Franz overhears a conversation with the Count and learns the name Gankutsuou.
Albert is accidentally poisoned. It was meant for Valentine, who is now in a bad way. We know it's her stepmother.
Andrea Cavalcanti, the Count's other protégé, implies things, mysteriously.
The three heads of household receive an invitation to a funeral. The sender is a man they had betrayed, who they thought was dead.
Their coconspirator in this was also invited.
The youths sneak Valentine out of her house, but are caught in the act.