A Reprieve That Isn’t Enough (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 30 – Part 1)

The unexpected extension granted by the representative of Thomson & French transforms the Morrel household overnight. What had felt like the final blow now appears as a gift from Providence, and for the first time in months, hope softens the family’s despair. Morrel shares the news with his wife, his daughter Julie, and Emmanuel, and all begin to breathe again.

But beneath that fragile relief lies a cruel truth: Morrel’s debts extend far beyond the considerate grace shown by Thomson & French. Other creditors — less patient, less farsighted — continue to press him. The bills they present arrive with mechanical precision, and thanks to the extension he has been granted, Cocles pays them with the same exacting punctuality as always. The loyal cashier remains tranquil, convinced the business still stands.

Only Morrel understands the math of his downfall. Even with the three-month grace period, the debts looming on the 15th and 30th — 50,000 francs to M. de Boville and 32,500 francs to other firms — will destroy him if the funds cannot be found. The reprieve has bought time, not salvation, and the closer the Fifth of September draws, the more Morrel feels doom tightening around him.

 

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The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page a day from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel — every day, for four years. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story.