Contents
Chapter 1.
Overview
The Pharaon returns to Marseilles with Captain Leclere dead, and Edmond Dantès emerges as a capable leader. Dantès reveals a politically sensitive stop at Elba, impressing owner Morrel while arousing Danglars’s jealousy. Morrel hints at promoting Dantès to captain. Dantès hurries ashore to see his father and betrothed, Mercédès.
Summary
On February 24, 1815, the Pharaon enters Marseilles. Edmond Dantès, the young first mate, precisely manages the approach as owner M. Morrel comes aboard. Dantès announces Captain Leclere’s death from fever and confirms the cargo is safe, then orders the ship dressed in mourning.
Morrel consults supercargo Danglars, who insinuates that Dantès presumptuously assumed command and delayed the voyage to visit Elba. Morrel questions Dantès, who explains he fulfilled Leclere’s dying instructions by delivering a packet to Marshal Bertrand at Porto-Ferrajo and, in the process, briefly encountered the Emperor. Morrel is pleased yet warns the Elba visit could be risky if publicized.
As formalities conclude, Danglars privately tries to stoke suspicion about a letter, then retreats when Dantès returns. Morrel invites Dantès to dine, but Dantès declines, prioritizing a visit to his father and then to his betrothed, Mercédès. Morrel praises Dantès’s conduct and hints he will seek his partner’s consent to make Dantès captain of the Pharaon.
Dantès expresses gratitude and fairness toward Danglars in professional terms but recalls past tension, including a refused proposal to settle a quarrel at Monte Cristo. With Morrel’s leave, Dantès departs by skiff for La Canebière to see his father and Mercédès, while Morrel stays aboard to review accounts with the watchful, envious Danglars.
Who Appears
- Edmond DantèsSkilled young mate who commands on arrival, fulfilled Leclere’s Elba orders, meets the Emperor, slated for possible captaincy.
- undefinedShipowner pleased with the voyage and Dantès, cautions about Elba, intends to back Dantès for captain.
- undefinedSupercargo resentful of Dantès; insinuates misconduct over Elba and watches him jealously.
- undefinedDeceased captain whose final orders sent Dantès to Elba with a packet for Marshal Bertrand.
- undefinedGuides the Pharaon into the harbor while Dantès executes precise ship handling.
- undefinedRecipient of Leclere’s packet at Elba; his meeting leads to Dantès seeing the Emperor.
- undefinedBriefly meets Dantès at Elba, asks about the Pharaon and remembers the Morrel family.
- undefinedProud, reclusive parent whom Dantès hastens to visit first.
- MercédèsDantès’s betrothed at the Catalans; eagerly awaiting his return.