Chapter 4 - The Plot

Summary

In a wine arbour, Danglars exploits Fernand's jealousy to propose a scheme to destroy Edmond Dantès through imprisonment rather than murder, drafting an anonymous denunciation letter accusing Dantès of being a Bonapartist agent. While Caderousse drinks heavily and protests against harming his friend, he is eventually intoxicated to the point of oblivion, allowing Fernand to discreetly steal the discarded letter. After Danglars departs with the inebriated Caderousse, Fernand rushes off towards the town to mail the incriminating note, setting the trap for Dantès's impending arrest.

Characters

• Danglars (accountant) — Danglars manipulates the despairing Fernand by suggesting that prison, rather than death, is the best way to separate him from Mercédès. He drafts an anonymous denunciation letter accusing Dantès of carrying a Bonapartist letter, writes it in his left hand to disguise his handwriting, and intentionally leaves it behind for Fernand to find after intoxicating Caderousse.
• Caderousse (tailor, clown) — Caderousse sits with the conspirators, initially mumbling a drinking song and expressing confusion, then voicing moral objections to harming Dantès. He is repeatedly forced to drink by the others until he becomes too drunk to remain coherent or aware of the plot, eventually stumbling away with Danglars while Fernand remains behind.
• Fernand (Catalan, young man) — Fernand confesses his obsession with Mercédès and his willingness to kill Dantès, but is dissuaded by fear of Mercédès's reaction. He agrees to Danglars's alternative plan, listens as the denunciation letter is composed, and secretly pockets the discarded note before rushing to send it to the Crown Prosecutor.