Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
persuasion to induce him to remain as one of the crew, but `
` having been told the history of the legacy, he ceased to `
` importune him further. The following morning Jacopo set sail `
` for Marseilles, with directions from Dantes to join him at `
` the Island of Monte Cristo. `
` `
` Having seen Jacopo fairly out of the harbor, Dantes `
` proceeded to make his final adieus on board The Young `
` Amelia, distributing so liberal a gratuity among her crew as `
` to secure for him the good wishes of all, and expressions of `
` cordial interest in all that concerned him. To the captain `
` he promised to write when he had made up his mind as to his `
` future plans. Then Dantes departed for Genoa. At the moment `
` of his arrival a small yacht was under trial in the bay; `
` this yacht had been built by order of an Englishman, who, `
` having heard that the Genoese excelled all other builders `
` along the shores of the Mediterranean in the construction of `
` fast-sailing vessels, was desirous of possessing a specimen `
` of their skill; the price agreed upon between the Englishman `
` and the Genoese builder was forty thousand francs. Dantes, `
` struck with the beauty and capability of the little vessel, `
` applied to its owner to transfer it to him, offering sixty `
` thousand francs, upon condition that he should be allowed to `
` take immediate possession. The proposal was too advantageous `
` to be refused, the more so as the person for whom the yacht `
` was intended had gone upon a tour through Switzerland, and `
` was not expected back in less than three weeks or a month, `
` by which time the builder reckoned upon being able to `
` complete another. A bargain was therefore struck. Dantes led `
` the owner of the yacht to the dwelling of a Jew; retired `
` with the latter for a few minutes to a small back parlor, `
` and upon their return the Jew counted out to the shipbuilder `
` the sum of sixty thousand francs in bright gold pieces. `
` `
` The delighted builder then offered his services in providing `
` a suitable crew for the little vessel, but this Dantes `
` declined with many thanks, saying he was accustomed to `
` cruise about quite alone, and his principal pleasure `
` consisted in managing his yacht himself; the only thing the `
` builder could oblige him in would be to contrive a sort of `
` secret closet in the cabin at his bed's head, the closet to `
` contain three divisions, so constructed as to be concealed `
` from all but himself. The builder cheerfully undertook the `
` commission, and promised to have these secret places `
` completed by the next day, Dantes furnishing the dimensions `
` and plan in accordance with which they were to be `
` constructed. `
` `
` The following day Dantes sailed with his yacht from Genoa, `
` under the inspection of an immense crowd drawn together by `
` curiosity to see the rich Spanish nobleman who preferred `
` managing his own yacht. But their wonder was soon changed to `
` admiration at seeing the perfect skill with which Dantes `
` handled the helm. The boat, indeed, seemed to be animated `
` with almost human intelligence, so promptly did it obey the `
` slightest touch; and Dantes required but a short trial of `
` his beautiful craft to acknowledge that the Genoese had not `
` without reason attained their high reputation in the art of `
` shipbuilding. The spectators followed the little vessel with `
` their eyes as long as it remained visible; they then turned `
` their conjectures upon her probable destination. Some `
` insisted she was making for Corsica, others the Island of `
` Elba; bets were offered to any amount that she was bound for `
` Spain; while Africa was positively reported by many persons `
` as her intended course; but no one thought of Monte Cristo. `
` Yet thither it was that Dantes guided his vessel, and at `
` Monte Cristo he arrived at the close of the second day; his `
` boat had proved herself a first-class sailer, and had come `
` the distance from Genoa in thirty-five hours. Dantes had `
` carefully noted the general appearance of the shore, and, `
` instead of landing at the usual place, he dropped anchor in `
` the little creek. The island was utterly deserted, and bore `
` no evidence of having been visited since he went away; his `
` treasure was just as he had left it. Early on the following `
` morning he commenced the removal of his riches, and ere `
` nightfall the whole of his immense wealth was safely `
` deposited in the compartments of the secret locker. `
` `
` A week passed by. Dantes employed it in manoeuvring his `
` yacht round the island, studying it as a skilful horseman `
` would the animal he destined for some important service, `
` till at the end of that time he was perfectly conversant `
` with its good and bad qualities. The former Dantes proposed `
` to augment, the latter to remedy. `
` `
` Upon the eighth day he discerned a small vessel under full `
` sail approaching Monte Cristo. As it drew near, he `
` recognized it as the boat he had given to Jacopo. He `
` immediately signalled it. His signal was returned, and in `
` two hours afterwards the new-comer lay at anchor beside the `
` yacht. A mournful answer awaited each of Edmond's eager `
` inquiries as to the information Jacopo had obtained. Old `
` Dantes was dead, and Mercedes had disappeared. Dantes `
` listened to these melancholy tidings with outward calmness; `
` but, leaping lightly ashore, he signified his desire to be `
` quite alone. In a couple of hours he returned. Two of the `
` men from Jacopo's boat came on board the yacht to assist in `
` navigating it, and he gave orders that she should be steered `
` direct to Marseilles. For his father's death he was in some `
` manner prepared; but he knew not how to account for the `
` mysterious disappearance of Mercedes. `
` `
` Without divulging his secret, Dantes could not give `
` sufficiently clear instructions to an agent. There were, `
` besides, other particulars he was desirous of ascertaining, `
` and those were of a nature he alone could investigate in a `
` manner satisfactory to himself. His looking-glass had `
` assured him, during his stay at Leghorn, that he ran no risk `
` of recognition; moreover, he had now the means of adopting `
` any disguise he thought proper. One fine morning, then, his `
` yacht, followed by the little fishing-boat, boldly entered `
` the port of Marseilles, and anchored exactly opposite the `
` spot from whence, on the never-to-be-forgotten night of his `
` departure for the Chateau d'If, he had been put on board the `
` boat destined to convey him thither. Still Dantes could not `
` view without a shudder the approach of a gendarme who `
` accompanied the officers deputed to demand his bill of `
` health ere the yacht was permitted to hold communication `
` with the shore; but with that perfect self-possession he had `
` acquired during his acquaintance with Faria, Dantes coolly `
` presented an English passport he had obtained from Leghorn, `
` and as this gave him a standing which a French passport `
` would not have afforded, he was informed that there existed `
` no obstacle to his immediate debarkation. `
` `
` The first person to attract the attention of Dantes, as he `
` landed on the Canebiere, was one of the crew belonging to `
` the Pharaon. Edmond welcomed the meeting with this fellow -- `
` who had been one of his own sailors -- as a sure means of `
` testing the extent of the change which time had worked in `
` his own appearance. Going straight towards him, he `
` propounded a variety of questions on different subjects, `
` carefully watching the man's countenance as he did so; but `
` not a word or look implied that he had the slightest idea of `
` ever having seen before the person with whom he was then `
` conversing. Giving the sailor a piece of money in return for `
` his civility, Dantes proceeded onwards; but ere he had gone `
` many steps he heard the man loudly calling him to stop. `
` Dantes instantly turned to meet him. "I beg your pardon, `
` sir," said the honest fellow, in almost breathless haste, `
` "but I believe you made a mistake; you intended to give me a `
` two-franc piece, and see, you gave me a double Napoleon." `
` `
` "Thank you, my good friend. I see that I have made a `
` trifling mistake, as you say; but by way of rewarding your `
` honesty I give you another double Napoleon, that you may `
` drink to my health, and be able to ask your messmates to `
` join you." `
` `
` So extreme was the surprise of the sailor, that he was `
` unable even to thank Edmond, whose receding figure he `
` continued to gaze after in speechless astonishment. "Some `
` nabob from India," was his comment. `
` `
` Dantes, meanwhile, went on his way. Each step he trod `
` oppressed his heart with fresh emotion; his first and most `
` indelible recollections were there; not a tree, not a `
` street, that he passed but seemed filled with dear and `
` cherished memories. And thus he proceeded onwards till he `
` arrived at the end of the Rue de Noailles, from whence a `
` full view of the Allees de Meillan was obtained. At this `
` spot, so pregnant with fond and filial remembrances, his `
` heart beat almost to bursting, his knees tottered under him, `
` a mist floated over his sight, and had he not clung for `
` support to one of the trees, he would inevitably have fallen `
` to the ground and been crushed beneath the many vehicles `
` continually passing there. Recovering himself, however, he `
` wiped the perspiration from his brows, and stopped not again `
` till he found himself at the door of the house in which his `
` father had lived. `
` `
` The nasturtiums and other plants, which his father had `
` delighted to train before his window, had all disappeared `
` from the upper part of the house. Leaning against the tree, `
` he gazed thoughtfully for a time at the upper stories of the `
` shabby little house. Then he advanced to the door, and asked `
` whether there were any rooms to be let. Though answered in `
` the negative, he begged so earnestly to be permitted to `
` visit those on the fifth floor, that, in despite of the `
` oft-repeated assurance of the concierge that they were `
` occupied, Dantes succeeded in inducing the man to go up to `
` the tenants, and ask permission for a gentleman to be `
` allowed to look at them. `
` `
` The tenants of the humble lodging were a young couple who `
` had been scarcely married a week; and seeing them, Dantes `
` sighed heavily. Nothing in the two small chambers forming `
` the apartments remained as it had been in the time of the `
` elder Dantes; the very paper was different, while the `
` articles of antiquated furniture with which the rooms had `
` been filled in Edmond's time had all disappeared; the four `
` walls alone remained as he had left them. The bed belonging `
` to the present occupants was placed as the former owner of `
` the chamber had been accustomed to have his; and, in spite `
` of his efforts to prevent it, the eyes of Edmond were `
` suffused in tears as he reflected that on that spot the old `
` man had breathed his last, vainly calling for his son. The `
` young couple gazed with astonishment at the sight of their `
` visitor's emotion, and wondered to see the large tears `
` silently chasing each other down his otherwise stern and `
` immovable features; but they felt the sacredness of his `
`
` having been told the history of the legacy, he ceased to `
` importune him further. The following morning Jacopo set sail `
` for Marseilles, with directions from Dantes to join him at `
` the Island of Monte Cristo. `
` `
` Having seen Jacopo fairly out of the harbor, Dantes `
` proceeded to make his final adieus on board The Young `
` Amelia, distributing so liberal a gratuity among her crew as `
` to secure for him the good wishes of all, and expressions of `
` cordial interest in all that concerned him. To the captain `
` he promised to write when he had made up his mind as to his `
` future plans. Then Dantes departed for Genoa. At the moment `
` of his arrival a small yacht was under trial in the bay; `
` this yacht had been built by order of an Englishman, who, `
` having heard that the Genoese excelled all other builders `
` along the shores of the Mediterranean in the construction of `
` fast-sailing vessels, was desirous of possessing a specimen `
` of their skill; the price agreed upon between the Englishman `
` and the Genoese builder was forty thousand francs. Dantes, `
` struck with the beauty and capability of the little vessel, `
` applied to its owner to transfer it to him, offering sixty `
` thousand francs, upon condition that he should be allowed to `
` take immediate possession. The proposal was too advantageous `
` to be refused, the more so as the person for whom the yacht `
` was intended had gone upon a tour through Switzerland, and `
` was not expected back in less than three weeks or a month, `
` by which time the builder reckoned upon being able to `
` complete another. A bargain was therefore struck. Dantes led `
` the owner of the yacht to the dwelling of a Jew; retired `
` with the latter for a few minutes to a small back parlor, `
` and upon their return the Jew counted out to the shipbuilder `
` the sum of sixty thousand francs in bright gold pieces. `
` `
` The delighted builder then offered his services in providing `
` a suitable crew for the little vessel, but this Dantes `
` declined with many thanks, saying he was accustomed to `
` cruise about quite alone, and his principal pleasure `
` consisted in managing his yacht himself; the only thing the `
` builder could oblige him in would be to contrive a sort of `
` secret closet in the cabin at his bed's head, the closet to `
` contain three divisions, so constructed as to be concealed `
` from all but himself. The builder cheerfully undertook the `
` commission, and promised to have these secret places `
` completed by the next day, Dantes furnishing the dimensions `
` and plan in accordance with which they were to be `
` constructed. `
` `
` The following day Dantes sailed with his yacht from Genoa, `
` under the inspection of an immense crowd drawn together by `
` curiosity to see the rich Spanish nobleman who preferred `
` managing his own yacht. But their wonder was soon changed to `
` admiration at seeing the perfect skill with which Dantes `
` handled the helm. The boat, indeed, seemed to be animated `
` with almost human intelligence, so promptly did it obey the `
` slightest touch; and Dantes required but a short trial of `
` his beautiful craft to acknowledge that the Genoese had not `
` without reason attained their high reputation in the art of `
` shipbuilding. The spectators followed the little vessel with `
` their eyes as long as it remained visible; they then turned `
` their conjectures upon her probable destination. Some `
` insisted she was making for Corsica, others the Island of `
` Elba; bets were offered to any amount that she was bound for `
` Spain; while Africa was positively reported by many persons `
` as her intended course; but no one thought of Monte Cristo. `
` Yet thither it was that Dantes guided his vessel, and at `
` Monte Cristo he arrived at the close of the second day; his `
` boat had proved herself a first-class sailer, and had come `
` the distance from Genoa in thirty-five hours. Dantes had `
` carefully noted the general appearance of the shore, and, `
` instead of landing at the usual place, he dropped anchor in `
` the little creek. The island was utterly deserted, and bore `
` no evidence of having been visited since he went away; his `
` treasure was just as he had left it. Early on the following `
` morning he commenced the removal of his riches, and ere `
` nightfall the whole of his immense wealth was safely `
` deposited in the compartments of the secret locker. `
` `
` A week passed by. Dantes employed it in manoeuvring his `
` yacht round the island, studying it as a skilful horseman `
` would the animal he destined for some important service, `
` till at the end of that time he was perfectly conversant `
` with its good and bad qualities. The former Dantes proposed `
` to augment, the latter to remedy. `
` `
` Upon the eighth day he discerned a small vessel under full `
` sail approaching Monte Cristo. As it drew near, he `
` recognized it as the boat he had given to Jacopo. He `
` immediately signalled it. His signal was returned, and in `
` two hours afterwards the new-comer lay at anchor beside the `
` yacht. A mournful answer awaited each of Edmond's eager `
` inquiries as to the information Jacopo had obtained. Old `
` Dantes was dead, and Mercedes had disappeared. Dantes `
` listened to these melancholy tidings with outward calmness; `
` but, leaping lightly ashore, he signified his desire to be `
` quite alone. In a couple of hours he returned. Two of the `
` men from Jacopo's boat came on board the yacht to assist in `
` navigating it, and he gave orders that she should be steered `
` direct to Marseilles. For his father's death he was in some `
` manner prepared; but he knew not how to account for the `
` mysterious disappearance of Mercedes. `
` `
` Without divulging his secret, Dantes could not give `
` sufficiently clear instructions to an agent. There were, `
` besides, other particulars he was desirous of ascertaining, `
` and those were of a nature he alone could investigate in a `
` manner satisfactory to himself. His looking-glass had `
` assured him, during his stay at Leghorn, that he ran no risk `
` of recognition; moreover, he had now the means of adopting `
` any disguise he thought proper. One fine morning, then, his `
` yacht, followed by the little fishing-boat, boldly entered `
` the port of Marseilles, and anchored exactly opposite the `
` spot from whence, on the never-to-be-forgotten night of his `
` departure for the Chateau d'If, he had been put on board the `
` boat destined to convey him thither. Still Dantes could not `
` view without a shudder the approach of a gendarme who `
` accompanied the officers deputed to demand his bill of `
` health ere the yacht was permitted to hold communication `
` with the shore; but with that perfect self-possession he had `
` acquired during his acquaintance with Faria, Dantes coolly `
` presented an English passport he had obtained from Leghorn, `
` and as this gave him a standing which a French passport `
` would not have afforded, he was informed that there existed `
` no obstacle to his immediate debarkation. `
` `
` The first person to attract the attention of Dantes, as he `
` landed on the Canebiere, was one of the crew belonging to `
` the Pharaon. Edmond welcomed the meeting with this fellow -- `
` who had been one of his own sailors -- as a sure means of `
` testing the extent of the change which time had worked in `
` his own appearance. Going straight towards him, he `
` propounded a variety of questions on different subjects, `
` carefully watching the man's countenance as he did so; but `
` not a word or look implied that he had the slightest idea of `
` ever having seen before the person with whom he was then `
` conversing. Giving the sailor a piece of money in return for `
` his civility, Dantes proceeded onwards; but ere he had gone `
` many steps he heard the man loudly calling him to stop. `
` Dantes instantly turned to meet him. "I beg your pardon, `
` sir," said the honest fellow, in almost breathless haste, `
` "but I believe you made a mistake; you intended to give me a `
` two-franc piece, and see, you gave me a double Napoleon." `
` `
` "Thank you, my good friend. I see that I have made a `
` trifling mistake, as you say; but by way of rewarding your `
` honesty I give you another double Napoleon, that you may `
` drink to my health, and be able to ask your messmates to `
` join you." `
` `
` So extreme was the surprise of the sailor, that he was `
` unable even to thank Edmond, whose receding figure he `
` continued to gaze after in speechless astonishment. "Some `
` nabob from India," was his comment. `
` `
` Dantes, meanwhile, went on his way. Each step he trod `
` oppressed his heart with fresh emotion; his first and most `
` indelible recollections were there; not a tree, not a `
` street, that he passed but seemed filled with dear and `
` cherished memories. And thus he proceeded onwards till he `
` arrived at the end of the Rue de Noailles, from whence a `
` full view of the Allees de Meillan was obtained. At this `
` spot, so pregnant with fond and filial remembrances, his `
` heart beat almost to bursting, his knees tottered under him, `
` a mist floated over his sight, and had he not clung for `
` support to one of the trees, he would inevitably have fallen `
` to the ground and been crushed beneath the many vehicles `
` continually passing there. Recovering himself, however, he `
` wiped the perspiration from his brows, and stopped not again `
` till he found himself at the door of the house in which his `
` father had lived. `
` `
` The nasturtiums and other plants, which his father had `
` delighted to train before his window, had all disappeared `
` from the upper part of the house. Leaning against the tree, `
` he gazed thoughtfully for a time at the upper stories of the `
` shabby little house. Then he advanced to the door, and asked `
` whether there were any rooms to be let. Though answered in `
` the negative, he begged so earnestly to be permitted to `
` visit those on the fifth floor, that, in despite of the `
` oft-repeated assurance of the concierge that they were `
` occupied, Dantes succeeded in inducing the man to go up to `
` the tenants, and ask permission for a gentleman to be `
` allowed to look at them. `
` `
` The tenants of the humble lodging were a young couple who `
` had been scarcely married a week; and seeing them, Dantes `
` sighed heavily. Nothing in the two small chambers forming `
` the apartments remained as it had been in the time of the `
` elder Dantes; the very paper was different, while the `
` articles of antiquated furniture with which the rooms had `
` been filled in Edmond's time had all disappeared; the four `
` walls alone remained as he had left them. The bed belonging `
` to the present occupants was placed as the former owner of `
` the chamber had been accustomed to have his; and, in spite `
` of his efforts to prevent it, the eyes of Edmond were `
` suffused in tears as he reflected that on that spot the old `
` man had breathed his last, vainly calling for his son. The `
` young couple gazed with astonishment at the sight of their `
` visitor's emotion, and wondered to see the large tears `
` silently chasing each other down his otherwise stern and `
` immovable features; but they felt the sacredness of his `
`