Behind the gate at M. de Villefort's house, Maximilian Morrel waits in the chestnut shade while Valentine is late. She had promised to meet him, but Madame Danglars and Eugénie have prolonged their visit, so Valentine walks the garden with Eugénie first and sends Maximilian patient looks from across the lawn. Maximilian compares the two girls in his mind, fair Valentine and fierce Eugénie, but his heart never doubts which one he loves. When the visitors leave, Valentine checks that no one is watching, then hurries to meet him alone at the gate.
They talk about the marriages both families are pushing on them. Eugénie told Valentine she hates wedding Albert de Morcerf and would rather live freely as an artist like her friend Louise d'Armilly. Valentine admits she loves Maximilian, not Franz d'Épinay. They also discuss money and family politics. Valentine once wanted to enter a convent, but her grandfather begged her to stay. If she became a nun now, her fortune would pass to her stepmother's son Edward, which helps explain why Madame de Villefort keeps pressing the marriage Valentine dreads.
Maximilian says Albert told him Franz is returning soon, and Valentine fears the news may concern her engagement. She also explains that Madame de Villefort seems to oppose marriage itself, not just this match. Maximilian wants to trust the Count of Monte Cristo, who already moves through the Morcerf, Danglars, and Villefort households. Valentine is uneasy. She thinks the Count favors her stepmother and may work against her, even though Maximilian believes Monte Cristo helped him buy his beautiful horse Médéah by losing five thousand francs at cards on purpose the same night.
Maximilian also suspects the Count arranged his invitation to the coming Auteuil dinner so he might meet the Villeforts there. Valentine calls that fancy thinking, but she still asks him to hope for both of them. She slips her hand through the iron gate so he can kiss it, then runs back to the house before anyone sees. Their love survives in stolen minutes, whispered promises, and a gate that keeps them close but apart.
Coming Up in Chapter 58
While Valentine speaks at the garden gate, Villefort visits his paralyzed father upstairs and announces that she will marry Franz d'Épinay in less than three months. Noirtier's silent rage will soon force a notary into the room.
