66. Marriage Plans - 70. The Ball

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In this chapter, the narrative revolves around the complex interactions and hidden agendas of the characters Danglars and Monte Cristo, highlighting themes of deception, financial instability, and social maneuvering.

The chapter begins with Madame Danglars leaving her home around noon, observed by her husband, Danglars, who is secretly monitoring her activities. He grows increasingly anxious as the day progresses, particularly concerned about his financial affairs. He receives visits, including one from Major Cavalcanti, who is involved in some business dealings with Danglars. After spending time at the Chamber, where he speaks against the budget, Danglars becomes more agitated and decides to visit Monte Cristo.

At Monte Cristo's residence, Danglars is made to wait while Monte Cristo meets with Abbé Busoni, a figure more familiar to the household. When Monte Cristo finally meets Danglars, the conversation quickly turns to Danglars' recent financial troubles. Danglars reveals that he has lost a significant amount of money due to a bankruptcy in Trieste and failed speculations in Spain. Monte Cristo listens, offering insights that subtly critique Danglars' financial acumen, suggesting that the banker’s fortune is more precarious than he admits.

Monte Cristo categorizes fortunes into three classes, placing Danglars' wealth in the third-rate category, dependent on volatile investments. Despite Danglars' attempts to reassure himself that he has other profitable ventures, Monte Cristo points out that these losses could seriously damage his overall fortune, warning him of the risks he faces.

The conversation then shifts to the Cavalcanti family, whom Danglars is dealing with financially. Monte Cristo hints at the possibility that the Cavalcantis are wealthier than they appear, potentially hiding their fortune. This intrigues Danglars, who is always looking for profitable alliances. Danglars even contemplates arranging a marriage between his daughter and the Cavalcanti son, Andrea, as a strategic move.

Finally, the chapter reveals Danglars' dissatisfaction with his daughter's current engagement to Albert de Morcerf, whom Danglars dismisses as less worthy compared to the Cavalcantis. Monte Cristo manipulates the conversation, leading Danglars to question Albert's father's (Fernand Mondego, now the Count of Morcerf) noble status. This triggers Danglars to consider investigating Fernand's past, particularly his involvement in the affairs of Ali Pasha in Greece, which may reveal scandalous information. The chapter ends with Danglars hastily deciding to write to his contacts in Greece, seeking to uncover potentially damaging secrets about Morcerf.

This chapter from The Count of Monte Cristo is an intense and revealing conversation between Madame Danglars and M. de Villefort, taking place in Villefort's office. The chapter begins with Madame Danglars embarking on a secretive morning excursion. She dresses plainly to avoid attention, changes vehicles multiple times, and finally arrives at the Palais de Justice, where she is ushered privately into Villefort’s office.

Villefort, the public prosecutor, is visibly tense and begins the conversation with a sense of foreboding. He acknowledges the painful nature of their meeting, hinting at a shared dark past between them. As their dialogue progresses, Villefort reflects on the traces of past actions, likening them to indelible tracks left by insects on sand, with every step in life leaving a mark. Madame Danglars, clearly distressed, asks him to spare her the details, fearing the judgment that may come from being in such a setting, usually reserved for the guilty.

Villefort then divulges a shocking and disturbing secret: many years ago, Madame Danglars gave birth to a child who was believed to be stillborn. Villefort had taken the child and buried it in the garden, but upon later investigation, he discovered that the child's body was no longer there. He reveals his suspicion that the child might have been alive and taken by the Corsican who had attacked him that night.

This revelation horrifies Madame Danglars, who is overwhelmed by the possibility that her child might have been buried alive and later saved by the assailant. Villefort recounts his obsessive attempts to locate the child, including a failed attempt to trace a woman who claimed the child from a foundling hospital. The possibility that the child survived haunts both Villefort and Madame Danglars, who now fear that someone, possibly the Count of Monte Cristo, knows their secret.

The chapter concludes with Villefort's determination to uncover the Count’s true intentions, suspecting that he might be aware of their past. Madame Danglars, shaken by the entire encounter, returns to her carriage, leaving Villefort to contemplate the dark possibilities that lie ahead.

This chapter is crucial as it deepens the mystery surrounding the characters’ pasts and their connections to the Count of Monte Cristo, setting the stage for further revelations and the unfolding of the Count's elaborate plans for revenge.

In this chapter of The Count of Monte Cristo, the story begins with a scene where Madame de Morcerf arrives at her residence with the assistance of her son, Albert, who soon leaves to visit the Count of Monte Cristo. Albert is eager to speak with the Count and, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the conversation shifts to various social matters, including the recent dinner hosted by the Count, which featured notable guests like M. Danglars and the Cavalcanti family.

Albert expresses his dissatisfaction with his engagement to Mademoiselle Danglars, revealing his disdain for the idea of marrying her. He admits that he would prefer to avoid the marriage altogether, viewing Mademoiselle Danglars more as a potential mistress rather than a wife. The Count, with his characteristic coldness and indifference, discusses Albert's predicament and suggests that M. Danglars might also be eager to break off the engagement. This suggestion both relieves and perplexes Albert, as he considers the possibility that his engagement might end.

The conversation then shifts to other matters, including Albert's upcoming ball, where he intends to invite various prominent figures, including the mysterious Cavalcanti. Albert also extends a personal invitation to the Count on behalf of his mother, Madame de Morcerf, who seems to be fascinated by the Count. Albert humorously mentions that his mother and others consider the Count to be a mysterious and enigmatic figure, comparing him to mythical and historical characters like Lord Ruthven, Cagliostro, or the Count Saint-Germain.

As the discussion concludes, Albert departs, and the Count reflects on the information provided by his steward, Bertuccio, regarding Madame Danglars’ recent visit to the Palais. The chapter ends with the Count instructing Bertuccio to pursue the acquisition of a small estate in Normandy, which aligns with both his plans and Bertuccio’s desires.

This chapter highlights the complex relationships and social maneuverings between the characters, with Albert's ambivalence towards his engagement serving as a focal point. The Count’s manipulative and enigmatic nature is further emphasized, as he subtly influences the events and decisions of those around him, all while maintaining his air of mystery and control.

In this chapter, M. de Villefort, the king's attorney, takes steps to investigate the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo, following his promise to Madame Danglars to uncover how the Count knew about the house in Auteuil. Villefort contacts M. de Boville, who now holds a high position in the police, for information on the Count. After two days, Villefort receives a report stating that the Count of Monte Cristo is associated with two mysterious figures: Lord Wilmore, a wealthy foreigner, and Abbé Busoni, a Sicilian priest known for his charitable work.

Villefort orders further investigation into these two individuals. The details reveal that Abbé Busoni is a reclusive figure living in a modest house near Saint-Sulpice, while Lord Wilmore is an Englishman with a peculiar lifestyle, who rarely spends much time in his rented Parisian apartment and avoids speaking French.

Later, a man visits Abbé Busoni's residence and insists on leaving a message for him, indicating that he has connections to powerful individuals. When the man returns that evening, he is granted an audience with the Abbé. During their conversation, it becomes clear that the Abbé is actually the Count of Monte Cristo in disguise. The visitor, working for the police, questions the Abbé about the Count, seeking to learn more about his background and intentions. The Abbé, while maintaining the facade of Busoni, provides vague answers, revealing only that the Count is a wealthy man from Malta with charitable inclinations and that he purchased the house in Auteuil to establish a lunatic asylum.

Following this meeting, the visitor heads to meet Lord Wilmore, who is another disguise of the Count. Wilmore provides more detailed, though equally misleading, information about the Count's past, portraying him as a speculator and adventurer who made his fortune through various ventures, including a silver mine in Greece. Wilmore also claims to harbor a personal grudge against the Count, stemming from a seduction scandal in England and three failed duels.

After the visitor leaves, it is revealed that both Abbé Busoni and Lord Wilmore are indeed personas adopted by the Count of Monte Cristo. The chapter ends with Villefort, who had been overseeing the investigation personally, feeling somewhat reassured but still lacking any conclusive information about the Count’s true motives or identity.

In this chapter, set on a warm July night, the scene is a grand ball hosted by the Count and Countess de Morcerf. The setting is lavish, with a garden illuminated by colored lanterns and a supper planned to be served under a tent on the lawn. The ball is filled with the sounds of music and laughter, and guests begin to arrive, drawn by the charm and hospitality of the Countess Mercédès rather than the count’s status.

Madame Danglars, initially hesitant to attend due to personal anxieties, is persuaded by Villefort to go, hinting at the importance of her presence. She arrives in a splendid attire and is soon greeted by Albert de Morcerf, who is eager to see her daughter. The conversation quickly turns to the expected arrival of the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo, who has become the talk of Parisian society. Albert and Madame Danglars discuss the count’s mysterious background and recent public appearances, including his eccentric behavior at the opera.

As the guests mingle, Albert introduces Madame de Villefort to Maximilian Morrel, but the encounter is cold and distant. However, Morrel soon catches the eye of a beautiful young woman across the room, leading to a silent but intense moment of mutual recognition. The entrance of the Count of Monte Cristo diverts attention, as his striking appearance and mysterious aura captivate the entire assembly. He is greeted by Madame de Morcerf with a serene smile, but their exchange is silent, filled with unspoken tension.

Monte Cristo’s interaction with Albert reveals a mix of humor and disdain for the pretentiousness of certain guests, including an academician and a newly wealthy millionaire, Danglars. A brief conversation between Monte Cristo and Danglars reveals financial troubles for the latter, hinting at larger, hidden tensions.

As the evening progresses, the heat becomes oppressive, and Monte Cristo, noticeably abstaining from food and drink, catches the attention of Mercédès. She becomes increasingly concerned about his refusal to partake in any refreshments, interpreting it as a deliberate act of abstinence in her home. Despite her son Albert’s attempts to persuade him, Monte Cristo politely declines every offer.

The chapter ends with Mercédès, pale and determined, leading the guests to the garden to enjoy the cooler air. She pointedly asks Monte Cristo to escort her, and the moment they share as they walk together is charged with unspoken emotions. The chapter leaves a sense of foreboding and unresolved tension, particularly between Mercédès and Monte Cristo, whose past connection looms over the evening’s festivities.