How does monte cristo entertain his guests

As one character says of the Count, "He's building a great machine and we are his cogs and wheels. After listening to the Count deliver one of his trademark aphoristic speeches, his young friend Albert Chris Daley explains, "He talks like that all the time. Chris Hainsworth, blessed with a poetic and improbable abundance of dark hair, brings matinee-idol sex appeal and an air of tortured existentialist repression to the title character.

Whether moving chess pieces around on a board or watching an opera from a balcony seat, Hainsworth's Count is a man who takes voyeuristic delight in seeing others fall into the traps he has laid — only to find that though revenge is a dish best served cold, it still can be hard to digest if one overindulges.

Among the villains, John Ferrick's weaselly banker, Danglars, is a particular highlight. Really, who doesn't want to see fraudulent financiers get their comeuppance? Don Bender does delightful double duty as the caddish Caderousse, the man who could have saved Dantes but didn't, and as Abbe Faria, the seemingly addled old priest who provides Dantes with an education, an escape plan and startup money for his adventures in retaliation.

The women hold their own too — particularly Jenifer Tyler's Mercedes, Dantes' sympathetic former fiancee, and Cathlyn Melvin's Eugenie Danglars — a self-assured proto-feminist and bohemian. Aly Renee Amidei's lush costumes add visual spark and fire, while Joe Schermoly's sturdy and spare unitary set, with its tiny dungeon grate on the bottom and semicircle of windows above, physically embodies the story's central conundrum — balancing the forces of dark and light in a world filled with wrongdoing.

As for Andrea, he was launched, and when he was once launched nothing stopped him. I am come to talk to you about a thousand things; but, first tell me, were you going out or just returned? Andrea; we can chat better in-doors, and there is no coachman to overhear our conversation. The count returned to a small drawing-room on the first floor, sat down, and crossing his legs motioned to the young man to take a seat also.

Andrea assumed his gayest manner. At nine o'clock the contract is to be signed at my father-in-law's. Cavalcanti; it is a most suitable alliance you are contracting, and Mademoiselle Danglars is a handsome girl. Do you think so? It is magnificent! Besides, your own fortune, as your father assured me, is almost equal to that of your betrothed. But enough of money matters. Do you know, M. Andrea, I think you have managed this affair rather skilfully?

Have you lost your heart? But I must not forget one grand point. Not at all, prince," said Monte Cristo laying a marked stress on the title, "what have I done for you? Are not your name, your social position, and your merit sufficient?

I maintain that the position of a man like you has done more than my name, my social position, and my merit.

What encouraged me not to become your surety, but to patronize you? Personally, I do not know you. This calm tone and perfect ease made Andrea feel that he was, for the moment, restrained by a more muscular hand than his own, and that the restraint could not be easily broken through.

Andrea was so surprised that he pondered the matter for a moment. Then, arousing from his reverie:. But marrying, as I am about to do, before all Paris, I ought to be supported by an illustrious name, and in the absence of the paternal hand some powerful one ought to lead me to the altar; now, my father is not coming to Paris, is he?

Ask me to lend you half a million and, although such a loan is somewhat rare, on my honor, you would annoy me less! Know, then, what I thought I had already told you, that in participation in this world's affairs, more especially in their moral aspects, the Count of Monte Cristo has never ceased to entertain the scruples and even the superstitions of the East. I, who have a seraglio at Cairo, one at Smyrna, and one at Constantinople, preside at a wedding?

Let us recall the exact facts. You met him at a dinner party at my house, and you introduced yourself at his house; that is a totally different affair. Recollect what I told you when you asked me to propose you.

But one word more, count. Baron Danglars is a good father, and knows how to calculate. Notwithstanding a slight resistance on the part of Monte Cristo, whose lips turned pale, but who preserved his ceremonious smile, Andrea seized the count's hand, pressed it, jumped into his phaeton, and disappeared.

I only hope the mischief will fall upon the head of whoever wrought it. Her grief, which she had hitherto tried to restrain, now burst out in a violent fit of hysterical sobbing. Morrel back. No doubt, now, we shall hear that our friend is released! Mercedes and the old man rushed to meet the shipowner and greeted him at the door. He was very pale. I am determined to tell them all about it. Who can tell whether Dantes be innocent or guilty?

The vessel did touch at Elba, where he quitted it, and passed a whole day in the island. Now, should any letters or other documents of a compromising character be found upon him, will it not be taken for granted that all who uphold him are his accomplices? With the rapid instinct of selfishness, Caderousse readily perceived the solidity of this mode of reasoning; he gazed, doubtfully, wistfully, on Danglars, and then caution supplanted generosity.

If he be innocent, of course he will be set at liberty; if guilty, why, it is no use involving ourselves in a conspiracy. After their departure, Fernand, who had now again become the friend and protector of Mercedes, led the girl to her home, while the friends of Dantes conducted the now half—fainting man back to his abode. Morrel, as, on his return to the port for the purpose of gleaning fresh tidings of Dantes, from M.

Policar Morrel, who served under the other government, and who does not altogether conceal what he thinks on the subject, you are strongly suspected of regretting the abdication of Napoleon. I should have feared to injure both Edmond and yourself, had I divulged my own apprehensions to a soul. I am too well aware that though a subordinate, like myself, is bound to acquaint the shipowner with everything that occurs, there are many things he ought most carefully to conceal from all else.

I fully authorize you at once to assume the command of the Pharaon, and look carefully to the unloading of her freight. Private misfortunes must never be allowed to interfere with business. Morrel; but do you think we shall be permitted to see our poor Edmond? But now hasten on board, I will join you there ere long. Do you still feel any desire to stand up in his defence? I only wish I could see it now as plainly as I saw it lying all crushed and crumpled in a corner of the arbor.

And now I think of it, by Heavens, he may have sent the letter itself! Fortunately, for me, the handwriting was disguised. As I before said, I thought the whole thing was a joke, nothing more. It seems, however, that I have unconsciously stumbled upon the truth. You will see, Danglars, that it will turn out an unlucky job for both of us. If any harm come of it, it should fall on the guilty person; and that, you know, is Fernand.

How can we be implicated in any way? All we have got to do is, to keep our own counsel, and remain perfectly quiet, not breathing a word to any living soul; and you will see that the storm will pass away without in the least affecting us. I am, temporarily, commander of the Pharaon, with the certainty of being permanently so, if that fool of a Caderousse can be persuaded to hold his tongue.

My only fear is the chance of Dantes being released. Morrel had agreed to meet him. Authors Books Genres Collections Readability. The Count of Monte Cristo. London: Chapman and Hall. Readability: Flesch—Kincaid Level: 6.