Chapter 62 - Ghosts

Summary

The Count of Monte Cristo’s newly furnished Auteuil estate is transformed from a gloomy ruin into a vibrant home under Bertuccio’s direction, while the Count prepares for a dinner party. Guests arrive including Maximilien Morrel with Julie and Emmanuel, Lucien Debray with Baron and Baroness Danglars, the Major and Viscount Cavalcanti, and Monsieur and Madame de Villefort. During the gathering, Bertuccio recognizes Madame Danglars as the woman from his past vendetta and becomes terrified, revealing the presence of Benedetto among the guests to the Count, who calmly dismisses his fears and proceeds to announce dinner.

Characters

• Bertuccio (M. Bertuccio, steward) — Bertuccio has transformed the Auteuil house with trees and flowers despite the Count’s orders to leave the garden untouched. He nervously awaits the Count's inspection, receives approval for the interior, and later panics upon recognizing Madame Danglars as the woman from his past and Benedetto among the guests.
• Ali — Ali accompanies the Count to the Auteuil house and stands by him during the arrival of guests, remaining a silent figure in the background.
• Médéah (horse) — Médéah is Maximilien Morrel's magnificent horse, which he rides to the Auteuil estate and for which he seeks the Count's assurance regarding its care.
• the Count of Monte Cristo (Monte Cristo, the Count, Count of Monte Cristo, His Excellency) — The Count arrives at his Auteuil home, inspects the work done by Bertuccio, and greets his guests with feigned cordiality. He defuses Baroness Danglars' attempt to buy a horse, distracts her with a story about Chinese porcelain, and discreetly reveals to Bertuccio that the guest Andrea is Benedetto before announcing dinner.
• Maximilien Morrel (Monsieur Morrel, Captain) — Maximilien arrives early on Médéah, expressing his admiration for the house and his horse. He engages in polite conversation with the Count and Baroness Danglars, defending his honor regarding the horse before the other guests arrive.
• Julie — Julie arrives with her husband Emmanuel and is greeted by Morrel, who indicates that they have much to tell the Count.
• Emmanuel — Maxime Morrel arrives at the house in Auteuil and tells the Count that he and Julie have much to say to him.
• Lucien Debray (Debray, minister's secretary) — Debray arrives in a coupé with the Baroness Danglars, dismounts, and offers the Baroness his hand while secretly passing her a piece of paper.
• Baron (Danglars, the banker) — Danglars arrives pale and ill-concealed, tearing leaves from an orange tree and pricking himself on a cactus. He asks about the Cavalcantis and makes a surry comment about horses, displaying his gloomy disposition.
• Baroness (Mme Danglars, Madame la Baronne) — The Baroness arrives with Debray, exchanging a secret note with him. She attempts to buy a horse from Morrel, is denied by the Count, and is mesmerized by his description of the Chinese porcelain vases, maintaining a silence regarding her husband's insults.
• Bartolomeo (Major Bartolomeo Cavalcanti, Major) — Major Cavalcanti arrives in an impeccable veteran's costume, accompanied by his son Andrea, and is introduced to the guests by the Count as a wealthy Italian nobleman.
• Andrea (Viscount Andrea Cavalcanti, Viscount) — Andrea arrives in a new outfit, smiling and looking at a Murillo painting. Bertuccio identifies him as Benedetto, and the Count confirms his presence among the guests.
• the Count of Monte Cristo (Monsieur de Villefort, the crown prosecutor) — Villefort arrives visibly disturbed and trembling. He escorts Madame Danglars to dinner and is noted by the Count for his agitation.
• the Count of Monte Cristo — Madame de Villefort arrives and embraces her husband. The Count observes her ability to disguise her feelings compared to Villefort's visible disturbance.
• Baptistin — Baptistin announces the arrival of the Cavalcanti guests and later the Villeforts. He finally announces that dinner is served.