# Matrimonial Projects explained — The Count of Monte Cristo

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

## What happens

Danglars discusses financial matters with Monte Cristo, revealing his recent losses from Spanish and Trieste speculations. Monte Cristo categorizes fortunes into three ranks, subtly mocking Danglars' third-rate status. Meanwhile, Danglars observes his wife's departure and receives Major Cavalcanti, who opens an account for his son Andrea. Monte Cristo hints at Cavalcanti's hidden wealth and possible matrimonial plans for his son in Paris.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Corruption

Danglars' obsession with financial status and Monte Cristo's cynical categorization of fortunes highlight the corrupting influence of wealth and the precariousness of speculative fortunes.

### Class and Social Mobility

The discussion of Cavalcanti's hidden wealth and matrimonial projects for his son underscores the theme of social climbing through marriage and financial manipulation.

### Betrayal and Deception

Danglars' hidden surveillance of his wife and Monte Cristo's veiled mockery suggest layers of deception in personal and financial relationships.

## Character check-ins

### Baron Danglars

Anxious about financial losses from Spanish affairs and Trieste bankruptcy; discusses his wife's speculative ventures and Cavalcanti's account.

### Monte Cristo

Engages Danglars in conversation about fortune rankings; subtly mocks his financial status and advises caution.

### Major Bartolomeo Cavalcanti

Visits Danglars to finalize business, opening an account for his son Andrea with a monthly allowance.

### Andrea Cavalcanti

Mentioned as the son of Major Cavalcanti, who is being introduced to Parisian society with a monthly allowance.

### Madame Danglars

Departs in her carriage after Debray fails to visit; her speculative losses in Spanish affairs are discussed.

### Lucien Debray

Noted as absent from his usual visit to Madame Danglars, prompting her to go out.

### Abbé Busoni

Briefly appears entering Monte Cristo's apartments, acknowledged as a familiar friend.

## Key lines

> Recollect the seven fat and the seven lean kine.

Remember the biblical story of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.

_Monte Cristo uses this biblical allusion to warn Danglars that prosperity can be followed by disaster._

> I think I may aspire to that honor

I believe I can claim that status.

_Danglars responds to Monte Cristo's suggestion that he belongs to the second-rate fortunes, showing his pride and desire for higher social standing._

> Melancholy in a capitalist, like the appearance of a comet, presages some misfortune to the world.

A sad banker is like a comet, foretelling disaster for everyone.

_Monte Cristo teases Danglars about his gloomy mood, linking financial anxiety to broader calamity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters/lxvi-matrimonial-projects
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters