Contents
Chapter 73.
Overview
Maximilian urges Valentine to flee before her forced marriage to Franz, but she refuses to wound her family and instead promises to delay it or escape at the last moment. That night, Madame de Saint‑Méran dies; Doctor d’Avrigny privately suspects poison. Valentine brings Maximilian to Noirtier, who forbids rash action yet promises the marriage contract will not be signed, and Maximilian swears to wait.
Summary
Maximilian, fearing Valentine’s imminent marriage to Franz, meets her at the garden gate and reports Franz’s arrival. He pleads for elopement; Valentine, torn between love and duty to her father and dying grandmother, refuses to defy them but promises to delay the wedding or flee if forced.
They agree on a plan and a rendezvous before the contract signing. The next day Valentine writes that the signing is fixed for nine that evening. Maximilian prepares ladders and a carriage, waits past the time, then, alarmed, climbs into the garden and observes the darkened house.
Hiding, he overhears Villefort and Doctor d’Avrigny: Madame de Saint‑Méran has died after rapid convulsions, and d’Avrigny suspects poisoning by brucine or strychnine. He urges secrecy but vigilance. Distressed for Valentine, Maximilian slips into the house and finds her praying by the shrouded body; she confirms the marriage was urged to be hastened even by the dying grandmother.
With escape routes closed, Valentine leads Maximilian to Noirtier. Before the paralytic, she declares her love and desperation. Maximilian proposes either elopement or a duel with Franz; Noirtier rejects both, insists they wait, and promises the contract will not be signed.
To bind himself, Maximilian swears to await Noirtier’s decision and departs secretly by a servants’ passage and the garden wall. He returns home exhausted, trusting Noirtier’s enigmatic pledge against the forced marriage.
Who Appears
- Maximilian MorrelValentine’s lover; urges elopement, then swears to wait after Noirtier promises to stop the contract; overhears poison suspicion.
- Valentine de VillefortTorn between duty and love; promises delay or flight; mourns her grandmother; introduces Maximilian to Noirtier for help.
- Noirtier de VillefortParalyzed grandfather; rejects elopement and duel, promises the marriage contract will not be signed; secures Maximilian’s oath.
- Doctor d’AvrignyPhysician who privately tells Villefort Madame de Saint‑Méran likely died from brucine or strychnine poisoning.
- Gérard de VillefortProcureur; shaken by his mother‑in‑law’s death; begs for secrecy about suspected poison.
- undefinedValentine’s grandmother; dies suddenly after convulsions; her last wish hastens Valentine’s marriage.
- undefinedValentine’s betrothed; arrives to sign the contract; potential target of Maximilian’s abandoned duel plan.
- BarroisNoirtier’s old servant; guards the room while Valentine brings Maximilian to Noirtier.
- undefinedKeeps the house informed; her room’s light marks her presence during the night’s events.
- undefinedReceives Franz’s announcement and Madame de Villefort’s note; notices Maximilian’s agitation.
- undefinedNotary who confirms the marriage contract is set for the evening.