Mineral Spring Theory
Lord Wilmore explains the Count’s interest in the Auteuil property as a speculative venture. Monte Cristo believes a valuable mineral spring exists nearby, comparable to famous French spa waters at Bagnères, Luchon, and Cauterets. He intends to convert his house into a spa establishment. The Count has already dug up the garden multiple times in search of this spring, and Wilmore expects him to purchase neighboring properties when these efforts fail. Wilmore expresses hope that this and other ventures—railways and an electric telegraph invention—will eventually ruin the Count financially.
The Quarrel Explained
The source of the bitter enmity between Lord Wilmore and the Count stems from an incident in England: Monte Cristo seduced the wife of one of Wilmore’s friends. When the agent asks why Wilmore has not pursued direct revenge, Wilmore reveals he has already challenged the Count to three duels—first with pistols, then swords, and finally with sabers. Each encounter ended in the Count’s victory: he broke Wilmore’s arm, wounded him in the chest, and recently inflicted a large scar visible beneath his collar. Despite these defeats, Wilmore continues practicing daily with a fencing master, hoping eventually to prevail.
The Three Duels
The dueling history between the two men serves as concrete evidence of their deadly feud. Lord Wilmore provides graphic details of his defeats, culminating in a fresh wound that the agent witnesses when Wilmore bares his neck to display the scar. This animosity informs much of what Wilmore chooses to share about the Count’s affairs, as he openly hopes for the Count’s downfall through his various speculative ventures.
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