Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
you." `
` `
` The sweat started forth on Dantes brow. Until this day and `
` for how long a time! -- he had refrained from talking of the `
` treasure, which had brought upon the abbe the accusation of `
` madness. With his instinctive delicacy Edmond had preferred `
` avoiding any touch on this painful chord, and Faria had been `
` equally silent. He had taken the silence of the old man for `
` a return to reason; and now these few words uttered by `
` Faria, after so painful a crisis, seemed to indicate a `
` serious relapse into mental alienation. `
` `
` "Your treasure?" stammered Dantes. Faria smiled. `
` `
` "Yes," said he. "You have, indeed, a noble nature, Edmond, `
` and I see by your paleness and agitation what is passing in `
` your heart at this moment. No, be assured, I am not mad. `
` This treasure exists, Dantes, and if I have not been allowed `
` to possess it, you will. Yes -- you. No one would listen or `
` believe me, because everyone thought me mad; but you, who `
` must know that I am not, listen to me, and believe me so `
` afterwards if you will." `
` `
` "Alas," murmured Edmond to himself, "this is a terrible `
` relapse! There was only this blow wanting." Then he said `
` aloud, "My dear friend, your attack has, perhaps, fatigued `
` you; had you not better repose awhile? To-morrow, if you `
` will, I will hear your narrative; but to-day I wish to nurse `
` you carefully. Besides," he said, "a treasure is not a thing `
` we need hurry about." `
` `
` "On the contrary, it is a matter of the utmost importance, `
` Edmond!" replied the old man. "Who knows if to-morrow, or `
` the next day after, the third attack may not come on? and `
` then must not all be over? Yes, indeed, I have often thought `
` with a bitter joy that these riches, which would make the `
` wealth of a dozen families, will be forever lost to those `
` men who persecute me. This idea was one of vengeance to me, `
` and I tasted it slowly in the night of my dungeon and the `
` despair of my captivity. But now I have forgiven the world `
` for the love of you; now that I see you, young and with a `
` promising future, -- now that I think of all that may result `
` to you in the good fortune of such a disclosure, I shudder `
` at any delay, and tremble lest I should not assure to one as `
` worthy as yourself the possession of so vast an amount of `
` hidden wealth." Edmond turned away his head with a sigh. `
` `
` "You persist in your incredulity, Edmond," continued Faria. `
` "My words have not convinced you. I see you require proofs. `
` Well, then, read this paper, which I have never shown to any `
` one." `
` `
` "To-morrow, my dear friend," said Edmond, desirous of not `
` yielding to the old man's madness. "I thought it was `
` understood that we should not talk of that until to-morrow." `
` `
` "Then we will not talk of it until to-morrow; but read this `
` paper to-day." `
` `
` "I will not irritate him," thought Edmond, and taking the `
` paper, of which half was wanting, -- having been burnt, no `
` doubt, by some accident, -- he read: -- `
` `
` "This treasure, which may amount to two... `
` of Roman crowns in the most distant a... `
` of the second opening wh... `
` declare to belong to him alo... `
` heir. `
` "25th April, 149-" `
` `
` "Well!" said Faria, when the young man had finished reading `
` it. `
` `
` "Why," replied Dantes, "I see nothing but broken lines and `
` unconnected words, which are rendered illegible by fire." `
` `
` "Yes, to you, my friend, who read them for the first time; `
` but not for me, who have grown pale over them by many `
` nights' study, and have reconstructed every phrase, `
` completed every thought." `
` `
` "And do you believe you have discovered the hidden meaning?" `
` `
` "I am sure I have, and you shall judge for yourself; but `
` first listen to the history of this paper." `
` `
` "Silence!" exclaimed Dantes. "Steps approach -- I go -- `
` adieu." `
` `
` And Dantes, happy to escape the history and explanation `
` which would be sure to confirm his belief in his friend's `
` mental instability, glided like a snake along the narrow `
` passage; while Faria, restored by his alarm to a certain `
` amount of activity, pushed the stone into place with his `
` foot, and covered it with a mat in order the more `
` effectually to avoid discovery. `
` `
` It was the governor, who, hearing of Faria's illness from `
` the jailer, had come in person to see him. `
` `
` Faria sat up to receive him, avoiding all gestures in order `
` that he might conceal from the governor the paralysis that `
` had already half stricken him with death. His fear was lest `
` the governor, touched with pity, might order him to be `
` removed to better quarters, and thus separate him from his `
` young companion. But fortunately this was not the case, and `
` the governor left him, convinced that the poor madman, for `
` whom in his heart he felt a kind of affection, was only `
` troubled with a slight indisposition. `
` `
` During this time, Edmond, seated on his bed with his head in `
` his hands, tried to collect his scattered thoughts. Faria, `
` since their first acquaintance, had been on all points so `
` rational and logical, so wonderfully sagacious, in fact, `
` that he could not understand how so much wisdom on all `
` points could be allied with madness. Was Faria deceived as `
` to his treasure, or was all the world deceived as to Faria? `
` `
` Dantes remained in his cell all day, not daring to return to `
` his friend, thinking thus to defer the moment when he should `
` be convinced, once for all, that the abbe was mad -- such a `
` conviction would be so terrible! `
` `
` But, towards the evening after the hour for the customary `
` visit had gone by, Faria, not seeing the young man appear, `
` tried to move and get over the distance which separated `
` them. Edmond shuddered when he heard the painful efforts `
` which the old man made to drag himself along; his leg was `
` inert, and he could no longer make use of one arm. Edmond `
` was obliged to assist him, for otherwise he would not have `
` been able to enter by the small aperture which led to `
` Dantes' chamber. `
` `
` "Here I am, pursuing you remorselessly," he said with a `
` benignant smile. "You thought to escape my munificence, but `
` it is in vain. Listen to me." `
` `
` Edmond saw there was no escape, and placing the old man on `
` his bed, he seated himself on the stool beside him. `
` `
` "You know," said the abbe, "that I was the secretary and `
` intimate friend of Cardinal Spada, the last of the princes `
` of that name. I owe to this worthy lord all the happiness I `
` ever knew. He was not rich, although the wealth of his `
` family had passed into a proverb, and I heard the phrase `
` very often, `As rich as a Spada.' But he, like public rumor, `
` lived on this reputation for wealth; his palace was my `
` paradise. I was tutor to his nephews, who are dead; and when `
` he was alone in the world, I tried by absolute devotion to `
` his will, to make up to him all he had done for me during `
` ten years of unremitting kindness. The cardinal's house had `
` no secrets for me. I had often seen my noble patron `
` annotating ancient volumes, and eagerly searching amongst `
` dusty family manuscripts. One day when I was reproaching him `
` for his unavailing searches, and deploring the prostration `
` of mind that followed them, he looked at me, and, smiling `
` bitterly, opened a volume relating to the History of the `
` City of Rome. There, in the twentieth chapter of the Life of `
` Pope Alexander VI., were the following lines, which I can `
` never forget: -- `
` `
` "`The great wars of Romagna had ended; Caesar Borgia, who `
` had completed his conquest, had need of money to purchase `
` all Italy. The pope had also need of money to bring matters `
` to an end with Louis XII. King of France, who was formidable `
` still in spite of his recent reverses; and it was necessary, `
` therefore, to have recourse to some profitable scheme, which `
` was a matter of great difficulty in the impoverished `
` condition of exhausted Italy. His holiness had an idea. He `
` determined to make two cardinals.' `
` `
` "By choosing two of the greatest personages of Rome, `
` especially rich men -- this was the return the holy father `
` looked for. In the first place, he could sell the great `
` appointments and splendid offices which the cardinals `
` already held; and then he had the two hats to sell besides. `
` There was a third point in view, which will appear `
` hereafter. The pope and Caesar Borgia first found the two `
` future cardinals; they were Giovanni Rospigliosi, who held `
` four of the highest dignities of the Holy See, and Caesar `
` Spada, one of the noblest and richest of the Roman nobility; `
` both felt the high honor of such a favor from the pope. They `
` were ambitious, and Caesar Borgia soon found purchasers for `
` their appointments. The result was, that Rospigliosi and `
` Spada paid for being cardinals, and eight other persons paid `
` for the offices the cardinals held before their elevation, `
` and thus eight hundred thousand crowns entered into the `
` coffers of the speculators. `
` `
` "It is time now to proceed to the last part of the `
` speculation. The pope heaped attentions upon Rospigliosi and `
` Spada, conferred upon them the insignia of the cardinalate, `
` and induced them to arrange their affairs and take up their `
` residence at Rome. Then the pope and Caesar Borgia invited `
` the two cardinals to dinner. This was a matter of dispute `
` between the holy father and his son. Caesar thought they `
` could make use of one of the means which he always had ready `
` for his friends, that is to say, in the first place, the `
` famous key which was given to certain persons with the `
` request that they go and open a designated cupboard. This `
` key was furnished with a small iron point, -- a negligence `
`
` `
` The sweat started forth on Dantes brow. Until this day and `
` for how long a time! -- he had refrained from talking of the `
` treasure, which had brought upon the abbe the accusation of `
` madness. With his instinctive delicacy Edmond had preferred `
` avoiding any touch on this painful chord, and Faria had been `
` equally silent. He had taken the silence of the old man for `
` a return to reason; and now these few words uttered by `
` Faria, after so painful a crisis, seemed to indicate a `
` serious relapse into mental alienation. `
` `
` "Your treasure?" stammered Dantes. Faria smiled. `
` `
` "Yes," said he. "You have, indeed, a noble nature, Edmond, `
` and I see by your paleness and agitation what is passing in `
` your heart at this moment. No, be assured, I am not mad. `
` This treasure exists, Dantes, and if I have not been allowed `
` to possess it, you will. Yes -- you. No one would listen or `
` believe me, because everyone thought me mad; but you, who `
` must know that I am not, listen to me, and believe me so `
` afterwards if you will." `
` `
` "Alas," murmured Edmond to himself, "this is a terrible `
` relapse! There was only this blow wanting." Then he said `
` aloud, "My dear friend, your attack has, perhaps, fatigued `
` you; had you not better repose awhile? To-morrow, if you `
` will, I will hear your narrative; but to-day I wish to nurse `
` you carefully. Besides," he said, "a treasure is not a thing `
` we need hurry about." `
` `
` "On the contrary, it is a matter of the utmost importance, `
` Edmond!" replied the old man. "Who knows if to-morrow, or `
` the next day after, the third attack may not come on? and `
` then must not all be over? Yes, indeed, I have often thought `
` with a bitter joy that these riches, which would make the `
` wealth of a dozen families, will be forever lost to those `
` men who persecute me. This idea was one of vengeance to me, `
` and I tasted it slowly in the night of my dungeon and the `
` despair of my captivity. But now I have forgiven the world `
` for the love of you; now that I see you, young and with a `
` promising future, -- now that I think of all that may result `
` to you in the good fortune of such a disclosure, I shudder `
` at any delay, and tremble lest I should not assure to one as `
` worthy as yourself the possession of so vast an amount of `
` hidden wealth." Edmond turned away his head with a sigh. `
` `
` "You persist in your incredulity, Edmond," continued Faria. `
` "My words have not convinced you. I see you require proofs. `
` Well, then, read this paper, which I have never shown to any `
` one." `
` `
` "To-morrow, my dear friend," said Edmond, desirous of not `
` yielding to the old man's madness. "I thought it was `
` understood that we should not talk of that until to-morrow." `
` `
` "Then we will not talk of it until to-morrow; but read this `
` paper to-day." `
` `
` "I will not irritate him," thought Edmond, and taking the `
` paper, of which half was wanting, -- having been burnt, no `
` doubt, by some accident, -- he read: -- `
` `
` "This treasure, which may amount to two... `
` of Roman crowns in the most distant a... `
` of the second opening wh... `
` declare to belong to him alo... `
` heir. `
` "25th April, 149-" `
` `
` "Well!" said Faria, when the young man had finished reading `
` it. `
` `
` "Why," replied Dantes, "I see nothing but broken lines and `
` unconnected words, which are rendered illegible by fire." `
` `
` "Yes, to you, my friend, who read them for the first time; `
` but not for me, who have grown pale over them by many `
` nights' study, and have reconstructed every phrase, `
` completed every thought." `
` `
` "And do you believe you have discovered the hidden meaning?" `
` `
` "I am sure I have, and you shall judge for yourself; but `
` first listen to the history of this paper." `
` `
` "Silence!" exclaimed Dantes. "Steps approach -- I go -- `
` adieu." `
` `
` And Dantes, happy to escape the history and explanation `
` which would be sure to confirm his belief in his friend's `
` mental instability, glided like a snake along the narrow `
` passage; while Faria, restored by his alarm to a certain `
` amount of activity, pushed the stone into place with his `
` foot, and covered it with a mat in order the more `
` effectually to avoid discovery. `
` `
` It was the governor, who, hearing of Faria's illness from `
` the jailer, had come in person to see him. `
` `
` Faria sat up to receive him, avoiding all gestures in order `
` that he might conceal from the governor the paralysis that `
` had already half stricken him with death. His fear was lest `
` the governor, touched with pity, might order him to be `
` removed to better quarters, and thus separate him from his `
` young companion. But fortunately this was not the case, and `
` the governor left him, convinced that the poor madman, for `
` whom in his heart he felt a kind of affection, was only `
` troubled with a slight indisposition. `
` `
` During this time, Edmond, seated on his bed with his head in `
` his hands, tried to collect his scattered thoughts. Faria, `
` since their first acquaintance, had been on all points so `
` rational and logical, so wonderfully sagacious, in fact, `
` that he could not understand how so much wisdom on all `
` points could be allied with madness. Was Faria deceived as `
` to his treasure, or was all the world deceived as to Faria? `
` `
` Dantes remained in his cell all day, not daring to return to `
` his friend, thinking thus to defer the moment when he should `
` be convinced, once for all, that the abbe was mad -- such a `
` conviction would be so terrible! `
` `
` But, towards the evening after the hour for the customary `
` visit had gone by, Faria, not seeing the young man appear, `
` tried to move and get over the distance which separated `
` them. Edmond shuddered when he heard the painful efforts `
` which the old man made to drag himself along; his leg was `
` inert, and he could no longer make use of one arm. Edmond `
` was obliged to assist him, for otherwise he would not have `
` been able to enter by the small aperture which led to `
` Dantes' chamber. `
` `
` "Here I am, pursuing you remorselessly," he said with a `
` benignant smile. "You thought to escape my munificence, but `
` it is in vain. Listen to me." `
` `
` Edmond saw there was no escape, and placing the old man on `
` his bed, he seated himself on the stool beside him. `
` `
` "You know," said the abbe, "that I was the secretary and `
` intimate friend of Cardinal Spada, the last of the princes `
` of that name. I owe to this worthy lord all the happiness I `
` ever knew. He was not rich, although the wealth of his `
` family had passed into a proverb, and I heard the phrase `
` very often, `As rich as a Spada.' But he, like public rumor, `
` lived on this reputation for wealth; his palace was my `
` paradise. I was tutor to his nephews, who are dead; and when `
` he was alone in the world, I tried by absolute devotion to `
` his will, to make up to him all he had done for me during `
` ten years of unremitting kindness. The cardinal's house had `
` no secrets for me. I had often seen my noble patron `
` annotating ancient volumes, and eagerly searching amongst `
` dusty family manuscripts. One day when I was reproaching him `
` for his unavailing searches, and deploring the prostration `
` of mind that followed them, he looked at me, and, smiling `
` bitterly, opened a volume relating to the History of the `
` City of Rome. There, in the twentieth chapter of the Life of `
` Pope Alexander VI., were the following lines, which I can `
` never forget: -- `
` `
` "`The great wars of Romagna had ended; Caesar Borgia, who `
` had completed his conquest, had need of money to purchase `
` all Italy. The pope had also need of money to bring matters `
` to an end with Louis XII. King of France, who was formidable `
` still in spite of his recent reverses; and it was necessary, `
` therefore, to have recourse to some profitable scheme, which `
` was a matter of great difficulty in the impoverished `
` condition of exhausted Italy. His holiness had an idea. He `
` determined to make two cardinals.' `
` `
` "By choosing two of the greatest personages of Rome, `
` especially rich men -- this was the return the holy father `
` looked for. In the first place, he could sell the great `
` appointments and splendid offices which the cardinals `
` already held; and then he had the two hats to sell besides. `
` There was a third point in view, which will appear `
` hereafter. The pope and Caesar Borgia first found the two `
` future cardinals; they were Giovanni Rospigliosi, who held `
` four of the highest dignities of the Holy See, and Caesar `
` Spada, one of the noblest and richest of the Roman nobility; `
` both felt the high honor of such a favor from the pope. They `
` were ambitious, and Caesar Borgia soon found purchasers for `
` their appointments. The result was, that Rospigliosi and `
` Spada paid for being cardinals, and eight other persons paid `
` for the offices the cardinals held before their elevation, `
` and thus eight hundred thousand crowns entered into the `
` coffers of the speculators. `
` `
` "It is time now to proceed to the last part of the `
` speculation. The pope heaped attentions upon Rospigliosi and `
` Spada, conferred upon them the insignia of the cardinalate, `
` and induced them to arrange their affairs and take up their `
` residence at Rome. Then the pope and Caesar Borgia invited `
` the two cardinals to dinner. This was a matter of dispute `
` between the holy father and his son. Caesar thought they `
` could make use of one of the means which he always had ready `
` for his friends, that is to say, in the first place, the `
` famous key which was given to certain persons with the `
` request that they go and open a designated cupboard. This `
` key was furnished with a small iron point, -- a negligence `
`