The Count of Monte Cristo
Chapter 58: M. Noirtier de Villefort
by Alexandre Dumas, pére
Monsieur Noirtier speaks to Valentine about her upcoming marriage to Franz.
Monsieur Noirtier speaks to Valentine about her upcoming marriage to Franz.
Donatello takes Kenyon to the old tower.
Dantes is visited by the inspector in his dungeon cell.
A still shaken Aronnax, is approached by Ned Land with another plan for escape. The crew of the Nautilus become increasingly upset.
William discusses Pelet, his mother, and a strange meeting with two women.
Prince Ahmed finds himself in a strange land and is found by a fairy who blesses his life with magical occurences.
Zenobia and Coverdale meet again, though much has changed since their first meeting at Blithedale.
The narrator discusses Palm Beach, the pioneers, and the ocean.
Old Osborne has plans for little George, attempting to make amends for his previous actions. Amelia makes a friend in order to see George. Dobbin inquires about Amelia.
The prevention of internal and external insurrections by protecting ones reputation.
Now having been promoted, Hump runs the ship with the assistance of Louis. Captain Larsen continues to make life on ship unpleasant for the mutinous sailors. Johnson and Leach bide their time while waiting for another opportunity to take out Captain Larsen. Leach, fearing that death is eminent, asks a favor of Hump.
With all the evidence of the crime destroyed, the villagers continue to search for a suspect. Godfrey discovers what has happened to his horse.
The author’s economy, and happy life, among the Houyhnhnms. His great improvement in virtue by conversing with them. Their conversations. The author has notice given him by his master, that he must depart from the country. He falls into a swoon for grief; but submits. He contrives and finishes a canoe by the help of a fellow-servant, and puts to sea at a venture.
While wandering, Kenyon turns toward the Campagna and, looking for Hilda, spies an artistic treasure.
Fagin is angered by Oliver's sudden absence, fearing that he will reveal the nature of his operation to authorities. At Fagin's insistence, Jack, Charley, and Nancy travel to Pentonville.
Joseph flees as rumors of defeat spread. Peggy and Amelia care for the wounded. George's time at war ends.
Phoebe takes Clifford to the front window to gaze at the street outside. Clifford is horrified at an organ-grinder’s monkey. Phoebe goes to church and, though they dress and attempt to go, Clifford and Hepzibah realize that they cannot go any farther.
Mark and Ruth sailed on the Wildfire. The ship catches fire and all must escape on pilot boats. They watch the Wildfire’s destruction. The kids go to New York and see their uncle.
With the intensity of the storm increasing, the four men lash themselves to the hull in order to survive.
The narrator experiences tragedy, but is reunited with his love through an unconventional occurrence.
Ethan approaches Mattie after the dance concludes.
The narrator describes the land along the St. Johns River in full detail.
Coverdale, Hollingsworth, and Foster are forced to take on an unhappy midnight search, with tragic results.
Ethan is plagued with indecision and doubt.
A while later, Rochester fulfills his promise to Jane to tell her about his and Adèle’s pasts. He had a long affair with Adèle’s mother, the French singer and dancer named Celine Varens. When he discovered that Celine was engaged in relations with another man, Rochester ended the relationship. Rochester has always denied Celine’s claim that Adèle is his daughter, noting that the child looks utterly unlike him. Even so, when Celine abandoned her daughter, Rochester brought Adèle to England so that she would be properly cared for. Jane lies awake brooding about the strange insights she has gained into her employer’s past. She hears what sound like fingers brushing against the walls, and an eerie laugh soon emanates from the hallway. She hears a door opening and hurries out of her room to see smoke coming from Rochester’s door. Jane dashes into his room and finds his bed curtains ablaze. She douses the bed with water, saving Rochester’s life. Strangely, Rochester’s reaction is to visit the third floor of the house. When he returns, he says mysteriously, “I have found it all out, it is just as I thought.” He inquires whether Jane has ever heard the eerie laughter before, and she answers that she has heard Grace Poole laugh in the same way. “Just so. Grace Poole—you have guessed it,” Rochester confirms. He thanks Jane for saving his life and cautions her to tell no one about the details of the night’s events. He sleeps on the library sofa for the remainder of the night.