Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
When he believed that the right moment had arrived, he took `
` the knife, pried open the teeth, which offered less `
` resistance than before, counted one after the other twelve `
` drops, and watched; the phial contained, perhaps, twice as `
` much more. He waited ten minutes, a quarter of an hour, half `
` an hour, -- no change took place. Trembling, his hair erect, `
` his brow bathed with perspiration, he counted the seconds by `
` the beating of his heart. Then he thought it was time to `
` make the last trial, and he put the phial to the purple lips `
` of Faria, and without having occasion to force open his `
` jaws, which had remained extended, he poured the whole of `
` the liquid down his throat. `
` `
` The draught produced a galvanic effect, a violent trembling `
` pervaded the old man's limbs, his eyes opened until it was `
` fearful to gaze upon them, he heaved a sigh which resembled `
` a shriek, and then his convulsed body returned gradually to `
` its former immobility, the eyes remaining open. `
` `
` Half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half elapsed, and `
` during this period of anguish, Edmond leaned over his `
` friend, his hand applied to his heart, and felt the body `
` gradually grow cold, and the heart's pulsation become more `
` and more deep and dull, until at length it stopped; the last `
` movement of the heart ceased, the face became livid, the `
` eyes remained open, but the eyeballs were glazed. It was six `
` o'clock in the morning, the dawn was just breaking, and its `
` feeble ray came into the dungeon, and paled the ineffectual `
` light of the lamp. Strange shadows passed over the `
` countenance of the dead man, and at times gave it the `
` appearance of life. While the struggle between day and night `
` lasted, Dantes still doubted; but as soon as the daylight `
` gained the pre-eminence, he saw that he was alone with a `
` corpse. Then an invincible and extreme terror seized upon `
` him, and he dared not again press the hand that hung out of `
` bed, he dared no longer to gaze on those fixed and vacant `
` eyes, which he tried many times to close, but in vain -- `
` they opened again as soon as shut. He extinguished the lamp, `
` carefully concealed it, and then went away, closing as well `
` as he could the entrance to the secret passage by the large `
` stone as he descended. `
` `
` It was time, for the jailer was coming. On this occasion he `
` began his rounds at Dantes' cell, and on leaving him he went `
` on to Faria's dungeon, taking thither breakfast and some `
` linen. Nothing betokened that the man know anything of what `
` had occurred. He went on his way. `
` `
` Dantes was then seized with an indescribable desire to know `
` what was going on in the dungeon of his unfortunate friend. `
` He therefore returned by the subterraneous gallery, and `
` arrived in time to hear the exclamations of the turnkey, who `
` called out for help. Other turnkeys came, and then was heard `
` the regular tramp of soldiers. Last of all came the `
` governor. `
` `
` Edmond heard the creaking of the bed as they moved the `
` corpse, heard the voice of the governor, who asked them to `
` throw water on the dead man's face; and seeing that, in `
` spite of this application, the prisoner did not recover, `
` they sent for the doctor. The governor then went out, and `
` words of pity fell on Dantes' listening ears, mingled with `
` brutal laughter. `
` `
` "Well, well," said one, "the madman has gone to look after `
` his treasure. Good journey to him!" `
` `
` "With all his millions, he will not have enough to pay for `
` his shroud!" said another. `
` `
` "Oh," added a third voice, "the shrouds of the Chateau d'If `
` are not dear!" `
` `
` "Perhaps," said one of the previous speakers, "as he was a `
` churchman, they may go to some expense in his behalf." `
` `
` "They may give him the honors of the sack." `
` `
` Edmond did not lose a word, but comprehended very little of `
` what was said. The voices soon ceased, and it seemed to him `
` as if every one had left the cell. Still he dared not to `
` enter, as they might have left some turnkey to watch the `
` dead. He remained, therefore, mute and motionless, hardly `
` venturing to breathe. At the end of an hour, he heard a `
` faint noise, which increased. It was the governor who `
` returned, followed by the doctor and other attendants. There `
` was a moment's silence, -- it was evident that the doctor `
` was examining the dead body. The inquiries soon commenced. `
` `
` The doctor analyzed the symptoms of the malady to which the `
` prisoner had succumbed, and declared that he was dead. `
` Questions and answers followed in a nonchalant manner that `
` made Dantes indignant, for he felt that all the world should `
` have for the poor abbe a love and respect equal to his own. `
` `
` "I am very sorry for what you tell me," said the governor, `
` replying to the assurance of the doctor, "that the old man `
` is really dead; for he was a quiet, inoffensive prisoner, `
` happy in his folly, and required no watching." `
` `
` "Ah," added the turnkey, "there was no occasion for watching `
` him: he would have stayed here fifty years, I'll answer for `
` it, without any attempt to escape." `
` `
` "Still," said the governor, "I believe it will be requisite, `
` notwithstanding your certainty, and not that I doubt your `
` science, but in discharge of my official duty, that we `
` should be perfectly assured that the prisoner is dead." `
` There was a moment of complete silence, during which Dantes, `
` still listening, knew that the doctor was examining the `
` corpse a second time. `
` `
` "You may make your mind easy," said the doctor; "he is dead. `
` I will answer for that." `
` `
` "You know, sir," said the governor, persisting, "that we are `
` not content in such cases as this with such a simple `
` examination. In spite of all appearances, be so kind, `
` therefore, as to finish your duty by fulfilling the `
` formalities described by law." `
` `
` "Let the irons be heated," said the doctor; "but really it `
` is a useless precaution." This order to heat the irons made `
` Dantes shudder. He heard hasty steps, the creaking of a `
` door, people going and coming, and some minutes afterwards a `
` turnkey entered, saying, -- `
` `
` "Here is the brazier, lighted." There was a moment's `
` silence, and then was heard the crackling of burning flesh, `
` of which the peculiar and nauseous smell penetrated even `
` behind the wall where Dantes was listening in horror. The `
` perspiration poured forth upon the young man's brow, and he `
` felt as if he should faint. `
` `
` "You see, sir, he is really dead," said the doctor; "this `
` burn in the heel is decisive. The poor fool is cured of his `
` folly, and delivered from his captivity." `
` `
` "Wasn't his name Faria?" inquired one of the officers who `
` accompanied the governor. `
` `
` "Yes, sir; and, as he said, it was an ancient name. He was, `
` too, very learned, and rational enough on all points which `
` did not relate to his treasure; but on that, indeed, he was `
` intractable." `
` `
` "It is the sort of malady which we call monomania," said the `
` doctor. `
` `
` "You had never anything to complain of?" said the governor `
` to the jailer who had charge of the abbe. `
` `
` "Never, sir," replied the jailer, "never; on the contrary, `
` he sometimes amused me very much by telling me stories. One `
` day, too, when my wife was ill, he gave me a prescription `
` which cured her." `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said the doctor, "I did not know that I had a `
` rival; but I hope, governor, that you will show him all `
` proper respect." `
` `
` "Yes, yes, make your mind easy, he shall be decently `
` interred in the newest sack we can find. Will that satisfy `
` you?" `
` `
` "Must this last formality take place in your presence, sir?" `
` inquired a turnkey. `
` `
` "Certainly. But make haste -- I cannot stay here all day." `
` Other footsteps, going and coming, were now heard, and a `
` moment afterwards the noise of rustling canvas reached `
` Dantes' ears, the bed creaked, and the heavy footfall of a `
` man who lifts a weight sounded on the floor; then the bed `
` again creaked under the weight deposited upon it. `
` `
` "This evening," said the governor. `
` `
` "Will there be any mass?" asked one of the attendants. `
` `
` "That is impossible," replied the governor. "The chaplain of `
` the chateau came to me yesterday to beg for leave of `
` absence, in order to take a trip to Hyeres for a week. I `
` told him I would attend to the prisoners in his absence. If `
` the poor abbe had not been in such a hurry, he might have `
` had his requiem." `
` `
` "Pooh, pooh;" said the doctor, with the impiety usual in `
` persons of his profession; "he is a churchman. God will `
` respect his profession, and not give the devil the wicked `
` delight of sending him a priest." A shout of laughter `
` followed this brutal jest. Meanwhile the operation of `
` putting the body in the sack was going on. `
` `
` "This evening," said the governor, when the task was ended. `
` `
` "At what hour?" inquired a turnkey. `
` `
` "Why, about ten or eleven o'clock." `
` `
` "Shall we watch by the corpse?" `
` `
`
` the knife, pried open the teeth, which offered less `
` resistance than before, counted one after the other twelve `
` drops, and watched; the phial contained, perhaps, twice as `
` much more. He waited ten minutes, a quarter of an hour, half `
` an hour, -- no change took place. Trembling, his hair erect, `
` his brow bathed with perspiration, he counted the seconds by `
` the beating of his heart. Then he thought it was time to `
` make the last trial, and he put the phial to the purple lips `
` of Faria, and without having occasion to force open his `
` jaws, which had remained extended, he poured the whole of `
` the liquid down his throat. `
` `
` The draught produced a galvanic effect, a violent trembling `
` pervaded the old man's limbs, his eyes opened until it was `
` fearful to gaze upon them, he heaved a sigh which resembled `
` a shriek, and then his convulsed body returned gradually to `
` its former immobility, the eyes remaining open. `
` `
` Half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half elapsed, and `
` during this period of anguish, Edmond leaned over his `
` friend, his hand applied to his heart, and felt the body `
` gradually grow cold, and the heart's pulsation become more `
` and more deep and dull, until at length it stopped; the last `
` movement of the heart ceased, the face became livid, the `
` eyes remained open, but the eyeballs were glazed. It was six `
` o'clock in the morning, the dawn was just breaking, and its `
` feeble ray came into the dungeon, and paled the ineffectual `
` light of the lamp. Strange shadows passed over the `
` countenance of the dead man, and at times gave it the `
` appearance of life. While the struggle between day and night `
` lasted, Dantes still doubted; but as soon as the daylight `
` gained the pre-eminence, he saw that he was alone with a `
` corpse. Then an invincible and extreme terror seized upon `
` him, and he dared not again press the hand that hung out of `
` bed, he dared no longer to gaze on those fixed and vacant `
` eyes, which he tried many times to close, but in vain -- `
` they opened again as soon as shut. He extinguished the lamp, `
` carefully concealed it, and then went away, closing as well `
` as he could the entrance to the secret passage by the large `
` stone as he descended. `
` `
` It was time, for the jailer was coming. On this occasion he `
` began his rounds at Dantes' cell, and on leaving him he went `
` on to Faria's dungeon, taking thither breakfast and some `
` linen. Nothing betokened that the man know anything of what `
` had occurred. He went on his way. `
` `
` Dantes was then seized with an indescribable desire to know `
` what was going on in the dungeon of his unfortunate friend. `
` He therefore returned by the subterraneous gallery, and `
` arrived in time to hear the exclamations of the turnkey, who `
` called out for help. Other turnkeys came, and then was heard `
` the regular tramp of soldiers. Last of all came the `
` governor. `
` `
` Edmond heard the creaking of the bed as they moved the `
` corpse, heard the voice of the governor, who asked them to `
` throw water on the dead man's face; and seeing that, in `
` spite of this application, the prisoner did not recover, `
` they sent for the doctor. The governor then went out, and `
` words of pity fell on Dantes' listening ears, mingled with `
` brutal laughter. `
` `
` "Well, well," said one, "the madman has gone to look after `
` his treasure. Good journey to him!" `
` `
` "With all his millions, he will not have enough to pay for `
` his shroud!" said another. `
` `
` "Oh," added a third voice, "the shrouds of the Chateau d'If `
` are not dear!" `
` `
` "Perhaps," said one of the previous speakers, "as he was a `
` churchman, they may go to some expense in his behalf." `
` `
` "They may give him the honors of the sack." `
` `
` Edmond did not lose a word, but comprehended very little of `
` what was said. The voices soon ceased, and it seemed to him `
` as if every one had left the cell. Still he dared not to `
` enter, as they might have left some turnkey to watch the `
` dead. He remained, therefore, mute and motionless, hardly `
` venturing to breathe. At the end of an hour, he heard a `
` faint noise, which increased. It was the governor who `
` returned, followed by the doctor and other attendants. There `
` was a moment's silence, -- it was evident that the doctor `
` was examining the dead body. The inquiries soon commenced. `
` `
` The doctor analyzed the symptoms of the malady to which the `
` prisoner had succumbed, and declared that he was dead. `
` Questions and answers followed in a nonchalant manner that `
` made Dantes indignant, for he felt that all the world should `
` have for the poor abbe a love and respect equal to his own. `
` `
` "I am very sorry for what you tell me," said the governor, `
` replying to the assurance of the doctor, "that the old man `
` is really dead; for he was a quiet, inoffensive prisoner, `
` happy in his folly, and required no watching." `
` `
` "Ah," added the turnkey, "there was no occasion for watching `
` him: he would have stayed here fifty years, I'll answer for `
` it, without any attempt to escape." `
` `
` "Still," said the governor, "I believe it will be requisite, `
` notwithstanding your certainty, and not that I doubt your `
` science, but in discharge of my official duty, that we `
` should be perfectly assured that the prisoner is dead." `
` There was a moment of complete silence, during which Dantes, `
` still listening, knew that the doctor was examining the `
` corpse a second time. `
` `
` "You may make your mind easy," said the doctor; "he is dead. `
` I will answer for that." `
` `
` "You know, sir," said the governor, persisting, "that we are `
` not content in such cases as this with such a simple `
` examination. In spite of all appearances, be so kind, `
` therefore, as to finish your duty by fulfilling the `
` formalities described by law." `
` `
` "Let the irons be heated," said the doctor; "but really it `
` is a useless precaution." This order to heat the irons made `
` Dantes shudder. He heard hasty steps, the creaking of a `
` door, people going and coming, and some minutes afterwards a `
` turnkey entered, saying, -- `
` `
` "Here is the brazier, lighted." There was a moment's `
` silence, and then was heard the crackling of burning flesh, `
` of which the peculiar and nauseous smell penetrated even `
` behind the wall where Dantes was listening in horror. The `
` perspiration poured forth upon the young man's brow, and he `
` felt as if he should faint. `
` `
` "You see, sir, he is really dead," said the doctor; "this `
` burn in the heel is decisive. The poor fool is cured of his `
` folly, and delivered from his captivity." `
` `
` "Wasn't his name Faria?" inquired one of the officers who `
` accompanied the governor. `
` `
` "Yes, sir; and, as he said, it was an ancient name. He was, `
` too, very learned, and rational enough on all points which `
` did not relate to his treasure; but on that, indeed, he was `
` intractable." `
` `
` "It is the sort of malady which we call monomania," said the `
` doctor. `
` `
` "You had never anything to complain of?" said the governor `
` to the jailer who had charge of the abbe. `
` `
` "Never, sir," replied the jailer, "never; on the contrary, `
` he sometimes amused me very much by telling me stories. One `
` day, too, when my wife was ill, he gave me a prescription `
` which cured her." `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said the doctor, "I did not know that I had a `
` rival; but I hope, governor, that you will show him all `
` proper respect." `
` `
` "Yes, yes, make your mind easy, he shall be decently `
` interred in the newest sack we can find. Will that satisfy `
` you?" `
` `
` "Must this last formality take place in your presence, sir?" `
` inquired a turnkey. `
` `
` "Certainly. But make haste -- I cannot stay here all day." `
` Other footsteps, going and coming, were now heard, and a `
` moment afterwards the noise of rustling canvas reached `
` Dantes' ears, the bed creaked, and the heavy footfall of a `
` man who lifts a weight sounded on the floor; then the bed `
` again creaked under the weight deposited upon it. `
` `
` "This evening," said the governor. `
` `
` "Will there be any mass?" asked one of the attendants. `
` `
` "That is impossible," replied the governor. "The chaplain of `
` the chateau came to me yesterday to beg for leave of `
` absence, in order to take a trip to Hyeres for a week. I `
` told him I would attend to the prisoners in his absence. If `
` the poor abbe had not been in such a hurry, he might have `
` had his requiem." `
` `
` "Pooh, pooh;" said the doctor, with the impiety usual in `
` persons of his profession; "he is a churchman. God will `
` respect his profession, and not give the devil the wicked `
` delight of sending him a priest." A shout of laughter `
` followed this brutal jest. Meanwhile the operation of `
` putting the body in the sack was going on. `
` `
` "This evening," said the governor, when the task was ended. `
` `
` "At what hour?" inquired a turnkey. `
` `
` "Why, about ten or eleven o'clock." `
` `
` "Shall we watch by the corpse?" `
` `
`