The Count of Monte Cristo · Chapter
The Accusation explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. d'Avrigny confronts Villefort with the evidence that a poisoner is at work in his household, implicating Valentine in the deaths of the Saint-Mérans and the attempted murder of Noirtier. Villefort desperately defends his daughter, and d'Avrigny agrees to keep the secret but warns he will no longer attend the family. The servants, terrified by the deaths, all resign, and Villefort notices a sinister smile on Madame de Villefort's lips.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
The accusation of Valentine as a poisoner represents a profound betrayal within the Villefort family, and d'Avrigny's cover-up of Barrois's death is a deception to protect the family's honor.
Justice and Injustice
D'Avrigny calls for justice against the poisoner, but Villefort's plea for mercy leads to a secret compromise that subverts legal justice.
Wealth and Corruption
The motive for the poisonings is linked to inheritance—the Saint-Mérans' fortune and Noirtier's will—showing how wealth corrupts and drives murder.
Characters to notice
- Gérard de Villefort
Confronted by d'Avrigny with the accusation that Valentine is the poisoner; he defends her desperately and begs for mercy.
- Dr. d'Avrigny
Presents the case against Valentine with relentless logic, then agrees to keep the secret but withdraws his medical support.
- Valentine de Villefort
Accused by d'Avrigny of poisoning the Saint-Mérans and attempting to poison Noirtier; she is seen weeping as the servants praise her kindness.
- Héloïse de Villefort
Observed by Villefort with a slight gloomy smile on her lips as the servants leave, hinting at her possible guilt.
- Noirtier de Villefort
Revealed to be the intended target of the poison; his survival is due to his tolerance to brucine.
- Barrois
Died after drinking the lemonade intended for Noirtier; d'Avrigny covers up the cause of death as apoplexy.
Key passages
“Oh, death is in my house!”
Villefort laments that death has invaded his home.
Villefort's exclamation upon realizing the extent of the tragedies.
“Seek whom the crime will profit, says an axiom of jurisprudence.”
D'Avrigny invokes the legal principle that the beneficiary of a crime is likely the perpetrator.
D'Avrigny uses this maxim to argue that Valentine, who stands to inherit, is the poisoner.
“I will consent to share this dreadful secret with you, but I will not allow shame and remorse to grow and increase in my conscience, as crime and misery will in your house.”
D'Avrigny agrees to keep the accusation secret but refuses to be complicit in future crimes.
D'Avrigny's conditional promise to Villefort, withdrawing his medical support.