The Diamond and the Temptation (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 26 – Part 17)

The abbé explains that Edmond Dantès’ diamond is to be divided into five shares—one each for Caderousse, Danglars, Fernand, Mercédès, and the late Edmond’s father, whose portion will now be shared among the four survivors. But even as the priest calmly replaces the jewel in his cassock, the atmosphere in the inn grows charged with unspoken desire. Sweat beads on Caderousse’s brow as he realizes the fortune before him could be his alone. He and La Carconte exchange dark, wordless looks, weighing whether piety or greed will guide them. His wife mutters that she will take no responsibility, “washing her hands” of what might follow. And yet, the thought gnaws at them both: the diamond could be theirs—if they dared.   ⸻   New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://countdownofmontecristo.com   Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm   Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each chapter: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod   Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf3vyewhvQugX5M3oREl57A   ⸻   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.