Contents
Chapter 32.
Overview
Franz awakens in the Monte Cristo grotto to find Sinbad gone and the exotic night reduced to an elusive memory. Failing to uncover the grotto’s secret, he leaves and travels to Rome. Amid Carnival crowds, Franz rejoins Albert at Signor Pastrini’s hotel, where scarce carriages complicate their plans but Albert remains sanguine.
Summary
Franz regains consciousness in a grotto on Monte Cristo, initially confusing waking reality with his vivid hashish-fueled dream. He steps to the entrance, takes in the calm sea and morning sun, and confirms with the sailors that Signor Sinbad has departed on his swift yacht.
Seeing Sinbad through a telescope, Franz exchanges farewells with the mysterious host, then requests a torch to search the cavern. Despite methodical probing of every seam and ledge, he finds no trace of the subterranean palace, only smoke marks from prior futile attempts. He abandons the search after hours.
Trying to resume their original plan, Franz hunts goats mechanically, his mind fixed on the vanished marvels. He tries the grotto again, returns to find a kid roasted, and watches Sinbad’s yacht steer toward Corsica. Gaetano explains Sinbad is likely landing Corsican brigands and fears no authorities, aided by speed and friends along the coast.
With the yacht gone and the mystery unresolved, Franz quits Monte Cristo. After a night’s sail, he reaches the mainland, finishes his business in Florence, and heads to Rome. The city, in pre-Carnival tumult, is crowded and noisy; Franz struggles through the streets to the Hotel de Londres.
At the hotel, Signor Pastrini ushers Franz to Albert de Morcerf. They secure supper but face a shortage of carriages and even post horses for the festivities. Albert treats the scarcity as a matter of price and remains confident solutions will appear, then retires content, dreaming of Carnival drives.
Who Appears
- undefinedWakes in the grotto, searches fruitlessly for the hidden chamber, departs Monte Cristo, and reunites with Albert in Rome.
- undefinedBoat patron who relays Sinbad’s message, assists with the torch, and comments on Sinbad’s Corsican connections.
- undefinedMysterious host who departs by yacht at dawn, salutes Franz, and likely ferries Corsican brigands to safety.
- Albert de MorcerfFranz’s companion in Rome; welcomes him, shrugs off carriage scarcity, and remains optimistic.
- undefinedHotelier who secures Franz’s entry, explains the city’s crowding, and struggles to find carriages or horses.
- undefinedSailor who lights the torch for Franz’s grotto search.