Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass." `
` `
` "Make yourself easy, my friend," replied the abbe. "I am a `
` priest, and confessions die in my breast. Recollect, our `
` only desire is to carry out, in a fitting manner, the last `
` wishes of our friend. Speak, then, without reserve, as `
` without hatred; tell the truth, the whole truth; I do not `
` know, never may know, the persons of whom you are about to `
` speak; besides, I am an Italian, and not a Frenchman, and `
` belong to God, and not to man, and I shall shortly retire to `
` my convent, which I have only quitted to fulfil the last `
` wishes of a dying man." This positive assurance seemed to `
` give Caderousse a little courage. `
` `
` "Well, then, under these circumstances," said Caderousse, "I `
` will, I even believe I ought to undeceive you as to the `
` friendship which poor Edmond thought so sincere and `
` unquestionable." `
` `
` "Begin with his father, if you please." said the abbe; `
` "Edmond talked to me a great deal about the old man for whom `
` he had the deepest love." `
` `
` "The history is a sad one, sir," said Caderousse, shaking `
` his head; "perhaps you know all the earlier part of it?" `
` `
` "Yes." answered the abbe; "Edmond related to me everything `
` until the moment when he was arrested in a small cabaret `
` close to Marseilles." `
` `
` "At La Reserve! Oh, yes; I can see it all before me this `
` moment." `
` `
` "Was it not his betrothal feast?" `
` `
` "It was and the feast that began so gayly had a very `
` sorrowful ending; a police commissary, followed by four `
` soldiers, entered, and Dantes was arrested." `
` `
` "Yes, and up to this point I know all," said the priest. `
` "Dantes himself only knew that which personally concerned `
` him, for he never beheld again the five persons I have named `
` to you, or heard mention of any one of them." `
` `
` "Well, when Dantes was arrested, Monsieur Morrel hastened to `
` obtain the particulars, and they were very sad. The old man `
` returned alone to his home, folded up his wedding suit with `
` tears in his eyes, and paced up and down his chamber the `
` whole day, and would not go to bed at all, for I was `
` underneath him and heard him walking the whole night; and `
` for myself, I assure you I could not sleep either, for the `
` grief of the poor father gave me great uneasiness, and every `
` step he took went to my heart as really as if his foot had `
` pressed against my breast. The next day Mercedes came to `
` implore the protection of M. de Villefort; she did not `
` obtain it, however, and went to visit the old man; when she `
` saw him so miserable and heart-broken, having passed a `
` sleepless night, and not touched food since the previous `
` day, she wished him to go with her that she might take care `
` of him; but the old man would not consent. `No,' was the old `
` man's reply, `I will not leave this house, for my poor dear `
` boy loves me better than anything in the world; and if he `
` gets out of prison he will come and see me the first thing, `
` and what would he think if I did not wait here for him?' I `
` heard all this from the window, for I was anxious that `
` Mercedes should persuade the old man to accompany her, for `
` his footsteps over my head night and day did not leave me a `
` moment's repose." `
` `
` "But did you not go up-stairs and try to console the poor `
` old man?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Ah, sir," replied Caderousse, "we cannot console those who `
` will not be consoled, and he was one of these; besides, I `
` know not why, but he seemed to dislike seeing me. One night, `
` however, I heard his sobs, and I could not resist my desire `
` to go up to him, but when I reached his door he was no `
` longer weeping but praying. I cannot now repeat to you, sir, `
` all the eloquent words and imploring language he made use `
` of; it was more than piety, it was more than grief, and I, `
` who am no canter, and hate the Jesuits, said then to myself, `
` `It is really well, and I am very glad that I have not any `
` children; for if I were a father and felt such excessive `
` grief as the old man does, and did not find in my memory or `
` heart all he is now saying, I should throw myself into the `
` sea at once, for I could not bear it.'" `
` `
` "Poor father!" murmured the priest. `
` `
` "From day to day he lived on alone, and more and more `
` solitary. M. Morrel and Mercedes came to see him, but his `
` door was closed; and, although I was certain he was at home, `
` he would not make any answer. One day, when, contrary to his `
` custom, he had admitted Mercedes, and the poor girl, in `
` spite of her own grief and despair, endeavored to console `
` him, he said to her, -- `Be assured, my dear daughter, he is `
` dead; and instead of expecting him, it is he who is awaiting `
` us; I am quite happy, for I am the oldest, and of course `
` shall see him first.' However well disposed a person may be, `
` why you see we leave off after a time seeing persons who are `
` in sorrow, they make one melancholy; and so at last old `
` Dantes was left all to himself, and I only saw from time to `
` time strangers go up to him and come down again with some `
` bundle they tried to hide; but I guessed what these bundles `
` were, and that he sold by degrees what he had to pay for his `
` subsistence. At length the poor old fellow reached the end `
` of all he had; he owed three quarters' rent, and they `
` threatened to turn him out; he begged for another week, `
` which was granted to him. I know this, because the landlord `
` came into my apartment when he left his. For the first three `
` days I heard him walking about as usual, but, on the fourth `
` I heard nothing. I then resolved to go up to him at all `
` risks. The door was closed, but I looked through the `
` keyhole, and saw him so pale and haggard, that believing him `
` very ill, I went and told M. Morrel and then ran on to `
` Mercedes. They both came immediately, M. Morrel bringing a `
` doctor, and the doctor said it was inflammation of the `
` bowels, and ordered him a limited diet. I was there, too, `
` and I never shall forget the old man's smile at this `
` prescription. From that time he received all who came; he `
` had an excuse for not eating any more; the doctor had put `
` him on a diet." The abbe uttered a kind of groan. "The story `
` interests you, does it not, sir?" inquired Caderousse. `
` `
` "Yes," replied the abbe, "it is very affecting." `
` `
` "Mercedes came again, and she found him so altered that she `
` was even more anxious than before to have him taken to her `
` own home. This was M. Morrel's wish also, who would fain `
` have conveyed the old man against his consent; but the old `
` man resisted, and cried so that they were actually `
` frightened. Mercedes remained, therefore, by his bedside, `
` and M. Morrel went away, making a sign to the Catalan that `
` he had left his purse on the chimney-piece. But availing `
` himself of the doctor's order, the old man would not take `
` any sustenance; at length (after nine days of despair and `
` fasting), the old man died, cursing those who had caused his `
` misery, and saying to Mercedes, `If you ever see my Edmond `
` again, tell him I die blessing him.'" The abbe rose from his `
` chair, made two turns round the chamber, and pressed his `
` trembling hand against his parched throat. "And you believe `
` he died" -- `
` `
` "Of hunger, sir, of hunger," said Caderousse. "I am as `
` certain of it as that we two are Christians." `
` `
` The abbe, with a shaking hand, seized a glass of water that `
` was standing by him half-full, swallowed it at one gulp, and `
` then resumed his seat, with red eyes and pale cheeks. "This `
` was, indeed, a horrid event." said he in a hoarse voice. `
` `
` "The more so, sir, as it was men's and not God's doing." `
` `
` "Tell me of those men," said the abbe, "and remember too," `
` he added in an almost menacing tone, "you have promised to `
` tell me everything. Tell me, therefore, who are these men `
` who killed the son with despair, and the father with `
` famine?" `
` `
` "Two men jealous of him, sir; one from love, and the other `
` from ambition, -- Fernand and Danglars." `
` `
` "How was this jealousy manifested? Speak on." `
` `
` "They denounced Edmond as a Bonapartist agent." `
` `
` "Which of the two denounced him? Which was the real `
` delinquent?" `
` `
` "Both, sir; one with a letter, and the other put it in the `
` post." `
` `
` "And where was this letter written?" `
` `
` "At La Reserve, the day before the betrothal feast." `
` `
` "'Twas so, then -- 'twas so, then," murmured the abbe. "Oh, `
` Faria, Faria, how well did you judge men and things!" `
` `
` "What did you please to say, sir?" asked Caderousse. `
` `
` "Nothing, nothing," replied the priest; "go on." `
` `
` "It was Danglars who wrote the denunciation with his left `
` hand, that his writing might not be recognized, and Fernand `
` who put it in the post." `
` `
` "But," exclaimed the abbe suddenly, "you were there `
` yourself." `
` `
` "I!" said Caderousse, astonished; "who told you I was `
` there?" `
` `
` The abbe saw he had overshot the mark, and he added quickly, `
` -- "No one; but in order to have known everything so well, `
` you must have been an eye-witness." `
` `
` "True, true!" said Caderousse in a choking voice, "I was `
` there." `
` `
` "And did you not remonstrate against such infamy?" asked the `
`
` `
` "Make yourself easy, my friend," replied the abbe. "I am a `
` priest, and confessions die in my breast. Recollect, our `
` only desire is to carry out, in a fitting manner, the last `
` wishes of our friend. Speak, then, without reserve, as `
` without hatred; tell the truth, the whole truth; I do not `
` know, never may know, the persons of whom you are about to `
` speak; besides, I am an Italian, and not a Frenchman, and `
` belong to God, and not to man, and I shall shortly retire to `
` my convent, which I have only quitted to fulfil the last `
` wishes of a dying man." This positive assurance seemed to `
` give Caderousse a little courage. `
` `
` "Well, then, under these circumstances," said Caderousse, "I `
` will, I even believe I ought to undeceive you as to the `
` friendship which poor Edmond thought so sincere and `
` unquestionable." `
` `
` "Begin with his father, if you please." said the abbe; `
` "Edmond talked to me a great deal about the old man for whom `
` he had the deepest love." `
` `
` "The history is a sad one, sir," said Caderousse, shaking `
` his head; "perhaps you know all the earlier part of it?" `
` `
` "Yes." answered the abbe; "Edmond related to me everything `
` until the moment when he was arrested in a small cabaret `
` close to Marseilles." `
` `
` "At La Reserve! Oh, yes; I can see it all before me this `
` moment." `
` `
` "Was it not his betrothal feast?" `
` `
` "It was and the feast that began so gayly had a very `
` sorrowful ending; a police commissary, followed by four `
` soldiers, entered, and Dantes was arrested." `
` `
` "Yes, and up to this point I know all," said the priest. `
` "Dantes himself only knew that which personally concerned `
` him, for he never beheld again the five persons I have named `
` to you, or heard mention of any one of them." `
` `
` "Well, when Dantes was arrested, Monsieur Morrel hastened to `
` obtain the particulars, and they were very sad. The old man `
` returned alone to his home, folded up his wedding suit with `
` tears in his eyes, and paced up and down his chamber the `
` whole day, and would not go to bed at all, for I was `
` underneath him and heard him walking the whole night; and `
` for myself, I assure you I could not sleep either, for the `
` grief of the poor father gave me great uneasiness, and every `
` step he took went to my heart as really as if his foot had `
` pressed against my breast. The next day Mercedes came to `
` implore the protection of M. de Villefort; she did not `
` obtain it, however, and went to visit the old man; when she `
` saw him so miserable and heart-broken, having passed a `
` sleepless night, and not touched food since the previous `
` day, she wished him to go with her that she might take care `
` of him; but the old man would not consent. `No,' was the old `
` man's reply, `I will not leave this house, for my poor dear `
` boy loves me better than anything in the world; and if he `
` gets out of prison he will come and see me the first thing, `
` and what would he think if I did not wait here for him?' I `
` heard all this from the window, for I was anxious that `
` Mercedes should persuade the old man to accompany her, for `
` his footsteps over my head night and day did not leave me a `
` moment's repose." `
` `
` "But did you not go up-stairs and try to console the poor `
` old man?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Ah, sir," replied Caderousse, "we cannot console those who `
` will not be consoled, and he was one of these; besides, I `
` know not why, but he seemed to dislike seeing me. One night, `
` however, I heard his sobs, and I could not resist my desire `
` to go up to him, but when I reached his door he was no `
` longer weeping but praying. I cannot now repeat to you, sir, `
` all the eloquent words and imploring language he made use `
` of; it was more than piety, it was more than grief, and I, `
` who am no canter, and hate the Jesuits, said then to myself, `
` `It is really well, and I am very glad that I have not any `
` children; for if I were a father and felt such excessive `
` grief as the old man does, and did not find in my memory or `
` heart all he is now saying, I should throw myself into the `
` sea at once, for I could not bear it.'" `
` `
` "Poor father!" murmured the priest. `
` `
` "From day to day he lived on alone, and more and more `
` solitary. M. Morrel and Mercedes came to see him, but his `
` door was closed; and, although I was certain he was at home, `
` he would not make any answer. One day, when, contrary to his `
` custom, he had admitted Mercedes, and the poor girl, in `
` spite of her own grief and despair, endeavored to console `
` him, he said to her, -- `Be assured, my dear daughter, he is `
` dead; and instead of expecting him, it is he who is awaiting `
` us; I am quite happy, for I am the oldest, and of course `
` shall see him first.' However well disposed a person may be, `
` why you see we leave off after a time seeing persons who are `
` in sorrow, they make one melancholy; and so at last old `
` Dantes was left all to himself, and I only saw from time to `
` time strangers go up to him and come down again with some `
` bundle they tried to hide; but I guessed what these bundles `
` were, and that he sold by degrees what he had to pay for his `
` subsistence. At length the poor old fellow reached the end `
` of all he had; he owed three quarters' rent, and they `
` threatened to turn him out; he begged for another week, `
` which was granted to him. I know this, because the landlord `
` came into my apartment when he left his. For the first three `
` days I heard him walking about as usual, but, on the fourth `
` I heard nothing. I then resolved to go up to him at all `
` risks. The door was closed, but I looked through the `
` keyhole, and saw him so pale and haggard, that believing him `
` very ill, I went and told M. Morrel and then ran on to `
` Mercedes. They both came immediately, M. Morrel bringing a `
` doctor, and the doctor said it was inflammation of the `
` bowels, and ordered him a limited diet. I was there, too, `
` and I never shall forget the old man's smile at this `
` prescription. From that time he received all who came; he `
` had an excuse for not eating any more; the doctor had put `
` him on a diet." The abbe uttered a kind of groan. "The story `
` interests you, does it not, sir?" inquired Caderousse. `
` `
` "Yes," replied the abbe, "it is very affecting." `
` `
` "Mercedes came again, and she found him so altered that she `
` was even more anxious than before to have him taken to her `
` own home. This was M. Morrel's wish also, who would fain `
` have conveyed the old man against his consent; but the old `
` man resisted, and cried so that they were actually `
` frightened. Mercedes remained, therefore, by his bedside, `
` and M. Morrel went away, making a sign to the Catalan that `
` he had left his purse on the chimney-piece. But availing `
` himself of the doctor's order, the old man would not take `
` any sustenance; at length (after nine days of despair and `
` fasting), the old man died, cursing those who had caused his `
` misery, and saying to Mercedes, `If you ever see my Edmond `
` again, tell him I die blessing him.'" The abbe rose from his `
` chair, made two turns round the chamber, and pressed his `
` trembling hand against his parched throat. "And you believe `
` he died" -- `
` `
` "Of hunger, sir, of hunger," said Caderousse. "I am as `
` certain of it as that we two are Christians." `
` `
` The abbe, with a shaking hand, seized a glass of water that `
` was standing by him half-full, swallowed it at one gulp, and `
` then resumed his seat, with red eyes and pale cheeks. "This `
` was, indeed, a horrid event." said he in a hoarse voice. `
` `
` "The more so, sir, as it was men's and not God's doing." `
` `
` "Tell me of those men," said the abbe, "and remember too," `
` he added in an almost menacing tone, "you have promised to `
` tell me everything. Tell me, therefore, who are these men `
` who killed the son with despair, and the father with `
` famine?" `
` `
` "Two men jealous of him, sir; one from love, and the other `
` from ambition, -- Fernand and Danglars." `
` `
` "How was this jealousy manifested? Speak on." `
` `
` "They denounced Edmond as a Bonapartist agent." `
` `
` "Which of the two denounced him? Which was the real `
` delinquent?" `
` `
` "Both, sir; one with a letter, and the other put it in the `
` post." `
` `
` "And where was this letter written?" `
` `
` "At La Reserve, the day before the betrothal feast." `
` `
` "'Twas so, then -- 'twas so, then," murmured the abbe. "Oh, `
` Faria, Faria, how well did you judge men and things!" `
` `
` "What did you please to say, sir?" asked Caderousse. `
` `
` "Nothing, nothing," replied the priest; "go on." `
` `
` "It was Danglars who wrote the denunciation with his left `
` hand, that his writing might not be recognized, and Fernand `
` who put it in the post." `
` `
` "But," exclaimed the abbe suddenly, "you were there `
` yourself." `
` `
` "I!" said Caderousse, astonished; "who told you I was `
` there?" `
` `
` The abbe saw he had overshot the mark, and he added quickly, `
` -- "No one; but in order to have known everything so well, `
` you must have been an eye-witness." `
` `
` "True, true!" said Caderousse in a choking voice, "I was `
` there." `
` `
` "And did you not remonstrate against such infamy?" asked the `
`