Dec. 11: The Count of Monte Cristo

Minutes: 45

Pages: 70

Summary:

Villefort and his wife visit the room in their house in which Noirtier, whose stroke has left him with only the powers of sight and hearing, so he is unable to communicate with anyone but Villefort, Barrois, and Valentine, lives with his devoted servant, Barrois. Valentine is Noirtier’s sole happiness in life; because of her love and devotion, she is able to read all of her grandfather’s thoughts and desires in his eyes. Villefort and his wife break the news of Valentine’s engagement, and Noirtier is silently enraged, since Franz’s father was his greatest political enemy. Valentine is sent to comfort her grandfather, and she confides in him that she does not want to marry Franz and Noirtier vows that he will help Valentine escape her unwanted engagement, so Noirtier summons a notary and rewrites his will. He provides that if Valentine marries Franz, all of his inheritance will go to the poor rather than to Valentine. Villefort however, is unmoved by his father’s threat and refuses to call off Valentine’s engagement.

Reflection: It is funny how it is very evident who are the Count's enemies and who he hopes to benefit by his scheme's.