Villefort, carefully avoiding all names, says that he learned of this plot from a man (Dantès) whom he immediately ordered to be arrested when he learned that this man planned to carry a message to a dangerous Bonapartist in Paris (actually, Villefort's own father).Īt that moment, the Minister of Police arrives and announces that Bonaparte landed near Antibes two days ago and is now marching on Paris. Villefort brings news of 'dire importance' about a traitorous conspiracy: Napoleon has manned three ships, has left Elba, and is undoubtedly sailing for France. In his study at the Tuileries in Paris, King Louis XVIII jokes about Bonaparte's partisans causing 'trouble' in the south of France - that is, he jokes about it until Villefort's arrival is announced.
