The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 12 summary
Chapter 12 of 117 · Volume 1 · 10 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 12, Villefort warns his father, M. Noirtier, that the police have a description connecting him to General Quesnel’s disappearance, and Noirtier changes his appearance to escape recognition. Their argument exposes their opposing political loyalties, while Noirtier’s confident account of Bonaparte’s advance shakes Villefort and prompts his return to Marseilles.
What happens
- Noirtier secures the room, and Villefort reveals that he burns a letter addressed to his father to prevent his condemnation.
- Noirtier describes Quesnel’s visit to the Bonapartist club and rejects Villefort’s claim that the general’s death constitutes political murder.
- Noirtier predicts Bonaparte’s welcome by cities and soldiers, challenging Villefort’s confidence in royalist resistance.
- After hearing the police description, Noirtier shaves his whiskers and replaces his clothes, hat, and cane with Villefort’s belongings.
- Noirtier advises secrecy and retreat, then leaves without being stopped by the men near the street corner.
- Villefort conceals or destroys the discarded belongings and returns to Marseilles, learning in Lyons that Bonaparte enters Grenoble.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Noirtier uses this principle to dismiss Villefort’s accusation of murder. It exposes the political reasoning beneath their dispute about Quesnel.
Quick check
What does Noirtier do after hearing the police description?
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