Love & Death

Chapter 90: Mercedes
The Count leaves the opera, goes home and asks for his pistols.  A veiled woman enters his room and says, “Edmond, you will not kill my son?”.  The Count is stunned as Mercedes says his name.  She says she knew him to be Dantes by his voice even before she first saw his face.  The Count tells her the story about what happened to him.  He shows her the letter Danglars wrote and Fernand posted.  She is upset.  She tells the Count that she still loves Edmond, that she thought, dreamed and suffered over him.  She asks the Count not to take revenge on Albert.  The Count sobs and says Albert will live.  Mercedes thanks him and says he is still a great and noble man.
 
Chapter 91: The Meeting
The Count prepares his will, he leaves Maximilian the money at Monte Cristo and the rest to Haydee.  The Count regrets that his plans for Villefort, Danglars and Fernand will not be completed.  Maximilian and Emmanuel accompany the Count to the duel.  Maximilian goes to meet Chateau-Renaud and Beuchamp, they are still waiting for Albert.  Franz and Debray come to witness the duel.  Albert arrives on horseback and asks to see the Count.  Albert says his mother explained the history between the Count and his father.  Albert apologizes to the Count. 
 
Chapter 92: The Mother and Son
The Count bows to the men and leaves.  Albert’s actions are regarded as generous and heroic.  When Fernand finds out Albert refused to duel, he leaves the house.  Mercedes and Albert gather a few belongings and decide to leave before Fernand returns.  Bertuccio delivers a letter to Albert from the Count.  The Count says there is money hidden at the house in Marseilles for Mercedes.  She says she will take the money with her to the convent.
 
Chapter 93: The Suicide
Maximilian accompanies the Count home.  Haydee is happy to see them.  Fernand enters the house.  He tells the Count about his wife putting her things in order and his son returning without saying a word to him.  Fernand calls Albert a coward but the Count disagrees.  Fernand says the Count is his enemy, that he hates him and wishes to fight.  The Count puts on his sailor gear and asks if Fernand knows who he is.  Fernand says Edmond’s name and leaves the house.  Fernand goes home, watches his son and wife leave, then shoots himself.
 
Chapter 94: Valentine
Maximilian goes to see Valentine and Noirtier.  Valentine feels ill, she’s lost her appetite.  Noirtier has been giving her a little poison as a countermeasure, he believes someone is trying to poison her.  Madame Danglars and Eugenie bring news about the engagement to Andrea.  Valentine collapses, Maximilian picks her up and calls for help.
 
Chapter 95: The Confession
Maximilian hides in Noirtier’s room then sneaks out.  Maximilian runs to the Count while Villefort goes for the doctor.  Maximilian tells the Count he fears another death in the Villefort house.  The Count says justice is being served there.  Maximilian asks for the Count’s help and reveals his love for Valentine.  The surprised Count tells Max to hope and that Valentine will live.  The doctor arrives to find Valentine barely alive.  Noirtier makes the doctor understand that he has been preparing Valentine’s system for poison.  Abbe Busconi leases the house next to Villefort’s.
 
Chapter 96: The Father and Daughter
The morning of the duel between the Count and Albert, Danglars talks to Eugenie in his drawing room.  She says she loves no one and is happy as she is.  Danglars says her marriage is a business deal and reveals that they are financially ruined.  Eugenie agrees to marry Andrea.
 
Chapter 97: The Contract
Andrea visits the Count and tells about the upcoming marriage contract.  Andrea wants to acknowledge all the attention the Count has given him, the Count says he hasn’t had any influence on Andrea’s situation.  Beauchamp, Chateau-Renaud, Madame Villefort, Louise d’Armilly and the Count attend the marriage contract signing.  Before Eugenie and Andrea have a chance to sign, the Count reveals Caderousse's blood-stained waistcoat.  There was a note in the pocket addressed to Danglars that was sent to Villefort.  Andrea turns pale and backs out of the room.  The police arrive looking for Andrea (Benedetto), the escapee wanted for the murder of Caderousse.
 
Chapter 98:  The Departure for Belgium
Danglars gives a statement, Madame Danglars goes to her room, and Eugenie and Louise go to Eugenie’s room.  Eugenie cannot believe the accusations against Andrea.  She and Louisa plan to escape by pretending to be brother and sister.  Eugenie cuts her hair and dresses as a man.  Then they sneak out of the house.
 
Chapter 99: The Hotel of the Bell and Bottle
Andrea runs through Paris then buys a horse to take him to the Bell and Bottle hotel.  He plans to leave early in the morning but sleeps late and awakes to find officers outside his window.  He climbs the chimney and jumps on the roof.  He goes down the chimney of another room and surprises Eugenie and Louise.  The police take Andrea to prison while Eugenie and Louise travel to Brussels.
 
Chapter 100: The Law
Madame Danglars, upset by the events regarding her daughter, goes to Villefort’s house.  They talk about Andrea (Benedetto), his unknown parents, his criminal background and the murder charge.  Villefort receives word that Andrea has been arrested.
 
Chapter 101: The Apparition
Valentine, not yet recovered from her illness, is confined to her bed.  During the day, Noirtier and Villefort are with her, during the night Dr. d’Avrigny and a nurse sit with her.  Every morning Maximilian visits Noirtier to hear news of Valentine.  A nurse places a drink beside Valentine’s bed and locks the door.  A man appears and prevents her from drinking, then drinks it himself.  It is the Count.  He says he’s been protecting her for four nights and has promised Maximilian that she will live.  The Count has watched those who enter her room and knows who is trying to poison her.  The Count tells Valentine to pretend to sleep tonight and see who enters her room.
 
Chapter 102: The Serpent
Valentine pretends to sleep and watches as Madame Villefort enters her room and pours liquid into her glass.  The Count enters the room after Madame Villefort leaves.  Valentine cannot believe what she has seen.  The Count examines the liquid and sees it is now narcotics instead of poison.  The Count explains that if Valentine dies, Villefort will inherit her money and will give it to Edward.  The Count tells Valentine to rely on him.  She asks the Count to look over Noirtier and Maximilian.  The Count gives her a pill and she falls asleep.
 
Chapter 103: Valentine
Madame Villefort enters Valentine’s room, finds that Valentine has no heartbeat and leaves.  The next morning, the nurse screams when she sees Valentine’s white lips and stiff limbs.  Villefort enters the room and Dr. d’Avrigny confirms Valentine’s death.  Maximilian enters, hears the terrible news and goes to Noirtier.