Contents
Chapter 77.
Overview
Monte Cristo agrees to help advance Albert’s marriage with Eugénie at Danglars’ request, while Albert frets over Andrea’s apparent courtship and a Danglars–Debray rift. Monte Cristo introduces Albert to Haidée under strict conditions, and Haidée reveals her origin as Ali Pasha’s daughter and the brutal betrayal that led to her enslavement and rescue by the count.
Summary
Albert jokes about installing his rival, Andrea Cavalcanti, at Danglars’ house and laments that Eugénie and Mlle d’Armilly rebuff him. Monte Cristo reveals that Danglars has asked him to press Morcerf for a definitive marriage arrangement. They note a rift between Danglars and Debray. Monte Cristo invites Albert home for tea.
At the count’s house, Albert admires the flawless service. Hearing music, he asks to meet Haidée. Monte Cristo agrees on two conditions: Albert must keep the interview secret and never mention that his father served Ali Pasha. Ali escorts them to Haidée’s rooms; Haidée greets them and converses in Italian.
Prompted by Monte Cristo, Haidée recounts her childhood as the daughter of Ali Tepelini, pasha of Yanina, and Vasiliki: the secret refuge at a lakeside kiosk, Selim guarding the powder with a slow match, and the expected imperial pardon. A false messenger lures Selim to extinguish the match; soldiers murder him, storm the kiosk, and Ali Pasha dies amid fire and gunshots.
Haidee describes capture by the Serasker Koorshid, sale to slave merchants, and reaching Constantinople, where Vasiliki dies upon seeing Ali’s severed head. Haidée is sold to an Armenian, later to Sultan Mahmoud, and finally purchased by Monte Cristo, to whom she shows devoted gratitude. Albert is shaken by the tale’s horror and wonder.
Who Appears
- undefinedHosts Albert, agrees to press Morcerf on marriage, sets conditions to meet Haidée, prompts her tragic history.
- Albert de MorcerfFears Andrea’s courtship of Eugénie; learns of Danglars’ request; meets Haidée and hears her past.
- HaidéeDaughter of Ali Pasha; recounts the betrayal at Yanina, Selim’s murder, enslavement, and rescue by Monte Cristo.
- undefinedAttends the count, brings pipes, escorts guests to Haidée’s apartments.
- undefinedEfficiently prepares tea; excluded from Haidée’s quarters.
- undefinedCommands French attendants guarding Haidée’s door.
- undefinedHaidée’s father; besieged at Yanina, betrayed, and killed during the assault on the kiosk.
- undefinedHaidée’s mother; flees with Haidée, captured; dies upon seeing Ali’s severed head in Constantinople.
- undefinedAli’s loyal guard with the slow match; deceived by a false envoy and murdered.
- undefinedOttoman commander who takes Ali; oversees the captivity and sale of Haidée and Vasiliki.