Frank, gifted young mate of the Pharaon, adored by his crew and on the brink of a captaincy and marriage.
Edmond Dantès sails the Pharaon home to Marseilles as her mate, having taken command after Captain Leclère died of brain-fever at sea. Competent, modest, and universally beloved by the crew, he impresses the owner Morrel, who all but promises him the captaincy at only twenty. Dantès carries out Leclère's dying wishes without suspicion: he touched at Elba to deliver a packet to Marshal Bertrand and even spoke with the exiled emperor.
His two dearest purposes ashore are his aged father and his betrothed Mercédès. He notices, but does not fear, the quiet enmity of the supercargo Danglars.
A fine, tall, slim young fellow of eighteen or twenty, with black eyes and hair as dark as a raven's wing; his whole bearing shows the calm resolution of men bred from the cradle to face danger, dressed in the neat merchant-service garb between military and civil.
Protagonist; the honest young sailor whose rise draws the envy that will undo him.