Although Albert’s guests were skeptical about the stories Albert was telling them about the count before he arrived, they become impressed with the count as soon as he makes an appearance. The guests might still have their questions concerning the count’s background, but after witnessing his unaffected, confident manner, they believe the stories they have heard and quickly become fascinated with the man.

At the breakfast table, Dantes dazzles Albert’s guests with his tales of his gracious benevolence. Most of the guests conclude that he is either telling the truth or is completely mad in the way he gives his money away.

Maximilian Morrel extends an invitation for the count to stay with his sister, Julie (whom Dantes as Sinbad the Sailor had given a jewel for her dowry), but the count informs everyone he has already bought a house of his own. This adds to the guests’ fascination; they are surprised that he could do this so quickly.

The count is very subdued through all the conversations at the table. The only emotions he registers in relationship to the people at the breakfast are an undeniably warm affection toward Maximilian and an abrasive reaction when Albert announces that he plans to marry Danglars’s daughter, Eugenia. The guests do not seem to notice these reactions.

All but the count leave. When they are alone, Albert shows the count around his residence. Albert is impressed that count is able to identify every artist of every painting in his house. When they come to the portrait of Albert’s mother, the count stops and appears to be emotionally moved. It is a painting of Mercedes.

Fernand, Albert’s father, makes a brief appearance. He is cordial to the count and does not seem to recognize him as Dantes. When Mercedes walks into the room, however, she is obviously taken aback. She does not know for sure who the man is, but she feels unsettled in his presence. After the count leaves, Mercedes questions her son about the count; she wants to know where and how he lives.

The count has purchased not only a large house in Paris but also a country home at the outskirts of the city. When his servant, Bertuccio, discovers where this country house is located, he becomes reluctant to go there. The count insists that Bertuccio join him on his first visit to the other newly purchased house. Before leaving, the count checks in a locked notebook to verify that the address of the second home is identical to the address he has written in his notebook.

After arriving at the second home, readers find out that this house once belonged to Villefort, the attorney who sentenced Dantes to prison. While touring the house, Bertuccio confesses that the reason he is nervous is that he had attempted to murder Villefort in the garden of this very house. Bertuccio also tells the count that Villefort is an evil man and he can prove it. Bertuccio says he will tell the count the whole story.

Bertuccio had an older brother who fought for Napoleon upon the emperor’s return to France. While in France, Bertuccio’s brother was assassinated by Royalists. Upon hearing of his brother’s murder, Bertuccio went to see Villefort to ask for an inquiry and for Villefort to arrest his brother’s killers. Villefort refuses. So Bertuccio requests a pension for his brother’s wife. Again Villefort denies him. So Bertuccio swears at Villefort and claims he will find him no matter where he goes and will murder him.

Villefort is afraid of Bertuccio’s threat and flees Marseilles. Bertuccio follows him everywhere until he can find an opportunity to murder Villefort and get away with it. Bertuccio is watching Villefort one night when he travels to the same house that the count has just purchased. At this house, Villefort keeps a mistress. Bertuccio notices that the woman is young and pregnant.

Bertuccio decides to wait for a better opportunity to kill Villefort. Time passes and Villefort returns to this house to visit his mistress. Bertuccio hears someone moaning from inside the house. Hours later, Villefort appears in the garden carrying a box he buries in the backyard. Bertuccio assaults Villefort with a knife. When Villefort collapses, Bertuccio digs up the box Villefort had buried and finds an almost-dead newborn baby inside. Bertuccio resuscitates the baby and gives it to his sister-in-law to raise. Villefort was only wounded.

Bertuccio begins another story; this one is about Caderousse. Bertuccio happened to be hiding behind Caderousse’s inn when he saw a jeweler meet with the innkeeper. The jeweler paid Caderousse a large sum of money for a special jewel Caderousse owned. When a rainstorm develops, the jeweler decides to spend the night at the inn. Bertuccio overhears Caderousse scheme with his wife about how they can make even more money.