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Chapter 46 - Unlimited Credit

Summary

Baron Danglars arrives at the Count of Monte Cristo’s mansion to confront him about an 'unlimited credit' opened by Thomson and French, which the Count uses as leverage to force the banker to comply. After dismissing Danglars's attempts to limit the sum, the Count reveals his vast wealth through bonds from other major European banks, compelling Danglars to grant him a six-million-franc credit. The Count then establishes the terms of this credit during the visit and is formally introduced to Madame Danglars, whom he meets while her husband's secretary, Lucien Debray, is also present.

Characters

  • Count of Monte Cristo (Monsieur le Comte, His Excellency, Your Lordships) — The Count observes Baron Danglars from his house with disgust, then commands his servants to purchase Danglars's horses for double the price. He visits the banker, displays bonds worth a million francs to prove his solvency, and forces Danglars to open a credit of six million francs before proceeding to meet Madame Danglars.
  • Baron Danglars (The banker, Monsieur le Baron) — Danglars arrives at the Count’s house to investigate an unlimited credit, confronts the Count at his own office, and ultimately yields to the Count's displayed wealth, granting him six million francs. He then attempts to flatter the Count by showing him art and introducing him to his wife and secretary.
  • Ali (My slave, My dog) — Ali signals the concierge regarding the Count's presence, receives a warning from the Count about his duty under threat of death, and complies with orders to parade horses for Madame without understanding the French lecture given to Baptistin.
  • Bertuccio (The steward, Monsieur Bertuccio) — Bertuccio reports that Danglars's horses are not for sale, but later presents them as the Count's after purchasing them at a high price. He provides updates on the locations of the Count's ships and corvette before leading the Count to his carriage.
  • Lucien Debray (Monsieur Debray, The private secretary, The little viscount) — Debray is acknowledged by the footman as being in the company of Madame Danglars, where he is identified as an old friend of the family and the private secretary to the Minister of the Interior.