The Count of Monte Cristo · Chapter
CII: Valentine explained
In the early morning hours, Madame de Villefort enters Valentine's room to confirm the success of her poisoning.
What happens
In the early morning hours, Madame de Villefort enters Valentine's room to confirm the success of her poisoning. She empties the remaining poisoned drink, cleans the glass, and finds Valentine dead. Later, the nurse discovers Valentine's lifeless body and raises the alarm. Dr. d'Avrigny examines the glass, identifies the poison, and declares Valentine dead. Villefort is overcome with grief, and the servants flee the house. Maximilian Morrel arrives and learns of Valentine's death. Madame de Villefort, witnessing the doctor's discovery, collapses in her room.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
Madame de Villefort's secret poisoning of Valentine is a profound betrayal of family trust.
Love and Loss
Maximilian Morrel's arrival to find Valentine dead underscores the tragic loss of love.
Wealth and Corruption
The poisoning is driven by inheritance motives, linking wealth to moral decay.
Characters to notice
- Valentine de Villefort
Found dead in her bed, poisoned by Madame de Villefort.
- Héloïse de Villefort
The poisoner; she enters Valentine's room to confirm her death, cleans the glass, and later collapses when d'Avrigny discovers the poison.
- Gérard de Villefort
Grief-stricken upon learning of Valentine's death; buries his head in the bed.
- Dr. d'Avrigny
Examines Valentine, declares her dead, and identifies the poison in the glass.
- Maximilian Morrel
Arrives at the house, finds Noirtier alarmed, and rushes to Valentine's room where he learns of her death.
- Noirtier de Villefort
Shows extreme alarm and directs Morrel to Valentine's room.
Key passages
“Mademoiselle de Villefort no longer requires help, since she is dead.”
Valentine is beyond assistance because she has died.
D'Avrigny's stark declaration of Valentine's death.
“The poisoner was terrified at the contemplation of her own work.”
Madame de Villefort felt fear as she looked upon the death she had caused.
Describes Madame de Villefort's reaction after poisoning Valentine.
“It was indeed the poison, which could not deceive M. d'Avrigny, which he now examined so closely; it was doubtless a miracle from heaven, that, notwithstanding her precautions, there should be some trace, some proof remaining to reveal the crime.”
The poison in the glass was unmistakable to d'Avrigny, and despite her efforts, evidence of the crime remained.
D'Avrigny's discovery of the poison in the glass.