Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
`
` "And was he not so?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Gaspard, Gaspard!" murmured the woman, from her seat on the `
` stairs, "mind what you are saying!" Caderousse made no reply `
` to these words, though evidently irritated and annoyed by `
` the interruption, but, addressing the abbe, said, "Can a man `
` be faithful to another whose wife he covets and desires for `
` himself? But Dantes was so honorable and true in his own `
` nature, that he believed everybody's professions of `
` friendship. Poor Edmond, he was cruelly deceived; but it was `
` fortunate that he never knew, or he might have found it more `
` difficult, when on his deathbed, to pardon his enemies. And, `
` whatever people may say," continued Caderousse, in his `
` native language, which was not altogether devoid of rude `
` poetry, "I cannot help being more frightened at the idea of `
` the malediction of the dead than the hatred of the living." `
` `
` "Imbecile!" exclaimed La Carconte. `
` `
` "Do you, then, know in what manner Fernand injured Dantes?" `
` inquired the abbe of Caderousse. `
` `
` "Do I? No one better." `
` `
` "Speak out then, say what it was!" `
` `
` "Gaspard!" cried La Carconte, "do as you will; you are `
` master -- but if you take my advice you'll hold your `
` tongue." `
` `
` "Well, wife," replied Caderousse, "I don't know but what `
` you're right!" `
` `
` "So you will say nothing?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Why, what good would it do?" asked Caderousse. "If the poor `
` lad were living, and came to me and begged that I would `
` candidly tell which were his true and which his false `
` friends, why, perhaps, I should not hesitate. But you tell `
` me he is no more, and therefore can have nothing to do with `
` hatred or revenge, so let all such feeling be buried with `
` him." `
` `
` "You prefer, then," said the abbe, "that I should bestow on `
` men you say are false and treacherous, the reward intended `
` for faithful friendship?" `
` `
` "That is true enough," returned Caderousse. "You say truly, `
` the gift of poor Edmond was not meant for such traitors as `
` Fernand and Danglars; besides, what would it be to them? no `
` more than a drop of water in the ocean." `
` `
` "Remember," chimed in La Carconte, "those two could crush `
` you at a single blow!" `
` `
` "How so?" inquired the abbe. "Are these persons, then, so `
` rich and powerful?" `
` `
` "Do you not know their history?" `
` `
` "I do not. Pray relate it to me!" Caderousse seemed to `
` reflect for a few moments, then said, "No, truly, it would `
` take up too much time." `
` `
` "Well, my good friend," returned the abbe, in a tone that `
` indicated utter indifference on his part, "you are at `
` liberty, either to speak or be silent, just as you please; `
` for my own part, I respect your scruples and admire your `
` sentiments; so let the matter end. I shall do my duty as `
` conscientiously as I can, and fulfil my promise to the dying `
` man. My first business will be to dispose of this diamond." `
` So saying, the abbe again draw the small box from his `
` pocket, opened it, and contrived to hold it in such a light, `
` that a bright flash of brilliant hues passed before the `
` dazzled gaze of Caderousse. `
` `
` "Wife, wife!" cried he in a hoarse voice, "come here!" `
` `
` "Diamond!" exclaimed La Carconte, rising and descending to `
` the chamber with a tolerably firm step; "what diamond are `
` you talking about?" `
` `
` "Why, did you not hear all we said?" inquired Caderousse. `
` "It is a beautiful diamond left by poor Edmond Dantes, to be `
` sold, and the money divided between his father, Mercedes, `
` his betrothed bride, Fernand, Danglars, and myself. The `
` jewel is worth at least fifty thousand francs." `
` `
` "Oh, what a magnificent jewel!" cried the astonished woman. `
` `
` "The fifth part of the profits from this stone belongs to us `
` then, does it not?" asked Caderousse. `
` `
` "It does," replied the abbe; "with the addition of an equal `
` division of that part intended for the elder Dantes, which I `
` believe myself at liberty to divide equally with the four `
` survivors." `
` `
` "And why among us four?" inquired Caderousse. `
` `
` "As being the friends Edmond esteemed most faithful and `
` devoted to him." `
` `
` "I don't call those friends who betray and ruin you," `
` murmured the wife in her turn, in a low, muttering voice. `
` `
` "Of course not!" rejoined Caderousse quickly; "no more do I, `
` and that was what I was observing to this gentleman just `
` now. I said I looked upon it as a sacrilegious profanation `
` to reward treachery, perhaps crime." `
` `
` "Remember," answered the abbe calmly, as he replaced the `
` jewel and its case in the pocket of his cassock, "it is your `
` fault, not mine, that I do so. You will have the goodness to `
` furnish me with the address of both Fernand and Danglars, in `
` order that I may execute Edmond's last wishes." The `
` agitation of Caderousse became extreme, and large drops of `
` perspiration rolled from his heated brow. As he saw the abbe `
` rise from his seat and go towards the door, as though to `
` ascertain if his horse were sufficiently refreshed to `
` continue his journey, Caderousse and his wife exchanged `
` looks of deep meaning. `
` `
` "There, you see, wife," said the former, "this splendid `
` diamond might all be ours, if we chose!" `
` `
` "Do you believe it?" `
` `
` "Why, surely a man of his holy profession would not deceive `
` us!" `
` `
` "Well," replied La Carconte, "do as you like. For my part, I `
` wash my hands of the affair." So saying, she once more `
` climbed the staircase leading to her chamber, her body `
` convulsed with chills, and her teeth rattling in her head, `
` in spite of the intense heat of the weather. Arrived at the `
` top stair, she turned round, and called out, in a warning `
` tone, to her husband, "Gaspard, consider well what you are `
` about to do!" `
` `
` "I have both reflected and decided," answered he. La `
` Carconte then entered her chamber, the flooring of which `
` creaked beneath her heavy, uncertain tread, as she proceeded `
` towards her arm-chair, into which she fell as though `
` exhausted. `
` `
` "Well," asked the abbe, as he returned to the apartment `
` below, "what have you made up your mind to do?" `
` `
` "To tell you all I know," was the reply. `
` `
` "I certainly think you act wisely in so doing," said the `
` priest. "Not because I have the least desire to learn `
` anything you may please to conceal from me, but simply that `
` if, through your assistance, I could distribute the legacy `
` according to the wishes of the testator, why, so much the `
` better, that is all." `
` `
` "I hope it may be so," replied Caderousse, his face flushed `
` with cupidity. `
` `
` "I am all attention," said the abbe. `
` `
` "Stop a minute," answered Caderousse; "we might be `
` interrupted in the most interesting part of my story, which `
` would be a pity; and it is as well that your visit hither `
` should be made known only to ourselves." With these words he `
` went stealthily to the door, which he closed, and, by way of `
` still greater precaution, bolted and barred it, as he was `
` accustomed to do at night. During this time the abbe had `
` chosen his place for listening at his ease. He removed his `
` seat into a corner of the room, where he himself would be in `
` deep shadow, while the light would be fully thrown on the `
` narrator; then, with head bent down and hands clasped, or `
` rather clinched together, he prepared to give his whole `
` attention to Caderousse, who seated himself on the little `
` stool, exactly opposite to him. `
` `
` "Remember, this is no affair of mine," said the trembling `
` voice of La Carconte, as though through the flooring of her `
` chamber she viewed the scene that was enacting below. `
` `
` "Enough, enough!" replied Caderousse; "say no more about it; `
` I will take all the consequences upon myself." And he began `
` his story. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 27 `
` The Story. `
` `
` "First, sir," said Caderousse, "you must make me a promise." `
` `
` "What is that?" inquired the abbe. `
` `
` "Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give `
` you, that you will never let any one know that it was I who `
` supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk `
` are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of `
` their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass." `
`
` "And was he not so?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Gaspard, Gaspard!" murmured the woman, from her seat on the `
` stairs, "mind what you are saying!" Caderousse made no reply `
` to these words, though evidently irritated and annoyed by `
` the interruption, but, addressing the abbe, said, "Can a man `
` be faithful to another whose wife he covets and desires for `
` himself? But Dantes was so honorable and true in his own `
` nature, that he believed everybody's professions of `
` friendship. Poor Edmond, he was cruelly deceived; but it was `
` fortunate that he never knew, or he might have found it more `
` difficult, when on his deathbed, to pardon his enemies. And, `
` whatever people may say," continued Caderousse, in his `
` native language, which was not altogether devoid of rude `
` poetry, "I cannot help being more frightened at the idea of `
` the malediction of the dead than the hatred of the living." `
` `
` "Imbecile!" exclaimed La Carconte. `
` `
` "Do you, then, know in what manner Fernand injured Dantes?" `
` inquired the abbe of Caderousse. `
` `
` "Do I? No one better." `
` `
` "Speak out then, say what it was!" `
` `
` "Gaspard!" cried La Carconte, "do as you will; you are `
` master -- but if you take my advice you'll hold your `
` tongue." `
` `
` "Well, wife," replied Caderousse, "I don't know but what `
` you're right!" `
` `
` "So you will say nothing?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Why, what good would it do?" asked Caderousse. "If the poor `
` lad were living, and came to me and begged that I would `
` candidly tell which were his true and which his false `
` friends, why, perhaps, I should not hesitate. But you tell `
` me he is no more, and therefore can have nothing to do with `
` hatred or revenge, so let all such feeling be buried with `
` him." `
` `
` "You prefer, then," said the abbe, "that I should bestow on `
` men you say are false and treacherous, the reward intended `
` for faithful friendship?" `
` `
` "That is true enough," returned Caderousse. "You say truly, `
` the gift of poor Edmond was not meant for such traitors as `
` Fernand and Danglars; besides, what would it be to them? no `
` more than a drop of water in the ocean." `
` `
` "Remember," chimed in La Carconte, "those two could crush `
` you at a single blow!" `
` `
` "How so?" inquired the abbe. "Are these persons, then, so `
` rich and powerful?" `
` `
` "Do you not know their history?" `
` `
` "I do not. Pray relate it to me!" Caderousse seemed to `
` reflect for a few moments, then said, "No, truly, it would `
` take up too much time." `
` `
` "Well, my good friend," returned the abbe, in a tone that `
` indicated utter indifference on his part, "you are at `
` liberty, either to speak or be silent, just as you please; `
` for my own part, I respect your scruples and admire your `
` sentiments; so let the matter end. I shall do my duty as `
` conscientiously as I can, and fulfil my promise to the dying `
` man. My first business will be to dispose of this diamond." `
` So saying, the abbe again draw the small box from his `
` pocket, opened it, and contrived to hold it in such a light, `
` that a bright flash of brilliant hues passed before the `
` dazzled gaze of Caderousse. `
` `
` "Wife, wife!" cried he in a hoarse voice, "come here!" `
` `
` "Diamond!" exclaimed La Carconte, rising and descending to `
` the chamber with a tolerably firm step; "what diamond are `
` you talking about?" `
` `
` "Why, did you not hear all we said?" inquired Caderousse. `
` "It is a beautiful diamond left by poor Edmond Dantes, to be `
` sold, and the money divided between his father, Mercedes, `
` his betrothed bride, Fernand, Danglars, and myself. The `
` jewel is worth at least fifty thousand francs." `
` `
` "Oh, what a magnificent jewel!" cried the astonished woman. `
` `
` "The fifth part of the profits from this stone belongs to us `
` then, does it not?" asked Caderousse. `
` `
` "It does," replied the abbe; "with the addition of an equal `
` division of that part intended for the elder Dantes, which I `
` believe myself at liberty to divide equally with the four `
` survivors." `
` `
` "And why among us four?" inquired Caderousse. `
` `
` "As being the friends Edmond esteemed most faithful and `
` devoted to him." `
` `
` "I don't call those friends who betray and ruin you," `
` murmured the wife in her turn, in a low, muttering voice. `
` `
` "Of course not!" rejoined Caderousse quickly; "no more do I, `
` and that was what I was observing to this gentleman just `
` now. I said I looked upon it as a sacrilegious profanation `
` to reward treachery, perhaps crime." `
` `
` "Remember," answered the abbe calmly, as he replaced the `
` jewel and its case in the pocket of his cassock, "it is your `
` fault, not mine, that I do so. You will have the goodness to `
` furnish me with the address of both Fernand and Danglars, in `
` order that I may execute Edmond's last wishes." The `
` agitation of Caderousse became extreme, and large drops of `
` perspiration rolled from his heated brow. As he saw the abbe `
` rise from his seat and go towards the door, as though to `
` ascertain if his horse were sufficiently refreshed to `
` continue his journey, Caderousse and his wife exchanged `
` looks of deep meaning. `
` `
` "There, you see, wife," said the former, "this splendid `
` diamond might all be ours, if we chose!" `
` `
` "Do you believe it?" `
` `
` "Why, surely a man of his holy profession would not deceive `
` us!" `
` `
` "Well," replied La Carconte, "do as you like. For my part, I `
` wash my hands of the affair." So saying, she once more `
` climbed the staircase leading to her chamber, her body `
` convulsed with chills, and her teeth rattling in her head, `
` in spite of the intense heat of the weather. Arrived at the `
` top stair, she turned round, and called out, in a warning `
` tone, to her husband, "Gaspard, consider well what you are `
` about to do!" `
` `
` "I have both reflected and decided," answered he. La `
` Carconte then entered her chamber, the flooring of which `
` creaked beneath her heavy, uncertain tread, as she proceeded `
` towards her arm-chair, into which she fell as though `
` exhausted. `
` `
` "Well," asked the abbe, as he returned to the apartment `
` below, "what have you made up your mind to do?" `
` `
` "To tell you all I know," was the reply. `
` `
` "I certainly think you act wisely in so doing," said the `
` priest. "Not because I have the least desire to learn `
` anything you may please to conceal from me, but simply that `
` if, through your assistance, I could distribute the legacy `
` according to the wishes of the testator, why, so much the `
` better, that is all." `
` `
` "I hope it may be so," replied Caderousse, his face flushed `
` with cupidity. `
` `
` "I am all attention," said the abbe. `
` `
` "Stop a minute," answered Caderousse; "we might be `
` interrupted in the most interesting part of my story, which `
` would be a pity; and it is as well that your visit hither `
` should be made known only to ourselves." With these words he `
` went stealthily to the door, which he closed, and, by way of `
` still greater precaution, bolted and barred it, as he was `
` accustomed to do at night. During this time the abbe had `
` chosen his place for listening at his ease. He removed his `
` seat into a corner of the room, where he himself would be in `
` deep shadow, while the light would be fully thrown on the `
` narrator; then, with head bent down and hands clasped, or `
` rather clinched together, he prepared to give his whole `
` attention to Caderousse, who seated himself on the little `
` stool, exactly opposite to him. `
` `
` "Remember, this is no affair of mine," said the trembling `
` voice of La Carconte, as though through the flooring of her `
` chamber she viewed the scene that was enacting below. `
` `
` "Enough, enough!" replied Caderousse; "say no more about it; `
` I will take all the consequences upon myself." And he began `
` his story. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 27 `
` The Story. `
` `
` "First, sir," said Caderousse, "you must make me a promise." `
` `
` "What is that?" inquired the abbe. `
` `
` "Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give `
` you, that you will never let any one know that it was I who `
` supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk `
` are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of `
` their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass." `
`