Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
sciences that you have made so easy to me by the depth of `
` the knowledge you possess of them, and the clearness of the `
` principles to which you have reduced them -- this is my `
` treasure, my beloved friend, and with this you have made me `
` rich and happy. Believe me, and take comfort, this is better `
` for me than tons of gold and cases of diamonds, even were `
` they not as problematical as the clouds we see in the `
` morning floating over the sea, which we take for terra `
` firma, and which evaporate and vanish as we draw near to `
` them. To have you as long as possible near me, to hear your `
` eloquent speech, -- which embellishes my mind, strengthens `
` my soul, and makes my whole frame capable of great and `
` terrible things, if I should ever be free, -- so fills my `
` whole existence, that the despair to which I was just on the `
` point of yielding when I knew you, has no longer any hold `
` over me; and this -- this is my fortune -- not chimerical, `
` but actual. I owe you my real good, my present happiness; `
` and all the sovereigns of the earth, even Caesar Borgia `
` himself, could not deprive me of this." `
` `
` Thus, if not actually happy, yet the days these two `
` unfortunates passed together went quickly. Faria, who for so `
` long a time had kept silence as to the treasure, now `
` perpetually talked of it. As he had prophesied would be the `
` case, he remained paralyzed in the right arm and the left `
` leg, and had given up all hope of ever enjoying it himself. `
` But he was continually thinking over some means of escape `
` for his young companion, and anticipating the pleasure he `
` would enjoy. For fear the letter might be some day lost or `
` stolen, he compelled Dantes to learn it by heart; and Dantes `
` knew it from the first to the last word. Then he destroyed `
` the second portion, assured that if the first were seized, `
` no one would be able to discover its real meaning. Whole `
` hours sometimes passed while Faria was giving instructions `
` to Dantes, -- instructions which were to serve him when he `
` was at liberty. Then, once free, from the day and hour and `
` moment when he was so, he could have but one only thought, `
` which was, to gain Monte Cristo by some means, and remain `
` there alone under some pretext which would arouse no `
` suspicions; and once there, to endeavor to find the `
` wonderful caverns, and search in the appointed spot, -- the `
` appointed spot, be it remembered, being the farthest angle `
` in the second opening. `
` `
` In the meanwhile the hours passed, if not rapidly, at least `
` tolerably. Faria, as we have said, without having recovered `
` the use of his hand and foot, had regained all the clearness `
` of his understanding, and had gradually, besides the moral `
` instructions we have detailed, taught his youthful companion `
` the patient and sublime duty of a prisoner, who learns to `
` make something from nothing. They were thus perpetually `
` employed, -- Faria, that he might not see himself grow old; `
` Dantes, for fear of recalling the almost extinct past which `
` now only floated in his memory like a distant light `
` wandering in the night. So life went on for them as it does `
` for those who are not victims of misfortune and whose `
` activities glide along mechanically and tranquilly beneath `
` the eye of providence. `
` `
` But beneath this superficial calm there were in the heart of `
` the young man, and perhaps in that of the old man, many `
` repressed desires, many stifled sighs, which found vent when `
` Faria was left alone, and when Edmond returned to his cell. `
` One night Edmond awoke suddenly, believing that he heard `
` some one calling him. He opened his eyes upon utter `
` darkness. His name, or rather a plaintive voice which `
` essayed to pronounce his name, reached him. He sat up in bed `
` and a cold sweat broke out upon his brow. Undoubtedly the `
` call came from Faria's dungeon. "Alas," murmured Edmond; `
` "can it be?" `
` `
` He moved his bed, drew up the stone, rushed into the `
` passage, and reached the opposite extremity; the secret `
` entrance was open. By the light of the wretched and wavering `
` lamp, of which we have spoken, Dantes saw the old man, pale, `
` but yet erect, clinging to the bedstead. His features were `
` writhing with those horrible symptoms which he already knew, `
` and which had so seriously alarmed him when he saw them for `
` the first time. `
` `
` "Alas, my dear friend," said Faria in a resigned tone, "you `
` understand, do you not, and I need not attempt to explain to `
` you?" `
` `
` Edmond uttered a cry of agony, and, quite out of his senses, `
` rushed towards the door, exclaiming, "Help, help!" Faria had `
` just sufficient strength to restrain him. `
` `
` "Silence," he said, "or you are lost. We must now only think `
` of you, my dear friend, and so act as to render your `
` captivity supportable or your flight possible. It would `
` require years to do again what I have done here, and the `
` results would be instantly destroyed if our jailers knew we `
` had communicated with each other. Besides, be assured, my `
` dear Edmond, the dungeon I am about to leave will not long `
` remain empty; some other unfortunate being will soon take my `
` place, and to him you will appear like an angel of `
` salvation. Perhaps he will be young, strong, and enduring, `
` like yourself, and will aid you in your escape, while I have `
` been but a hindrance. You will no longer have half a dead `
` body tied to you as a drag to all your movements. At length `
` providence has done something for you; he restores to you `
` more than he takes away, and it was time I should die." `
` `
` Edmond could only clasp his hands and exclaim, "Oh, my `
` friend, my friend, speak not thus!" and then resuming all `
` his presence of mind, which had for a moment staggered under `
` this blow, and his strength, which had failed at the words `
` of the old man, he said, "Oh, I have saved you once, and I `
` will save you a second time!" And raising the foot of the `
` bed, he drew out the phial, still a third filled with the `
` red liquor. `
` `
` "See," he exclaimed, "there remains still some of the magic `
` draught. Quick, quick! tell me what I must do this time; are `
` there any fresh instructions? Speak, my friend; I listen." `
` `
` "There is not a hope," replied Faria, shaking his head, "but `
` no matter; God wills it that man whom he has created, and in `
` whose heart he has so profoundly rooted the love of life, `
` should do all in his power to preserve that existence, `
` which, however painful it may be, is yet always so dear." `
` `
` "Oh, yes, yes!" exclaimed Dantes; "and I tell you that I `
` will save you yet." `
` `
` "Well, then, try. The cold gains upon me. I feel the blood `
` flowing towards my brain. These horrible chills, which make `
` my teeth chatter and seem to dislocate my bones, begin to `
` pervade my whole frame; in five minutes the malady will `
` reach its height, and in a quarter of an hour there will be `
` nothing left of me but a corpse." `
` `
` "Oh!" exclaimed Dantes, his heart wrung with anguish. `
` `
` "Do as you did before, only do not wait so long, all the `
` springs of life are now exhausted in me, and death," he `
` continued, looking at his paralyzed arm and leg, "has but `
` half its work to do. If, after having made me swallow twelve `
` drops instead of ten, you see that I do not recover, then `
` pour the rest down my throat. Now lift me on my bed, for I `
` can no longer support myself." `
` `
` Edmond took the old man in his arms, and laid him on the `
` bed. `
` `
` "And now, my dear friend," said Faria, "sole consolation of `
` my wretched existence, -- you whom heaven gave me somewhat `
` late, but still gave me, a priceless gift, and for which I `
` am most grateful, -- at the moment of separating from you `
` forever, I wish you all the happiness and all the prosperity `
` you so well deserve. My son, I bless thee!" The young man `
` cast himself on his knees, leaning his head against the old `
` man's bed. `
` `
` "Listen, now, to what I say in this my dying moment. The `
` treasure of the Spadas exists. God grants me the boon of `
` vision unrestricted by time or space. I see it in the depths `
` of the inner cavern. My eyes pierce the inmost recesses of `
` the earth, and are dazzled at the sight of so much riches. `
` If you do escape, remember that the poor abbe, whom all the `
` world called mad, was not so. Hasten to Monte Cristo -- `
` avail yourself of the fortune -- for you have indeed `
` suffered long enough." A violent convulsion attacked the old `
` man. Dantes raised his head and saw Faria's eyes injected `
` with blood. It seemed as if a flow of blood had ascended `
` from the chest to the head. `
` `
` "Adieu, adieu!" murmured the old man, clasping Edmond's hand `
` convulsively -- "adieu!" `
` `
` "Oh, no, -- no, not yet," he cried; "do not forsake me! Oh, `
` succor him! Help -- help -- help!" `
` `
` "Hush -- hush!" murmured the dying man, "that they may not `
` separate us if you save me!" `
` `
` "You are right. Oh, yes, yes; be assured I shall save you! `
` Besides, although you suffer much, you do not seem to be in `
` such agony as you were before." `
` `
` "Do not mistake. I suffer less because there is in me less `
` strength to endure. At your age we have faith in life; it is `
` the privilege of youth to believe and hope, but old men see `
` death more clearly. Oh, 'tis here -- 'tis here -- 'tis over `
` -- my sight is gone -- my senses fail! Your hand, Dantes! `
` Adieu -- adieu!" And raising himself by a final effort, in `
` which he summoned all his faculties, he said, -- "Monte `
` Cristo, forget not Monte Cristo!" And he fell back on the `
` bed. The crisis was terrible, and a rigid form with twisted `
` limbs, swollen eyelids, and lips flecked with bloody foam, `
` lay on the bed of torture, in place of the intellectual `
` being who so lately rested there. `
` `
` Dantes took the lamp, placed it on a projecting stone above `
` the bed, whence its tremulous light fell with strange and `
` fantastic ray on the distorted countenance and motionless, `
` stiffened body. With steady gaze he awaited confidently the `
` moment for administering the restorative. `
` `
` When he believed that the right moment had arrived, he took `
`
` the knowledge you possess of them, and the clearness of the `
` principles to which you have reduced them -- this is my `
` treasure, my beloved friend, and with this you have made me `
` rich and happy. Believe me, and take comfort, this is better `
` for me than tons of gold and cases of diamonds, even were `
` they not as problematical as the clouds we see in the `
` morning floating over the sea, which we take for terra `
` firma, and which evaporate and vanish as we draw near to `
` them. To have you as long as possible near me, to hear your `
` eloquent speech, -- which embellishes my mind, strengthens `
` my soul, and makes my whole frame capable of great and `
` terrible things, if I should ever be free, -- so fills my `
` whole existence, that the despair to which I was just on the `
` point of yielding when I knew you, has no longer any hold `
` over me; and this -- this is my fortune -- not chimerical, `
` but actual. I owe you my real good, my present happiness; `
` and all the sovereigns of the earth, even Caesar Borgia `
` himself, could not deprive me of this." `
` `
` Thus, if not actually happy, yet the days these two `
` unfortunates passed together went quickly. Faria, who for so `
` long a time had kept silence as to the treasure, now `
` perpetually talked of it. As he had prophesied would be the `
` case, he remained paralyzed in the right arm and the left `
` leg, and had given up all hope of ever enjoying it himself. `
` But he was continually thinking over some means of escape `
` for his young companion, and anticipating the pleasure he `
` would enjoy. For fear the letter might be some day lost or `
` stolen, he compelled Dantes to learn it by heart; and Dantes `
` knew it from the first to the last word. Then he destroyed `
` the second portion, assured that if the first were seized, `
` no one would be able to discover its real meaning. Whole `
` hours sometimes passed while Faria was giving instructions `
` to Dantes, -- instructions which were to serve him when he `
` was at liberty. Then, once free, from the day and hour and `
` moment when he was so, he could have but one only thought, `
` which was, to gain Monte Cristo by some means, and remain `
` there alone under some pretext which would arouse no `
` suspicions; and once there, to endeavor to find the `
` wonderful caverns, and search in the appointed spot, -- the `
` appointed spot, be it remembered, being the farthest angle `
` in the second opening. `
` `
` In the meanwhile the hours passed, if not rapidly, at least `
` tolerably. Faria, as we have said, without having recovered `
` the use of his hand and foot, had regained all the clearness `
` of his understanding, and had gradually, besides the moral `
` instructions we have detailed, taught his youthful companion `
` the patient and sublime duty of a prisoner, who learns to `
` make something from nothing. They were thus perpetually `
` employed, -- Faria, that he might not see himself grow old; `
` Dantes, for fear of recalling the almost extinct past which `
` now only floated in his memory like a distant light `
` wandering in the night. So life went on for them as it does `
` for those who are not victims of misfortune and whose `
` activities glide along mechanically and tranquilly beneath `
` the eye of providence. `
` `
` But beneath this superficial calm there were in the heart of `
` the young man, and perhaps in that of the old man, many `
` repressed desires, many stifled sighs, which found vent when `
` Faria was left alone, and when Edmond returned to his cell. `
` One night Edmond awoke suddenly, believing that he heard `
` some one calling him. He opened his eyes upon utter `
` darkness. His name, or rather a plaintive voice which `
` essayed to pronounce his name, reached him. He sat up in bed `
` and a cold sweat broke out upon his brow. Undoubtedly the `
` call came from Faria's dungeon. "Alas," murmured Edmond; `
` "can it be?" `
` `
` He moved his bed, drew up the stone, rushed into the `
` passage, and reached the opposite extremity; the secret `
` entrance was open. By the light of the wretched and wavering `
` lamp, of which we have spoken, Dantes saw the old man, pale, `
` but yet erect, clinging to the bedstead. His features were `
` writhing with those horrible symptoms which he already knew, `
` and which had so seriously alarmed him when he saw them for `
` the first time. `
` `
` "Alas, my dear friend," said Faria in a resigned tone, "you `
` understand, do you not, and I need not attempt to explain to `
` you?" `
` `
` Edmond uttered a cry of agony, and, quite out of his senses, `
` rushed towards the door, exclaiming, "Help, help!" Faria had `
` just sufficient strength to restrain him. `
` `
` "Silence," he said, "or you are lost. We must now only think `
` of you, my dear friend, and so act as to render your `
` captivity supportable or your flight possible. It would `
` require years to do again what I have done here, and the `
` results would be instantly destroyed if our jailers knew we `
` had communicated with each other. Besides, be assured, my `
` dear Edmond, the dungeon I am about to leave will not long `
` remain empty; some other unfortunate being will soon take my `
` place, and to him you will appear like an angel of `
` salvation. Perhaps he will be young, strong, and enduring, `
` like yourself, and will aid you in your escape, while I have `
` been but a hindrance. You will no longer have half a dead `
` body tied to you as a drag to all your movements. At length `
` providence has done something for you; he restores to you `
` more than he takes away, and it was time I should die." `
` `
` Edmond could only clasp his hands and exclaim, "Oh, my `
` friend, my friend, speak not thus!" and then resuming all `
` his presence of mind, which had for a moment staggered under `
` this blow, and his strength, which had failed at the words `
` of the old man, he said, "Oh, I have saved you once, and I `
` will save you a second time!" And raising the foot of the `
` bed, he drew out the phial, still a third filled with the `
` red liquor. `
` `
` "See," he exclaimed, "there remains still some of the magic `
` draught. Quick, quick! tell me what I must do this time; are `
` there any fresh instructions? Speak, my friend; I listen." `
` `
` "There is not a hope," replied Faria, shaking his head, "but `
` no matter; God wills it that man whom he has created, and in `
` whose heart he has so profoundly rooted the love of life, `
` should do all in his power to preserve that existence, `
` which, however painful it may be, is yet always so dear." `
` `
` "Oh, yes, yes!" exclaimed Dantes; "and I tell you that I `
` will save you yet." `
` `
` "Well, then, try. The cold gains upon me. I feel the blood `
` flowing towards my brain. These horrible chills, which make `
` my teeth chatter and seem to dislocate my bones, begin to `
` pervade my whole frame; in five minutes the malady will `
` reach its height, and in a quarter of an hour there will be `
` nothing left of me but a corpse." `
` `
` "Oh!" exclaimed Dantes, his heart wrung with anguish. `
` `
` "Do as you did before, only do not wait so long, all the `
` springs of life are now exhausted in me, and death," he `
` continued, looking at his paralyzed arm and leg, "has but `
` half its work to do. If, after having made me swallow twelve `
` drops instead of ten, you see that I do not recover, then `
` pour the rest down my throat. Now lift me on my bed, for I `
` can no longer support myself." `
` `
` Edmond took the old man in his arms, and laid him on the `
` bed. `
` `
` "And now, my dear friend," said Faria, "sole consolation of `
` my wretched existence, -- you whom heaven gave me somewhat `
` late, but still gave me, a priceless gift, and for which I `
` am most grateful, -- at the moment of separating from you `
` forever, I wish you all the happiness and all the prosperity `
` you so well deserve. My son, I bless thee!" The young man `
` cast himself on his knees, leaning his head against the old `
` man's bed. `
` `
` "Listen, now, to what I say in this my dying moment. The `
` treasure of the Spadas exists. God grants me the boon of `
` vision unrestricted by time or space. I see it in the depths `
` of the inner cavern. My eyes pierce the inmost recesses of `
` the earth, and are dazzled at the sight of so much riches. `
` If you do escape, remember that the poor abbe, whom all the `
` world called mad, was not so. Hasten to Monte Cristo -- `
` avail yourself of the fortune -- for you have indeed `
` suffered long enough." A violent convulsion attacked the old `
` man. Dantes raised his head and saw Faria's eyes injected `
` with blood. It seemed as if a flow of blood had ascended `
` from the chest to the head. `
` `
` "Adieu, adieu!" murmured the old man, clasping Edmond's hand `
` convulsively -- "adieu!" `
` `
` "Oh, no, -- no, not yet," he cried; "do not forsake me! Oh, `
` succor him! Help -- help -- help!" `
` `
` "Hush -- hush!" murmured the dying man, "that they may not `
` separate us if you save me!" `
` `
` "You are right. Oh, yes, yes; be assured I shall save you! `
` Besides, although you suffer much, you do not seem to be in `
` such agony as you were before." `
` `
` "Do not mistake. I suffer less because there is in me less `
` strength to endure. At your age we have faith in life; it is `
` the privilege of youth to believe and hope, but old men see `
` death more clearly. Oh, 'tis here -- 'tis here -- 'tis over `
` -- my sight is gone -- my senses fail! Your hand, Dantes! `
` Adieu -- adieu!" And raising himself by a final effort, in `
` which he summoned all his faculties, he said, -- "Monte `
` Cristo, forget not Monte Cristo!" And he fell back on the `
` bed. The crisis was terrible, and a rigid form with twisted `
` limbs, swollen eyelids, and lips flecked with bloody foam, `
` lay on the bed of torture, in place of the intellectual `
` being who so lately rested there. `
` `
` Dantes took the lamp, placed it on a projecting stone above `
` the bed, whence its tremulous light fell with strange and `
` fantastic ray on the distorted countenance and motionless, `
` stiffened body. With steady gaze he awaited confidently the `
` moment for administering the restorative. `
` `
` When he believed that the right moment had arrived, he took `
`