Final answer:
The Count asked Maximilien to promise never to attempt to take another person's life, with a warning of lethal consequences if the promise is broken.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage appears to refer to the character of the Count asking Maximilien to promise never to attempt to take another person's life. This condition is stated in a stern manner, emphasizing the seriousness of the agreement between them.
It is noted that the Count has the power to know whether this promise is kept and warns of lethal retribution if the promise is broken, highlighting the tension and potential consequences in the narrative.
In the book 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' when the Count returned to town with Maximillien, he asked Maximillien to promise him that he would never try to kill another man. The Count made it clear that he would know if the promise was broken and would take action accordingly.