Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
"About your own height, sir." `
` `
` "Dark or fair?" `
` `
` "Dark, -- very dark; with black eyes, black hair, black `
` eyebrows." `
` `
` "And how dressed?" asked Villefort quickly. `
` `
` "In a blue frock-coat, buttoned up close, decorated with the `
` Legion of Honor." `
` `
` "It is he!" said Villefort, turning pale. `
` `
` "Eh, pardieu," said the individual whose description we have `
` twice given, entering the door, "what a great deal of `
` ceremony! Is it the custom in Marseilles for sons to keep `
` their fathers waiting in their anterooms?" `
` `
` "Father!" cried Villefort, "then I was not deceived; I felt `
` sure it must be you." `
` `
` "Well, then, if you felt so sure," replied the new-comer, `
` putting his cane in a corner and his hat on a chair, "allow `
` me to say, my dear Gerard, that it was not very filial of `
` you to keep me waiting at the door." `
` `
` "Leave us, Germain," said Villefort. The servant quitted the `
` apartment with evident signs of astonishment. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 12 `
` Father and Son. `
` `
` M. Noirtier -- for it was, indeed, he who entered -- looked `
` after the servant until the door was closed, and then, `
` fearing, no doubt, that he might be overheard in the `
` ante-chamber, he opened the door again, nor was the `
` precaution useless, as appeared from the rapid retreat of `
` Germain, who proved that he was not exempt from the sin `
` which ruined our first parents. M. Noirtier then took the `
` trouble to close and bolt the ante-chamber door, then that `
` of the bed-chamber, and then extended his hand to Villefort, `
` who had followed all his motions with surprise which he `
` could not conceal. `
` `
` "Well, now, my dear Gerard," said he to the young man, with `
` a very significant look, "do you know, you seem as if you `
` were not very glad to see me?" `
` `
` "My dear father," said Villefort, "I am, on the contrary, `
` delighted; but I so little expected your visit, that it has `
` somewhat overcome me." `
` `
` "But, my dear fellow," replied M. Noirtier, seating himself, `
` "I might say the same thing to you, when you announce to me `
` your wedding for the 28th of February, and on the 3rd of `
` March you turn up here in Paris." `
` `
` "And if I have come, my dear father," said Gerard, drawing `
` closer to M. Noirtier, "do not complain, for it is for you `
` that I came, and my journey will be your salvation." `
` `
` "Ah, indeed!" said M. Noirtier, stretching himself out at `
` his ease in the chair. "Really, pray tell me all about it, `
` for it must be interesting." `
` `
` "Father, you have heard speak of a certain Bonapartist club `
` in the Rue Saint-Jacques?" `
` `
` "No. 53; yes, I am vice-president." `
` `
` "Father, your coolness makes me shudder." `
` `
` "Why, my dear boy, when a man has been proscribed by the `
` mountaineers, has escaped from Paris in a hay-cart, been `
` hunted over the plains of Bordeaux by Robespierre's `
` bloodhounds, he becomes accustomed to most things. But go `
` on, what about the club in the Rue Saint-Jacques?" `
` `
` "Why, they induced General Quesnel to go there, and General `
` Quesnel, who quitted his own house at nine o'clock in the `
` evening, was found the next day in the Seine." `
` `
` "And who told you this fine story?" `
` `
` "The king himself." `
` `
` "Well, then, in return for your story," continued Noirtier, `
` "I will tell you another." `
` `
` "My dear father, I think I already know what you are about `
` to tell me." `
` `
` "Ah, you have heard of the landing of the emperor?" `
` `
` "Not so loud, father, I entreat of you -- for your own sake `
` as well as mine. Yes, I heard this news, and knew it even `
` before you could; for three days ago I posted from `
` Marseilles to Paris with all possible speed, half-desperate `
` at the enforced delay." `
` `
` "Three days ago? You are crazy. Why, three days ago the `
` emperor had not landed." `
` `
` "No matter, I was aware of his intention." `
` `
` "How did you know about it?" `
` `
` "By a letter addressed to you from the Island of Elba." `
` `
` "To me?" `
` `
` "To you; and which I discovered in the pocket-book of the `
` messenger. Had that letter fallen into the hands of another, `
` you, my dear father, would probably ere this have been `
` shot." Villefort's father laughed. `
` `
` "Come, come," said he, "will the Restoration adopt imperial `
` methods so promptly? Shot, my dear boy? What an idea! Where `
` is the letter you speak of? I know you too well to suppose `
` you would allow such a thing to pass you." `
` `
` "I burnt it, for fear that even a fragment should remain; `
` for that letter must have led to your condemnation." `
` `
` "And the destruction of your future prospects," replied `
` Noirtier; "yes, I can easily comprehend that. But I have `
` nothing to fear while I have you to protect me." `
` `
` "I do better than that, sir -- I save you." `
` `
` "You do? Why, really, the thing becomes more and more `
` dramatic -- explain yourself." `
` `
` "I must refer again to the club in the Rue Saint-Jacques." `
` `
` "It appears that this club is rather a bore to the police. `
` Why didn't they search more vigilantly? they would have `
` found" -- `
` `
` "They have not found; but they are on the track." `
` `
` "Yes, that the usual phrase; I am quite familiar with it. `
` When the police is at fault, it declares that it is on the `
` track; and the government patiently awaits the day when it `
` comes to say, with a sneaking air, that the track is lost." `
` `
` "Yes, but they have found a corpse; the general has been `
` killed, and in all countries they call that a murder." `
` `
` "A murder do you call it? why, there is nothing to prove `
` that the general was murdered. People are found every day in `
` the Seine, having thrown themselves in, or having been `
` drowned from not knowing how to swim." `
` `
` "Father, you know very well that the general was not a man `
` to drown himself in despair, and people do not bathe in the `
` Seine in the month of January. No, no, do not be deceived; `
` this was murder in every sense of the word." `
` `
` "And who thus designated it?" `
` `
` "The king himself." `
` `
` "The king! I thought he was philosopher enough to allow that `
` there was no murder in politics. In politics, my dear `
` fellow, you know, as well as I do, there are no men, but `
` ideas -- no feelings, but interests; in politics we do not `
` kill a man, we only remove an obstacle, that is all. Would `
` you like to know how matters have progressed? Well, I will `
` tell you. It was thought reliance might be placed in General `
` Quesnel; he was recommended to us from the Island of Elba; `
` one of us went to him, and invited him to the Rue `
` Saint-Jacques, where he would find some friends. He came `
` there, and the plan was unfolded to him for leaving Elba, `
` the projected landing, etc. When he had heard and `
` comprehended all to the fullest extent, he replied that he `
` was a royalist. Then all looked at each other, -- he was `
` made to take an oath, and did so, but with such an ill grace `
` that it was really tempting Providence to swear him, and `
` yet, in spite of that, the general was allowed to depart `
` free -- perfectly free. Yet he did not return home. What `
` could that mean? why, my dear fellow, that on leaving us he `
` lost his way, that's all. A murder? really, Villefort, you `
` surprise me. You, a deputy procureur, to found an accusation `
` on such bad premises! Did I ever say to you, when you were `
` fulfilling your character as a royalist, and cut off the `
` head of one of my party, `My son, you have committed a `
` murder?' No, I said, `Very well, sir, you have gained the `
` victory; to-morrow, perchance, it will be our turn.'" `
` `
` "But, father, take care; when our turn comes, our revenge `
` will be sweeping." `
` `
` "I do not understand you." `
` `
` "You rely on the usurper's return?" `
` `
` "We do." `
`
` `
` "Dark or fair?" `
` `
` "Dark, -- very dark; with black eyes, black hair, black `
` eyebrows." `
` `
` "And how dressed?" asked Villefort quickly. `
` `
` "In a blue frock-coat, buttoned up close, decorated with the `
` Legion of Honor." `
` `
` "It is he!" said Villefort, turning pale. `
` `
` "Eh, pardieu," said the individual whose description we have `
` twice given, entering the door, "what a great deal of `
` ceremony! Is it the custom in Marseilles for sons to keep `
` their fathers waiting in their anterooms?" `
` `
` "Father!" cried Villefort, "then I was not deceived; I felt `
` sure it must be you." `
` `
` "Well, then, if you felt so sure," replied the new-comer, `
` putting his cane in a corner and his hat on a chair, "allow `
` me to say, my dear Gerard, that it was not very filial of `
` you to keep me waiting at the door." `
` `
` "Leave us, Germain," said Villefort. The servant quitted the `
` apartment with evident signs of astonishment. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 12 `
` Father and Son. `
` `
` M. Noirtier -- for it was, indeed, he who entered -- looked `
` after the servant until the door was closed, and then, `
` fearing, no doubt, that he might be overheard in the `
` ante-chamber, he opened the door again, nor was the `
` precaution useless, as appeared from the rapid retreat of `
` Germain, who proved that he was not exempt from the sin `
` which ruined our first parents. M. Noirtier then took the `
` trouble to close and bolt the ante-chamber door, then that `
` of the bed-chamber, and then extended his hand to Villefort, `
` who had followed all his motions with surprise which he `
` could not conceal. `
` `
` "Well, now, my dear Gerard," said he to the young man, with `
` a very significant look, "do you know, you seem as if you `
` were not very glad to see me?" `
` `
` "My dear father," said Villefort, "I am, on the contrary, `
` delighted; but I so little expected your visit, that it has `
` somewhat overcome me." `
` `
` "But, my dear fellow," replied M. Noirtier, seating himself, `
` "I might say the same thing to you, when you announce to me `
` your wedding for the 28th of February, and on the 3rd of `
` March you turn up here in Paris." `
` `
` "And if I have come, my dear father," said Gerard, drawing `
` closer to M. Noirtier, "do not complain, for it is for you `
` that I came, and my journey will be your salvation." `
` `
` "Ah, indeed!" said M. Noirtier, stretching himself out at `
` his ease in the chair. "Really, pray tell me all about it, `
` for it must be interesting." `
` `
` "Father, you have heard speak of a certain Bonapartist club `
` in the Rue Saint-Jacques?" `
` `
` "No. 53; yes, I am vice-president." `
` `
` "Father, your coolness makes me shudder." `
` `
` "Why, my dear boy, when a man has been proscribed by the `
` mountaineers, has escaped from Paris in a hay-cart, been `
` hunted over the plains of Bordeaux by Robespierre's `
` bloodhounds, he becomes accustomed to most things. But go `
` on, what about the club in the Rue Saint-Jacques?" `
` `
` "Why, they induced General Quesnel to go there, and General `
` Quesnel, who quitted his own house at nine o'clock in the `
` evening, was found the next day in the Seine." `
` `
` "And who told you this fine story?" `
` `
` "The king himself." `
` `
` "Well, then, in return for your story," continued Noirtier, `
` "I will tell you another." `
` `
` "My dear father, I think I already know what you are about `
` to tell me." `
` `
` "Ah, you have heard of the landing of the emperor?" `
` `
` "Not so loud, father, I entreat of you -- for your own sake `
` as well as mine. Yes, I heard this news, and knew it even `
` before you could; for three days ago I posted from `
` Marseilles to Paris with all possible speed, half-desperate `
` at the enforced delay." `
` `
` "Three days ago? You are crazy. Why, three days ago the `
` emperor had not landed." `
` `
` "No matter, I was aware of his intention." `
` `
` "How did you know about it?" `
` `
` "By a letter addressed to you from the Island of Elba." `
` `
` "To me?" `
` `
` "To you; and which I discovered in the pocket-book of the `
` messenger. Had that letter fallen into the hands of another, `
` you, my dear father, would probably ere this have been `
` shot." Villefort's father laughed. `
` `
` "Come, come," said he, "will the Restoration adopt imperial `
` methods so promptly? Shot, my dear boy? What an idea! Where `
` is the letter you speak of? I know you too well to suppose `
` you would allow such a thing to pass you." `
` `
` "I burnt it, for fear that even a fragment should remain; `
` for that letter must have led to your condemnation." `
` `
` "And the destruction of your future prospects," replied `
` Noirtier; "yes, I can easily comprehend that. But I have `
` nothing to fear while I have you to protect me." `
` `
` "I do better than that, sir -- I save you." `
` `
` "You do? Why, really, the thing becomes more and more `
` dramatic -- explain yourself." `
` `
` "I must refer again to the club in the Rue Saint-Jacques." `
` `
` "It appears that this club is rather a bore to the police. `
` Why didn't they search more vigilantly? they would have `
` found" -- `
` `
` "They have not found; but they are on the track." `
` `
` "Yes, that the usual phrase; I am quite familiar with it. `
` When the police is at fault, it declares that it is on the `
` track; and the government patiently awaits the day when it `
` comes to say, with a sneaking air, that the track is lost." `
` `
` "Yes, but they have found a corpse; the general has been `
` killed, and in all countries they call that a murder." `
` `
` "A murder do you call it? why, there is nothing to prove `
` that the general was murdered. People are found every day in `
` the Seine, having thrown themselves in, or having been `
` drowned from not knowing how to swim." `
` `
` "Father, you know very well that the general was not a man `
` to drown himself in despair, and people do not bathe in the `
` Seine in the month of January. No, no, do not be deceived; `
` this was murder in every sense of the word." `
` `
` "And who thus designated it?" `
` `
` "The king himself." `
` `
` "The king! I thought he was philosopher enough to allow that `
` there was no murder in politics. In politics, my dear `
` fellow, you know, as well as I do, there are no men, but `
` ideas -- no feelings, but interests; in politics we do not `
` kill a man, we only remove an obstacle, that is all. Would `
` you like to know how matters have progressed? Well, I will `
` tell you. It was thought reliance might be placed in General `
` Quesnel; he was recommended to us from the Island of Elba; `
` one of us went to him, and invited him to the Rue `
` Saint-Jacques, where he would find some friends. He came `
` there, and the plan was unfolded to him for leaving Elba, `
` the projected landing, etc. When he had heard and `
` comprehended all to the fullest extent, he replied that he `
` was a royalist. Then all looked at each other, -- he was `
` made to take an oath, and did so, but with such an ill grace `
` that it was really tempting Providence to swear him, and `
` yet, in spite of that, the general was allowed to depart `
` free -- perfectly free. Yet he did not return home. What `
` could that mean? why, my dear fellow, that on leaving us he `
` lost his way, that's all. A murder? really, Villefort, you `
` surprise me. You, a deputy procureur, to found an accusation `
` on such bad premises! Did I ever say to you, when you were `
` fulfilling your character as a royalist, and cut off the `
` head of one of my party, `My son, you have committed a `
` murder?' No, I said, `Very well, sir, you have gained the `
` victory; to-morrow, perchance, it will be our turn.'" `
` `
` "But, father, take care; when our turn comes, our revenge `
` will be sweeping." `
` `
` "I do not understand you." `
` `
` "You rely on the usurper's return?" `
` `
` "We do." `
`