Baron Franz d'Epinay
Chapter 31 - Italy – Sinbad the Sailor
Franz — aliases: Aladdin, Baron Franz d'Epinay
A young Parisian nobleman traveling for amusement, Franz visits Monte Cristo and is guided by Gaetano. He is blindfolded and shown Sinbad's residence, dines with him, and takes hashish, which triggers an intense hallucination of marble statues coming to life before he falls into a dreamlike sleep.
Chapter 32 - Awakening
Franz — aliases: Your Excellency, Milord
Franz awakens in a cave on Monte Cristo, disoriented from hashish but physically refreshed. He searches the cavern for the secret entrance to Sinbad's palace, fails, and later watches his host's yacht depart before leaving the island with his guide Gaetano for Florence and eventually Rome.
Chapter 33 - Roman Bandits
Franz
Franz attempts to negotiate a fair price with Pastrini for a carriage and listens to the innkeeper's detailed account of the bandit Luigi Vampa's history, ultimately deciding to travel through the city streets rather than the dangerous outer boulevards.
Chapter 34 - An Apparition
Franz / d'Epinay
Franz travels to the Colosseum and secretly observes the meeting between the cloaked stranger and the peasant. He recognizes the stranger's voice from the Colosseum and his figure in the opera box, and is terrified by the Countess's reaction to the man. He later accepts the Count's invitation to visit him, entering the Count's drawing room and witnessing the Count's reveal.
Chapter 36 - The Carnival in Rome
Franz — aliases: Vicomte
Franz accompanies Albert through the carnival, observing the spectacle and later visiting the theater box of the Countess. He learns of Albert's romantic developments, attends the ball invitation, and receives a summons from the embassy for an audience with the Pope, resolving to spend his next day in pious reflection.
Chapter 37 - The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian
Franz / Baron Franz d'Epinay — aliases: Excellency
Franz waits anxiously for Albert at the hotel and the Duke's ball, receives a ransom letter from Peppino, and runs to fetch the Count of Monte Cristo. He accompanies the Count into the catacombs, witnesses the confrontation with Vampa, and helps rescue Albert before returning to the ball.
Chapter 38 - The Rendez-Vous
Franz / Franz d'Epinay
Franz accompanies Albert to the Count's apartments, where he notes the Count's icy hand. Later, he recounts his mysterious encounters with the Count on Monte Cristo and in the catacombs to Albert, expressing his fear and distrust of the stranger, before preparing to travel to Venice.
Chapter 75 - The Judicial Enquiry
Franz / Baron / Franz d’Epinay — aliases: Monsieur
Franz d’Epinay is commanded by Noirtier to read a document revealing the true circumstances of his father’s death. He reads the account of the duel and the conspiracy, asks for the name of the assassin, and slumps into a chair in shock upon learning that Noirtier killed his father.
Chapter 90 - The Encounter
Franz
Franz arrives at the duel site with Debray, having been summoned by Albert. He whispers with Debray in confusion over the strange proceedings and Albert's behavior.