The Abbe has been imprisoned for twelve years and now believes that he will finally be able to burrow his way to freedom.
It is not rats, he discovers it is the famous old “mad Abbe Faria,” who, it is believed, knows the location of a fabulous treasure. It is while Dantes is numb with hunger and illness that he hears a curious, animal-like scratching outside his cell, within the earth or within the foundations of the prison. Thus, he decides to starve himself to death. All hope seems to be absolutely denied to him. Likewise, Dantes himself so despairs of ever gaining freedom that, finally, he too is on the brink of suicide. Mercedes lives in absolute despair and is saved from suicide only because of her strong faith. Meanwhile, Dantes remains a prisoner and knows nothing about Napoleon’s return and his crushing defeat, or about Louis’ return to Paris. When Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo and Louis returns to the throne, Villefort is able to use his own influence to reinstate himself politically, and he decides to marry a woman whose family will further his political ambitions. Normally, Villefort would probably have suffered the same fate as King Louis, but because of the influence of Villefort’s father at Napoleon’s court, Villefort retains his post. Napoleon returns to France, ousts Louis, and begins what will be his Court of the Hundred Days. Later, and not without a little envy, the Minister of Police comments that Villefort has made “a magnificent beginning,” and that his “fortune is assured.” Villefort, we gather, is already impatient for the promising future that seemingly lies ahead for him. Louis is so angered that he is unable to speak, but in gratitude, he removes the Legion of Honor cross from around his neck and bestows it on Villefort because of Villefort’s patriotic zeal. Villefort, carefully avoiding all names, says that he learned of this plot from a man (Dantes) whom he immediately ordered to be arrested when he learned that this man planned to carry a message to a dangerous Bonapartist in Paris (actually, Villefort’s own father).Īt that moment, the Minister of Police arrives and announces that Bonaparte landed near Antibes two days ago and is now marching on Paris. Villefort brings news of “dire importance” about a traitorous conspiracy: Napoleon has manned three ships, has left Elba, and is undoubtedly sailing for France. In his study at the Tuileries in Paris, King Louis XVIII jokes about Bonaparte’s partisans causing “trouble” in the south of France - that is, he jokes about it until Villefort’s arrival is announced.
0 kommentar(er)
