Chapter 116.

Hungry and parched in Vampa’s dungeon, Danglars tries to bargain for water and wine through Peppino, only to face extortionate prices set by an unseen master. Luigi Vampa confirms the ransom is the five million francs on Danglars, and warns that refusal means hunger, not death.

Danglars first refuses to sign further drafts, vowing to die rather than yield, but after two days he pays a million for supper and then indulges. Over twelve days he buys lavish meals until only 50,000 francs remain, then clings to this remnant, praying for rescue and descending into delirium.

Reduced to desperation, Danglars begs for life, offering his last gold to be allowed merely to live. A cloaked figure appears and, after asking if he repents, reveals himself as Edmond Dantès, the man Danglars betrayed, whose father starved and whose betrothed was lost due to Danglars’ actions.

Dantès declares that one accomplice is mad and another dead, but grants Danglars life and forgiveness. He states the stolen five million for the hospitals has been anonymously restored, allows Danglars to keep his remaining 50,000 francs, and orders Vampa to feed and free him.

Vampa serves Danglars fine food and escorts him to the road. At dawn, as Danglars drinks from a stream, he sees his hair has turned entirely white, a sign of his ruin and terror.