The Count of Monte Cristo

Monte Cristo arrives at the house of Julie and Emmanuel to collect Maximilien on their way out of Paris. Julie wishes to thank Monte Cristo more fully for the role he has played in the life of her family, but he rebuffs her praise, describing himself as a “weak and vain man” (489). When Emmanuel compares Monte Cristo to “a god,” Monte Cristo chides him for his blasphemy, saying that gods can stop short of doing evil, because they have power over chance, whereas he does not. However, when Julie begs him to make Maximilien happy again, he urges her to keep her faith in “Sinbad the Sailor.”

That night, on the way out of Paris, Monte Cristo stops his carriage on a hilltop in the town of Villejuif and contemplates the lights of Paris. Bidding farewell to the city, he notes that he is leaving “without hatred or pride, but not without regret” (490). Monte Cristo and Maximilien travel by boat to Marseilles. As Maximilien points out the spot on which his father stood as the second Pharaon sailed into port, the two realize they are witnessing Albert bidding his mother a final farewell before sailing for Algeria.

Later, Monte Cristo visits Mercédès, who is living in his old house, having found the dowry money buried in the garden. Monte Cristo tells Mercédès that he is the cause of her misfortunes. When she insists that these were predestined, Monte Cristo says that he convinced himself that he was an instrument of God, and that in carrying out what he believed was divine will, he has caused great suffering. He asks Mercédès what he can do for her, but she says that all she wants is her son’s happiness. Monte Cristo says that if Mercédès will pray to God to keep Albert alive, he “will do the rest” (495). As the two part, Monte Cristo asks that she wish him au revoir, indicating hope for a reunion, rather than a more final adieu. Mercédès does so, and they part.

Monte Cristo, questioning his pursuit of vengeance, decides to revisit his past. He takes a pleasure boat out to the Chateau d’If, no longer a prison and standing almost empty. A guide shows Monte Cristo the cell he formerly occupied, noting that it had belonged to a man known as an exceptionally dangerous prisoner. The guide also mentions an old priest who was seen as erratic. The guide points out the passage connecting the two cells and tells the story of how Edmond took the dead priest’s place in his shroud and was thrown into the sea.

Sitting alone in his old cell, Monte Cristo feels the old wounds reopen and his appetite for vengeance return. When the guide, showing him Faria’s cell, expresses pity for the prisoners who lived there, Monte Cristo rewards him with a tip in gold coins. The guide then gives Monte Cristo the manuscript for Faria’s work on the unification of Italy. Monte Cristo rewards him with a wallet full of bills. Back in Marseilles, Monte Cristo meets Maximilien in the cemetery, where Maximilien is visiting his father’s grave. Monte Cristo says he must leave Maximilien, but arranges for them to meet on the island of Monte Cristo on the same day that Maximilien’s promise not to die by suicide expires.

The scene moves to Rome, where the fugitive Danglars uses Monte Cristo’s receipt for the hospital checks to borrow 5,000,000 francs on credit from Thomson and French. Two employees of the firm agree to alert the bandit Luigi Vampa, their confederate. The next day, Danglars’s carriage is seized as he drives out of Rome. Fearing that he will be arrested and extradited, he is actually relieved to discover that he is the prisoner of Vampa, who Danglars feels will likely release him for much less than 5,000,000 francs.

Danglars, now held prisoner in the catacombs by Vampa and his gang, becomes increasingly hungry, but he is repulsed by the coarse, stale food offered to him. He asks for something better. Peppino, Vampa’s accomplice whose execution Monte Cristo once stopped, explains that Danglars may order whatever food he wishes. Danglars orders a chicken. When the chicken is brought to his cell, Peppino says Danglars must pay for his food before eating. Danglars grudgingly accepts, until he learns that the chicken will cost him 100,000 francs. Danglars attempts to bargain, then asks for bread instead, only to be told that a loaf of bread will cost him the same amount. When Danglars pleads poverty, Peppino reveals that they know exactly how much money Danglars has. After an internal struggle, Danglars pays for and eats the chicken.

The bandits continue to charge Danglars exorbitant prices for food and drink. They explain that they are under orders to treat him this way but are forbidden to kill him. Danglars attempts to go without food, but always finds himself caving into their demands to stave off his hunger. Eventually, he realizes that he has only 50,000 francs left and determines not to eat any more.

After five days of enduring hunger, he calls for Vampa and begs for his freedom. Vampa points out that others have suffered more than Danglars, and Danglars admits this is true. Monte Cristo then steps out of the shadows and asks Danglars if he finally repents. When Danglars repents, Monte Cristo offers him forgiveness and identifies himself to Danglars as Edmond Dantès. Monte Cristo says that Danglars should consider himself lucky, compared to his “two accomplices.” Danglars is given a lavish dinner as Monte Cristo’s guest. The next day, the bandits leave him by the side of the road. Drinking from a stream, Danglars sees that his hair has gone white.

In the final chapter, the scene moves to the island of Monte Cristo, as Maximilien arrives for his meeting with Monte Cristo. When Monte Cristo greets him, Maximilien says that he is still determined to kill himself and has only come to Monte Cristo to die in the presence of a friend.

Monte Cristo shows Maximilien into a luxuriously-furnished underground grotto. Unable to talk Maximilien out of his desire for suicide, Monte Cristo at last produces a box of precious metals containing a strange paste, which he tells Maximilien is the deadly poison he promised him. Maximilien thanks Monte Cristo, though he is horrified when Monte Cristo suggests that he is planning to die with Maximilien.

The paste sends Maximilien into a dream-like state. As he falls asleep, he sees a door open, and Valentine comes toward him. While Maximilien sleeps, Valentine tells Monte Cristo how highly her “sister,” Haydée, has spoken of Monte Cristo since the two of them left France together. Monte Cristo asks Valentine to be a real sister to Haydée, as he is leaving and Haydée will be alone. Haydée, overhearing this conversation, declares her love for Monte Cristo and refuses to leave him. Monte Cristo accepts, saying “through you, I can attach myself to life again” (529). A short time later, Maximilien awakens and realizes that Valentine really is alive and has returned to him.

The next morning, as Valentine and Maximilien walk along the shore, Jacopo, the captain of Monte Cristo’s yacht, brings them a letter. Monte Cristo writes that Jacopo will take them to Italy, where Noirtier is waiting for them. As a wedding present, Monte Cristo leaves Valentine and Maximilien all his property. When they ask where Monte Cristo and Haydée are, Jacopo simply points to a sail already disappearing over the horizon.