Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
key was furnished with a small iron point, -- a negligence `
` on the part of the locksmith. When this was pressed to `
` effect the opening of the cupboard, of which the lock was `
` difficult, the person was pricked by this small point, and `
` died next day. Then there was the ring with the lion's head, `
` which Caesar wore when he wanted to greet his friends with a `
` clasp of the hand. The lion bit the hand thus favored, and `
` at the end of twenty-four hours, the bite was mortal. Caesar `
` proposed to his father, that they should either ask the `
` cardinals to open the cupboard, or shake hands with them; `
` but Alexander VI., replied: `Now as to the worthy cardinals, `
` Spada and Rospigliosi, let us ask both of them to dinner, `
` something tells me that we shall get that money back. `
` Besides, you forget, Caesar, an indigestion declares itself `
` immediately, while a prick or a bite occasions a delay of a `
` day or two.' Caesar gave way before such cogent reasoning, `
` and the cardinals were consequently invited to dinner. `
` `
` "The table was laid in a vineyard belonging to the pope, `
` near San Pierdarena, a charming retreat which the cardinals `
` knew very well by report. Rospigliosi, quite set up with his `
` new dignities, went with a good appetite and his most `
` ingratiating manner. Spada, a prudent man, and greatly `
` attached to his only nephew, a young captain of the highest `
` promise, took paper and pen, and made his will. He then sent `
` word to his nephew to wait for him near the vineyard; but it `
` appeared the servant did not find him. `
` `
` "Spada knew what these invitations meant; since `
` Christianity, so eminently civilizing, had made progress in `
` Rome, it was no longer a centurion who came from the tyrant `
` with a message, `Caesar wills that you die.' but it was a `
` legate a latere, who came with a smile on his lips to say `
` from the pope, `His holiness requests you to dine with him.' `
` `
` "Spada set out about two o'clock to San Pierdarena. The pope `
` awaited him. The first sight that attracted the eyes of `
` Spada was that of his nephew, in full costume, and Caesar `
` Borgia paying him most marked attentions. Spada turned pale, `
` as Caesar looked at him with an ironical air, which proved `
` that he had anticipated all, and that the snare was well `
` spread. They began dinner and Spada was only able to inquire `
` of his nephew if he had received his message. The nephew `
` replied no; perfectly comprehending the meaning of the `
` question. It was too late, for he had already drunk a glass `
` of excellent wine, placed for him expressly by the pope's `
` butler. Spada at the same moment saw another bottle approach `
` him, which he was pressed to taste. An hour afterwards a `
` physician declared they were both poisoned through eating `
` mushrooms. Spada died on the threshold of the vineyard; the `
` nephew expired at his own door, making signs which his wife `
` could not comprehend. `
` `
` "Then Caesar and the pope hastened to lay hands on the `
` heritage, under presence of seeking for the papers of the `
` dead man. But the inheritance consisted in this only, a `
` scrap of paper on which Spada had written: -- `I bequeath to `
` my beloved nephew my coffers, my books, and, amongst others, `
` my breviary with the gold corners, which I beg he will `
` preserve in remembrance of his affectionate uncle.' `
` `
` "The heirs sought everywhere, admired the breviary, laid `
` hands on the furniture, and were greatly astonished that `
` Spada, the rich man, was really the most miserable of uncles `
` -- no treasures -- unless they were those of science, `
` contained in the library and laboratories. That was all. `
` Caesar and his father searched, examined, scrutinized, but `
` found nothing, or at least very little; not exceeding a few `
` thousand crowns in plate, and about the same in ready money; `
` but the nephew had time to say to his wife before he `
` expired: `Look well among my uncle's papers; there is a `
` will.' `
` `
` "They sought even more thoroughly than the august heirs had `
` done, but it was fruitless. There were two palaces and a `
` vineyard behind the Palatine Hill; but in these days landed `
` property had not much value, and the two palaces and the `
` vineyard remained to the family since they were beneath the `
` rapacity of the pope and his son. Months and years rolled `
` on. Alexander VI. died, poisoned, -- you know by what `
` mistake. Caesar, poisoned at the same time, escaped by `
` shedding his skin like a snake; but the new skin was spotted `
` by the poison till it looked like a tiger's. Then, compelled `
` to quit Rome, he went and got himself obscurely killed in a `
` night skirmish, scarcely noticed in history. After the `
` pope's death and his son's exile, it was supposed that the `
` Spada family would resume the splendid position they had `
` held before the cardinal's time; but this was not the case. `
` The Spadas remained in doubtful ease, a mystery hung over `
` this dark affair, and the public rumor was, that Caesar, a `
` better politician than his father, had carried off from the `
` pope the fortune of the two cardinals. I say the two, `
` because Cardinal Rospigliosi, who had not taken any `
` precaution, was completely despoiled. `
` `
` "Up to this point," said Faria, interrupting the thread of `
` his narrative, "this seems to you very meaningless, no `
` doubt, eh?" `
` `
` "Oh, my friend," cried Dantes, "on the contrary, it seems as `
` if I were reading a most interesting narrative; go on, I beg `
` of you." `
` `
` "I will." `
` `
` "The family began to get accustomed to their obscurity. `
` Years rolled on, and amongst the descendants some were `
` soldiers, others diplomatists; some churchmen, some bankers; `
` some grew rich, and some were ruined. I come now to the last `
` of the family, whose secretary I was -- the Count of Spada. `
` I had often heard him complain of the disproportion of his `
` rank with his fortune; and I advised him to invest all he `
` had in an annuity. He did so, and thus doubled his income. `
` The celebrated breviary remained in the family, and was in `
` the count's possession. It had been handed down from father `
` to son; for the singular clause of the only will that had `
` been found, had caused it to be regarded as a genuine relic, `
` preserved in the family with superstitious veneration. It `
` was an illuminated book, with beautiful Gothic characters, `
` and so weighty with gold, that a servant always carried it `
` before the cardinal on days of great solemnity. `
` `
` "At the sight of papers of all sorts, -- titles, contracts, `
` parchments, which were kept in the archives of the family, `
` all descending from the poisoned cardinal, I in my turn `
` examined the immense bundles of documents, like twenty `
` servitors, stewards, secretaries before me; but in spite of `
` the most exhaustive researches, I found -- nothing. Yet I `
` had read, I had even written a precise history of the Borgia `
` family, for the sole purpose of assuring myself whether any `
` increase of fortune had occurred to them on the death of the `
` Cardinal Caesar Spada; but could only trace the acquisition `
` of the property of the Cardinal Rospigliosi, his companion `
` in misfortune. `
` `
` "I was then almost assured that the inheritance had neither `
` profited the Borgias nor the family, but had remained `
` unpossessed like the treasures of the Arabian Nights, which `
` slept in the bosom of the earth under the eyes of the genie. `
` I searched, ransacked, counted, calculated a thousand and a `
` thousand times the income and expenditure of the family for `
` three hundred years. It was useless. I remained in my `
` ignorance, and the Count of Spada in his poverty. My patron `
` died. He had reserved from his annuity his family papers, `
` his library, composed of five thousand volumes, and his `
` famous breviary. All these he bequeathed to me, with a `
` thousand Roman crowns, which he had in ready money, on `
` condition that I would have anniversary masses said for the `
` repose of his soul, and that I would draw up a genealogical `
` tree and history of his house. All this I did scrupulously. `
` Be easy, my dear Edmond, we are near the conclusion. `
` `
` "In 1807, a month before I was arrested, and a fortnight `
` after the death of the Count of Spada, on the 25th of `
` December (you will see presently how the date became fixed `
` in my memory), I was reading, for the thousandth time, the `
` papers I was arranging, for the palace was sold to a `
` stranger, and I was going to leave Rome and settle at `
` Florence, intending to take with me twelve thousand francs I `
` possessed, my library, and the famous breviary, when, tired `
` with my constant labor at the same thing, and overcome by a `
` heavy dinner I had eaten, my head dropped on my hands, and I `
` fell asleep about three o'clock in the afternoon. I awoke as `
` the clock was striking six. I raised my head; I was in utter `
` darkness. I rang for a light, but as no one came, I `
` determined to find one for myself. It was indeed but `
` anticipating the simple manners which I should soon be under `
` the necessity of adopting. I took a wax-candle in one hand, `
` and with the other groped about for a piece of paper (my `
` match-box being empty), with which I proposed to get a light `
` from the small flame still playing on the embers. Fearing, `
` however, to make use of any valuable piece of paper, I `
` hesitated for a moment, then recollected that I had seen in `
` the famous breviary, which was on the table beside me, an `
` old paper quite yellow with age, and which had served as a `
` marker for centuries, kept there by the request of the `
` heirs. I felt for it, found it, twisted it up together, and `
` putting it into the expiring flame, set light to it. `
` `
` "But beneath my fingers, as if by magic, in proportion as `
` the fire ascended, I saw yellowish characters appear on the `
` paper. I grasped it in my hand, put out the flame as quickly `
` as I could, lighted my taper in the fire itself, and opened `
` the crumpled paper with inexpressible emotion, recognizing, `
` when I had done so, that these characters had been traced in `
` mysterious and sympathetic ink, only appearing when exposed `
` to the fire; nearly one-third of the paper had been consumed `
` by the flame. It was that paper you read this morning; read `
` it again, Dantes, and then I will complete for you the `
` incomplete words and unconnected sense." `
` `
` Faria, with an air of triumph, offered the paper to Dantes, `
` who this time read the following words, traced with an ink `
` of a reddish color resembling rust: -- `
` `
` "This 25th day of April, 1498, be... `
` Alexander VI., and fearing that not... `
` he may desire to become my heir, and re... `
` and Bentivoglio, who were poisoned,... `
` my sole heir, that I have bu... `
` and has visited with me, that is, in... `
`
` on the part of the locksmith. When this was pressed to `
` effect the opening of the cupboard, of which the lock was `
` difficult, the person was pricked by this small point, and `
` died next day. Then there was the ring with the lion's head, `
` which Caesar wore when he wanted to greet his friends with a `
` clasp of the hand. The lion bit the hand thus favored, and `
` at the end of twenty-four hours, the bite was mortal. Caesar `
` proposed to his father, that they should either ask the `
` cardinals to open the cupboard, or shake hands with them; `
` but Alexander VI., replied: `Now as to the worthy cardinals, `
` Spada and Rospigliosi, let us ask both of them to dinner, `
` something tells me that we shall get that money back. `
` Besides, you forget, Caesar, an indigestion declares itself `
` immediately, while a prick or a bite occasions a delay of a `
` day or two.' Caesar gave way before such cogent reasoning, `
` and the cardinals were consequently invited to dinner. `
` `
` "The table was laid in a vineyard belonging to the pope, `
` near San Pierdarena, a charming retreat which the cardinals `
` knew very well by report. Rospigliosi, quite set up with his `
` new dignities, went with a good appetite and his most `
` ingratiating manner. Spada, a prudent man, and greatly `
` attached to his only nephew, a young captain of the highest `
` promise, took paper and pen, and made his will. He then sent `
` word to his nephew to wait for him near the vineyard; but it `
` appeared the servant did not find him. `
` `
` "Spada knew what these invitations meant; since `
` Christianity, so eminently civilizing, had made progress in `
` Rome, it was no longer a centurion who came from the tyrant `
` with a message, `Caesar wills that you die.' but it was a `
` legate a latere, who came with a smile on his lips to say `
` from the pope, `His holiness requests you to dine with him.' `
` `
` "Spada set out about two o'clock to San Pierdarena. The pope `
` awaited him. The first sight that attracted the eyes of `
` Spada was that of his nephew, in full costume, and Caesar `
` Borgia paying him most marked attentions. Spada turned pale, `
` as Caesar looked at him with an ironical air, which proved `
` that he had anticipated all, and that the snare was well `
` spread. They began dinner and Spada was only able to inquire `
` of his nephew if he had received his message. The nephew `
` replied no; perfectly comprehending the meaning of the `
` question. It was too late, for he had already drunk a glass `
` of excellent wine, placed for him expressly by the pope's `
` butler. Spada at the same moment saw another bottle approach `
` him, which he was pressed to taste. An hour afterwards a `
` physician declared they were both poisoned through eating `
` mushrooms. Spada died on the threshold of the vineyard; the `
` nephew expired at his own door, making signs which his wife `
` could not comprehend. `
` `
` "Then Caesar and the pope hastened to lay hands on the `
` heritage, under presence of seeking for the papers of the `
` dead man. But the inheritance consisted in this only, a `
` scrap of paper on which Spada had written: -- `I bequeath to `
` my beloved nephew my coffers, my books, and, amongst others, `
` my breviary with the gold corners, which I beg he will `
` preserve in remembrance of his affectionate uncle.' `
` `
` "The heirs sought everywhere, admired the breviary, laid `
` hands on the furniture, and were greatly astonished that `
` Spada, the rich man, was really the most miserable of uncles `
` -- no treasures -- unless they were those of science, `
` contained in the library and laboratories. That was all. `
` Caesar and his father searched, examined, scrutinized, but `
` found nothing, or at least very little; not exceeding a few `
` thousand crowns in plate, and about the same in ready money; `
` but the nephew had time to say to his wife before he `
` expired: `Look well among my uncle's papers; there is a `
` will.' `
` `
` "They sought even more thoroughly than the august heirs had `
` done, but it was fruitless. There were two palaces and a `
` vineyard behind the Palatine Hill; but in these days landed `
` property had not much value, and the two palaces and the `
` vineyard remained to the family since they were beneath the `
` rapacity of the pope and his son. Months and years rolled `
` on. Alexander VI. died, poisoned, -- you know by what `
` mistake. Caesar, poisoned at the same time, escaped by `
` shedding his skin like a snake; but the new skin was spotted `
` by the poison till it looked like a tiger's. Then, compelled `
` to quit Rome, he went and got himself obscurely killed in a `
` night skirmish, scarcely noticed in history. After the `
` pope's death and his son's exile, it was supposed that the `
` Spada family would resume the splendid position they had `
` held before the cardinal's time; but this was not the case. `
` The Spadas remained in doubtful ease, a mystery hung over `
` this dark affair, and the public rumor was, that Caesar, a `
` better politician than his father, had carried off from the `
` pope the fortune of the two cardinals. I say the two, `
` because Cardinal Rospigliosi, who had not taken any `
` precaution, was completely despoiled. `
` `
` "Up to this point," said Faria, interrupting the thread of `
` his narrative, "this seems to you very meaningless, no `
` doubt, eh?" `
` `
` "Oh, my friend," cried Dantes, "on the contrary, it seems as `
` if I were reading a most interesting narrative; go on, I beg `
` of you." `
` `
` "I will." `
` `
` "The family began to get accustomed to their obscurity. `
` Years rolled on, and amongst the descendants some were `
` soldiers, others diplomatists; some churchmen, some bankers; `
` some grew rich, and some were ruined. I come now to the last `
` of the family, whose secretary I was -- the Count of Spada. `
` I had often heard him complain of the disproportion of his `
` rank with his fortune; and I advised him to invest all he `
` had in an annuity. He did so, and thus doubled his income. `
` The celebrated breviary remained in the family, and was in `
` the count's possession. It had been handed down from father `
` to son; for the singular clause of the only will that had `
` been found, had caused it to be regarded as a genuine relic, `
` preserved in the family with superstitious veneration. It `
` was an illuminated book, with beautiful Gothic characters, `
` and so weighty with gold, that a servant always carried it `
` before the cardinal on days of great solemnity. `
` `
` "At the sight of papers of all sorts, -- titles, contracts, `
` parchments, which were kept in the archives of the family, `
` all descending from the poisoned cardinal, I in my turn `
` examined the immense bundles of documents, like twenty `
` servitors, stewards, secretaries before me; but in spite of `
` the most exhaustive researches, I found -- nothing. Yet I `
` had read, I had even written a precise history of the Borgia `
` family, for the sole purpose of assuring myself whether any `
` increase of fortune had occurred to them on the death of the `
` Cardinal Caesar Spada; but could only trace the acquisition `
` of the property of the Cardinal Rospigliosi, his companion `
` in misfortune. `
` `
` "I was then almost assured that the inheritance had neither `
` profited the Borgias nor the family, but had remained `
` unpossessed like the treasures of the Arabian Nights, which `
` slept in the bosom of the earth under the eyes of the genie. `
` I searched, ransacked, counted, calculated a thousand and a `
` thousand times the income and expenditure of the family for `
` three hundred years. It was useless. I remained in my `
` ignorance, and the Count of Spada in his poverty. My patron `
` died. He had reserved from his annuity his family papers, `
` his library, composed of five thousand volumes, and his `
` famous breviary. All these he bequeathed to me, with a `
` thousand Roman crowns, which he had in ready money, on `
` condition that I would have anniversary masses said for the `
` repose of his soul, and that I would draw up a genealogical `
` tree and history of his house. All this I did scrupulously. `
` Be easy, my dear Edmond, we are near the conclusion. `
` `
` "In 1807, a month before I was arrested, and a fortnight `
` after the death of the Count of Spada, on the 25th of `
` December (you will see presently how the date became fixed `
` in my memory), I was reading, for the thousandth time, the `
` papers I was arranging, for the palace was sold to a `
` stranger, and I was going to leave Rome and settle at `
` Florence, intending to take with me twelve thousand francs I `
` possessed, my library, and the famous breviary, when, tired `
` with my constant labor at the same thing, and overcome by a `
` heavy dinner I had eaten, my head dropped on my hands, and I `
` fell asleep about three o'clock in the afternoon. I awoke as `
` the clock was striking six. I raised my head; I was in utter `
` darkness. I rang for a light, but as no one came, I `
` determined to find one for myself. It was indeed but `
` anticipating the simple manners which I should soon be under `
` the necessity of adopting. I took a wax-candle in one hand, `
` and with the other groped about for a piece of paper (my `
` match-box being empty), with which I proposed to get a light `
` from the small flame still playing on the embers. Fearing, `
` however, to make use of any valuable piece of paper, I `
` hesitated for a moment, then recollected that I had seen in `
` the famous breviary, which was on the table beside me, an `
` old paper quite yellow with age, and which had served as a `
` marker for centuries, kept there by the request of the `
` heirs. I felt for it, found it, twisted it up together, and `
` putting it into the expiring flame, set light to it. `
` `
` "But beneath my fingers, as if by magic, in proportion as `
` the fire ascended, I saw yellowish characters appear on the `
` paper. I grasped it in my hand, put out the flame as quickly `
` as I could, lighted my taper in the fire itself, and opened `
` the crumpled paper with inexpressible emotion, recognizing, `
` when I had done so, that these characters had been traced in `
` mysterious and sympathetic ink, only appearing when exposed `
` to the fire; nearly one-third of the paper had been consumed `
` by the flame. It was that paper you read this morning; read `
` it again, Dantes, and then I will complete for you the `
` incomplete words and unconnected sense." `
` `
` Faria, with an air of triumph, offered the paper to Dantes, `
` who this time read the following words, traced with an ink `
` of a reddish color resembling rust: -- `
` `
` "This 25th day of April, 1498, be... `
` Alexander VI., and fearing that not... `
` he may desire to become my heir, and re... `
` and Bentivoglio, who were poisoned,... `
` my sole heir, that I have bu... `
` and has visited with me, that is, in... `
`