第八十一章 The Room of the Retired Baker
Chapter 81 centers on a confrontation between Andrea (Benedetto) and Caderousse in the retired baker’s room on the third floor of a house in the Allées de Meilhan. Caderousse pressures Andrea for money, Andrea confesses that he believes Monte Cristo is his real father and will inherit a fortune, then Caderousse extracts a detailed architectural plan of Monte Cristo’s Champs-Élysées mansion before Andrea leaves. After parting, Caderousse studies the plan with the clear intent of robbing the Count, reasoning that whoever hastens the day Andrea can touch his five hundred thousand francs will not be his worst friend.
Caderousse’s Demands
Caderousse demands thirty thousand francs from Andrea without Andrea spending a single sou, arguing that anything less could not make him an honest man again. Andrea refuses to commit any crime that would endanger his own position, but Caderousse blackmails him by threatening that if recaptured he would be content, while calling Andrea a “heartless creature” who would not want to see his old comrades again. Frightened, Andrea promises to find a way to raise the money and agrees to increase Caderousse’s monthly allowance to five hundred francs, which Caderousse declares he needs to acquire a housekeeper.
Andrea’s Protector
Caderousse learns that Andrea has a “protector” who is extremely kind to him. When pressed on the amount, Andrea reveals that this protector gives him five thousand francs per month—far more than the hundreds Caderousse receives. Caderousse bitterly observes that only bastards are thus fortunate and wonders aloud what anyone could possibly do with such a sum. Andrea confirms he too is in need of capital, and Caderousse wonders whether it is Andrea’s “prince” who will provide it.
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