THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 59-61

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 59-61

Our reading this week begins with an air of foreboding. Noirtier's malicious look that promises trouble sets the stage for unfolding events. Noirtier might be unable to speak, but he is still very in control of making his wishes known thanks to his granddaughter and his servant. Thus begins the changing of his will in a way that looks like it is at the expense of Valentine but is for her benefit. If she marries the man her father has chosen (Baron Franz d'Epinay - remember him from the encounter on the island with Sinbad?), she will be disinherited. Remember two things - Valentine doesn't love him and he is the grandson of Noirtier's enemy, the former Baron who was murdered. Did you catch the terror Villefort had on his face when the count mentioned that past history? However, Villefort will not be swayed. From there the count visits a telegraph station and persuades the operator to change a message coming through. As a result Danglars loses a million francs. Do you get the idea that the picture of the dormice eating the fruit and the gardener is actually a picture of something much bigger?