# XLV: The Rain of Blood explained — The Count of Monte Cristo > Chapter companion for The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. ## What happens Bertuccio recounts to Monte Cristo the tragic story of his sister Assunta's murder by her adopted son Benedetto and his accomplices, who tortured her for money. He also describes the night the jeweler Joannes stayed at the inn, where Caderousse and La Carconte plotted his murder. Monte Cristo listens intently, then reflects on the garden where an infant was buried, and later returns to Paris, giving orders for Haydée's arrival. ## Themes in this chapter ### Revenge and Justice Bertuccio's narrative of his sister's murder and his desire for vengeance against Benedetto highlights the theme of personal justice. ### Betrayal and Deception Caderousse and La Carconte's deceitful hospitality towards the jeweler, and Benedetto's betrayal of Assunta, exemplify betrayal. ### Wealth and Corruption The jeweler's money incites greed and leads to murderous plots, showing how wealth corrupts. ## Character check-ins ### Edmond Dantès As the Count of Monte Cristo, he listens to Bertuccio's confession and reflects on the garden's history. ### Bertuccio Narrates the murder of his sister Assunta by Benedetto and the plot against the jeweler Joannes. ### Gaspard Caderousse Depicted as a greedy innkeeper who, with La Carconte, plots to murder the jeweler for his money. ### La Carconte Caderousse's wife, who feigns hospitality to lure the jeweler into their trap. ### Haydée Mentioned as arriving at Monte Cristo's Paris residence, with three attendants awaiting her. ## Key lines > I had speedy proofs that the excellent abbé was engaged in my behalf, for the rigors of my imprisonment were alleviated by many trifling though acceptable indulgences, and I was told that my trial was to be postponed to the assizes following those now being held. Bertuccio quickly saw that the abbé was helping him, as his prison conditions improved and he learned his trial would be delayed. _Bertuccio recounts how Abbé Busoni's influence eased his imprisonment._ > In the interim it pleased Providence to cause the apprehension of Caderousse, who was discovered in some distant country, and brought back to France, where he made a full confession, refusing to make the fact of his wife’s having suggested and arranged the murder any excuse for his own guilt. Meanwhile, fate led to Caderousse's capture abroad; he confessed fully without blaming his wife for the murder plot. _Caderousse's capture and confession are described as providential._ > The wretched man was sentenced to the galleys for life, and I was immediately set at liberty. Caderousse was condemned to life in the galleys, and Bertuccio was freed at once. _Bertuccio's release followed Caderousse's sentencing._ > For all evils there are two remedies—time and silence. The only cures for suffering are patience and keeping quiet. _Monte Cristo quotes Abbé Busoni's wisdom to Bertuccio._ > I have no fear of ghosts, and I have never heard it said that so much harm had been done by the dead during six thousand years as is wrought by the living in a single day. Monte Cristo says he is not afraid of spirits, noting that the living cause far more damage in one day than the dead have in millennia. _Monte Cristo reflects on the greater danger posed by the living._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters/xlv-the-rain-of-blood - 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