Bam! Down goes Villefort. What did you think? Are you satisfied with his public destruction? I love that it took place in the one space he felt the most powerful and secure. It also mirrored Fernand's downfall, with a lone witness indicting him. And, much like with Fernand, the Count wasn’t there to witness the fall. I'm genuinely impressed that the count is strong enough to resist the urge to see it for himself.

I particularly find it amazing that both Fernand and Villefort gave up. They could have lied, the truth is so insane no one believes it at first, but the count's blow is so devastating neither could withstand it.

I think it's interesting that he trusted Benedetto to deliver the crushing blow. What if he hadn't been up to play the role he needed to play? And again I wonder if the count expressly sent Bertuccio to tell him the whole story of his birth, knowing how it would play out, or if he simply hinted at it and let fate run its course.

I recall that when we first read the story of the birth, there was some debate about if Villefort thought the baby was dead, which is what he claimed, or if he knew full well that the baby was alive. How do you feel about the question now?

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“There will be extenuating circumstances,” he replied.

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