Contents
Chapter 107.
Overview
Andrea Cavalcanti endures the Lions’ Den at La Force, fending off inmates by revealing his criminal bona fides. Summoned to a private visit, he meets Bertuccio, who sternly warns him and promises to reveal his father’s identity. Their talk is interrupted by the magistrate, delaying the revelation and heightening tension.
Summary
In La Force’s dreaded court of Saint-Bernard, Andrea Cavalcanti (Benedetto) tries to preserve his elegance despite torn clothes, begging a keeper for money and provoking the prisoners. When the crowd turns hostile, Andrea uses a thieves’ sign learned from Caderousse to win their acceptance and avoid a beating.
An inspector summons Andrea to the visiting area, confirming his hope that a protector still watches over him. He is led to a private room, where he finds Bertuccio. Andrea assumes Monte Cristo is secretly aiding him and expects rescue by bribery or escape.
Bertuccio confronts Andrea over his crimes and forbids him from naming Monte Cristo so lightly, warning that Andrea is in deadly capable hands. Andrea demands to know his true father. Bertuccio says he came to tell him, but their interview is cut short by the arrival of the examining magistrate.
Bertuccio promises to return the next day and to leave Andrea some money at the gate. Andrea departs with the gendarmes, outwardly confident but inwardly uncertain whether his imagined protector truly intends to save him.
Who Appears
- undefinedImprisoned in La Force; postures as a gentleman, pacifies inmates, expects a protector, demands to know his father.
- BertuccioVisits Andrea privately; condemns his crimes, warns him of powerful forces, promises to reveal his father next time.
- undefinedRefuses Andrea money, baits inmates, escorts him to the private room and oversees procedures.
- undefinedCalls for Benedetto and authorizes the private interview room.
- undefinedArrives mid-visit, cutting short Bertuccio’s intended revelation.