The Cavalcanti Project
Monte Cristo vouches for Major Cavalcanti, instructing Danglars to give him money if properly recommended. The major has presented a bond of 40,000 francs payable at sight, signed by Abbé Busoni and endorsed by Monte Cristo. Danglars immediately counted out the forty bank-notes. Monte Cristo confirms he would advance ten millions on the major’s signature, having great confidence in him.
Andrea’s Allowance
The major has opened an account with Danglars for his son Andrea, allowing the young man 5,000 francs per month—60,000 francs annually. Monte Cristo considers this stingy, wondering how a young man can live on such an amount, and warns Danglars not to advance any extra funds, as the father will never repay them.
The Morcerf Engagement
Danglars discusses Albert de Morcerf’s betrothal to his daughter, noting that Madame de Morcerf and Albert themselves have not yet agreed. He suggests Mademoiselle Danglars is as good a match as Albert, hinting that while the Morcerf name is prestigious, his own fortune will be considerable. When pressed about why he did not invite the Morcerfs to dinner, he explains they excused themselves, with Madame de Morcerf supposedly going to Dieppe for sea air—which Danglars mocks as the air she “always breathed in her youth.”
Danglars’ True Name
Danglars reveals that while he received his baron title legitimately, Morcerf merely made himself a count. He claims Morcerf was once named Fernand Mondego, a mere fisherman when they were both clerks. Danglars insists he has bought enough fish from him to know his true name, and that both men are parvenus who became noble through wealth rather than birth.
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