In the wake of his ruin, M. Morrel meets despair with dignity. Accepting the loss of the Pharaon as the will of God, he turns to his rescued sailors to settle their wages — the last act of a man determined to remain honorable even in bankruptcy. Though he insists on paying each of them two hundred francs for their service, his voice falters as he admits that what little remains in his coffers no longer belongs to him.
The sailors, moved by his honesty, refuse to take what they are owed. Penelon, speaking for them all, says they will accept only a fraction now and wait for the rest — if it ever comes. When Morrel releases them from service, telling them they are free to find other work, they react not with relief but heartbreak.
But Morrel, with quiet sorrow, explains that he has no money to build again. At that, the old sailor replies simply that they will not be paid at all.
⸻
Join us daily as we read The Count of Monte Cristo one page at a time — unabridged, immersive, and spoiler-free.
Explore every chapter and insight at countdownofmontecristo.com
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The Countdown of Monte Cristo is a daily podcast reading one page at a time 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 of The Count of Monte Cristo.
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