The Evening of the Betrothal — The Count of Monte Cristo

Villefort returns to the betrothal party on the same night he locked up Edmond. The guests joke about revolution and ask what is wrong. He pulls the marquis aside and tells him to sell all his stocks right away. He also asks for letters to his broker and to the king so he can reach the Tuileries first and get credit for his discovery.

At his door, Mercédès waits in the dark. She asks what happened to Edmond. Villefort tells her Edmond is a great criminal and he cannot help. He pushes past her, but guilt follows him inside. He sinks into a chair, almost sobbing. Back at the party, Renée is not worried about Edmond. She only cares that Villefort is leaving on their wedding day.

Everyone reacts differently to Edmond's fate. Mercédès goes home in grief while Fernand kneels beside her. Morrel tries to get help from every friend he knows, but everyone refuses because Edmond is already called a Bonapartist. Caderousse drinks until he sees ghosts. Danglars sleeps well because his enemy is gone and his job on the Pharaon is safe. Villefort kisses Renée goodbye and races to Paris. Edmond is doomed. Old Dantès waits at home, sick with worry, not knowing what has become of his son.