1) Eugénie Danglars rejects marriage and inherited wealth, preferring the independent life of an artist. If nineteenth-century society was guilty of restricting women’s options, is Dumas also guilty of boxing Eugénie in by not even allowing her to express her desires (which we learn of only because Valentine relates them)?

2) Valentine understands and even defends her step-mother’s desire to enrich her son. Are there other characters in the story able to step outside their own self-oriented perspective? How does the world of TCoMC treat such individuals?

3) Is Maximilien’s suspicion that the count intentionally lost at cards to him reasonable or deluded? If his suspicion is correct, does the fact that this generosity occurs out of our sight reflect the count’s discomfort with his benevolent instincts?

Final sentence of chapter:

“Maximilien gave a cry and, rushing to the spot, grasped the adored hand and covered it with burning kisses; but at once the little hand slipped between his and the young man heard Valentine run off, perhaps alarmed by her own feelings!”

previous chapter discussion