The Count of Monte Cristo

Monte Cristo Administers a Restorative to Caderousse

Monte Cristo Administers a Restorative to Caderousse Monte Cristo leaves briefly and returns with a phial. He administers three or four drops onto Caderousse’s lips, which revive him immediately. Caderousse begs for more, but Monte Cristo warns that two additional drops would be fatal. The restorative gives Caderousse enough strength to speak further before his condition deteriorates.

Caderousse Signs a Deposition Against Benedetto

Caderousse Signs a Deposition Against Benedetto Driven by desire for posthumous revenge, Caderousse dictates a deposition while Monte Cristo writes. The document states that Caderousse dies murdered by the Corsican Benedetto, his comrade at Toulon galleys, prisoner No. 59. Caderousse summons his remaining strength to sign, then identifies Benedetto as also calling himself Andrea Cavalcanti, staying at the Hôtel des Princes. He again loses consciousness but revives when Monte Cristo makes him smell the phial’s contents.

Monte Cristo Justifies Not Warning Caderousse

Monte Cristo Justifies Not Warning Caderousse Monte Cristo reveals that he read the note warning of Caderousse’s murderous intent and chose to wait and allow events to unfold. When Caderousse demands to know why he was not warned, Monte Cristo explains that he saw God’s justice placed in the hands of Benedetto and would have considered opposing such divine designs as sacrilege. This philosophical stance forms the moral backbone of Monte Cristo’s non-intervention.

Monte Cristo Confronts Caderousse Over His Past Sins

Monte Cristo Confronts Caderousse Over His Past Sins The disguised count delivers an extensive reckoning of Caderousse’s life, describing how God gave him health, strength, employment, and friends—gifts he squandered through sloth and drunkenness. He reminds Caderousse that after betraying his friend, God warned rather than struck, sending him fortune through the count’s own generosity. Rather than improving his life, Caderousse sought to double his wealth through murder, and when the money was taken from him, he committed further crimes. Monte Cristo declares that he would have saved Caderousse had he found him humble and penitent, but found him proud and blood-thirsty, so he left him in the hands of God.