With the mystery sealed and the island yielding nothing more, Franz prepares to depart—uncertain whether the wonders he witnessed belonged to the waking world or to a dream already fading.

In this passage of The Count of Monte Cristo, Franz leaves Monte Cristo behind, abandoning all hope of uncovering the grotto’s secret. As Sinbad’s yacht vanishes from sight, the previous night dissolves into unreality, and the island itself disappears by the next sunrise. Franz resumes his travels, turning his attention back to society and pleasure as he makes his way toward Rome.

This moment matters because it closes the chapter on Monte Cristo as a physical place, even as its impressions linger. Franz arrives in Rome just as the city stirs with anticipation, poised between stillness and spectacle, ready to become the stage for what comes next.

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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.

If you enjoy this show, be sure to check out Odyssey: A Daily Odyssey through Homer's The Odyssey — wherever you listen to podcasts!