The Count of Monte Cristo

Valentine’s Condition After the Poisoning Attack

Valentine’s Condition After the Poisoning Attack Valentine is carried away after the poisoning attack, having revived but left barely able to move or speak, so severely shaken is her frame. She manages to give one final look to her grandfather Noirtier, for whom losing her seems tantamount to surrendering his own soul. Dr. d’Avrigny follows the invalid, writes a prescription, and orders Villefort to personally fetch the medicine by cabriolet and wait in Valentine’s room, reiterating that no one is to give her anything in the meantime.

D’Avrigny Interrogates Noirtier About the Poisoning

D’Avrigny Interrogates Noirtier About the Poisoning D’Avrigny descends alone to Noirtier, secures the doors, and begins a careful, pointed interrogation about Valentine’s illness. Through a series of questions and Noirtier’s yes/no responses and subtle expressions, d’Avrigny confirms that the old man had anticipated the attack, suspected Barrois was poisoned rather than dying naturally, and believed Valentine was struck by the same hand. When pressed on whether Valentine will die, Noirtier answers with a triumphant “No,” signaling that he possesses a hidden hope the doctor has not yet grasped.

Noirtier Reveals His Brucine Acclimation Plan for Valentine

Noirtier Reveals His Brucine Acclimation Plan for Valentine Following the direction of Noirtier’s fixed gaze toward a bottle of his daily mixture, d’Avrigny deduces the old man’s scheme: Noirtier has been gradually accustoming Valentine to brucine so her system could resist the poison now used against her. Noirtier’s delight at being understood confirms the strategy, and d’Avrigny exclaims that without this precaution Valentine would surely have died. He concludes that the dose, though excessive, has only shaken her, and assures the overjoyed, grateful Noirtier that Valentine will not die this time.