Contents
Chapter 117.
Overview
On October 5th, Maximilian comes to Monte Cristo to die, but the Count administers a harmless narcotic and reveals Valentine alive, saving and reuniting them. Haidee and Monte Cristo confess mutual love, altering his path from vengeance to renewal. He endows the lovers, urges charity, and departs, leaving “Wait and hope.”
Summary
At sunset, a yacht lands Maximilian Morrel on the island of Monte Cristo. He meets the Count, declares his intention to die at the appointed hour, and rejects wealth or delay. Monte Cristo leads him into the grotto and offers a gentle, painless death, which Maximilian accepts, swallowing a mysterious substance.
As the narcotic overtakes Maximilian, Monte Cristo opens an adjoining door and reveals Valentine, alive. The Count explains he thwarted the poisonings and enabled Valentine to feign death. Overwhelmed, Maximilian revives to find his beloved before him, turning despair into astonished joy.
Haidee enters and, when Monte Cristo announces he will set her free and restore her rank, confesses her love; Monte Cristo realizes he loves her in return and abandons his intention to separate. He entrusts Haidee to Valentine’s sisterly care, accepts love as his fate, and withdraws with Haidee.
At dawn, Jacopo delivers a letter from the Count: a felucca will take the couple to Leghorn to receive Noirtier’s blessing; the grotto’s contents, the Champs-Élysées house, and Treport chateau are their wedding gifts. He asks Valentine to give her inherited fortune to the poor, confesses his pride and repentance, and leaves them with his creed, “Wait and hope.” Valentine and Maximilian watch a white sail vanish on the horizon and bid farewell to their benefactors.
Who Appears
- undefinedOrchestrates Maximilian’s rescue, reveals Valentine alive, confesses repentance, blesses their marriage, and departs with Haidee after mutual love.
- Maximilian MorrelArrives to die; accepts a narcotic; awakens to find Valentine alive; transforms from despair to joy and prepares to marry.
- Valentine de VillefortRevealed alive; reunites with Maximilian; receives Monte Cristo’s wedding gifts and charge to give her inheritance to the poor.
- undefinedLearns she is to be freed, confesses love to Monte Cristo; he reciprocates, and they depart together.
- JacopoYacht captain who delivers the Count’s letter and points out the departing sail.
- AliSilent servant who brings pipes and coffee during Maximilian’s sedation.