Chapter 42 - Monsieur Bertuccio

Summary

Edmond Dantès, now the Count of Monte Cristo, arrives at his newly purchased mansion on the Champs-Elysées and is greeted by his steward Bertuccio. He meets with a notary who has prepared the deed for a country house in Auteuil, which the Count purchases instantly without having seen the property, paying the notary's fee generously. Upon learning the location is Auteuil, Bertuccio pales visibly, prompting the Count to question his steward's anxiety. The Count then orders Bertuccio to accompany him to the property that evening, forcing the terrified steward to comply.

Characters

• Monte Cristo / Count (Monsieur le Comte, His Excellency) — The Count arrives at his Paris mansion, purchases the house in Auteuil with immediate effect, and notices Bertuccio's extreme anxiety regarding the location before ordering him to accompany the evening visit.
• Bertuccio (Steward, Monsieur Bertuccio) — The steward greets the Count, confirms the notary is waiting, and displays visible terror and stammering when the Count reveals he is buying a house in Auteuil, though he ultimately obeys the order to drive the carriage.
• notary (Notary, pen-pusher) — The notary appears with the deed of sale for the Auteuil property, explains the location to the Count, and is dismissed with an unexpected payment that covers his fee and more, leaving him astonished.