The Count of Monte Cristo

Disguise Revealed

Following Lord Wilmore’s departure, the Englishman retires to his bedroom where the truth emerges with theatrical precision. With one hand, he removes his light hair, red whiskers, artificial jaw, and the apparent wound—transforming himself back into the Count of Monte Cristo, revealing the black hair, dark complexion, and pearly teeth of his true identity.

Villefort’s Relief

The agent reports to M. de Villefort rather than the prefect of police, and the Count’s elaborate deception proves successful. Despite learning nothing truly conclusive about the Count’s mysterious past, Villefort feels genuinely at ease. For the first time since the fateful dinner party at Auteuil, he sleeps soundly, completely unaware that he has been manipulated by the very man he sought to investigate.

第七十章 The Ball

The chapter opens on a warm July evening as the much-anticipated ball at M. de Morcerf’s finally arrives, transforming the estate into a scene of elegant festivity with colored lanterns illuminating the gardens according to Italian custom and the supper table laden with wax-lights and flowers, the open-air option having been chosen over the dining room due to the clear, star-studded sky. Countess Mercédès proves to be the true magnetic force drawing guests to the celebration, whose gracious hospitality ensures visitors will encounter novel and admirable arrangements worthy of description or emulation. As guests converge upon the festivities, Madame Danglars makes a striking appearance, having been subtly persuaded by Villefort earlier that day of the importance of being seen at the event, while her daughter Eugénie and Mademoiselle de Villefort follow together in white dresses bearing bouquets of camellias and myosotis respectively. The Count of Monte Cristo commands universal attention upon his entrance, his pale complexion, dark melancholy eyes, and chiselled mouth exercising a fascination that transcends mere physical handsomeness, amplified by the mysterious aura surrounding his fabulous fortune. During conversations with Albert and Madame de Villefort, details emerge about Monte Cristo’s background—the name Zaccone, his Maltese origins, his father’s profession as a shipowner, his service in India and discovery of a Thessalian mine—information that has apparently reached the police and caused considerable astonishment in Paris at such extraordinary splendor. Danglars approaches Monte Cristo to discuss the shocking bankruptcy of Frankfurt bankers Franck & Poulmann, revealing he has honoured drafts drawn upon them for 200,000 francs after the count admits he had withdrawn his own funds from their establishment a month prior. Mercédès observes with growing concern that the count consistently refuses all refreshment during the entire evening, a fact that troubles her deeply despite Albert’s assurances of Monte Cristo’s temperance and his demonstrated willingness to eat during their previous encounters in Italy. When the oppressive heat prompts the opening of Venetian blinds to reveal the enchanting garden, Mercédès requests that her husband release his companions so they might enjoy the cooler air, then turns to the count with a simple yet weighted request for his arm to escort her outside.