The Count of Monte Cristo

第五十四章 A Flurry in Stocks

Chapter 54, “A Flurry in Stocks,” features a long conversation between the Count of Monte Cristo and Albert de Morcerf, covering the Major Cavalcanti, news of Franz, multiple marriages, Albert’s departure, and the count’s mysterious plans for a dinner at his Auteuil house, which he conveys to Bertuccio through cryptic instructions.

Major Cavalcanti’s Acquaintance

The Count of Monte Cristo explains to Albert how he knows Major Cavalcanti, describing him as a polite, modest Italian nobleman of ancient lineage whom he met while travelling in Florence, Bologna, and Lucca. The count says the Major has returned to Paris to take a second look at the city, and that he will host a dinner for him, take his son under his wing, and let the young man follow his own path. Albert playfully calls him a “model Mentor.”

News of Franz d’Épinay

Albert reports that he has received news of Franz d’Épinay, who is still travelling in Italy and misses the count greatly, having called Monte Cristo the “sun of Rome.” The count observes that Franz’s opinion of him has improved, though he still considers the count mysterious. The two discuss Franz’s parentage, noting he is the son of General d’Épinay, who was shamefully assassinated in 1815 by Bonapartists.

Matrimonial Engagements

The conversation turns to matrimonial arrangements. Monte Cristo mentions that Franz is engaged to Mademoiselle de Villefort, and Albert laughingly reminds the count that he himself is to marry Mademoiselle Danglars. Albert smiles because he senses as little real inclination toward the match on her side as on his, and the count remarks that they have been talking about women as much as women talk of them, calling the topic “unpardonable.”