Major Cavalcanti — The Count of Monte Cristo

At seven o'clock Major Bartolomeo Cavalcanti arrives at the Count's house on the Champs-Elysees, dressed in a stiff green coat and an old-fashioned outfit that makes him look ridiculous. He brings a letter from Abbé Busoni. The Count welcomes him as if the visit were planned down to the minute. The letter says the major is a rich Italian nobleman searching for a son who was stolen as a child.

The major cares most about the postscript: Busoni sends two thousand francs for travel and asks the Count to pay forty-eight thousand francs more. The Count agrees at once. While they talk over wine and biscuits, Baptistin quietly reports that a young man is waiting in the blue drawing-room. The major forgot to bring marriage papers and his son's baptism record. The Count produces both documents and hands them over.

The Count then coaches the major on what story to tell in Paris. They will not say gypsies stole the boy. Instead, the son was sent away for school, and the dead mother was a marchioness named Oliva Corsinari. When the Count reveals that Andrea is already in the house, the major pretends to be overcome with joy.

The major admits he has spent his travel money. The Count gives him eight thousand francs and promises the rest later. He tells the major to change out of his green coat and wear the clothes waiting at the Hotel des Princes, including a uniform for grand occasions. Then the Count leaves to prepare Andrea for the father-and-son meeting.