Haydée’s Distress and Fainting
Haydée’s Distress and Fainting The new dawn finds Haydée asleep on a chair outside the Count’s door, having kept vigil until exhaustion overcame her. Carrying her to her room after she awakens, reads the bequest, tears the will into four pieces, and faints at his feet, Monte Cristo is struck for the first time by the possibility that her devotion exceeds a daughter’s love, and he murmurs that he might still have been happy. Returning to his study, he re-copies the destroyed will, seals it in three places, and hears Maximilian’s cabriolet arrive in the courtyard.
Morrel’s Early Visit
Morrel’s Early Visit Maximilian arrives twenty minutes ahead of schedule, sleepless and needing reassurance, and Monte Cristo greets him with an embrace and entrusts him with the sealed will to deliver to his solicitor. Maximilian recounts his failed attempt the previous night at Tortoni’s to substitute swords for pistols by appealing to Beauchamp and Château-Renaud. To demonstrate his terrible proficiency, Monte Cristo fires four successive shots that shear the edges off an ace of clubs, leaving Morrel pale and acknowledging that Albert’s only hope lies in the Count’s emotion or generosity.
Duel Preparations
Duel Preparations Monte Cristo outlines the agreed terms: he will fire first at twenty paces, Morrel having claimed that concession for the challenged party. Dismissing Morrel’s plea to wound rather than kill Albert, he insists he intends to be carried home from the encounter and hints that a supernatural warning has shown him his time has run out. He produces his pistols, and Maximilian steps away to verify that the opposing seconds have brought weapons of their own.
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