The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 71 summary
Chapter 71 of 117 · Volume 3 · 6 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 71, Mercédès privately questions Monte Cristo about his suffering and lost love, but his repeated refusal of her fruit leaves her appeals for friendship unsettled. Albert interrupts with news that M. de Saint-Méran dies during his journey, bringing grief to Valentine and delaying her marriage to Franz.
What happens
- Mercédès leads Monte Cristo to the greenhouse and offers grapes and a peach, but he refuses both.
- She invokes an Arabian custom linking shared food with friendship, and his guarded reassurance leaves her distressed.
- Monte Cristo describes a lost love in Malta and says he forgives the woman who marries during his absence.
- Albert reports M. de Saint-Méran’s death, Valentine’s fainting, and the resulting delay to her marriage.
- Mercédès joins Albert’s hand with the count’s, but the count answers her renewed appeal with formal respect.
- The count and Albert return indoors after Valentine and Madame de Villefort leave; Morrel also departs.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Mercédès’s urgent question makes the purpose of her offerings clear. She seeks reassurance, but the count’s guarded response does not satisfy her.
Quick check
Why does Valentine faint?
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