The Count of Monte Cristo
Chapter 87: The Challenge
by Alexandre Dumas, pére
Albert visits Monsieur Danglers to ask about the accusations against his father.
Albert visits Monsieur Danglers to ask about the accusations against his father.
Claudius meets with Laertes to discuss Polonius and Hamlet. Gertrude tells Claudius of Ophelia's fate.
Some of the villagers gather at the Rainbow, where the landlord is resolving a dispute.
Phileas, having had his passport stamped, has a meal at the train station while Passepartout once again runs errands. A cultural misstep by Passepartout results in an incident at the temple and gives Detective Fix further grounds to obtain an arrest warrant.
The day following his arrival, Mr. Rochester invites Jane and Adèle to have tea with him. He is abrupt and rather cold toward both of them, although he seems charmed by Jane’s drawings, which he asks to see. When Jane mentions to Mrs. Fairfax that she finds Rochester “changeful and abrupt,” Mrs. Fairfax suggests that his mannerisms are the result of a difficult personal history. Rochester was something of a family outcast, and when his father died, his older brother inherited Thornfield. Rochester has been Thornfield’s proprietor for nine years, since the death of his brother.
Walter returns to England. His happy reunion with his family is overshadowed by the news of Laura's death. He returns to Limmeridge house to pay his respects at her graveside.
A grand debate at the general assembly of the HOUYHNHNMS, and how it was determined. The learning of the HOUYHNHNMS. Their buildings. Their manner of burials. The defectiveness of their language.
Queen Ann was the ruler of Oogaboo, the smallest and poorest in the land of Oz (except for the peaceful Emerald City ruled by the young Ozma). Ann decides to build an army and overtake Ozma’s throne.
Albert and Mercedes make plans for their future.
A large group of artists, englishmen, tourists (as well as Kenyon, Hilda, Donatello, and Miriam) gather together for an exhibit.
Elsie marries Hilton Cubitt and tells him not to ask her about her past. She gets a letters from the United States and pictures of small dancing men start appearing everywhere around her. Holmes is brought in to get to the bottom of the pictures. From then on, things get worse until Holmes cracks the case.
Jehan Frollo discovers a strange scene in his brother's cell. Jehan's request for money is interrupted by the arrival of Maitre Jacques.
Jos and Dobbin get a good nights sleep. Dobbin prepares for a reunion of sorts.
A couple makes personal sacrifices to give each other gifts for Christmas.
Lockwood leaves and comes back six months later to find Nelly living at Wuthering Heights, as Cathy's companion because Zillah left. After Hareton accidentally shoots himself, Cathy gives Nelly a book to give to him; if he accepts it Cathy vows to teach him to read and never tease him again.
Fagin and Monks discuss Oliver's future.
Ned Land, Conseil, and Aronnax attempt to size up the crew of the Nautilus. An unfortunate incident greatly affects Ned Land's attitude toward Captain Nemo.
James falls out of favor with Miss Crawley. Angered by correspondence from Rebecca, Miss Crawley makes a declaration to Pitt.
As the Nautilus continues its travels into more populated areas, the underwater destruction continues to increase. The ship arrives at the island Vanikoro, where Aronnax and Captain Nemo discuss the the tale of La Pérouse's shipwreck.
Wendy, Michael, and John are fitted for their trees. Wendy continues to perform her duties diligently, but finds that her memory is starting to fail her. Captain Hook continues to seek revenge.
The military continues to engage the Martians, who make use of a new type weapon.
A brief essay by the author is presented to the reader. Rawdon and Rebecca continue to live on chance. An earlier incident involving Rawdon is revisited.
Archer and May, now newly engaged, pay a visit to their many friends and relatives. Mrs. Mingott assists May in her wedding preparations.
The Yankee makes plans to start a newspaper. Because of a mix-up, Sir Sagramor challenges the Yankee to a battle. The king suggests to the Yankee that he should go out adventuring to gain reknown in order to make himself more worthy to fight Sir Sagamor.