It is a sad thing to be in love with someone who never did love you, someone who means the world to you, but would give her heart to another, unworthy fellow. Worse yet to comfort this girl that you love when she laments this unworthy fellows absence, having to listen to her speak of this wretch with all the passion and longing you feel for her. It is a hell in itself. Literally hell! So Fernand has suffered these love months as he has had to watch his dear cherished cousin lament over that hateful Edmond Dantes. To hear her sigh for him and cry for him - appalling! This man is utterly unworthy of her attentions. Much against his better judgment his followed her and the fool's father to the port to which his ship put into harbor. Watched the sicken reunion with the same feeling as though a knife had been driven into his heart. If only Dantes hadn't come back.

"Some fool's have more luck than they deserve," said a passing sailor, who observed Fernand's anguish. "Your woman?"

"Perhaps... If not for him!" Fernand sulked.

"Aye, that was has been a thorn in my side as well," the sailor agreed. "What say you to a drink and a sympathetic ear? The name's Danglars. I could stand some company that doesn't think young Dantes that greatest thing imaginable."

Danglars sneered at the news and Fernand groaned, dropping his head down on the table. His overwhelming anger at Dantes was reflected in his anger at Cauderousse for being the bearer of the bad news and taking such joy in it. He looked down at Fernand, who hated Dantes as much as he did. In the state he was in he was likely to kill the upstart. Then an idea dawned on him. "I did not think it was the way of your people to sit there and tear your hair, instead of looking for a way to resolve the situation�"

"What would you have me do?" Fernand snarled. "I would stab the man, but Merc�d�s told me that if any thing happened to him, she would kill herself."

"Women say those things all the time, but never do them."

"She would!"

Fool! Danglars thought. What the matter if she kills herself so long as Dant�s is not captain?

Something in Cauderousse�s words sparked an idea in Danglars�s too cunning mind. Possibilities began to swim into his thought, some he rejected, some that inspired other trains of thought, until a plan began to form. "You seem to me to be a good, intelligent sort of fellow,� he lied expertly. �hang me, if I shouldn�t like to help you."

Fernand perked up hopefully. �Yes?�

"I suppose it would be sufficient that Dant�s did not marry Mademoiselle Merecedes, yes? This marriage might easily be thwarted� without Dant�s�s death."

Fernand made a disgusted noise and rose impatiently, preparing to leave before his anger had him lash out at the drunk.

"Let him ramble on, he�s too drunk to know what he says " said Danglars, catching hold of Fernand�s arm. "Listen� absence severs as well as death. If the walls of a prison were between Edmond and Merc�d�s they would be as effective as though he lay under a tombstone. So, you see there is no need to kill him." He smiled as the comprehension dawned on Fernand�s face.

"It certainly would... that is if, you have the means of having Dant�s arrested,� Fernand said slowly, as he thought. �Do you have that means?"

"A means can be found...� Danglars said silkily � the fish was on the hook.

"Who said a word about killing him you idiot?" Danglars retorted. "Fernand and I were joking... you go on drinking to his health." Danglars filled Caderousse's glass, before turning back to Fernand. "Now what was I saying? This drunk has made me lose track�."

�You were speaking of a means of disposing of Dant�s without violence,� Fernand supplied anxiously.

�Ah, yes. Exactly so,� Danglars said, as he hailed a waiter. �Pen, ink, and paper," he told the man.

�Pen, ink, and paper?" Fernand echoed.

"Precisely,� Danglars replied. �Pay attention! I am a going to show how these tools are superior to any gun or sword." The waiter brought the requested items and another bottle of wine. Fernand watched as Danglars carefully laid out the items, dipped the stylus into the ink pot, and stared reflectively at a point in the air just between himself and the table � thinking.

"I do not know what personal hatred you have for Dant�s,� Fernand said slowly. �But I know that you have some greater motive than my happiness." He knew better than to assume than any favor was done without price.

"I have no hatred against Dant�s? None, on my word!� Danglars feigned indignity. �Your happiness was my sole interest... but since you think so little of my intent, adieu, my friend.� Danglars rose as though meaning to depart, fully expect Fernand to stop him. He did.

"No, no, stay!" Fernand said, restraining him, " It is of no consequence to me whether you hate Dant�s or not. I hate him! I admit it openly. If you have the means to destroy him, I will execute it, so long as it is not to kill the man. Merc�d�s has declared she will kill herself if Dant�s is killed."

�Kill him? No,� Danglars said superiorly. �My way is better.�

Caderousse did not seem nearly so inebriated as Danglars had thought, but no matter so long as he did not interfere with the plan. If needs be the tailor could be dealt with easily, wordlessly he pushed the bottle of wine closer.

"As I was saying, there is no need to harm Edmond," Danglars lectured. "The walls of a prison are as effective as death to sever bonds... if such walls were between Dantes and your Mercedes, you would have your work done without resorting to murder." Fernand sat straight up, blinking in surprise and admiration for Danglars keen wit. Clearly he had done well to befriend the sailor, but such friends were just is likely to turn on a friend... he would have to step carefully when dealing with this man.

"And why should they put Dantes in prison?" Caderousse interrupted. "Who has he robbed or killed?" But Danglars and Fernand learned to ignore him.

"An inspiring plan, if you have the means of having Dantes arrested," Fernand said carefully. "Have you the means?"

"A means can be found," Danglars said smoothly. "... The Pharoan touched at the Island of Elba by Dantes's order... and everyone know Elba's occupant, if say someone were to denounce him to the king's procureur, as a Bonapartist agent... he would be hard pressed to vindicate himself."

"I will denounce him!" Fernand rushed in excitedly.

"No," Danglars rolled his eyes in exaperation. "If you denounce him, they will make you sign the declaration and confront him you have denounced. I can supply you with the means of supporting your accusations, but Dantes will not remain in prison forever and the day he is release you will be the first and..."

"Let him come!" Fernand interupted. "I have no fear of Dantes."

"AND... Mercedes will also know the name of Dantes's accuser and detest you for it." Fernand thumped the table with his fist.

"Damn!" said Fernand.

Danglar slid back into his lecture, "Now listen, watch, and learn. This deed must never be traced back to us... watch... I will take this pen, dip it into the ink, and write the denunciation we propose with my left hand. That way the writing will not be recognized and should Dantes return he will know of no grudge with us." Fernand watched as Danglars penned the denunciation in a matter and style that no one would recognize the penmanship for his own. The letter was addressed to the king's attorney and Fernand read the words under his breath as Danglars wrote, "It is my sad duty to inform you, sire, that one Edmond Dantes, mate of the ship, Pharaon, which has arrived this morning from Smyrna after having touched at Naples and Porto-Ferrajo, has committed treason in that he was intrusted by Murat with a letter for the usurper, and, upon delivery, further commissioned to deliver a letter by the upsurer for the Bonapartist committee in Paris. This letter will be found upon him, or at his father's, or in his cabin on board the Pharaon." And the letter was signed, "A very loyal friend of the throne and religion.

"Now," Danglars pronounced. "Your revenge in no way can be traced to yourself, and the events will work on their own momentum." Danglars folded the letter and wrote upon it, `To the king's attorney.' Wordlessly he held the letter to Fernand, who hesitated. "No one will know the part you played unless you tell them?"

"What about him?" Fernand gesture to Caderousse, now slumped on the table.

"He will say nothing."

"So we are really doing this?"

"That's right." Fernand took the letter and quickly slipped it into his pocket. Danglers smile made him wonder what devil pact he made, but it was done - and he, Fernand would not turn back.