We now have chapters 91, 92 and 93. The first 2 are linked, the third is an entirely different plot thread.

Immediately after the cancelled duel, Albert heads home. He gathers all his valuables and possessions, not to pack up and go... but to leave them on the table! He heads to his mother's (Mercedes) room and sees her doing the same thing. Albert's plan is to start his life from scratch. Mercedes is determined to do the same. So yeah, both of them are heading out into the cold, cruel world with no money and no wealth. Bertuccio delivers a letter to them from the Count: he's offering them his humble 3,000 franc dowry (from Edmond Dantes, not as the Count) and the use of his father's old home in Marseilles.

The Count returns home, and he's joyfully greeted by Haydee. He looks at her, and considers that maybe he might be happy with her, and maybe God will let him fall in love again (because he's so over Mercedes). But the scene is interrupted by the announcement that the Count de Morcerf (Fernand) has arrived. Fernand challenges the Count to a duel, and it is accepted, but the Count has some psychological torture in mind. He mocks Fernand, listing all his sleazy crimes. Then the Count steps away, and dresses in his sailor suit and hints at who he really is. Fernand cries, "Edmond Dantes!" and slithers out the door. Fernand calls his carriage and arrives at the Morcef home, just in time to see Albert and Mercedes leave, and explicitly rejecting him and his home. Fernand watches them go, and sees that they never looked back. This is just too much, so he takes a pistol and shoots himself. (<this is implied. All our books use the passive voice: "A shot rang out" "a shot was heard" "a report was heard").

Next, we head to the Villefort house. Many chapters ago, we left them falling victim to a mysterious poisoner. Val tells Max that she hasn't been feeling well- appetite loss and stomach problems. She's been taking some of Grandpa's medicines, and mentioned that she just drank some sweet water and it tasted bitter. She fights her illness down to greet her visitors, Madame Danglars and Eugenie. They all chat about Eugenie's upcoming wedding, but Eugenie's not enthused, preferring to be free and to live the life of an artist. Strange girl! Even the guests notice that Val's alternately flushing and turning pale. She assures them that she's OK, and as she walks down the staircase, she blacks out and falls the last 3 steps!!! Max rushes to her, and she babbles a bit and then her body stiffens and her head rolls back. Noirtier and Max are terrified, and the servants are summoned.

Cliffhanger!!!

Discussion topics:

1) What do you think of Albert & Mercedes leaving Fernand? Good idea? And without any money or valuables? Bad idea? What were they thinking? Starving and sleeping in the streets or looking for other elephant-shaped monuments to camp out in? If you decided to leave home, because your parent/spouse turned out to be a disgraced criminal, would you leave everything behind (literally) or be practical and take money with you, no matter how it was once obtained?

2) The Count is now giving Haydee some consideration as a potential girlfriend. What do you think?

3) Finally, the Fernand showdown! Were you satisfied with his end? Or did you really, really want to see a duel? Did you notice? Fernand wasn't driven to suicide by the revelation of his crimes, or being booted from the House of Peers. It was seeing Albert and Mercedes ("all that he had loved in the world") reject him and leave. Does this humanize Fernand to us? How so much has been unsaid, but his love for them meant that much?

4) The poisoner strikes yet again! Dr. D'avrigny had once accused Val of the dirty deed... well, she definitely isn't poisoning herself!!! Whodunnit? The list of suspects keeps dwindling!