Chapter 3 - Les Catalans

Summary

At Les Catalans, Fernand Monrede confronts Mercédès, asking for a decision regarding his romantic pursuit, but she firmly rejects him in favor of Edmond Dantès. When Dantès arrives, the couple embraces joyfully while Fernand retreats in despair to join Danglars and Caderousse, who are drinking nearby. The group mockingly toasts Dantès's impending marriage, and Dantès invites them all to the engagement dinner, unaware of their malicious intent. Danglars conceives a plot to disrupt Dantès's life while feigning friendship as the lovers depart.

Characters

• Mercédès — Mercédès rejects Fernand's marriage proposal, declaring her eternal love for Edmond Dantès. She welcomes Dantès with joy, introduces Fernand as her brother, and later stands with Dantès while inviting their rivals to the engagement dinner despite their obvious hostility.
• Fernand (Catalan) — Fernand confronts Mercédès with a desperate plea for her love but is coldly rebuffed. He retreats to the nearby wine seller, seething with jealousy after watching Edmond and Mercédès from afar, and barely suppresses his anger when invited to the engagement festivities.
• Edmond / Dantès — Edmond arrives at Les Catalans and embraces Mercédès, only then noticing Fernand's hostile presence. He casually extends a cordial invitation to Fernand, Danglars, and Caderousse for the engagement dinner and mentions his upcoming trip to Paris to deliver a message for Captain Leclère.
• Caderousse — Caderousse drinks wine with Danglars, calls Fernand over, and loudly mocks Fernand's romantic failure. He shouts insults at Edmond and Mercédès from a distance and feigns drunkenness while eagerly anticipating the engagement dinner.
• Danglars — Danglars observes Fernand's anguish from afar, feigning sympathy while plotting against Edmond. He silently resolves to interfere with Dantès's happiness, delivers a poisoned toast to 'Captain Edmond', and watches the lovers leave with a sinister smile.