Max is stunned by Valentine's apparent death. In a state of despair, he ignores Villefort's demands that he leave the premises. Instead, he carries Noirtier upstairs to see Valentine's body. Heartbroken, they reveal that Max was Valentine's fiancé. Villefort accepts this news reasonably and Max's right to grieve her. However, he continues to ask Max to leave. Max refuses and claims that he has to report the crime of Valentine's murder to Villefort, in his official capacity. Villefort tries to deny the charge but Noirtier and Dr. d'Avrigny back up Max's claims. Villefort request time to speak to his father alone. When Max and the Dr. return, a negotiation has been made; Noirtier has told Villefort who the murderer is, and Villefort has promised to punish them severely, but privately. Max is not super pleased, but he accepts Noirtier's trust in Villefort's promise. The group disbands with Noirtier choosing to remain with Valentine's remains.

Dr. d'Avrigny seeks out both the coroner and the nearest priest, the Abbe next door. The Abbe goes to Valentine's room and begins to pray for her. He is left on his own, with only Valentine's body and Noirtier for company.

Discussion Prompts:

1. Do you think Villefort will keep his word about confronting Madame de Villefort, this time? How will he punish her? If he wanted to keep matters private all along, why didn't he deal with or even just confront her earlier?
2. Did you notice a shift in Villefort's tone towards Max once Noirtier confirmed his identity? Did he seem colder to you?
3. If Valentine is fake-dead, what do you think will happen to her once the Count is able to get her away from her family and wake her up?
4. Do you think the Count will tell Noirtier the truth about his granddaughter or will he keep it a secret? What do you think will happen to Noirtier if he continues to believe Valentine is dead? Will the Count hold Noirtier's letter - the evidence with which Villefort sentenced him to prison - against him?
5. We've seen a fair bit the Count's revenge plans come to life now. Do you think each man has received the punishment that he deserves? Do you think Villefort's punishment, in losing his only daughter, is fair in comparison to what Morcerf and Danglars experienced?

Final Sentence:

He made this solemn promise and, doubtless to avoid being interrupted in his devotions and so that Noirtier would not be disturbed in his grief, as soon as M. d'Avrigny had left the room, he went to draw not only the bolts on the door through which the doctor had just left but also those on the door leading to the apartments of Madame de Villefort.

The next reading discussion will go up on Wednesday.