# The Evening of the Betrothal explained — The Count of Monte Cristo

> Chapter companion for The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

Villefort, after arresting Dantès, returns to the Saint-Méran household where he is preparing to leave for Paris to report a Bonapartist conspiracy. He encounters Mercédès, who pleads for news of her lover, but Villefort coldly dismisses her. Overcome with guilt, he nevertheless proceeds with his plans, securing a letter of introduction to the king and selling out his future father-in-law's funds. Meanwhile, Mercédès is left in despair, Fernand remains by her side, Morrel fails to secure Dantès' release, Caderousse drinks to forget, and Danglars rejoices in his rival's downfall.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Deception

Villefort betrays his own conscience and the innocent Dantès to advance his career, while Danglars' scheming ensures Dantès' downfall.

### Love and Loss

Mercédès' profound grief for Edmond and her separation from him on the eve of their betrothal highlight the theme of love thwarted by injustice.

### Ambition and Guilt

Villefort's ambition drives him to sacrifice Dantès, but he is immediately plagued by a remorse that foreshadows his future torment.

## Character check-ins

### Gérard de Villefort

Villefort is tormented by guilt after condemning Dantès, but he suppresses his remorse and proceeds with his ambitious plans to report to the king.

### Mercédès

Mercédès confronts Villefort, pleading for news of Dantès, but is rebuffed. She returns home in despair, spending the night in grief.

### Fernand Mondego

Fernand remains by Mercédès' side throughout the night, though she is oblivious to his presence, consumed by her sorrow for Edmond.

### Baron Danglars

Danglars is content and joyous, having successfully eliminated his rival Dantès and secured his own position on the Pharaon.

### Gaspard Caderousse

Caderousse attempts to drown his unease with brandy, but remains haunted by the events of the day.

### Maximilian Morrel

Morrel tries in vain to secure Dantès' release, but is met with refusal and returns home in despair.

## Key lines

> The young man you speak of is a great criminal, and I can do nothing for him, mademoiselle.

Villefort tells Mercédès that Dantès is a serious offender and that he is powerless to help him.

_Villefort's cold dismissal of Mercédès' plea reveals his determination to sacrifice Dantès for his own political gain._

> But remorse is not thus banished; like Virgil’s wounded hero, he carried the arrow in his wound, and, arrived at the salon, Villefort uttered a sigh that was almost a sob, and sank into a chair.

Villefort cannot escape his guilt; he feels the sting of remorse like a wound that will not heal, and he collapses into a chair, overwhelmed.

_This passage highlights Villefort's internal conflict and the lasting psychological impact of his unjust actions._

> Danglars was one of those men born with a pen behind the ear, and an inkstand in place of a heart. Everything with him was multiplication or subtraction.

Danglars is a cold, calculating man who values numbers and profit above human life, viewing everything in terms of gain or loss.

_This description underscores Danglars' ruthless, mercenary nature and his satisfaction at Dantès' imprisonment._

## Links

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