Valentine's body is interred in the family vault in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. The Count attends this part of the funeral, keeping an eye out for Max. After some searching, he spots Max hiding in the shadows, avoiding the main crowd. After the funeral, the Count approaches Max, who dismisses him easily. The Count then follows Max home and intervenes just as Max is finishing his suicide letter. Max gets angry, and the scene gets so tense that the Count is forced to reveal his true identity and his role in helping to save Max's father as the family's benefactor.

The family is gathered and they all thank the Count. Max holds back on telling them the Count's name. The chapter ends with Max and the Count coming to an agreement: Max will wait one month before he kills himself, and during that time the Count will complete an 'experiment' that will make Max want to keep living. Max assumes he means travel, but I think we can all guess the truth.

Discussion Prompts:

1. What did you think of Valentine's funeral? Is it similar or different to how funerals happen in your culture? Do you think it's odd that no one seemed to mind that none of Valentine's immediate family attended?
2. The Count tells Max that he is leaving Paris in about a week. Do you think he's wrapped all his revenge threads up or is he going to go for one grand finale?
3. The Count feels a bond with Max and Morrel senior over having experienced coming close to committing suicide. Do you think this book handles the subject well?
4. We know it is extremely likely Valentine is still alive. Do you think this chapter was a deliberate reference to Romeo and Juliet? If someone had intervened and spoken to Romeo as the Count does here, the ending to the famous play may have been very different.
5. Will Max stick to his word and stay alive long enough for the Count to help reunite him with Valentine?

Final Sentence:

Maximilien bent his head and obeyed, like a child or a disciple.

The next reading discussion will go up next Wednesday.