The Count of Monte Cristo

Albert Brings News of M. de Saint-Méran’s Death

Albert arrives running with news of misfortune. Madame de Saint-Méran has arrived in Paris bearing news of M. de Saint-Méran’s death, which occurred on the first stage after leaving Marseilles. Madame de Villefort, who had been in good spirits, refused to believe it, but Valentine immediately deduced the truth and fell senseless. The count inquires about the relationship between M. de Saint-Méran and Valentine, learning he was her grandfather on her mother’s side, coming to hastening her marriage to Franz. Albert jokes about why Saint-Méran was not also grandfather to Mademoiselle Danglars, prompting mild reproof from Madame de Morcerf. Afterward, Monte Cristo watches the countess with thoughtful, affectionate admiration, and she seizes both his hand and Albert’s, joining them together and asking again if they are friends. The count replies that he does not presume to call himself her friend but is always her most respectful servant. Madame de Morcerf departs with an indescribable pang, raising her handkerchief to her eyes within ten steps. When Albert asks if his mother and the count are not in agreement, Monte Cristo reminds him that she herself declared them friends. They re-enter the drawing-room, which Valentine and Madame de Villefort have just departed.

第七十二章 Madame de Saint-Méran

Chapter 72. Madame de Saint-Méran This chapter interweaves Villefort’s anxious introspection about Monte Cristo with the sudden arrival of Madame de Saint-Méran bearing news of her husband’s death, which sets in motion a series of grief-stricken family encounters and culminates in the marchioness’s feverish insistence on hastening Valentine’s marriage to Franz d’Épinay and her haunting vision of a white spectral figure. Chapter 72. Madame de Saint-Méran In the wake of M. de Saint-Méran’s death, the elderly marchioness arrives at the Villefort household in a state of feverish agitation. Obsessed with securing the family inheritance for her granddaughter Valentine, she demands the immediate summoning of a notary. Valentine, who is herself unwell and emotionally torn, fears how her beloved Maximilian will react when he discovers that the grandmother he hoped might champion their union is instead an unconscious enemy. While the notary attends the marquise, Valentine fetches Doctor d’Avrigny, who proceeds to examine the delirious old woman. After the consultation, Valentine retreats to the garden to recover her composure and, at the close of the chapter, hears Maximilian’s voice calling her name from beyond the gate.