monte Cristo proposes inviting M. and Madame Danglars and M. and Madame de Villefort to his country-house at Auteuil on Saturday. He deliberately excludes the Morcerfs, lest the dinner appear to be a matrimonial meeting that would cause the Comtesse de Morcerf to hold him in aversion.