Contents
Chapter 65.
Overview
Danglars confronts Hermine after expelling Debray, demanding repayment for a massive loss he blames on her and Debray’s false political tip. He recounts prior profits she enabled, turning them against her, and threatens to end their arrangement. His pointed reference to Villefort deepens Hermine’s humiliation and leaves her reeling.
Summary
After parting from friends, Lucien Debray gallops to the Danglars residence and escorts Madame Danglars, Hermine, inside. They exchange light remarks about Eugenie’s musical ambitions before Hermine’s unease surfaces. Debray settles in, but their privacy is abruptly broken by Baron Danglars’ unexpected arrival.
Danglars pointedly insists on speaking with Hermine alone, forcing Debray to leave. Once alone, Danglars adopts a coldly authoritative tone, accusing Hermine of contributing to a catastrophic loss of 700,000 francs in Spanish shares, after having earlier profited richly from her tips. He lists past gains she spurred—and sums paid to her—then argues she owes a share of his loss.
Hermine denies responsibility and rebukes his crude “cash” talk, but Danglars presses on, alleging that her political chatter with Debray triggered his ill-timed sale on false news. He demands 175,000 francs and implies her funds went to Debray, mocking their arrangement as riskless roulette for the secretary.
As tempers rise, Danglars widens his attack, recalling years of her affairs and asserting he has always seen through them. He even invokes Villefort and Hermine’s first marriage to wound her pride. Refusing further scene, he ends the confrontation, declaring he will not be ruined for her intrigues, and leaves her collapsed and shaken.
Who Appears
- Baron DanglarsBanker husband; confronts Hermine, expels Debray, demands repayment for a 700,000-franc loss, and denounces her liaison.
- Madame Hermine DanglarsBaroness; uneasy after the evening, accused of fueling risky speculations and supporting Debray; left humiliated and shaken.
- Lucien DebrayMinister’s secretary and Hermine’s lover; escorts her home, is forced out by Danglars, and blamed for false Spanish news.
- undefinedMadame Danglars’ maid; reports on Eugenie, assists Hermine’s undressing before the confrontation.