The Count of Monte Cristo

第一百零五章 The Cemetery of Père-Lachaise

This chapter centers on the funeral of Valentine de Villefort at Père-Lachaise Cemetery, and the Count of Monte Cristo’s intervention to stop her grieving fiancé Maximilian Morrel from dying by suicide, culminating in the count revealing his true identity as Edmond Dantès to the Morrel family.

Valentine’s Funeral Procession to Père-Lachaise

The funeral procession for Valentine de Villefort departs from the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, traveling across Paris via the Faubourg du Temple and exterior boulevards to Père-Lachaise Cemetery. M. de Villefort selected the cemetery as the only worthy resting place for a Parisian family, and had purchased a vault inscribed with “The families of Saint-Méran and Villefort” per his late wife Renée’s final wish. The procession includes 20 mourning coaches, over 50 private carriages, and more than 500 on-foot mourners, including many of Valentine’s young acquaintances who were devastated by her sudden death in the prime of her youth.

Monte Cristo Joins the Funeral Procession

As the procession exits Paris, a four-horse equipage carrying the Count of Monte Cristo arrives at full speed. The count exits his carriage and joins the on-foot mourners, where he is soon joined by Château-Renaud and Beauchamp after they spot him. He scans the crowd intently, searching for someone he does not immediately locate.

Morrel’s Agitated Grief at the Cemetery

Upon arriving at Père-Lachaise, Monte Cristo spots a shadow moving between yew trees and recognizes it as Maximilian Morrel, who has followed the procession unnoticed. Morrel, pale, livid, and convulsively crushing his hat, stands apart on an elevation overlooking the mausoleum, observing every detail of the funeral service, which includes standard mournful orations and the priests’ chant. Onlookers note his violent agitation, and when the service concludes, Morrel slips away before Château-Renaud can find him.