Contents
Chapter 9.
Overview
Villefort exploits the betrothal evening to secure letters that speed his journey to the king, prioritizing ambition over justice and confirming Dantès’s doom. Mercédès’s plea is rebuffed, Villefort is wracked by remorse yet departs, while the community reacts: Morrel’s efforts fail, Caderousse drinks, and Danglars exults.
Summary
Villefort returns to the Saint-Méran household during his betrothal festivities, urgently requests the Marquis de Saint-Méran to authorize an immediate sale of funds, and secures a letter via the Comte de Salvieux to gain direct access to the king. He plans to leave for Paris at once, intent on claiming credit for a vital warning.
Outside, Villefort is confronted by Mercédès, who begs for news of Edmond Dantès. Calling Dantès a great criminal, Villefort refuses help and brusquely ends the exchange, then is seized by remorse over sacrificing an innocent man for ambition. Despite wavering, he steels himself when his departure carriage is announced.
Villefort bids farewell to Renée and her parents and departs for Paris, effectively sealing Dantès’s fate. Meanwhile, Mercédès spends a sleepless, desolate night with Fernand hovering nearby; Morrel’s appeals across the city fail amid rumors Dantès is a Bonapartist agent; Caderousse drinks in guilty unease; and Danglars rests content, his rival removed. Old Dantès waits anxiously, unaware of his son’s transfer to the Château d’If.
Who Appears
- Gérard de VillefortDeputy procureur; secures letters to reach the king, rebuffs Mercédès, feels remorse, then departs for Paris.
- MercédèsEdmond’s fiancée; confronts Villefort for news, is refused, then spends a night in grief with Fernand nearby.
- undefinedVillefort’s fiancée; distressed by his sudden departure and resents Dantès for separating them.
- undefinedRenée’s father; writes to his broker to sell out and arranges a letter via Salvieux for Villefort.
- undefinedRenée’s mother; hosts the betrothal gathering and receives Villefort’s hurried farewells.
- undefinedProvides the letter enabling Villefort direct access to the king.
- undefinedRival suitor; stays by Mercédès through the night as she grieves.
- undefinedShipowner; canvasses influential contacts to help Dantès, but meets refusal and loses hope.
- undefinedNeighbor; drinks heavily, tormented by events yet taking no action to help.
- undefinedPlotter; satisfied that Dantès is removed, securing his own position.
- undefinedEdmond’s father; anxiously awaits word of his son’s fate.