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Count of Monte Cristo: Arrival and Purchase

9:17 recording · EN · 1 speaker

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Executive Summary AI
  • Monte Cristo arrives at his new Paris residence on the Champs-Élysées, where Ali and his steward Bertuccio greet him and Bertuccio reports that the engraved cards are ready, the first sent to Baron Danglars at rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, No. 7.
  • A notary waits in the small salon with the deed for a country house, and the Count claims not to know where it is, saying he arrived from Cadiz that morning and has never been in France.
  • When the notary names Auteuil, Bertuccio turns pale and offers to find a better house at Enghien, Fontenay-aux-Roses or Bellevue, but the Count insists on keeping it and signs the deed.
  • Alone, the Count checks a locked book and confirms the address, Auteuil, Rue de la Fontaine, No. 28, saying that in an hour he shall know all.
  • He then orders a reluctant, livid Bertuccio to accompany him to Auteuil that evening, and the steward obeys without a word.

Brief overview

Monte Cristo buys an Auteuil house sight unseen, and the address visibly terrifies his steward Bertuccio.

  1. The Count feigns ignorance of his purchaseHe tells the notary he arrived from Cadiz this morning and has never been in Paris.
  2. Auteuil deeply disturbs BertuccioAt the word Auteuil, Bertuccio turned pale and later his complexion became livid.
  3. The purchase is deliberate, not casualHis locked book holds the address Rue de la Fontaine, No. 28, confirming a hidden purpose.

Questions this recording answers

7 questions, each answered where it is said
Where is the house Monte Cristo buys from the notary?

The notary tells the Count the house he purchases is at Auteuil, close by, a little beyond Passy, in a charming situation in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne. The Count's own locked book later records the address as Auteuil, Rue de la Fontaine, No. 28.

How does Bertuccio react when he hears the house is at Auteuil?

At the word Auteuil, Bertuccio turned pale. Later, when the Count says he will see his new property that evening, Bertuccio's copper complexion became livid, and he hung down his head and stayed motionless without answering before finally obeying the order.

Why does the Count say he does not know where the house is?

He tells the astonished notary that he arrived from Cadiz this morning, has never before been at Paris, and that it is the first time he has ever set foot in France. He says he was tempted by an advertisement's title, a country house.

Where is the Count's town residence in Paris?

The house Ali chose as Monte Cristo's town residence stands on the right hand as you ascend the Champs-Élysées, with a clump of trees in the centre, a carriage drive to a double portico lined with porcelain vases, and a second entrance on the rue Pontieu.

What alternatives does Bertuccio suggest to the Auteuil house?

Bertuccio offers that, if entrusted with the commission, he will find the Count a better house at Enghien, at Fontenay-aux-Roses, or at Bellevue. The Count negligently refuses, saying that since he has this house, he will keep it.

Who received the first engraved card?

Bertuccio reports that the cards were engraved at the best engraver of the Palais Royal in his presence, and the first card struck off was taken to the Baron Danglars, rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, No. 7. The others are on the mantelpiece of the Count's bedroom.

How does the notary describe the Auteuil property?

He calls it a charming place, well supplied with spring water and fine trees, a comfortable habitation although abandoned for a long time, with old but valuable furniture now that old things are so sought after. He says it is not just convenient but magnificent.

Key Quote
“Pest, let us not lose such an opportunity, returned Montecristo.”
— Narrator
Key Quote
“However, in an hour I shall know all.”
— Narrator
Key Quote
“At these words Bertuccio turned pale.”
— Narrator

Transcript

0:00 XXXII. monsieur bertuccio meanwhile the count had arrived at his house it had taken him six minutes to perform the distance but these six minutes were sufficient to induce twenty young men who knew the price his horses. The house Ali had chosen,
0:45 and which was to serve as a town residence to Monte Cristo,
0:48 was situated on the right hand as you ascend the Champs-Élysées.
0:52 A thick clump of trees and shrubs rose in the centre,
0:55 and masked a portion of the front.
0:57 Around this shrubbery two alleys, like two arms,
1:00 extended right and left,
1:02 and formed a carriage drive from the iron gates to a double portico,
1:05 on every step of which stood a porcelain vase, filled with flowers. extended right and left, and formed a carriage-drive from the iron gates to a double portico,
1:08 on every step of which stood a porcelain vase, filled with flowers.
1:15 This house, isolated from the rest, had, besides the main entrance, another in the rue Pontieu.
1:20 Even before the coachman had hailed the concierge, the massy gates rolled on their hinges, they had seen the Count coming, and at Paris, as everywhere else,
1:24 he was served with the rapidity
1:26 of lightning. The coachman entered and traversed the half-circle without slackening his speed,
1:31 and the gates were closed ere the wheels had ceased to sound on the gravel.
1:35 The carriage stopped at the left side of the portico. Two men presented themselves at the
1:39 carriage window. The one was Ali, who, smiling with an expression of the most sincere joy seemed amply repaid by a meed look from monte cristo the other bowed respectfully and offered his arm to assist the count in descending
1:53 thanks m bertuccio said the count springing lightly up the three steps of the portico and the notary he is in the small salon excellency returned bertuccio and the cards i ordered to be engraved as soon as you knew the number of the house your excellency it is done already i have been myself to the best engraver of the palais royal who did the plate in my presence
2:17 the first card struck off was taken according to your orders to the baron d'anglard rue de la chaussée d'Antin, No. 7. The others are on the
2:26 mantelpiece of Your Excellency's bedroom. Good. What o'clock is it? Four o'clock.
2:34 Monte Cristo gave his hat, cane, and gloves to the same French footman who had called his
2:38 carriage at the Count Morserf's. Then he passed into the small salon, preceded by Bertuccio,
2:43 who showed him the way.
2:49 These are but indifferent marbles in this antechamber, said Montecristo.
2:51 I trust all this will soon be taken away.
2:53 Bertuccio bowed.
2:57 As the steward had said, the notary awaited him in the small salon.
3:00 He was a simple-looking lawyer's clerk,
3:03 elevated to the extraordinary dignity of a provincial scrivener.
3:07 You are the notary empowered to sell the country house that I wish to purchase, Monsieur?
3:09 asked Monte Cristo.
3:12 Yes, Count, returned the notary.
3:13 Is the deed of sale ready?
3:15 Yes, Count.
3:16 Have you brought it?
3:17 Here it is.
3:20 Very well, and where is this house that I purchase?
3:22 asked the Count carelessly,
3:25 addressing himself half to Bertuccio, half to the notary.
3:31 The steward made a gesture that signified, I do not know. The notary looked at the Count with astonishment. What, said he, does not the Count know where the house he purchases

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