Contents
Chapter 88.
Overview
Albert publicly confronts Monte Cristo at the opera over his father’s disgrace and issues a challenge. Monte Cristo accepts, claiming certainty of victory, and a pistol duel is set for the next morning in the Bois de Vincennes. Mercedes, terrified, tries to monitor Albert. Morrel and Emmanuel will second the count.
Summary
Beauchamp cautions Albert de Morcerf against confronting the Count of Monte Cristo, but Albert insists. At Monte Cristo’s house, Baptistin reports the count’s schedule, so Albert resolves to challenge him at the opera. Albert visits Mercedes, whose distress and alarm deepen when Albert hints Monte Cristo may be an enemy; she secretly orders a servant to follow her son.
At the opera, Albert watches for Monte Cristo. When the count arrives with Maximilien Morrel, Albert forces an encounter during the interval. In front of onlookers, Albert accuses Monte Cristo of perfidy tied to the Yanina scandal and moves to issue a public challenge.
Monte Cristo rebukes the public display, seizes Albert’s glove as a formal challenge, and declares he will return it “wrapped around a bullet.” After Albert is removed, Monte Cristo calmly tells Morrel that Haïdée’s testimony exposed the Count of Morcerf and that he intends to kill Albert the next morning.
Beauchamp returns as Albert’s representative to arrange terms. Monte Cristo grants Albert choice of arms and time, expressing certainty of victory. Pistols at eight o’clock in the Bois de Vincennes are set. Monte Cristo asks Morrel—and, through him, Emmanuel—to act as his seconds, then resumes listening to the opera.
Who Appears
- Albert de MorcerfFurious over his father’s disgrace, publicly insults Monte Cristo and challenges him to a duel.
- undefinedCalmly accepts Albert’s challenge, dictates terms confidently, and names Morrel and Emmanuel as potential seconds.
- BeauchampAdvises caution, then serves as Albert’s representative to arrange a pistol duel at Vincennes.
- undefinedSupports Monte Cristo, learns Haïdée exposed Morcerf, and agrees to act as a second.
- undefinedShattered by scandal; suspects the truth and secretly has Albert followed, fearing catastrophe.
- undefinedFriend to Albert; witnesses the confrontation and helps restrain him from escalating in public.
- undefinedMonte Cristo’s servant; informs Albert of the count’s schedule at the house.
- undefinedMentioned by Morrel as a trusted friend; will serve as Monte Cristo’s other second.