The Count of Monte Cristo

The Expiring Light

The night-light continues to burn on the chimney-piece, its flame brightening before it expires, casting a dull, dismal light over Valentine’s bed. The silence in the streets is frightful as the clock approaches half-past four. The reddish lamp globe throws out its final flickerings, compared to the convulsions of a human creature in its final agonies.

The Poisoner’s Hesitation

Madame de Villefort enters Edward’s room to witness the effects of the poison she has prepared. She stops in the doorway, listens to the lamp’s flickering, and advances to check if Valentine’s glass is empty. Finding it still about a quarter full, she empties the contents into the ashes and carefully rinses the glass. She approaches the bed and looks upon Valentine, who no longer breathes. The young girl’s white lips do not quiver, her eyes are suffused with bluish vapor, and her cheeks are white as wax. Madame de Villefort presses her hand upon Valentine’s heart, finding it cold and motionless. One arm hangs out of the bed with fingers outstretched and nails turning blue. The poisoner retreats stealthily, absorbed in the irresistible attraction of the picture of death before the lamp expires and the room is plunged into darkness.

The Nurse’s Discovery

The nurse’s cough is heard on the stairs, and she enters the room with a cup in hand. Noticing the glass is three-quarters empty, she assumes Valentine has taken her draught. She lights the fire but cannot resist the temptation to rest in an armchair. The clock striking eight awakens her, and she notices the white lips and the arm still hanging out of the bed. When she tries to replace the arm, she discovers its frightful rigidity. She screams aloud and runs to the door exclaiming for help.