Ghosts — The Count of Monte Cristo

From the road the Count's house at Auteuil looks plain, because Monte Cristo ordered the outside left unchanged. Inside, Bertuccio has worked miracles in only three days. New trees, a fresh lawn, flowers, books, and fine furniture fill the house. Only one room stays closed, the bedroom hung with red damask opposite the Count's own room.

At five o'clock the Count inspects the house and approves Bertuccio's work. At six the guests begin to arrive. Maximilian Morrel comes first on his horse Médéah. Madame Danglars slips a note to Lucien Debray as she steps down from her carriage. Baron Danglars looks pale, as if he has just seen a ghost. The Cavalcanti father and son enter in their best clothes, and the young men of Paris quietly mock Andrea's new noble look.

When the Villeforts arrive, the procureur cannot hide his nervousness. Bertuccio, watching from the side, is shaken. He recognizes Madame Danglars as the woman from the garden long ago. He then sees Andrea Cavalcanti and whispers the name Benedetto. Staring at Villefort, he mutters that he did not kill him after all.

The Count calmly counts his guests and scolds Bertuccio for being late. The steward forces himself to announce that dinner is ready. Monte Cristo gives his arm to Madame de Villefort and asks Villefort to escort Madame Danglars. The enemies and witnesses of an old crime are about to sit down at the same table.