Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
`
` "Which," said the abbe to himself, "you would have done." `
` The abbe rose, took his hat and gloves. "Well," he said, `
` "all you have told me is perfectly true, then, and I may `
` believe it in every particular." `
` `
` "See, sir," replied Caderousse, "in this corner is a `
` crucifix in holy wood -- here on this shelf is my wife's `
` testament; open this book, and I will swear upon it with my `
` hand on the crucifix. I will swear to you by my soul's `
` salvation, my faith as a Christian, I have told everything `
` to you as it occurred, and as the recording angel will tell `
` it to the ear of God at the day of the last judgment!" `
` `
` "'Tis well," said the abbe, convinced by his manner and tone `
` that Caderousse spoke the truth. "'Tis well, and may this `
` money profit you! Adieu; I go far from men who thus so `
` bitterly injure each other." The abbe with difficulty got `
` away from the enthusiastic thanks of Caderousse, opened the `
` door himself, got out and mounted his horse, once more `
` saluted the innkeeper, who kept uttering his loud farewells, `
` and then returned by the road he had travelled in coming. `
` When Caderousse turned around, he saw behind him La `
` Carconte, paler and trembling more than ever. "Is, then, all `
` that I have heard really true?" she inquired. `
` `
` "What? That he has given the diamond to us only?" inquired `
` Caderousse, half bewildered with joy; "yes, nothing more `
` true! See, here it is." The woman gazed at it a moment, and `
` then said, in a gloomy voice, "Suppose it's false?" `
` Caderousse started and turned pale. "False!" he muttered. `
` "False! Why should that man give me a false diamond?" `
` `
` "To get your secret without paying for it, you blockhead!" `
` `
` Caderousse remained for a moment aghast under the weight of `
` such an idea. "Oh!" he said, taking up his hat, which he `
` placed on the red handkerchief tied round his head, "we will `
` soon find out." `
` `
` "In what way?" `
` `
` "Why, the fair is on at Beaucaire, there are always `
` jewellers from Paris there, and I will show it to them. Look `
` after the house, wife, and I shall be back in two hours," `
` and Caderousse left the house in haste, and ran rapidly in `
` the direction opposite to that which the priest had taken. `
` "Fifty thousand francs!" muttered La Carconte when left `
` alone; "it is a large sum of money, but it is not a `
` fortune." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 28 `
` The Prison Register. `
` `
` The day after that in which the scene we have just described `
` had taken place on the road between Bellegarde and `
` Beaucaire, a man of about thirty or two and thirty, dressed `
` in a bright blue frock coat, nankeen trousers, and a white `
` waistcoat, having the appearance and accent of an `
` Englishman, presented himself before the mayor of `
` Marseilles. "Sir," said he, "I am chief clerk of the house `
` of Thomson French, of Rome. We are, and have been these `
` ten years, connected with the house of Morrel Son, of `
` Marseilles. We have a hundred thousand francs or thereabouts `
` loaned on their securities, and we are a little uneasy at `
` reports that have reached us that the firm is on the brink `
` of ruin. I have come, therefore, express from Rome, to ask `
` you for information." `
` `
` "Sir," replied the mayor. "I know very well that during the `
` last four or five years misfortune has seemed to pursue M. `
` Morrel. He has lost four or five vessels, and suffered by `
` three or four bankruptcies; but it is not for me, although I `
` am a creditor myself to the amount of ten thousand francs, `
` to give any information as to the state of his finances. Ask `
` of me, as mayor, what is my opinion of M. Morrel, and I `
` shall say that he is a man honorable to the last degree, and `
` who has up to this time fulfilled every engagement with `
` scrupulous punctuality. This is all I can say, sir; if you `
` wish to learn more, address yourself to M. de Boville, the `
` inspector of prisons, No. 15, Rue de Nouailles; he has, I `
` believe, two hundred thousand francs in Morrel's hands, and `
` if there be any grounds for apprehension, as this is a `
` greater amount than mine, you will most probably find him `
` better informed than myself." `
` `
` The Englishman seemed to appreciate this extreme delicacy, `
` made his bow and went away, proceeding with a characteristic `
` British stride towards the street mentioned. M. de Boville `
` was in his private room, and the Englishman, on perceiving `
` him, made a gesture of surprise, which seemed to indicate `
` that it was not the first time he had been in his presence. `
` As to M. de Boville, he was in such a state of despair, that `
` it was evident all the faculties of his mind, absorbed in `
` the thought which occupied him at the moment, did not allow `
` either his memory or his imagination to stray to the past. `
` The Englishman, with the coolness of his nation, addressed `
` him in terms nearly similar to those with which he had `
` accosted the mayor of Marseilles. "Oh, sir," exclaimed M. de `
` Boville, "your fears are unfortunately but too well founded, `
` and you see before you a man in despair. I had two hundred `
` thousand francs placed in the hands of Morrel Son; these `
` two hundred thousand francs were the dowry of my daughter, `
` who was to be married in a fortnight, and these two hundred `
` thousand francs were payable, half on the 15th of this `
` month, and the other half on the 15th of next month. I had `
` informed M. Morrel of my desire to have these payments `
` punctually, and he has been here within the last half-hour `
` to tell me that if his ship, the Pharaon, did not come into `
` port on the 15th, he would be wholly unable to make this `
` payment." `
` `
` "But," said the Englishman, "this looks very much like a `
` suspension of payment." `
` `
` "It looks more like bankruptcy!" exclaimed M. de Boville `
` despairingly. `
` `
` The Englishman appeared to reflect a moment, and then said, `
` -- "From which it would appear, sir, that this credit `
` inspires you with considerable apprehension?" `
` `
` "To tell you the truth, I consider it lost." `
` `
` "Well, then, I will buy it of you!" `
` `
` "You?" `
` `
` "Yes, I!" `
` `
` "But at a tremendous discount, of course?" `
` `
` "No, for two hundred thousand francs. Our house," added the `
` Englishman with a laugh, "does not do things in that way." `
` `
` "And you will pay" -- `
` `
` "Ready money." And the Englishman drew from his pocket a `
` bundle of bank-notes, which might have been twice the sum M. `
` de Boville feared to lose. A ray of joy passed across M. de `
` Boville's countenance, yet he made an effort at `
` self-control, and said, -- "Sir, I ought to tell you that, `
` in all probability, you will not realize six per cent of `
` this sum." `
` `
` "That's no affair of mine," replied the Englishman, "that is `
` the affair of the house of Thomson French, in whose name I `
` act. They have, perhaps, some motive to serve in hastening `
` the ruin of a rival firm. But all I know, sir, is, that I am `
` ready to hand you over this sum in exchange for your `
` assignment of the debt. I only ask a brokerage." `
` `
` "Of course, that is perfectly just," cried M. de Boville. `
` "The commission is usually one and a half; will you have two `
` -- three -- five per cent, or even more? Whatever you say." `
` `
` "Sir," replied the Englishman, laughing, "I am like my `
` house, and do not do such things -- no, the commission I ask `
` is quite different." `
` `
` "Name it, sir, I beg." `
` `
` "You are the inspector of prisons?" `
` `
` "I have been so these fourteen years." `
` `
` "You keep the registers of entries and departures?" `
` `
` "I do." `
` `
` "To these registers there are added notes relative to the `
` prisoners?" `
` `
` "There are special reports on every prisoner." `
` `
` "Well, sir, I was educated at home by a poor devil of an `
` abbe, who disappeared suddenly. I have since learned that he `
` was confined in the Chateau d'If, and I should like to learn `
` some particulars of his death." `
` `
` "What was his name?" `
` `
` "The Abbe Faria." `
` `
` "Oh, I recollect him perfectly," cried M. de Boville; "he `
` was crazy." `
` `
` "So they said." `
` `
` "Oh, he was, decidedly." `
` `
` "Very possibly; but what sort of madness was it?" `
` `
` "He pretended to know of an immense treasure, and offered `
` vast sums to the government if they would liberate him." `
` `
` "Poor devil! -- and he is dead?" `
` `
` "Yes, sir, five or six months ago -- last February." `
`
` "Which," said the abbe to himself, "you would have done." `
` The abbe rose, took his hat and gloves. "Well," he said, `
` "all you have told me is perfectly true, then, and I may `
` believe it in every particular." `
` `
` "See, sir," replied Caderousse, "in this corner is a `
` crucifix in holy wood -- here on this shelf is my wife's `
` testament; open this book, and I will swear upon it with my `
` hand on the crucifix. I will swear to you by my soul's `
` salvation, my faith as a Christian, I have told everything `
` to you as it occurred, and as the recording angel will tell `
` it to the ear of God at the day of the last judgment!" `
` `
` "'Tis well," said the abbe, convinced by his manner and tone `
` that Caderousse spoke the truth. "'Tis well, and may this `
` money profit you! Adieu; I go far from men who thus so `
` bitterly injure each other." The abbe with difficulty got `
` away from the enthusiastic thanks of Caderousse, opened the `
` door himself, got out and mounted his horse, once more `
` saluted the innkeeper, who kept uttering his loud farewells, `
` and then returned by the road he had travelled in coming. `
` When Caderousse turned around, he saw behind him La `
` Carconte, paler and trembling more than ever. "Is, then, all `
` that I have heard really true?" she inquired. `
` `
` "What? That he has given the diamond to us only?" inquired `
` Caderousse, half bewildered with joy; "yes, nothing more `
` true! See, here it is." The woman gazed at it a moment, and `
` then said, in a gloomy voice, "Suppose it's false?" `
` Caderousse started and turned pale. "False!" he muttered. `
` "False! Why should that man give me a false diamond?" `
` `
` "To get your secret without paying for it, you blockhead!" `
` `
` Caderousse remained for a moment aghast under the weight of `
` such an idea. "Oh!" he said, taking up his hat, which he `
` placed on the red handkerchief tied round his head, "we will `
` soon find out." `
` `
` "In what way?" `
` `
` "Why, the fair is on at Beaucaire, there are always `
` jewellers from Paris there, and I will show it to them. Look `
` after the house, wife, and I shall be back in two hours," `
` and Caderousse left the house in haste, and ran rapidly in `
` the direction opposite to that which the priest had taken. `
` "Fifty thousand francs!" muttered La Carconte when left `
` alone; "it is a large sum of money, but it is not a `
` fortune." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 28 `
` The Prison Register. `
` `
` The day after that in which the scene we have just described `
` had taken place on the road between Bellegarde and `
` Beaucaire, a man of about thirty or two and thirty, dressed `
` in a bright blue frock coat, nankeen trousers, and a white `
` waistcoat, having the appearance and accent of an `
` Englishman, presented himself before the mayor of `
` Marseilles. "Sir," said he, "I am chief clerk of the house `
` of Thomson French, of Rome. We are, and have been these `
` ten years, connected with the house of Morrel Son, of `
` Marseilles. We have a hundred thousand francs or thereabouts `
` loaned on their securities, and we are a little uneasy at `
` reports that have reached us that the firm is on the brink `
` of ruin. I have come, therefore, express from Rome, to ask `
` you for information." `
` `
` "Sir," replied the mayor. "I know very well that during the `
` last four or five years misfortune has seemed to pursue M. `
` Morrel. He has lost four or five vessels, and suffered by `
` three or four bankruptcies; but it is not for me, although I `
` am a creditor myself to the amount of ten thousand francs, `
` to give any information as to the state of his finances. Ask `
` of me, as mayor, what is my opinion of M. Morrel, and I `
` shall say that he is a man honorable to the last degree, and `
` who has up to this time fulfilled every engagement with `
` scrupulous punctuality. This is all I can say, sir; if you `
` wish to learn more, address yourself to M. de Boville, the `
` inspector of prisons, No. 15, Rue de Nouailles; he has, I `
` believe, two hundred thousand francs in Morrel's hands, and `
` if there be any grounds for apprehension, as this is a `
` greater amount than mine, you will most probably find him `
` better informed than myself." `
` `
` The Englishman seemed to appreciate this extreme delicacy, `
` made his bow and went away, proceeding with a characteristic `
` British stride towards the street mentioned. M. de Boville `
` was in his private room, and the Englishman, on perceiving `
` him, made a gesture of surprise, which seemed to indicate `
` that it was not the first time he had been in his presence. `
` As to M. de Boville, he was in such a state of despair, that `
` it was evident all the faculties of his mind, absorbed in `
` the thought which occupied him at the moment, did not allow `
` either his memory or his imagination to stray to the past. `
` The Englishman, with the coolness of his nation, addressed `
` him in terms nearly similar to those with which he had `
` accosted the mayor of Marseilles. "Oh, sir," exclaimed M. de `
` Boville, "your fears are unfortunately but too well founded, `
` and you see before you a man in despair. I had two hundred `
` thousand francs placed in the hands of Morrel Son; these `
` two hundred thousand francs were the dowry of my daughter, `
` who was to be married in a fortnight, and these two hundred `
` thousand francs were payable, half on the 15th of this `
` month, and the other half on the 15th of next month. I had `
` informed M. Morrel of my desire to have these payments `
` punctually, and he has been here within the last half-hour `
` to tell me that if his ship, the Pharaon, did not come into `
` port on the 15th, he would be wholly unable to make this `
` payment." `
` `
` "But," said the Englishman, "this looks very much like a `
` suspension of payment." `
` `
` "It looks more like bankruptcy!" exclaimed M. de Boville `
` despairingly. `
` `
` The Englishman appeared to reflect a moment, and then said, `
` -- "From which it would appear, sir, that this credit `
` inspires you with considerable apprehension?" `
` `
` "To tell you the truth, I consider it lost." `
` `
` "Well, then, I will buy it of you!" `
` `
` "You?" `
` `
` "Yes, I!" `
` `
` "But at a tremendous discount, of course?" `
` `
` "No, for two hundred thousand francs. Our house," added the `
` Englishman with a laugh, "does not do things in that way." `
` `
` "And you will pay" -- `
` `
` "Ready money." And the Englishman drew from his pocket a `
` bundle of bank-notes, which might have been twice the sum M. `
` de Boville feared to lose. A ray of joy passed across M. de `
` Boville's countenance, yet he made an effort at `
` self-control, and said, -- "Sir, I ought to tell you that, `
` in all probability, you will not realize six per cent of `
` this sum." `
` `
` "That's no affair of mine," replied the Englishman, "that is `
` the affair of the house of Thomson French, in whose name I `
` act. They have, perhaps, some motive to serve in hastening `
` the ruin of a rival firm. But all I know, sir, is, that I am `
` ready to hand you over this sum in exchange for your `
` assignment of the debt. I only ask a brokerage." `
` `
` "Of course, that is perfectly just," cried M. de Boville. `
` "The commission is usually one and a half; will you have two `
` -- three -- five per cent, or even more? Whatever you say." `
` `
` "Sir," replied the Englishman, laughing, "I am like my `
` house, and do not do such things -- no, the commission I ask `
` is quite different." `
` `
` "Name it, sir, I beg." `
` `
` "You are the inspector of prisons?" `
` `
` "I have been so these fourteen years." `
` `
` "You keep the registers of entries and departures?" `
` `
` "I do." `
` `
` "To these registers there are added notes relative to the `
` prisoners?" `
` `
` "There are special reports on every prisoner." `
` `
` "Well, sir, I was educated at home by a poor devil of an `
` abbe, who disappeared suddenly. I have since learned that he `
` was confined in the Chateau d'If, and I should like to learn `
` some particulars of his death." `
` `
` "What was his name?" `
` `
` "The Abbe Faria." `
` `
` "Oh, I recollect him perfectly," cried M. de Boville; "he `
` was crazy." `
` `
` "So they said." `
` `
` "Oh, he was, decidedly." `
` `
` "Very possibly; but what sort of madness was it?" `
` `
` "He pretended to know of an immense treasure, and offered `
` vast sums to the government if they would liberate him." `
` `
` "Poor devil! -- and he is dead?" `
` `
` "Yes, sir, five or six months ago -- last February." `
`