Contents
Chapter 29.
Overview
Morrel’s business lies in ruins as an English clerk from Thomson & French demands payment on large debts. The worst blow lands: the Pharaon is lost, though her crew survives. Moved by Morrel’s integrity, the stranger grants a three-month extension and secretly enlists Julie’s trust with a forthcoming “Sinbad the Sailor” letter.
Summary
Morrel’s once-flourishing warehouse is nearly deserted; only Emmanuel and the one-eyed cashier Cocles remain loyal. A clerk from Thomson & French of Rome (an Englishman) arrives to present a heavy stack of Morrel’s bills, totaling 287,500 francs, including a major claim assigned by de Boville. Morrel admits he can pay only if the Pharaon returns safely.
As they speak, anguished noises rise from the stairs. Julie brings the news: the Pharaon has sunk, though the crew is saved by La Gironde. Madame Morrel, Emmanuel, and several sailors enter. From a corner, the Englishman watches silently. Penelon, a veteran seaman, recounts the storm, the leak, the desperate pumping, the captain’s resolve, abandoning ship, and rescue after three days adrift.
Morrel thanks the men and orders wages, though the sailors ask for only fifty francs each. Admitting he has no more ships or money, Morrel releases them from service, moved nearly to breaking. He then dismisses his family to address the debt.
Alone with Morrel, the Englishman expresses sympathy and offers help where he can: he renews the bills, extending payment to September 5 at eleven o’clock, giving Morrel a last reprieve to save his honor. On the stairs, Julie stops the stranger; he instructs her to follow a future letter signed “Sinbad the Sailor,” and gently foretells her marriage to Emmanuel. In the courtyard, he draws Penelon aside to speak further.
Who Appears
- undefinedShipowner facing ruin; loses the Pharaon, pays sailors modestly, and accepts a three-month extension to save his honor.
- undefinedPresents Morrel’s debts, then compassionately renews them to September 5; tells Julie to heed a letter signed “Sinbad the Sailor.”
- undefinedBrings news of the Pharaon’s loss; later promises to obey the stranger’s future “Sinbad the Sailor” letter.
- undefinedLoyal clerk and Julie’s admirer; buffers creditors, organizes the sailors, and supports the family.
- undefinedWeeps over the family’s misfortune and stays by her husband during the crisis.
- undefinedDevoted one-eyed cashier; executes payments to the rescued sailors despite the firm’s collapse.
- undefinedOld seaman who narrates the Pharaon’s wreck and modestly accepts partial wages.