The Count of Monte Cristo

The Torrent of Mortality

M. d’Avrigny restores the magistrate Villefort to consciousness in the chamber where death has struck. Villefort cries out that death is in his house, but the doctor responds that crime is present instead. The physician declares it is time to stop the “torrent of mortality” and expresses his determination to see justice served for the victims and society.

The Track of Death

M. d’Avrigny reveals his methodical investigation of the deaths, comparing himself to the ancients who tracked death’s passage through the household. He speaks of the historical monsters—Locusta, Agrippina, Brunhilda, and Fredegund—beautiful women who committed atrocities. The doctor explains his suspicions systematically: he has followed the trail of deaths, noting that M. Noirtier was the intended target of the poisoned lemonade, with Barrois dying only by accident. He reveals that Noirtier’s resistance to the poison comes from the therapeutic doses of brucine he has been receiving for his paralysis.

Valentine Accused

The doctor makes his devastating accusation: Mademoiselle Valentine de Villefort is the poisoner. He presents the evidence—Valentine prepared the medicines for M. de Saint-Méran, who died; she prepared the cooling draughts for Madame de Saint-Méran, who died; and she took the lemonade intended for Noirtier from Barrois. D’Avrigny denounces her formally as the king’s attorney must do his duty.

The Scaffold Demanded

D’Avrigny demands that Villefort execute his own daughter on the scaffold. He argues mercilessly that if she had committed only one or two crimes, he might recommend mercy—a convent, perhaps—but she has witnessed three deaths and knelt by three corpses. The poisoner must face the scaffold.