THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 107-111

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 107-111

I can't hardly believe it, but the end is in sight for this wonderful classic! Over the next few days I'll be posting off and on as we wrap up! This book has left us in disbelief, on the edge of our seats, and doing some good, old-fashioned self examination on how to handle when we are wronged in life and what really matters.

Today's reading I'm going to entitle The Entwined Chronicles of Benedetto and Villefort, because that's what we really have.

Benedetto is in The Lion's Pit, another infamous prison. As we look in on him, we don't see a nervous, remorseful, wronged, young man. No, we see someone waiting for their mysterious benefactor. Someone or something has been smiling upon him in life. Why would it stop now? He knows the signs to show in this prison thanks to Cavalcanti to keep himself safe and respected, and so he patiently waits until he is called. When he is called it isn't whom he was expecting. Bertuccio visits. Benedetto knows him, but Bertuccio is there to correct him on who his father is. It is not the Count of Monte Cristo as he thinks but Villefort.

Meanwhile, Villefort has squirreled himself away in his study preparing his case against Benedetto. (He doesn't know yet that he is his son.) He is trying to deal with the death of Valentine and his knowledge that his wife is a murderess. Before heading to the courthouse he confronts her. He gives her an ultimatum. Drink the poison you have been using or face the scaffold. She will not be allowed to bring shame to his clean, virtuous, law-abiding/defending name. (Are you gagging at this point?) He bids her a final goodbye. Oh, but his time is coming. Speculation flies around the courtroom as to who is responsible for the deaths in Villefort's home. Even little Edouard is named in the gossip, and by the way, who is the heavily veiled woman in attendance? Why it's Madame Danglars. Buckle your seatbelts, folks! The show's about to start!!

The judge asks Benedetto the traditional opening questions to which he either doesn't answer or changes the order. Everyone is dumbfounded. But how can he give his name? He, himself, doesn't know his true name. All he knows is the day he was born, where he was born, and his father. He doesn't care to name his mother. After all it wasn't she who buried him alive in the garden as a newborn. Villefort's countenance changes as these details are stated, and when he is named he doesn't even try to deny it. Suddenly, he is struck with the memory of what he just said to his wife. She at least acted out of the interest of her child. Villefort acted out of pure selfish protection for himself when he attempted to murder an innocent person. He hurries home hoping to save her. It is too late. He searches for his child, but the mother has poisoned him as well. He runs to his father. He must have someone to share his story, his sorrow. He finds Abbe Busoni there. (He has a knack for appearing when death has occurred.) But it's not the Abbe's voice that speaks to him. It is the count's! But it's not the count who stands before him, it is Edmond Dantes. Dantes learns of Edouard's passing and tries to save him to no avail. Meanwhile Villefort loses his mind and goes to the garden where he digs holes looking for a little body from long ago.

Three down (two dead, one crazy), one to go.