Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
"We do." `
` `
` "You are mistaken; he will not advance two leagues into the `
` interior of France without being followed, tracked, and `
` caught like a wild beast." `
` `
` "My dear fellow, the emperor is at this moment on the way to `
` Grenoble; on the 10th or 12th he will be at Lyons, and on `
` the 20th or 25th at Paris." `
` `
` "The people will rise." `
` `
` "Yes, to go and meet him." `
` `
` "He has but a handful of men with him, and armies will be `
` despatched against him." `
` `
` "Yes, to escort him into the capital. Really, my dear `
` Gerard, you are but a child; you think yourself well `
` informed because the telegraph has told you, three days `
` after the landing, `The usurper has landed at Cannes with `
` several men. He is pursued.' But where is he? what is he `
` doing? You do not know at all, and in this way they will `
` chase him to Paris, without drawing a trigger." `
` `
` "Grenoble and Lyons are faithful cities, and will oppose to `
` him an impassable barrier." `
` `
` "Grenoble will open her gates to him with enthusiasm -- all `
` Lyons will hasten to welcome him. Believe me, we are as well `
` informed as you, and our police are as good as your own. `
` Would you like a proof of it? well, you wished to conceal `
` your journey from me, and yet I knew of your arrival half an `
` hour after you had passed the barrier. You gave your `
` direction to no one but your postilion, yet I have your `
` address, and in proof I am here the very instant you are `
` going to sit at table. Ring, then, if you please, for a `
` second knife, fork, and plate, and we will dine together." `
` `
` "Indeed!" replied Villefort, looking at his father with `
` astonishment, "you really do seem very well informed." `
` `
` "Eh? the thing is simple enough. You who are in power have `
` only the means that money produces -- we who are in `
` expectation, have those which devotion prompts." `
` `
` "Devotion!" said Villefort, with a sneer. `
` `
` "Yes, devotion; for that is, I believe, the phrase for `
` hopeful ambition." `
` `
` And Villefort's father extended his hand to the bell-rope, `
` to summon the servant whom his son had not called. Villefort `
` caught his arm. `
` `
` "Wait, my dear father," said the young man, "one word more." `
` `
` "Say on." `
` `
` "However stupid the royalist police may be, they do know one `
` terrible thing." `
` `
` "What is that?" `
` `
` "The description of the man who, on the morning of the day `
` when General Quesnel disappeared, presented himself at his `
` house." `
` `
` "Oh, the admirable police have found that out, have they? `
` And what may be that description?" `
` `
` "Dark complexion; hair, eyebrows, and whiskers, black; blue `
` frock-coat, buttoned up to the chin; rosette of an officer `
` of the Legion of Honor in his button-hole; a hat with wide `
` brim, and a cane." `
` `
` "Ah, ha, that's it, is it?" said Noirtier; "and why, then, `
` have they not laid hands on him?" `
` `
` "Because yesterday, or the day before, they lost sight of `
` him at the corner of the Rue Coq-Heron." `
` `
` "Didn't I say that your police were good for nothing?" `
` `
` "Yes; but they may catch him yet." `
` `
` "True," said Noirtier, looking carelessly around him, "true, `
` if this person were not on his guard, as he is;" and he `
` added with a smile, "He will consequently make a few changes `
` in his personal appearance." At these words he rose, and put `
` off his frock-coat and cravat, went towards a table on which `
` lay his son's toilet articles, lathered his face, took a `
` razor, and, with a firm hand, cut off the compromising `
` whiskers. Villefort watched him with alarm not devoid of `
` admiration. `
` `
` His whiskers cut off, Noirtier gave another turn to his `
` hair; took, instead of his black cravat, a colored `
` neckerchief which lay at the top of an open portmanteau; put `
` on, in lieu of his blue and high-buttoned frock-coat, a coat `
` of Villefort's of dark brown, and cut away in front; tried `
` on before the glass a narrow-brimmed hat of his son's, which `
` appeared to fit him perfectly, and, leaving his cane in the `
` corner where he had deposited it, he took up a small bamboo `
` switch, cut the air with it once or twice, and walked about `
` with that easy swagger which was one of his principal `
` characteristics. `
` `
` "Well," he said, turning towards his wondering son, when `
` this disguise was completed, "well, do you think your police `
` will recognize me now." `
` `
` "No, father," stammered Villefort; "at least, I hope not." `
` `
` "And now, my dear boy," continued Noirtier, "I rely on your `
` prudence to remove all the things which I leave in your `
` care." `
` `
` "Oh, rely on me," said Villefort. `
` `
` "Yes, yes; and now I believe you are right, and that you `
` have really saved my life; be assured I will return the `
` favor hereafter." Villefort shook his head. `
` `
` "You are not convinced yet?" `
` `
` "I hope at least, that you may be mistaken." `
` `
` "Shall you see the king again?" `
` `
` "Perhaps." `
` `
` "Would you pass in his eyes for a prophet?" `
` `
` "Prophets of evil are not in favor at the court, father." `
` `
` "True, but some day they do them justice; and supposing a `
` second restoration, you would then pass for a great man." `
` `
` "Well, what should I say to the king?" `
` `
` "Say this to him: `Sire, you are deceived as to the feeling `
` in France, as to the opinions of the towns, and the `
` prejudices of the army; he whom in Paris you call the `
` Corsican ogre, who at Nevers is styled the usurper, is `
` already saluted as Bonaparte at Lyons, and emperor at `
` Grenoble. You think he is tracked, pursued, captured; he is `
` advancing as rapidly as his own eagles. The soldiers you `
` believe to be dying with hunger, worn out with fatigue, `
` ready to desert, gather like atoms of snow about the rolling `
` ball as it hastens onward. Sire, go, leave France to its `
` real master, to him who acquired it, not by purchase, but by `
` right of conquest; go, sire, not that you incur any risk, `
` for your adversary is powerful enough to show you mercy, but `
` because it would be humiliating for a grandson of Saint `
` Louis to owe his life to the man of Arcola, Marengo, `
` Austerlitz.' Tell him this, Gerard; or, rather, tell him `
` nothing. Keep your journey a secret; do not boast of what `
` you have come to Paris to do, or have done; return with all `
` speed; enter Marseilles at night, and your house by the `
` back-door, and there remain, quiet, submissive, secret, and, `
` above all, inoffensive; for this time, I swear to you, we `
` shall act like powerful men who know their enemies. Go, my `
` son -- go, my dear Gerard, and by your obedience to my `
` paternal orders, or, if you prefer it, friendly counsels, we `
` will keep you in your place. This will be," added Noirtier, `
` with a smile, "one means by which you may a second time save `
` me, if the political balance should some day take another `
` turn, and cast you aloft while hurling me down. Adieu, my `
` dear Gerard, and at your next journey alight at my door." `
` Noirtier left the room when he had finished, with the same `
` calmness that had characterized him during the whole of this `
` remarkable and trying conversation. Villefort, pale and `
` agitated, ran to the window, put aside the curtain, and saw `
` him pass, cool and collected, by two or three ill-looking `
` men at the corner of the street, who were there, perhaps, to `
` arrest a man with black whiskers, and a blue frock-coat, and `
` hat with broad brim. `
` `
` Villefort stood watching, breathless, until his father had `
` disappeared at the Rue Bussy. Then he turned to the various `
` articles he had left behind him, put the black cravat and `
` blue frock-coat at the bottom of the portmanteau, threw the `
` hat into a dark closet, broke the cane into small bits and `
` flung it in the fire, put on his travelling-cap, and calling `
` his valet, checked with a look the thousand questions he was `
` ready to ask, paid his bill, sprang into his carriage, which `
` was ready, learned at Lyons that Bonaparte had entered `
` Grenoble, and in the midst of the tumult which prevailed `
` along the road, at length reached Marseilles, a prey to all `
` the hopes and fears which enter into the heart of man with `
` ambition and its first successes. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 13 `
` The Hundred Days. `
` `
` M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed `
` rapidly, as he had predicted. Every one knows the history of `
` the famous return from Elba, a return which was `
`
` `
` "You are mistaken; he will not advance two leagues into the `
` interior of France without being followed, tracked, and `
` caught like a wild beast." `
` `
` "My dear fellow, the emperor is at this moment on the way to `
` Grenoble; on the 10th or 12th he will be at Lyons, and on `
` the 20th or 25th at Paris." `
` `
` "The people will rise." `
` `
` "Yes, to go and meet him." `
` `
` "He has but a handful of men with him, and armies will be `
` despatched against him." `
` `
` "Yes, to escort him into the capital. Really, my dear `
` Gerard, you are but a child; you think yourself well `
` informed because the telegraph has told you, three days `
` after the landing, `The usurper has landed at Cannes with `
` several men. He is pursued.' But where is he? what is he `
` doing? You do not know at all, and in this way they will `
` chase him to Paris, without drawing a trigger." `
` `
` "Grenoble and Lyons are faithful cities, and will oppose to `
` him an impassable barrier." `
` `
` "Grenoble will open her gates to him with enthusiasm -- all `
` Lyons will hasten to welcome him. Believe me, we are as well `
` informed as you, and our police are as good as your own. `
` Would you like a proof of it? well, you wished to conceal `
` your journey from me, and yet I knew of your arrival half an `
` hour after you had passed the barrier. You gave your `
` direction to no one but your postilion, yet I have your `
` address, and in proof I am here the very instant you are `
` going to sit at table. Ring, then, if you please, for a `
` second knife, fork, and plate, and we will dine together." `
` `
` "Indeed!" replied Villefort, looking at his father with `
` astonishment, "you really do seem very well informed." `
` `
` "Eh? the thing is simple enough. You who are in power have `
` only the means that money produces -- we who are in `
` expectation, have those which devotion prompts." `
` `
` "Devotion!" said Villefort, with a sneer. `
` `
` "Yes, devotion; for that is, I believe, the phrase for `
` hopeful ambition." `
` `
` And Villefort's father extended his hand to the bell-rope, `
` to summon the servant whom his son had not called. Villefort `
` caught his arm. `
` `
` "Wait, my dear father," said the young man, "one word more." `
` `
` "Say on." `
` `
` "However stupid the royalist police may be, they do know one `
` terrible thing." `
` `
` "What is that?" `
` `
` "The description of the man who, on the morning of the day `
` when General Quesnel disappeared, presented himself at his `
` house." `
` `
` "Oh, the admirable police have found that out, have they? `
` And what may be that description?" `
` `
` "Dark complexion; hair, eyebrows, and whiskers, black; blue `
` frock-coat, buttoned up to the chin; rosette of an officer `
` of the Legion of Honor in his button-hole; a hat with wide `
` brim, and a cane." `
` `
` "Ah, ha, that's it, is it?" said Noirtier; "and why, then, `
` have they not laid hands on him?" `
` `
` "Because yesterday, or the day before, they lost sight of `
` him at the corner of the Rue Coq-Heron." `
` `
` "Didn't I say that your police were good for nothing?" `
` `
` "Yes; but they may catch him yet." `
` `
` "True," said Noirtier, looking carelessly around him, "true, `
` if this person were not on his guard, as he is;" and he `
` added with a smile, "He will consequently make a few changes `
` in his personal appearance." At these words he rose, and put `
` off his frock-coat and cravat, went towards a table on which `
` lay his son's toilet articles, lathered his face, took a `
` razor, and, with a firm hand, cut off the compromising `
` whiskers. Villefort watched him with alarm not devoid of `
` admiration. `
` `
` His whiskers cut off, Noirtier gave another turn to his `
` hair; took, instead of his black cravat, a colored `
` neckerchief which lay at the top of an open portmanteau; put `
` on, in lieu of his blue and high-buttoned frock-coat, a coat `
` of Villefort's of dark brown, and cut away in front; tried `
` on before the glass a narrow-brimmed hat of his son's, which `
` appeared to fit him perfectly, and, leaving his cane in the `
` corner where he had deposited it, he took up a small bamboo `
` switch, cut the air with it once or twice, and walked about `
` with that easy swagger which was one of his principal `
` characteristics. `
` `
` "Well," he said, turning towards his wondering son, when `
` this disguise was completed, "well, do you think your police `
` will recognize me now." `
` `
` "No, father," stammered Villefort; "at least, I hope not." `
` `
` "And now, my dear boy," continued Noirtier, "I rely on your `
` prudence to remove all the things which I leave in your `
` care." `
` `
` "Oh, rely on me," said Villefort. `
` `
` "Yes, yes; and now I believe you are right, and that you `
` have really saved my life; be assured I will return the `
` favor hereafter." Villefort shook his head. `
` `
` "You are not convinced yet?" `
` `
` "I hope at least, that you may be mistaken." `
` `
` "Shall you see the king again?" `
` `
` "Perhaps." `
` `
` "Would you pass in his eyes for a prophet?" `
` `
` "Prophets of evil are not in favor at the court, father." `
` `
` "True, but some day they do them justice; and supposing a `
` second restoration, you would then pass for a great man." `
` `
` "Well, what should I say to the king?" `
` `
` "Say this to him: `Sire, you are deceived as to the feeling `
` in France, as to the opinions of the towns, and the `
` prejudices of the army; he whom in Paris you call the `
` Corsican ogre, who at Nevers is styled the usurper, is `
` already saluted as Bonaparte at Lyons, and emperor at `
` Grenoble. You think he is tracked, pursued, captured; he is `
` advancing as rapidly as his own eagles. The soldiers you `
` believe to be dying with hunger, worn out with fatigue, `
` ready to desert, gather like atoms of snow about the rolling `
` ball as it hastens onward. Sire, go, leave France to its `
` real master, to him who acquired it, not by purchase, but by `
` right of conquest; go, sire, not that you incur any risk, `
` for your adversary is powerful enough to show you mercy, but `
` because it would be humiliating for a grandson of Saint `
` Louis to owe his life to the man of Arcola, Marengo, `
` Austerlitz.' Tell him this, Gerard; or, rather, tell him `
` nothing. Keep your journey a secret; do not boast of what `
` you have come to Paris to do, or have done; return with all `
` speed; enter Marseilles at night, and your house by the `
` back-door, and there remain, quiet, submissive, secret, and, `
` above all, inoffensive; for this time, I swear to you, we `
` shall act like powerful men who know their enemies. Go, my `
` son -- go, my dear Gerard, and by your obedience to my `
` paternal orders, or, if you prefer it, friendly counsels, we `
` will keep you in your place. This will be," added Noirtier, `
` with a smile, "one means by which you may a second time save `
` me, if the political balance should some day take another `
` turn, and cast you aloft while hurling me down. Adieu, my `
` dear Gerard, and at your next journey alight at my door." `
` Noirtier left the room when he had finished, with the same `
` calmness that had characterized him during the whole of this `
` remarkable and trying conversation. Villefort, pale and `
` agitated, ran to the window, put aside the curtain, and saw `
` him pass, cool and collected, by two or three ill-looking `
` men at the corner of the street, who were there, perhaps, to `
` arrest a man with black whiskers, and a blue frock-coat, and `
` hat with broad brim. `
` `
` Villefort stood watching, breathless, until his father had `
` disappeared at the Rue Bussy. Then he turned to the various `
` articles he had left behind him, put the black cravat and `
` blue frock-coat at the bottom of the portmanteau, threw the `
` hat into a dark closet, broke the cane into small bits and `
` flung it in the fire, put on his travelling-cap, and calling `
` his valet, checked with a look the thousand questions he was `
` ready to ask, paid his bill, sprang into his carriage, which `
` was ready, learned at Lyons that Bonaparte had entered `
` Grenoble, and in the midst of the tumult which prevailed `
` along the road, at length reached Marseilles, a prey to all `
` the hopes and fears which enter into the heart of man with `
` ambition and its first successes. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 13 `
` The Hundred Days. `
` `
` M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed `
` rapidly, as he had predicted. Every one knows the history of `
` the famous return from Elba, a return which was `
`