The Count of Monte Cristo · Chapter
A Flurry in Stocks explained
Albert de Morcerf and Lucien Debray visit the Count of Monte Cristo, discussing Albert's impending marriage to Eugénie Danglars.
What happens
Albert de Morcerf and Lucien Debray visit the Count of Monte Cristo, discussing Albert's impending marriage to Eugénie Danglars. Albert reveals his mother's opposition to the match, while Debray calculates Danglars' stock profits. Monte Cristo subtly probes the dynamics and proposes a dinner at Auteuil, excluding the Morcerfs to avoid appearing to endorse the marriage.
Themes in this chapter
Wealth and Corruption
The chapter explores the corrupting influence of wealth through Danglars' stock market manipulations and Madame Danglars' speculative gambling, contrasting with Monte Cristo's enigmatic fortune.
Class and Social Mobility
Albert's marriage to Eugénie Danglars represents a union between old nobility and new money, with Mercédès' opposition rooted in class prejudice against the Danglars' ignoble birth.
Betrayal and Deception
Albert's suggestion to feed false news to Madame Danglars and Debray's embarrassed reaction hint at the deceptive practices in high society and financial circles.
Characters to notice
- Edmond Dantès
As the Count of Monte Cristo, he hosts Albert and Lucien, subtly probing Albert's feelings about the Danglars marriage and proposing a strategic dinner at Auteuil.
- Albert de Morcerf
Visits Monte Cristo with Lucien Debray, expressing his mother's opposition to his marriage to Eugénie Danglars and his own ambivalence.
- Lucien Debray
Accompanies Albert, calculating Danglars' stock profits and revealing Madame Danglars' speculative trading; he appears embarrassed when Albert suggests giving her a financial lesson.
- Mercédès
Referenced as the Comtesse de Morcerf, who opposes Albert's marriage to Eugénie Danglars, though her reasons are not fully explained.
- Baron Danglars
Mentioned as the banker and father of Eugénie; his stock profits and speculative dealings are discussed by Debray and Albert.
- Madame Danglars
Referred to as the daring speculator behind Danglars' stock trades; Albert suggests teaching her a lesson through false news.
- Fernand Mondego
Mentioned as the Comte de Morcerf, who desires Albert's marriage to Eugénie Danglars, in contrast to his wife's opposition.
- Eugénie Danglars
The prospective bride, described as pretty or beautiful; Albert expresses reluctance due to her wealth and his mother's disapproval.
Key passages
“Mademoiselle Danglars is too rich for me, and that frightens me.”
Albert says Eugénie's wealth intimidates him, making him hesitant about the marriage.
Albert expresses his unease with the financial disparity in the proposed union.
“It is my mother who dissents; she has a clear and penetrating judgment, and does not smile on the proposed union.”
Albert explains that his mother opposes the marriage, though he does not fully understand her reasons.
Mercédès' opposition is a key point of tension in the chapter.
“I am calculating what the house of Danglars must have gained by the last rise in Haiti bonds; from 206 they have risen to 409 in three days, and the prudent banker had purchased at 206; therefore he must have made 300,000 livres.”
Lucien Debray calculates Danglars' profit from a rapid rise in Haiti bond prices.
This highlights the speculative nature of Danglars' wealth and the financial context of the chapter.
