The Fifth of September — The Count of Monte Cristo

The three-month extension lifts Morrel's household briefly, but other creditors do not share Thomson and French's patience. Cocles keeps paying presented bills through July and August while Marseilles still expects final ruin in September. The English agent vanishes from town; Penelon and the Pharaon crew scatter to other berths. Morrel pays Captain Gaumard wages the brave man would not claim, then travels to Paris to ask Danglars, now worth millions, for a word of credit on old obligations. Danglars refuses. Morrel returns, embraces his family in silence, and sends for Cocles while the women fear the worst.

Only fourteen thousand francs remain against nearly three hundred thousand due on the fifth. Madame Morrel sees stamped paper and thinks her husband is writing his will. Julie hides the study key; Emmanuel tells her not to surrender it. Maximilian arrives from Nîmes as the household listens to Morrel pace until three in the morning. Julie receives a letter signed Sinbad the Sailor ordering her to fetch a red silk purse from the Allées de Meilhan before eleven. Emmanuel waits at the corner of the Rue du Musée while she goes alone. Maximilian finds Morrel with pistols and offers to die with him; Morrel bids his son live for mother and sister, saying blood washes out dishonor, then commands him to repay Thomson and French first if any creditor must be honored.

On the morning of September fifth Morrel waits alone as the clock nears eleven. He loads the pistols, writes a last line to Julie, and prepares to fire when Cocles would announce the creditor. Julie runs in with the purse: receipted bills, a diamond marked Julie's Dowry, and money enough to clear the house. Emmanuel shouts that the Pharaon is entering the harbor; a restored ship with Gaumard and Penelon aboard proves the impossible true.

From a hidden corner Edmond watches Morrel weep on the pier while the city applauds. He blesses the noble heart he has repaid, calls Jacopo from a launch, and sails away on his yacht. There he says farewell to kindness and gratitude. The god of vengeance now turns toward Danglars, Fernand, and Villefort. One debt is paid in full; revenge resumes under another name.