Conspiracy — The Count of Monte Cristo

After Edmond and Mercédès walk away, Danglars turns to Fernand, who is pale and shaking. Fernand says the wedding drives him to despair. Danglars draws him out with careful questions. Fernand admits he would stab Edmond, but Mercédès swore she would kill herself if any harm came to her betrothed. Danglars says women talk that way and does not believe it, but Fernand insists she means it.

Danglars then offers a different path. Prison can separate a couple just as surely as death, and Edmond does not have to be killed. Fernand finally says openly that he hates Edmond and will do anything short of murder. Danglars calls for pen, ink, and paper. Even drunk Caderousse senses danger and says he has always feared a pen more than a sword. Danglars keeps Caderousse drinking and writes a false letter accusing Edmond of carrying messages for Napoleon.

Danglars reads the letter aloud, then crumples it and throws it in a corner, calling the whole thing a joke. He leads Caderousse toward Marseilles. When he looks back, Fernand has picked up the paper and put it in his pocket. Danglars smiles to himself. The trap is set, and he never had to deliver the letter himself.