Chapter 34 - An Apparition

Summary

Franz and Albert travel to the Colosseum, where Franz hides behind a column and witnesses a clandestine meeting between a mysterious cloaked stranger and a Trasteveran peasant discussing the upcoming execution of a prisoner named Peppino. Convinced the stranger is Sinbad the Sailor, Franz follows him to the opera, where the cloaked man reappears in a box with a beautiful Greek woman, causing the Countess G— to panic and leave early. The next morning, Signor Pastrini informs the friends that the Count of Monte Cristo has provided them with carriage and box tickets. Franz and Albert visit the Count’s luxurious apartments, where the mysterious cloaked figure from the previous night steps out of the shadows, confirming his identity as the Count.

Characters

• 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.
• Albert / de Morcerf — Albert joins Franz at the Colosseum and later at the opera, remaining oblivious to Franz's suspicions. He devises a plan to dress as peasants for the carnival and accepts the Count's gracious invitation with Franz, following him into the Count's apartments.
• Pastrini (Signor Pastrini, the innkeeper) — Signor Pastrini provides Franz and Albert with information about bandits and carriages. He later informs them that the Count of Monte Cristo has provided them with tickets and carriage, and guides them to the Count's rooms to deliver the Count's verbal invitation.
• servant (servant) — A servant in elegant livery appears at the door of Franz and Albert's rooms to deliver two calling cards from the Count of Monte Cristo. He bows, delivers the message, and exits the room.
• Count / Monte Cristo / Stranger / Sinbad / Cloaked man (Excellency, Count of Monte Cristo, Sinbad the Sailor) — The Count appears in the Colosseum in a cloak, holding a secret audience with a bandit to arrange a pardon. He is seen later in the opera box, pale and motionless, sitting with a Greek woman. He finally reveals his face to Franz and Albert in his own drawing room.
• Countess / G— — The Countess sits in a theater box with Franz and Albert. Upon seeing the pale man in the opposite box, she becomes terrified, claims to be unwell, and rushes home with Franz, warning him against introducing the man to her.