Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
seemed likely to endure throughout Europe. Greece only had `
` risen against Turkey, and had begun her war of independence; `
` all eyes were turned towards Athens -- it was the fashion to `
` pity and support the Greeks. The French government, without `
` protecting them openly, as you know, gave countenance to `
` volunteer assistance. Fernand sought and obtained leave to `
` go and serve in Greece, still having his name kept on the `
` army roll. Some time after, it was stated that the Comte de `
` Morcerf (this was the name he bore) had entered the service `
` of Ali Pasha with the rank of instructor-general. Ali Pasha `
` was killed, as you know, but before he died he recompensed `
` the services of Fernand by leaving him a considerable sum, `
` with which he returned to France, when he was gazetted `
` lieutenant-general." `
` `
` "So that now?" -- inquired the abbe. `
` `
` "So that now," continued Caderousse, "he owns a magnificent `
` house -- No. 27, Rue du Helder, Paris." The abbe opened his `
` mouth, hesitated for a moment, then, making an effort at `
` self-control, he said, "And Mercedes -- they tell me that `
` she has disappeared?" `
` `
` "Disappeared," said Caderousse, "yes, as the sun disappears, `
` to rise the next day with still more splendor." `
` `
` "Has she made a fortune also?" inquired the abbe, with an `
` ironical smile. `
` `
` "Mercedes is at this moment one of the greatest ladies in `
` Paris," replied Caderousse. `
` `
` "Go on," said the abbe; "it seems as if I were listening to `
` the story of a dream. But I have seen things so `
` extraordinary, that what you tell me seems less astonishing `
` than it otherwise might." `
` `
` "Mercedes was at first in the deepest despair at the blow `
` which deprived her of Edmond. I have told you of her `
` attempts to propitiate M. de Villefort, her devotion to the `
` elder Dantes. In the midst of her despair, a new affliction `
` overtook her. This was the departure of Fernand -- of `
` Fernand, whose crime she did not know, and whom she regarded `
` as her brother. Fernand went, and Mercedes remained alone. `
` Three months passed and still she wept -- no news of Edmond, `
` no news of Fernand, no companionship save that of an old man `
` who was dying with despair. One evening, after a day of `
` accustomed vigil at the angle of two roads leading to `
` Marseilles from the Catalans, she returned to her home more `
` depressed than ever. Suddenly she heard a step she knew, `
` turned anxiously around, the door opened, and Fernand, `
` dressed in the uniform of a sub-lieutenant, stood before `
` her. It was not the one she wished for most, but it seemed `
` as if a part of her past life had returned to her. Mercedes `
` seized Fernand's hands with a transport which he took for `
` love, but which was only joy at being no longer alone in the `
` world, and seeing at last a friend, after long hours of `
` solitary sorrow. And then, it must be confessed, Fernand had `
` never been hated -- he was only not precisely loved. Another `
` possessed all Mercedes' heart; that other was absent, had `
` disappeared, perhaps was dead. At this last thought Mercedes `
` burst into a flood of tears, and wrung her hands in agony; `
` but the thought, which she had always repelled before when `
` it was suggested to her by another, came now in full force `
` upon her mind; and then, too, old Dantes incessantly said to `
` her, `Our Edmond is dead; if he were not, he would return to `
` us.' The old man died, as I have told you; had he lived, `
` Mercedes, perchance, had not become the wife of another, for `
` he would have been there to reproach her infidelity. Fernand `
` saw this, and when he learned of the old man's death he `
` returned. He was now a lieutenant. At his first coming he `
` had not said a word of love to Mercedes; at the second he `
` reminded her that he loved her. Mercedes begged for six `
` months more in which to await and mourn for Edmond." `
` `
` "So that," said the abbe, with a bitter smile, "that makes `
` eighteen months in all. What more could the most devoted `
` lover desire?" Then he murmured the words of the English `
` poet, "`Frailty, thy name is woman.'" `
` `
` "Six months afterwards," continued Caderousse, "the marriage `
` took place in the church of Accoules." `
` `
` "The very church in which she was to have married Edmond," `
` murmured the priest; "there was only a change of `
` bride-grooms." `
` `
` "Well, Mercedes was married," proceeded Caderousse; "but `
` although in the eyes of the world she appeared calm, she `
` nearly fainted as she passed La Reserve, where, eighteen `
` months before, the betrothal had been celebrated with him `
` whom she might have known she still loved had she looked to `
` the bottom of her heart. Fernand, more happy, but not more `
` at his ease -- for I saw at this time he was in constant `
` dread of Edmond's return -- Fernand was very anxious to get `
` his wife away, and to depart himself. There were too many `
` unpleasant possibilities associated with the Catalans, and `
` eight days after the wedding they left Marseilles." `
` `
` "Did you ever see Mercedes again?" inquired the priest. `
` `
` "Yes, during the Spanish war, at Perpignan, where Fernand `
` had left her; she was attending to the education of her `
` son." The abbe started. "Her son?" said he. `
` `
` "Yes," replied Caderousse, "little Albert." `
` `
` "But, then, to be able to instruct her child," continued the `
` abbe, "she must have received an education herself. I `
` understood from Edmond that she was the daughter of a simple `
` fisherman, beautiful but uneducated." `
` `
` "Oh," replied Caderousse, "did he know so little of his `
` lovely betrothed? Mercedes might have been a queen, sir, if `
` the crown were to be placed on the heads of the loveliest `
` and most intelligent. Fernand's fortune was already waxing `
` great, and she developed with his growing fortune. She `
` learned drawing, music -- everything. Besides, I believe, `
` between ourselves, she did this in order to distract her `
` mind, that she might forget; and she only filled her head in `
` order to alleviate the weight on her heart. But now her `
` position in life is assured," continued Caderousse; "no `
` doubt fortune and honors have comforted her; she is rich, a `
` countess, and yet" -- Caderousse paused. `
` `
` "And yet what?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Yet, I am sure, she is not happy," said Caderousse. `
` `
` "What makes you believe this?" `
` `
` "Why, when I found myself utterly destitute, I thought my `
` old friends would, perhaps, assist me. So I went to `
` Danglars, who would not even receive me. I called on `
` Fernand, who sent me a hundred francs by his `
` valet-de-chambre." `
` `
` "Then you did not see either of them?" `
` `
` "No, but Madame de Morcerf saw me." `
` `
` "How was that?" `
` `
` "As I went away a purse fell at my feet -- it contained five `
` and twenty louis; I raised my head quickly, and saw `
` Mercedes, who at once shut the blind." `
` `
` "And M. de Villefort?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Oh, he never was a friend of mine, I did not know him, and `
` I had nothing to ask of him." `
` `
` "Do you not know what became of him, and the share he had in `
` Edmond's misfortunes?" `
` `
` "No; I only know that some time after Edmond's arrest, he `
` married Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran, and soon after left `
` Marseilles; no doubt he has been as lucky as the rest; no `
` doubt he is as rich as Danglars, as high in station as `
` Fernand. I only, as you see, have remained poor, wretched, `
` and forgotten." `
` `
` "You are mistaken, my friend," replied the abbe; "God may `
` seem sometimes to forget for a time, while his justice `
` reposes, but there always comes a moment when he remembers `
` -- and behold -- a proof!" As he spoke, the abbe took the `
` diamond from his pocket, and giving it to Caderousse, said, `
` -- "Here, my friend, take this diamond, it is yours." `
` `
` "What, for me only?" cried Caderousse, "ah, sir, do not jest `
` with me!" `
` `
` "This diamond was to have been shared among his friends. `
` Edmond had one friend only, and thus it cannot be divided. `
` Take the diamond, then, and sell it; it is worth fifty `
` thousand francs, and I repeat my wish that this sum may `
` suffice to release you from your wretchedness." `
` `
` "Oh, sir," said Caderousse, putting out one hand timidly, `
` and with the other wiping away the perspiration which `
` bedewed his brow, -- "Oh, sir, do not make a jest of the `
` happiness or despair of a man." `
` `
` "I know what happiness and what despair are, and I never `
` make a jest of such feelings. Take it, then, but in exchange `
` -- " `
` `
` Caderousse, who touched the diamond, withdrew his hand. The `
` abbe smiled. "In exchange," he continued, "give me the red `
` silk purse that M. Morrel left on old Dantes' chimney-piece, `
` and which you tell me is still in your hands." Caderousse, `
` more and more astonished, went toward a large oaken `
` cupboard, opened it, and gave the abbe a long purse of faded `
` red silk, round which were two copper runners that had once `
` been gilt. The abbe took it, and in return gave Caderousse `
` the diamond. `
` `
` "Oh, you are a man of God, sir," cried Caderousse; "for no `
` one knew that Edmond had given you this diamond, and you `
` might have kept it." `
` `
`
` risen against Turkey, and had begun her war of independence; `
` all eyes were turned towards Athens -- it was the fashion to `
` pity and support the Greeks. The French government, without `
` protecting them openly, as you know, gave countenance to `
` volunteer assistance. Fernand sought and obtained leave to `
` go and serve in Greece, still having his name kept on the `
` army roll. Some time after, it was stated that the Comte de `
` Morcerf (this was the name he bore) had entered the service `
` of Ali Pasha with the rank of instructor-general. Ali Pasha `
` was killed, as you know, but before he died he recompensed `
` the services of Fernand by leaving him a considerable sum, `
` with which he returned to France, when he was gazetted `
` lieutenant-general." `
` `
` "So that now?" -- inquired the abbe. `
` `
` "So that now," continued Caderousse, "he owns a magnificent `
` house -- No. 27, Rue du Helder, Paris." The abbe opened his `
` mouth, hesitated for a moment, then, making an effort at `
` self-control, he said, "And Mercedes -- they tell me that `
` she has disappeared?" `
` `
` "Disappeared," said Caderousse, "yes, as the sun disappears, `
` to rise the next day with still more splendor." `
` `
` "Has she made a fortune also?" inquired the abbe, with an `
` ironical smile. `
` `
` "Mercedes is at this moment one of the greatest ladies in `
` Paris," replied Caderousse. `
` `
` "Go on," said the abbe; "it seems as if I were listening to `
` the story of a dream. But I have seen things so `
` extraordinary, that what you tell me seems less astonishing `
` than it otherwise might." `
` `
` "Mercedes was at first in the deepest despair at the blow `
` which deprived her of Edmond. I have told you of her `
` attempts to propitiate M. de Villefort, her devotion to the `
` elder Dantes. In the midst of her despair, a new affliction `
` overtook her. This was the departure of Fernand -- of `
` Fernand, whose crime she did not know, and whom she regarded `
` as her brother. Fernand went, and Mercedes remained alone. `
` Three months passed and still she wept -- no news of Edmond, `
` no news of Fernand, no companionship save that of an old man `
` who was dying with despair. One evening, after a day of `
` accustomed vigil at the angle of two roads leading to `
` Marseilles from the Catalans, she returned to her home more `
` depressed than ever. Suddenly she heard a step she knew, `
` turned anxiously around, the door opened, and Fernand, `
` dressed in the uniform of a sub-lieutenant, stood before `
` her. It was not the one she wished for most, but it seemed `
` as if a part of her past life had returned to her. Mercedes `
` seized Fernand's hands with a transport which he took for `
` love, but which was only joy at being no longer alone in the `
` world, and seeing at last a friend, after long hours of `
` solitary sorrow. And then, it must be confessed, Fernand had `
` never been hated -- he was only not precisely loved. Another `
` possessed all Mercedes' heart; that other was absent, had `
` disappeared, perhaps was dead. At this last thought Mercedes `
` burst into a flood of tears, and wrung her hands in agony; `
` but the thought, which she had always repelled before when `
` it was suggested to her by another, came now in full force `
` upon her mind; and then, too, old Dantes incessantly said to `
` her, `Our Edmond is dead; if he were not, he would return to `
` us.' The old man died, as I have told you; had he lived, `
` Mercedes, perchance, had not become the wife of another, for `
` he would have been there to reproach her infidelity. Fernand `
` saw this, and when he learned of the old man's death he `
` returned. He was now a lieutenant. At his first coming he `
` had not said a word of love to Mercedes; at the second he `
` reminded her that he loved her. Mercedes begged for six `
` months more in which to await and mourn for Edmond." `
` `
` "So that," said the abbe, with a bitter smile, "that makes `
` eighteen months in all. What more could the most devoted `
` lover desire?" Then he murmured the words of the English `
` poet, "`Frailty, thy name is woman.'" `
` `
` "Six months afterwards," continued Caderousse, "the marriage `
` took place in the church of Accoules." `
` `
` "The very church in which she was to have married Edmond," `
` murmured the priest; "there was only a change of `
` bride-grooms." `
` `
` "Well, Mercedes was married," proceeded Caderousse; "but `
` although in the eyes of the world she appeared calm, she `
` nearly fainted as she passed La Reserve, where, eighteen `
` months before, the betrothal had been celebrated with him `
` whom she might have known she still loved had she looked to `
` the bottom of her heart. Fernand, more happy, but not more `
` at his ease -- for I saw at this time he was in constant `
` dread of Edmond's return -- Fernand was very anxious to get `
` his wife away, and to depart himself. There were too many `
` unpleasant possibilities associated with the Catalans, and `
` eight days after the wedding they left Marseilles." `
` `
` "Did you ever see Mercedes again?" inquired the priest. `
` `
` "Yes, during the Spanish war, at Perpignan, where Fernand `
` had left her; she was attending to the education of her `
` son." The abbe started. "Her son?" said he. `
` `
` "Yes," replied Caderousse, "little Albert." `
` `
` "But, then, to be able to instruct her child," continued the `
` abbe, "she must have received an education herself. I `
` understood from Edmond that she was the daughter of a simple `
` fisherman, beautiful but uneducated." `
` `
` "Oh," replied Caderousse, "did he know so little of his `
` lovely betrothed? Mercedes might have been a queen, sir, if `
` the crown were to be placed on the heads of the loveliest `
` and most intelligent. Fernand's fortune was already waxing `
` great, and she developed with his growing fortune. She `
` learned drawing, music -- everything. Besides, I believe, `
` between ourselves, she did this in order to distract her `
` mind, that she might forget; and she only filled her head in `
` order to alleviate the weight on her heart. But now her `
` position in life is assured," continued Caderousse; "no `
` doubt fortune and honors have comforted her; she is rich, a `
` countess, and yet" -- Caderousse paused. `
` `
` "And yet what?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Yet, I am sure, she is not happy," said Caderousse. `
` `
` "What makes you believe this?" `
` `
` "Why, when I found myself utterly destitute, I thought my `
` old friends would, perhaps, assist me. So I went to `
` Danglars, who would not even receive me. I called on `
` Fernand, who sent me a hundred francs by his `
` valet-de-chambre." `
` `
` "Then you did not see either of them?" `
` `
` "No, but Madame de Morcerf saw me." `
` `
` "How was that?" `
` `
` "As I went away a purse fell at my feet -- it contained five `
` and twenty louis; I raised my head quickly, and saw `
` Mercedes, who at once shut the blind." `
` `
` "And M. de Villefort?" asked the abbe. `
` `
` "Oh, he never was a friend of mine, I did not know him, and `
` I had nothing to ask of him." `
` `
` "Do you not know what became of him, and the share he had in `
` Edmond's misfortunes?" `
` `
` "No; I only know that some time after Edmond's arrest, he `
` married Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran, and soon after left `
` Marseilles; no doubt he has been as lucky as the rest; no `
` doubt he is as rich as Danglars, as high in station as `
` Fernand. I only, as you see, have remained poor, wretched, `
` and forgotten." `
` `
` "You are mistaken, my friend," replied the abbe; "God may `
` seem sometimes to forget for a time, while his justice `
` reposes, but there always comes a moment when he remembers `
` -- and behold -- a proof!" As he spoke, the abbe took the `
` diamond from his pocket, and giving it to Caderousse, said, `
` -- "Here, my friend, take this diamond, it is yours." `
` `
` "What, for me only?" cried Caderousse, "ah, sir, do not jest `
` with me!" `
` `
` "This diamond was to have been shared among his friends. `
` Edmond had one friend only, and thus it cannot be divided. `
` Take the diamond, then, and sell it; it is worth fifty `
` thousand francs, and I repeat my wish that this sum may `
` suffice to release you from your wretchedness." `
` `
` "Oh, sir," said Caderousse, putting out one hand timidly, `
` and with the other wiping away the perspiration which `
` bedewed his brow, -- "Oh, sir, do not make a jest of the `
` happiness or despair of a man." `
` `
` "I know what happiness and what despair are, and I never `
` make a jest of such feelings. Take it, then, but in exchange `
` -- " `
` `
` Caderousse, who touched the diamond, withdrew his hand. The `
` abbe smiled. "In exchange," he continued, "give me the red `
` silk purse that M. Morrel left on old Dantes' chimney-piece, `
` and which you tell me is still in your hands." Caderousse, `
` more and more astonished, went toward a large oaken `
` cupboard, opened it, and gave the abbe a long purse of faded `
` red silk, round which were two copper runners that had once `
` been gilt. The abbe took it, and in return gave Caderousse `
` the diamond. `
` `
` "Oh, you are a man of God, sir," cried Caderousse; "for no `
` one knew that Edmond had given you this diamond, and you `
` might have kept it." `
` `
`