The Count of Monte Cristo

To watch the Pharaon sail up the harbour, a crowd of spectators gathered on the quay of Marseilles on the 24th of February, 1815. As the ship was coming in to the harbour under expert handling, there was an air of melancholy about her that spoke of disaster although she appeared in good condition. Among the faces of anxious curiosity on the quay was the shipowner, Monsieur Morrel.

Edmond Dantes who commanded the ship, leaned over to greet Monsieur Morrel when the owner had himself rowed alongside. Morrel was impressed with the ability of Dantes in the captaincy of the Pharaon, left vacant by the death of Leclere.

A jealous guy, Danglers tried to undermine the shipowner's confidence in his rival; Edmond's ability. He confided to Morrel that, Pharaon had been delayed a day and a half off the isle of Elba. Morrel did not get distressed after hearing what Danglers said, but instead asked Dantes to account for his action. Dantes explained that he was entrusted by Leclere with a packet to be delivered to the Marechal Bertrand, who was living on the island in Napoleon's service.

Monsieur Morrel respected Edmond's integrity and his loyalty to the code of honour that rules the sea although he knew little of the dangerous political intrigue growing out of Napoleon's ambitions and exile. Unaware of Danglers' envy stalking behind him, Edmond left the ship with a singing heart to his father's house. His father was overjoyed to see him but let him to go to see his sweetheart, Mercedes, immediately.

"I love Edmond Dantes and none other shall be my husband." Mercedes replied to her cousin, Fernand when he pleaded with her to give up Edmond on Edmond's appearance.

A demented man, Fernand joined Danglars and Caderousse drinking wine in the arbor of the village tavern, La Reserve. They came up with a plot which began to unfold at Edmons's and Mercedes' betrothal feast, the next day. A police officer entered, with five soldiers and asked, "Which of you gentlemen answers to the name of Edmond Dantes ? Dantes stepped forward and said "I do, monsieur. What do you want with me ?" "Edmond Dantes, I arrest you in the name of the law," the officer proclaimed. The policeman could tell Dantes nothing, when asked for the charge of the arrest. The man soon to have become Mercedes's husband disappeared down the street in the hands of the soldiers.

Under the pretext of being compelled to detain, before the magistrate, Monsieur de Villefort could set Dantes free, the soldiers removed him and the dreaded Chateau d'If and the days dragged into years in that prison. But then, one day he had companion in his captivity with the man on the other side of the wall. The companion, a scholar made Dantes thirst for knowledge and he was on the way to becoming a highly educated man.

However, Edmond's companion, Faris suffered an attack that left his right arm paralysed which deprived him to swim the long distance to safety. In a morning, Dantes found a pieces of paper in Faria's hand. It read, "This piece of paper is my treasure and you will one day be the owner of it all." His last words to Edmond were, "Farewell ! Forget not Monte Cristo !"

Disguised as a monk, he headed to visit the innkeeper, Caderousse. He began his story. Dantes' father died. Mercedes married Fernand. Dankers became a banker. The shipmaster, Morrel had fallen on evil times. The monk dropped the diamond into the innkeeper's hands and departed. Months later, in Paris, a stranger of fabulous wealth appeared as the Count of Monte Cristo. Vengeance had triumphed, but the avenger had lost as he heard as if spoken the words, "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." and in anguished, he cried to God for forgiveness.

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