81. The Retired Baker's Room -

---

 In this chapter of The Count of Monte Cristo, the plot thickens as M. Andrea Cavalcanti, who is actually Benedetto in disguise, visits Baron Danglars with a proposal to marry his daughter, Mademoiselle Danglars. Cavalcanti skillfully presents his case, highlighting the wealth and noble status of his supposed father, promising an annuity of 150,000 livres upon marriage. Danglars, who had been expecting such a proposal, listens attentively, but initially expresses concern over Cavalcanti’s youth. However, when the financial advantages of the match become clear, Danglars begins to warm to the idea, particularly when Andrea hints at the possibility of a substantial inheritance from his mother, Leonora Corsinari. The conversation, initially about marriage, subtly shifts into a business negotiation, with Danglars considering the financial benefits of the alliance.

After securing Danglars’ tentative approval for the marriage, Andrea leaves with an advance of 80,000 francs from Danglars, ostensibly to cover upcoming expenses. However, Andrea's real purpose for leaving is to avoid an encounter with the dangerous Caderousse, who has been pestering him for money. Upon returning to his hotel, Andrea finds that Caderousse has left a letter demanding a meeting the next morning. Recognizing the threat Caderousse poses, Andrea disguises himself in a servant’s livery and heads out to meet him.

The meeting with Caderousse takes place in a shabby apartment where the two engage in a tense and manipulative exchange. Caderousse, who is aware of Andrea’s true identity and past, pressures him for money and reveals his knowledge of Andrea’s plans to marry Mademoiselle Danglars. Andrea, initially resistant, eventually agrees to increase Caderousse’s allowance, but Caderousse, driven by greed, hatches a plan to secure even more money. He suggests that Andrea draw a detailed plan of the Count of Monte Cristo’s house, revealing the layout and locations of valuable items, under the pretext of simple curiosity. Andrea, recognizing the danger but unable to refuse, complies.

As the chapter closes, Caderousse, now armed with detailed knowledge of Monte Cristo’s home, begins to formulate a plan that could spell disaster for Andrea. The chapter highlights the themes of greed, deception, and the corrupting influence of money, as both Andrea and Caderousse continue down a dark path driven by their desire for wealth and power.

 In this chapter from The Count of Monte Cristo, the Count of Monte Cristo (Edmond Dantès) sets out for Auteuil, a journey prompted by news from Bertuccio regarding a house and a sloop that are now ready. The Count plans for a short stay in France and orders preparations for a quick departure, including the readiness of fresh horses along the route from Paris to Tréport.

Shortly after, the Count receives an urgent letter warning him of an impending attempt to steal papers from his home in the Champs-Élysées. Suspecting an assassination attempt rather than a mere theft, Monte Cristo decides to handle the situation personally, opting not to involve the police. He instructs his servant Baptistin to bring all the household staff to Auteuil, leaving the house seemingly unprotected, except for a porter.

Later that evening, Monte Cristo and his loyal servant Ali return secretly to his house in Paris. They set a trap for the intruder. As expected, a man breaks into the dressing room, but Monte Cristo, hidden with Ali, is ready. The intruder, a skilled thief, begins to pick the lock of a secretaire. However, Monte Cristo is not interested in merely thwarting a robbery; he wants to uncover the identity and motives of the intruder.

The thief is revealed to be Caderousse, a former acquaintance of Dantès, who has fallen back into a life of crime. Monte Cristo, disguised as the Abbé Busoni, confronts Caderousse, who is shocked and terrified to see him. Caderousse tries to justify his actions, blaming poverty and bad company, but the Count, unmoved, forces him to write a letter exposing the criminal background of Andrea Cavalcanti, a young man who has been posing as a nobleman and is about to marry Mademoiselle Danglars.

After writing the letter, Caderousse is allowed to leave, but as he escapes over the garden wall, he is attacked by an accomplice—Benedetto, who stabs him multiple times. Mortally wounded, Caderousse cries out for help, and Monte Cristo, with Ali, rushes to his aid. The chapter ends with Caderousse near death, calling for the Abbé Busoni.

 In this intense chapter, Caderousse, fatally wounded, calls out desperately for help, believing he is on the brink of death. Monte Cristo, disguised as the Abbé Busoni, comes to his aid, but it quickly becomes apparent that the wounds are mortal. Caderousse reveals that his murderer is Benedetto, his former comrade from the galleys, who betrayed him in a plot to steal the Count’s wealth. As Caderousse's life ebbs away, he oscillates between despair and a desire for revenge against Benedetto, who he hopes will be brought to justice.

Monte Cristo, however, is more focused on delivering a moral lesson than offering comfort. He reminds Caderousse of the many chances he had been given by God to reform his life, all of which he squandered in pursuit of greed and crime. Despite Caderousse's pleas for a surgeon and a chance at survival, Monte Cristo coldly informs him that his wounds are beyond healing, and only a prayer of repentance can save his soul.

As death closes in, Caderousse experiences a moment of terror and realization, recognizing Monte Cristo not just as the Abbé Busoni but as a figure from his past—possibly Edmond Dantès, the man he once betrayed. In his final moments, Caderousse acknowledges the existence of God and begs for forgiveness, but it is too late. He dies in a state of anguish and regret, his last words a desperate plea to the divine.

Monte Cristo, observing the death, coldly notes the completion of another phase of his vengeance, marking Caderousse as the first of many to fall under the weight of their past sins. The chapter ends with the arrival of the surgeon and the procureur, too late to save Caderousse, who is already dead, with Monte Cristo praying beside the body, still in his disguise as the Abbé Busoni

In this chapter, the dramatic aftermath of an attempted robbery and the murder of Caderousse unfolds, captivating all of Paris. Despite a dying man’s deposition identifying Benedetto as the killer, the police fail to apprehend him. The Count of Monte Cristo strategically distances himself from the incident, claiming ignorance of the events, having been absent and only informed later by the Abbé Busoni. Bertuccio’s discomfort when Benedetto is mentioned hints at a deeper connection, though it goes unnoticed by others.

Meanwhile, attention shifts to the impending marriage between Mademoiselle Eugénie Danglars and the enigmatic Count Andrea Cavalcanti. Despite concerns about Baron Danglars’ recent financial losses, Andrea remains steadfast in his resolve, placing full trust in his future father-in-law. However, Eugénie herself is disinterested, merely tolerating Andrea to avoid another suitor, Morcerf.

Simultaneously, tensions escalate between Albert de Morcerf and the journalist Beauchamp over a damaging article about Albert’s father, Fernand Mondego. Albert, determined to defend his family’s honor, confronts Beauchamp, demanding a retraction. However, Beauchamp reveals that he has traveled to Yanina and confirmed the truth of the allegations—that Fernand betrayed Ali Pasha for money. Devastated by the revelation, Albert is overwhelmed with grief but is comforted by Beauchamp, who offers to destroy the evidence and keep the secret. Despite this, Albert struggles with the dishonor brought upon his family and the emotional burden it places on him and his mother. In an attempt to distract Albert, Beauchamp suggests they visit the Count of Monte Cristo, whose enigmatic presence and lack of probing questions provide a strange sense of comfort and distraction for the troubled young man.

 In this chapter, Monte Cristo encounters young men, including Albert and Beauchamp, and expresses relief that a troubling matter involving absurd rumors has been settled. Albert, with a forced smile, shares his dissatisfaction about Mademoiselle Danglars' impending marriage to M. Cavalcanti, a match Monte Cristo has tried to prevent. Despite his efforts, Monte Cristo acknowledges that the marriage will proceed, though he harbors doubts about Cavalcanti’s mysterious past. Albert, feigning indifference, insists he is glad the engagement with Mademoiselle Danglars is broken.

Monte Cristo, feeling frustrated by legal troubles involving the criminal Caderousse, proposes a change of scenery and invites Albert to join him on a trip to Normandy. Albert agrees, looking forward to the adventure. During their journey, Monte Cristo reveals his love for the sea and demonstrates his remarkable speed by traveling with exceptionally fast horses. They arrive at their destination after a rapid journey, and Albert is impressed by Monte Cristo's luxurious lifestyle.

As they settle into their new surroundings, Albert receives a disturbing letter from Beauchamp, which reveals a damaging secret about his father, the Count of Morcerf. The letter states that Morcerf betrayed Ali Pasha of Yanina, a scandal that has now been exposed in a newspaper. The revelation devastates Albert, who, in a state of shock and anger, abruptly decides to return to Paris. Monte Cristo, who learns of the letter's contents after Albert departs, watches with compassion as the young man rides off, realizing the gravity of the situation and the pain it has caused Albert.