1001 Stories For The Road

This chapter marks the beginning of the Count’s grand dinner at Auteuil. Bertuccio has decked out the home in preparation, save for one room, which the Count will show his guests after the food has been served. The Count sees that Lucien Debray, Chateau-Renaud, the Baron Danglars (angry from his losses on the market), Hermine Danglars, Villefort and Heloise, and Major and Andrea Cavalcanti arrive. As in the previous scene in the theater, the narrator (and the Count) have arranged things so that all the most important characters are present in the same place. Of course, the Count has also made sure that this is not just any location, but the house in which Villefort and the Baroness Danglars had their illicit tryst many years ago. Active Themes Justice, Revenge, and God’s Will Theme Icon Changes of Identity and Station Theme Icon Debt and Gratitude Theme Icon Literary Devices Imagery   As he calls for Bertuccio, the Count reveals how these characters intertwine with the servant’s story of a Corsican vendetta.

The Count does as he said he would do and goes on a trip to visit the telegraph operator nearby. First, he notices that the operator spends a great deal of time tending the garden at the foot of the telegraph tower. Then, when he observes the man working in the tower, he learns from the man that operators are paid very little, and that, if they make any mistakes in relaying information to the next post, they are docked a substantial amount of their next month’s pay. The Count is especially skilled at getting people to do what he wants, by convincing them that their interests align with his own. Here, the Count demonstrates what could potentially be a reason for the operator to mind his station at all times – that he is punished if he misses a message. Then, in the next scene, the Count will make an offer that would more than compensate for any penalty the operator might suffer in this scenario.       

The Count arrives, again paying a visit to Villefort and his wife. He finds them both dismayed at the idea that their daughter has been disinherited from 900,000 francs, but Villefort insists to his wife and the Count that the marriage between Valentine and Franz is to go on, and that to change it now would be to bring down rumor and scorn on Valentine’s name. Heloise notes that Noirtier, a wealthy man, is giving away money that could go to Edouard, who carries on the family name. But Villefort insists that the right course here is to ensure that Valentine and Franz marry. The Count asks why Villefort cares so much about this wedding, and Heloise notes that the D’Epinay family, who are Royalists, have had a long-standing dispute with the Noirtiers, who are Bonapartists, and that he hopes to bury this dispute with the marriage. It is revealed why Villefort cares so much about the wedding of Franz and Valentine – he hopes to move beyond the hatreds of Royalists and Bonapartists that have existed in his family f

The notary arrives, and wonders if he will be able to serve a man in Noirtier’s condition, as he fears that Noirtier’s disability is not only physical but mental, and that, therefore, he would not be in a position to make a change to his will and testament. But Valentine demonstrates that she is in fact capable of interpreting Noirtier’s speech, and Noirtier himself shows that he is sound of mind by accurately accounting for the 900,000 francs that he has in government bonds—doing this by means of nodding and blinking to Valentine’s and the notary’s questions. The notary is therefore satisfied that Noirtier is in a position to draw up a new will. The notary is a representative of official authority, and he insists on performing this addendum to Noirtier’s will by the book. The novel has an interesting under-layer of institutional life, as depicted in Villefort’s encounters with the French crown early on and in the Count’s dealings with various bankers and real estate officials. Although oftentimes these offic

The elder Nortier, who now is almost totally debilitated with the exception of hi eye movements, is told by his son that Vantine is to marry Franz . When they leave, he calls for Valentine to let her know he is enraged about the decision...but where does she stand? For all our Sherlock episodes, to join our newsletter, or to leave a review- visit us at www.bestof1001stories.com

Maximilian Morell and Valentine meet in Max's hay patch (Lucerne is a nutrient rich version of hay feed for horses) to share opinions and news- and he tells her that Franz is returning soon. Her parents have promised her to Franz but she's all against it.

The Count introdes Major Cavalcanti to his newly found "son" Andrea, gives them money and their story with the promise of more money coming, and send them on the way. They will become important pawns in his scheme, one part of which will be to bankrupt Danglars.    

The Count stays busy here and in chapter 56 weaving together false identities for Major Cavalconti and the young man who will assume the identity of the Majors son Andrea for what purpose we are not sure at this point- but both are supplied with money and are quite willing to be used for purposes they are not aware of.    Check out our 12 podcasts at www.bestof1001stories.com 

The Count’s plans for vengeance are moving more swiftly. Now that the Count has gotten to know the families of Fernand, Danglars, and Villefort, he can begin the long-term chess-match that will result in the revelation of their crimes. The house in Auteuil is an important setting for these revelations, since the Count now owns it, and Villefort and his mistress, as-yet unnamed, committed their crimes there.     Albert also reports that Franz, who is to marry Valentine de Villefort, is bored in Italy and will soon be returning to Paris. The Count’s servant Baptistin arrives in the room to announce that a man named Cavalcanti, the descendent of an old and wealthy Italian family and a friend of the Count’s from Italy, will soon be visiting Paris. Albert leaves, but not before asking the Count if he will dine with him and his mother. The Count does not agree, saying that he is busy with other matters, and Albert asks himself why the Count is so hesitant to make his mother’s acquaintance more thoroughly.

Robert Le Diable is the name of a play to which Paris society has flocked- and here the author uses this gathering of highbrows to describe how these nabobs acted in their day. This chapter, a portrait of society gathering at a theatrical performance, is short on exposition of plot and long on dialogue. All the members of Parisian society so far described in the novel are present: Baroness Danglars, who is revealed to be having an affair with Lucien Debray; Hermine and the Baron’s daughter, Eugenie, whom Albert has been considering marrying; Morcerf and the Countess G, who has returned to Paris from Italy; and, eventually, the Count of Monte Cristo and Haydee, who make a grand appearance much to the chattering of others in the house.. When the Count leaves their private box to socialize she sees him with a man for whom she carries a deep hatred-   Check out the beginning of our narration of Anne of the Island now at 1001 Stories From The Gilded Age now playing every Sun and Wed noon ET and narrated by Gizelle

The Count stops by the Villafortmansion and becomes engaged in a private conversation with Madame de Villafort after meeting her lovely stepdaughter Valentine, who much impressed him with her bearing and the young brat Edward. The conversation turned to poisons, a subject which the Madame was deeply interested in, and he guided her interest along purposely. We are not told what his objectives were, but we are left with the possibility that she will use it on Valentine-if her son doesn't snatch it from her first.  

Two lovers meet in the back garden of the Villafort mansion- Valentine, the stepdaughter of Madame Villafort, and Maximilian, the youngest son of Capt.Morrell. Valentine, who carries a huge inheritance from her deceased mother, and is hated by her current stepmother, knows her father will put Maximilion in jail if he finds out he wants to marry his daughter, who is promised to Franz D'Pinay. Join us atwww.bestof1001wstories.com for all our 1001 podcasts.

It's "Back to School" time for Anne Shirley of Green Gables- as well as your kids and neighbor's kids-Coming Sunday Aug 10 (tomorrow as I write this) at noon EDT  -Chapter 1 of the 3rd 'Anne of Green Gables' story- called 'Anne of the Island'- narrated by Gizelle Erickson- who is introducing herself soon over at 1001 Stories From The Gilded Age.  Its a combination romance/adventure/coming of age story that will take you back to a simpler time! Join us at 1001 Stories From The Gilded Age Apple Users: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-stories-from-the-gilded-age/id1485751552 Spotify" https://open.spotify.com/show/5sUUFDVTatnGt7FiNQvSHe Website ( and ALL our Anne  stories) at 1001 Stories from The Gilded Age: www.bestof1001stories.com

Before making his promised visit to the Morrell Family the Count sees his young slave girl Haidee and lets her know she is no longer a slave as they are now living in France where slavery is illegal.  She professes her love for him and admits she has no desire to know anyone else.  After comes a very moving family who do not reconize the count but want to share their happiness at how their destinies were shaped by a man who saved their father's life and fortune- they ask if the Count knew the man.

The Count embroils himself in a philosophical discussion with Villafort after Villafort travels to the Count's residence to thank him for saving his wife's life.

The Count begins to weave his web of revenge around Danglars family and wealth, which also brings him into the circle of Villefort. Needless to say, the plot thickens and its good.   Check out all of our 1001 podcasts at www.bestof1001stories.com and send me a message telling me who you are and what state/city/country you are from- I need some conversation- its gets lonely here!

Remember Danglars?  He was the crooked ship agent who sabotaged Dantes by falesely reporting him to the King as a turncoat and benefitting greatly from that action.  The Count has a plan for Danglers and he is putting it in action along with another plan for Villafort.  Enjoy alol 12 1001 podcasts episodes (by show, episode, and category) at www.bestof1001stories.com

Bertuccio completes his story,this time relaying his story of how he was an unseen witness to the murder of the jeweler who had come to the Caderousse tavern to possibly buy the huge stone he had been told of.  Bertuccio explained how the Abbe Busoni, who had given him the jewel, helped him in his time of need and recommended he become the peronal aide to the count, who was looking for the right person he trust.

Bertuccio, who is the count's right-hand man, relates his story to the Count,beginning with his discovery that his brother, a soldier, has been slain in Nimes by murderers, and the law was not investigationg it as they should. He went to the King's Attorney, whose name was Villafort (the same man who condemned the Count (Dantes) to prison years before , hoping to glorify himself to the King so he could become the king's attorney, even though he knew Dantes was innocent.  Now Villafort reats Bertuccio with the same lack of concern- and Bertuccio threatens to kill him. That much you already know- today you get the story of the infant boy that Bertuccio rescued-

  The Vendetta pT 1 Bertuccio explains that years ago, his brother, who had been a soldier in Napoleon’s army, was murdered by royalist assassins in the city of Nîmes. Seeking justice, Bertuccio visited the public prosecutor of Nîmes, who at the time was Gérard de Villefort. Villefort, a royalist, was unsympathetic to Bertuccio’s story and coolly turned him away. Bertuccio swore revenge on the public prosecutor. Terrified for his life, Villefort transferred to Versailles, but Bertuccio followed him there. Bertuccio soon discovered that Villefort often came to visit the summerhouse in Auteuil, where he kept his mistress, a widowed baroness. One night, Bertuccio lay in wait for Villefort in the small garden behind the house and stabbed him, leaving him for dead. Villefort had just finished burying a box when Bertuccio pounced on him and grabbed the box, thinking that it contained a treasure. Instead, he found a baby, which had been smothered but started breathing after being given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.