6. The Deputy Crown Prosecutor - 10. The Little Cabinet

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In a stunning dichotomy, Chapter 6 opens at the betrothal feast of Gérard de Villefort and Renée de Saint Meran, daughter of the Marquis and Marquise de Saint Meran, who ardently support the Royalist cause politically. Renée's wealthy parents, and their political views, appeal greatly to Villefort, who is portrayed as an ambitious and cunning man eager to rise in the ranks  of the judicial system. His motives are pragmatic; he seeks to sustain his reputation and eliminate any threats to his ambition.
In a key revelation, it becomes clear that Villefort’s actions are not driven solely by a commitment to the law but are entangled with personal ambition. To end the chapter, de Villefort prepares to leave his betrothal feast to interrogate Dantès, and promises Renée that he will be merciful.
This chapter is crucial as it not only develops Villefort's character but also emphasizes the larger themes of the novel, including extreme political views, betrayal, justice, and the pursuit of power.

Chapter 7 opens with an exchange between de VIllefort and the police commissioner regarding the packet of papers found in Edmond's possession. Villefort appears distressed, reflecting on the gravity of the situation. After discovering that the letter was addressed to his father, Monsieur de Noirtier, a notable Bonapartist, de Villefort, who had placed all of his future ambition in the graces of the monarchy, could suffer irreparable damage to his future if Monsieur de Noirtier were to play an active role in its overthrow.

A shift occurs as Villefort's demeanor changes. A calculating smile emerges, revealing a newfound resolve. He quickly pivots from a sense of defeat to a plan of leveraging the very letter that initially posed a threat to him. He sees an opportunity to transform this potential disaster into a means of achieving his own success. With this newfound determination, he casts the letter into the fireplace and, assured by Dantes that it was the only copy, feigns allegiance to Dantes, proclaiming that without the letter to Noirtier, there will be no evidence against him. He then sent Dantes away under guard and fled for Paris to warn the King of the impending coup.

In Edmond Dantès is transported to the harbor by gendarmes and imprisoned in the Château d’If, a notorious fortress just off the coast. Initially, he is hopeful due to promises made by Villefort, but his hopes are crushed as he realizes he has been betrayed. Despite his expectations of eventual freedom, Dantès is taken to the Château D'If where he is locked in a dark, dank cell. The realization of his dire situation overwhelms him, and he struggles with despair and rage, reflecting on missed opportunities for escape and his separation from Mercédès. His condition worsens as he becomes increasingly despondent. Despite his pleas, he is denied contact with the governor and threatened with further isolation. Finally, after threatening the jailer, Dantès is sent to a dungeon, his mental state deteriorating rapidly. 

This chapter also marks the first mention of the mad prisoner who offered millions to the state in exchange for his freedom, a key character to the development of the storyline.

De Villefort has just returned to Madame de Saint-Méran’s house, finding the guests at coffee. His urgent demeanor prompts concern and speculation among the guests, who question whether there is a new threat or crisis. Villefort approaches the marquis privately, asking for a moment of his time. He reveals that he must leave for Paris immediately on a matter of great importance. Villefort requests that the marquis sell his investments promptly, indicating a looming financial crisis. He also asks the marquis to procure a letter from M. de Salvieux to the king, which would allow Villefort to bypass formalities and gain direct access to the sovereign.

The marquis complies, and Villefort quickly prepares to leave. Before he departs, he encounters Mercédès, who is distraught over the fate of her lover, Dantès. Villefort, callous and impersonal, dismisses her concerns, stating that he cannot help Dantès, and hurriedly exits.

As Villefort leaves, he is plagued by remorse, reflecting on the innocent man whose fate he has sealed. The inner turmoil he experiences is profound, contrasting sharply with his previous detachment in matters of justice. Villefort’s emotions are compounded by the departure from Renée, his fiancée, who is heartbroken but unable to plead for Dantès because of her personal feelings.

Meanwhile, Mercédès, consumed by grief, finds no solace with Fernand, who has been trying to comfort her. M. Morrel, Dantès's benefactor, is disheartened by his unsuccessful efforts to aid Dantès, as influential figures dismiss his pleas due to the perceived impossibility of Dantès’s cause. Caderousse, another character affected by the situation, retreats into drunkenness, unable to escape his reflections on the tragic events.

Danglars, on the other hand, remains indifferent and satisfied, having removed a rival and secured his own interests. Villefort, after receiving the necessary letter, bids farewell to Renée and her family and departs for Paris. The scene ends with the grim acknowledgment that Dantès’s fate is sealed, and the narrative leaves readers with a sense of impending tragedy for Edmond Dantès.

In Chapter 10, we follow the narrative as it unfolds in the Tuileries Palace, where King Louis XVIII. is engaged in a conversation with his advisor, the Duke of Blacas, and the Minister of Police, Baron Dandré. The setting is a small room within the palace, historically favored by French monarchs including Napoleon, Louis XVIII., and Louis Philippe.

Louis XVIII. is seated at a walnut table, writing annotations in a volume of Horace while Blacas, a well-dressed man with aristocratic bearing, expresses his concerns about a potential threat from the south of France. Blacas believes there may be a brewing storm, possibly related to Bonaparte or his followers. The king, known for his wit and preference for a light-hearted approach, dismisses Blacas’s fears with a jest, but Blacas persists, urging the king to investigate the situation further.

Blacas requests the king to send trusted men to provinces like Languedoc, Provence, and Dauphiné to gather accurate information about the sentiment in these areas. Louis XVIII., continuing to annotate his Horace, responds with a quote implying that he sees no cause for alarm. However, when Baron Dandré arrives, the king asks him for an update on Bonaparte’s activities. Dandré reports that Bonaparte, currently exiled on Elba, is in a state of despair and almost insane, engaging in trivial activities like throwing stones into the sea.

Louis XVIII. finds the report amusing, noting that Bonaparte’s behavior could be interpreted as wisdom rather than madness. Despite this, Blacas remains worried, prompting the king to agree to see Villefort, a messenger from Marseilles recommended by Blacas.

Villefort, having traveled from Marseilles in a mere three days, is introduced to the king. He presents himself in a humble and anxious manner, eager to report on the serious conspiracy he has uncovered. Villefort explains that he has discovered a plot that threatens the king’s throne, involving Bonaparte preparing to return to power. Villefort describes how he obtained this information from a sailor he had arrested, who had been on Elba and had received a message from Bonaparte’s emissary.

The king listens intently but remains somewhat skeptical, reassuring Villefort that France is well-prepared for any threat. Louis XVIII. emphasizes that his ministers have increased vigilance to monitor the Mediterranean and assess any potential landing by Bonaparte. The king is confident that Bonaparte would face significant obstacles and would be unable to succeed.

As the discussion concludes, Baron Dandré reappears, looking distressed. Villefort is about to leave, but Blacas intervenes, suggesting that Villefort’s presence is still required. This chapter concludes with an air of uncertainty and urgency, as the characters await further developments regarding the alleged threat to the king’s reign.