Chapter 57 - The Alfalfa Field
Summary
Maximilien Morrel and Valentine de Villefort meet secretly behind a fence in the garden of the Villefort residence, discussing their deep affection and the constraints placed on Valentine's life by her stepmother, Madame de Villefort. Maximilien defends his instinctive trust in the Count of Monte Cristo, describing how the Count seems to guide his fortunes, such as winning enough money to purchase the magnificent horse Médéah. Valentine counters with her perception of the Count as a dominating force in her household who favors her stepmother and half-brother while ignoring her sorrow, though she admits her father and stepmother admire his eloquence and wisdom. The conversation ends with Valentine being called away by her stepmother's summons, leaving Maximilien with a brief, tender moment holding her hand through the fence.
Characters
- Maximilien / Morrel — Maximilien waits for Valentine in the garden, expressing his unwavering love and his belief that the Count of Monte Cristo is a benevolent protector guiding his life. He recounts winning five thousand francs to buy the horse Médéah, attributing his good fortune to the Count's unseen influence, before tenderly holding Valentine's hand through the fence before she is called away.
- Valentine — Valentine meets Maximilien in the garden after delaying their rendezvous to walk with Eugénie Danglars. She complains of her restricted existence and her stepmother's obsession with securing fortune for her son Edouard, expressing skepticism toward Maximilien's instinctive belief that the Count acts as a mysterious protector because he appears to ignore her despite his influence in the house. She is ultimately interrupted by a message from Madame de Villefort and flees, allowing Maximilien to kiss her hand through the fence.
- Madame de Villefort — Madame de Villefort is not physically present but is described by Valentine as the dominant ruler of the household, actively seeking the Count's favor and ensuring the Count's influence overrides that of her husband and daughter.
- Edouard — Edouard is described by Valentine as the beloved son of Madame de Villefort, whom the Count favors and entertains with toys, thereby securing his mother's gratitude and the Count's position in the home.
- Noirtier — Noirtier is mentioned by Valentine as her grandfather, a paralyzed man who loves only her and whose despairing tears prevented her from entering a convent. She explains that from her mother, grandmother, and grandfather, she has an income of nearly fifty thousand livres and expects further inheritance from her grandfather, who intends to make her his sole heir; if she had taken the veil, her fortune would have gone to her father and eventually reverted to her brother Edouard due to her stepmother's maternal affection.
- Monsieur de Morcerf / Albert — Albert de Morcerf is discussed by Valentine as the intended fiancé of Eugénie Danglars; Valentine notes that her father does not favorably view this match, though he does not oppose it outright.
- Eugénie / Mlle Danglars — Eugénie Danglars appears briefly in Valentine's past actions during the chapter, as Valentine walked arm-in-arm with her to delay her meeting with Maximilien. Valentine reports that Eugénie confessed to detesting the idea of marrying Albert de Morcerf.
- m_d_ah (Médéah) — Médéah is the magnificent horse Maximilien saw at a stable and won the money to buy. Though not physically in the garden, it is the subject of Maximilien's narrative gift to Valentine, described as prancing and nuzzling him affectionately.