Stories to remember - Chapter 1

The Count of 

Monte Cristo

-By Alexandre Dumas

CHARACTERS

Edmond Dante:                  later Count of Monte Cristo, also disguised as Father Busoni and Lord Wilmore

Mercedes:                           fiance of Dante, later Countess Morcerf.

Monsieur Morrel:              owner of the "Pharaon".

Fernand Mondego:            later Count Morcerf.

Danglars:                           later Baron Danglars.

Caderousse:                       A neighbour of Dante's father.

De Villefort:                      Assistant State Prosecutor

Monsieur Noirtier:            Father of De Villefort

Renee:                                Bride of De Villefort

The Abbe Faria:                An old priest imprisoned in the Chateau d'if.

Jacopo:                               A sailor on the "Young Amelia"

Bertuccio:                          A smuggler, later servant to Dante.

Haydee:                              A princess, daughter of Prince Ali Tebelin, Pacha of Janina.

Albert Morcerf;                  Son of Fernand and Mercedes.

Franz Epinay:                    friend of Albert Morcerf.

Eugenie:                             Daughter of Danglars.

Benedetto:                          Son of De Villefort, disguised as Andrea Cavalcanti

Ali:                                     A deaf mute, servant to Dante.

Prologue

It was the 24th February 1815. The sun shone softly on the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea around the island of Elba. Napoleon Bonaparte, once the absolute master of France, was now king only of this small island. He who had ruled over one hundred and twenty million subjects now reigned over the six thousand inhabitants of Elba.

In France, the Bourbons had returned to the throne in the person of Louis XVIII, younger brother of the beheaded Louis XVI.

 Friends in Paris were plotting to bring back Napoleon as ruler of France. Napoleon himself was also busy with plans for his glorious return.

Chapter 1

A SHIP ARRIVES

On the French Mediterranean coast at Marseilles, sun-shine brightened the gilded figure of a Madonna. High above the harbour, from the top of the church of Notre Dame de la Garde, this golden Madonna looked down towards the sea. Seamen called her the 'Protector of the Sailors'.

At the entrance to the harbour stood the massive Fort St.Jean. Out to sea, on a barren rock, stood another Fortress, the Chateau d'if. This was a prison - a grey stone castle standing bleak against the sky. It had no windows, but only tiny slits let in the stonework. Its gateways were barred with rods of iron. No prisoner was ever known to escape from this grim place.

On this sunny day a three-masted sailing ship, the Pharaon, coming from Smyrna, Trieste and Naples, could be seen just beyond the Chateau d'if. Slowly the ship approached the harbour. Passing the Fort St.Jean, she sailed in towards the quay where many people were waiting. She dropped her anchor.

The first man to go aboard was her owner, Monsieur Morrel. He immediately approached a dark-haired good-looking young man of about twenty who appeared to be in command.

'Ah, it is you, Edmond Dante!' said Monsieur Morrel. 'What has happened?'

'We have had a great misfortune,' replied the young man. 'Our good Captain Leclere died during the voyage. We buried him at sea.'

Then he explained to the owner how he, as chief officer, had taken over command of the ship after the captain died.

At that moment a customs officer came on board, and Dante went to meet him.

Monsieur Morrel turned to his supercargo, Danglars, an ugly man about twenty-five years old, who was heartily disliked by the rest of the crew. Danglars, jealous of young Dante, began to complain about the conduct of the voyage since the death of the captain. He said that a day and a half had been wasted by stopping at the island of Elba instead of coming straight to Marseilles.

Monsieur Morrel called to Dante and asked him why the ship had stopped at the island of Elba. The young man explained that Captain Leclere, before he died, had given him a package to deliver to one of Napoleon's generals. He had sailed to Elba to deliver it. Whilst on the island, he had also seen Napoleon himself.

Monsieur Morrel turned to Danglars. 'You see,' he said, 'there was a good reason for going to elba. Dante was carrying out the last wish of a dying man. He has also brought my ship safely back to Marseilles with her cargo undamaged.'

Then he spoke to Dante.

'Dante,' he said, 'I shall appoint you captain of the Pharaon for her next voyage.'

Danglars scowled and went away, muttering to himself.