The Count of Monte Cristo

The Boats Approach

As Haydée and her mother descend to the cavern, they see four boats approaching the kiosk, and the 20 Palikares stationed there ready to defend against pursuit. Haydée watches her father pace anxiously, checking his watch and scanning the horizon, while the Palikares wait with inlaid long guns and scattered cartridges. She and her mother join Selim at his post in the cavern, where the only light is the flame of his lance. Her mother, a Christian, prays, while Selim periodically declares “God is great!” and vows to give war or death to any attackers who do not bring peace. Haydée, terrified as a small child by the prospect of fiery death, recoils from the thought of the imminent danger they face.

第七十七章 Haydée

This chapter concludes Haydée’s first-person account of her family’s fate after her father Ali Tepelini, Grand Vizier of Yanina, was betrayed and executed by Ottoman forces under Seraskier Kourchid.

Selim Explains the Pardon Tokens

Selim, the guardian of Ali’s hidden powder magazine, explains the pardon token system to Vasiliki: if Ali sends a poniard, it means the emperor has denied his pardon, and Selim is to light the magazine to kill the group by explosion; if a ring is sent, it means pardon is granted, and Selim is to extinguish the match and leave the magazine untouched. Vasiliki asks Selim to kill her and Haydée mercifully with the poniard instead of the explosion if the poniard arrives, which Selim agrees to do.

Messenger Arrives with Ali’s Pardon

The Palikares hear loud cries of joy, learning a French officer dispatched to Constantinople has returned with a favorable response from the emperor. A figure appears at the cavern entrance announcing the emperor has granted Ali a full pardon, restoring his life, fortune and possessions. Vasiliki rejoices, but Selim stops her from rushing out, noting he has not yet received the official ring token required to confirm the pardon.