Chapter 35: The Colosseum
While visiting the Colosseum in Rome, Franz overhears
a conversation between his mysterious Monte Cristo host (Dantès)
and the bandit chief Luigi Vampa. An innocent shepherd named Peppino has
been arrested for being an accomplice to bandits. Although he merely
provided them with food, he has been sentenced to a public beheading,
which is to take place in two days. Monte Cristo promises to buy
Peppino’s freedom, and Vampa pledges his everlasting loyalty in
return.
The next evening, Franz and Albert attend the opera, and
Franz again sees his mysterious host. Monte Cristo is accompanied
by Haydée, the most beautiful woman Franz has ever seen, dressed
in a Greek costume. The lovely Countess G—, who is sitting with
Franz and Albert, is terrified by the mysterious and deathly pale
Monte Cristo, whom she is certain is a vampire. The following morning, the
hotel owner informs Franz and Albert that their fellow guest, Monte
Cristo, has offered to lend them his coach for the duration of the
carnival. Albert and Franz pay a visit to Monte Cristo, and Franz is
stunned to discover that he is the same man who acted as his mysterious
host on the island of Monte Cristo.
Chapter 36: La Mazzolata
Before breakfast, Monte Cristo invites the two young men
to watch a public execution from his private windows. He admits
to a fascination with executions. The three men engage in a discussion
about the limits and shortcomings of human justice. At the execution,
one of the two condemned, Peppino, is granted a reprieve. Monte
Cristo watches impassively as the other is brutally executed. He
appears to take great pleasure in watching vengeance play out.
Chapter 37: The Carnival at Rome
During the three days of the carnival, Albert
becomes engaged in an elaborate flirtation with a beautiful woman.
He is eager to have several love affairs while in Rome and decides
to devote all his energies to pursuing this opportunity.
Chapter 38: The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian
The beautiful woman turns out to be Luigi Vampa’s mistress,
Teresa, and the flirtation is actually a trap. The bandit chief
kidnaps Albert, and Franz receives a ransom note. Unable to pay
the ransom, he approaches Monte Cristo for help. Peppino, who delivered
the ransom note, leads Franz and Monte Cristo to the bandits’ lair
in the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian. Vampa greets Monte Cristo warmly and
sets Albert free with many apologies. Though Albert is surprisingly
unfazed by the fact that he has so narrowly escaped a grisly end,
he is nonetheless enormously grateful to Monte Cristo for saving
him.
Chapter 39: The Rendezvous
In return for saving his life, Monte Cristo asks Albert
to introduce him to Parisian society when he visits the city in
three months’ time. Albert is delighted. Franz, however, is wary,
noting that Monte Cristo seems to shudder involuntarily when he
is forced to shake hands with Albert. In an attempt to warn his
friend away from Monte Cristo, Franz tells Albert about his experience
on the isle of Monte Cristo and the conversation between Vampa and
Monte Cristo he overheard in the Colosseum. This additional information leaves
Albert only more enchanted with his savior.
