Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.11-39
`
` "Oh, I know what that is; the minister receives two hundred `
` petitions every day, and does not read three." `
` `
` "That is true; but he will read a petition countersigned and `
` presented by me." `
` `
` "And will you undertake to deliver it?" `
` `
` "With the greatest pleasure. Dantes was then guilty, and now `
` he is innocent, and it is as much my duty to free him as it `
` was to condemn him." Villefort thus forestalled any danger `
` of an inquiry, which, however improbable it might be, if it `
` did take place would leave him defenceless. `
` `
` "But how shall I address the minister?" `
` `
` "Sit down there," said Villefort, giving up his place to `
` Morrel, "and write what I dictate." `
` `
` "Will you be so good?" `
` `
` "Certainly. But lose no time; we have lost too much `
` already." `
` `
` "That is true. Only think what the poor fellow may even now `
` be suffering." Villefort shuddered at the suggestion; but he `
` had gone too far to draw back. Dantes must be crushed to `
` gratify Villefort's ambition. `
` `
` Villefort dictated a petition, in which, from an excellent `
` intention, no doubt, Dantes' patriotic services were `
` exaggerated, and he was made out one of the most active `
` agents of Napoleon's return. It was evident that at the `
` sight of this document the minister would instantly release `
` him. The petition finished, Villefort read it aloud. `
` `
` "That will do," said he; "leave the rest to me." `
` `
` "Will the petition go soon?" `
` `
` "To-day." `
` `
` "Countersigned by you?" `
` `
` "The best thing I can do will be to certify the truth of the `
` contents of your petition." And, sitting down, Villefort `
` wrote the certificate at the bottom. `
` `
` "What more is to be done?" `
` `
` "I will do whatever is necessary." This assurance delighted `
` Morrel, who took leave of Villefort, and hastened to `
` announce to old Dantes that he would soon see his son. `
` `
` As for Villefort, instead of sending to Paris, he carefully `
` preserved the petition that so fearfully compromised Dantes, `
` in the hopes of an event that seemed not unlikely, -- that `
` is, a second restoration. Dantes remained a prisoner, and `
` heard not the noise of the fall of Louis XVIII.'s throne, or `
` the still more tragic destruction of the empire. `
` `
` Twice during the Hundred Days had Morrel renewed his demand, `
` and twice had Villefort soothed him with promises. At last `
` there was Waterloo, and Morrel came no more; he had done all `
` that was in his power, and any fresh attempt would only `
` compromise himself uselessly. `
` `
` Louis XVIII. remounted the throne; Villefort, to whom `
` Marseilles had become filled with remorseful memories, `
` sought and obtained the situation of king's procureur at `
` Toulouse, and a fortnight afterwards he married Mademoiselle `
` de Saint-Meran, whose father now stood higher at court than `
` ever. `
` `
` And so Dantes, after the Hundred Days and after Waterloo, `
` remained in his dungeon, forgotten of earth and heaven. `
` Danglars comprehended the full extent of the wretched fate `
` that overwhelmed Dantes; and, when Napoleon returned to `
` France, he, after the manner of mediocre minds, termed the `
` coincidence, "a decree of Providence." But when Napoleon `
` returned to Paris, Danglars' heart failed him, and he lived `
` in constant fear of Dantes' return on a mission of `
` vengeance. He therefore informed M. Morrel of his wish to `
` quit the sea, and obtained a recommendation from him to a `
` Spanish merchant, into whose service he entered at the end `
` of March, that is, ten or twelve days after Napoleon's `
` return. He then left for Madrid, and was no more heard of. `
` `
` Fernand understood nothing except that Dantes was absent. `
` What had become of him he cared not to inquire. Only, during `
` the respite the absence of his rival afforded him, he `
` reflected, partly on the means of deceiving Mercedes as to `
` the cause of his absence, partly on plans of emigration and `
` abduction, as from time to time he sat sad and motionless on `
` the summit of Cape Pharo, at the spot from whence Marseilles `
` and the Catalans are visible, watching for the apparition of `
` a young and handsome man, who was for him also the messenger `
` of vengeance. Fernand's mind was made up; he would shoot `
` Dantes, and then kill himself. But Fernand was mistaken; a `
` man of his disposition never kills himself, for he `
` constantly hopes. `
` `
` During this time the empire made its last conscription, and `
` every man in France capable of bearing arms rushed to obey `
` the summons of the emperor. Fernand departed with the rest, `
` bearing with him the terrible thought that while he was `
` away, his rival would perhaps return and marry Mercedes. Had `
` Fernand really meant to kill himself, he would have done so `
` when he parted from Mercedes. His devotion, and the `
` compassion he showed for her misfortunes, produced the `
` effect they always produce on noble minds -- Mercedes had `
` always had a sincere regard for Fernand, and this was now `
` strengthened by gratitude. `
` `
` "My brother," said she as she placed his knapsack on his `
` shoulders, "be careful of yourself, for if you are killed, I `
` shall be alone in the world." These words carried a ray of `
` hope into Fernand's heart. Should Dantes not return, `
` Mercedes might one day be his. `
` `
` Mercedes was left alone face to face with the vast plain `
` that had never seemed so barren, and the sea that had never `
` seemed so vast. Bathed in tears she wandered about the `
` Catalan village. Sometimes she stood mute and motionless as `
` a statue, looking towards Marseilles, at other times gazing `
` on the sea, and debating as to whether it were not better to `
` cast herself into the abyss of the ocean, and thus end her `
` woes. It was not want of courage that prevented her putting `
` this resolution into execution; but her religious feelings `
` came to her aid and saved her. Caderousse was, like Fernand, `
` enrolled in the army, but, being married and eight years `
` older, he was merely sent to the frontier. Old Dantes, who `
` was only sustained by hope, lost all hope at Napoleon's `
` downfall. Five months after he had been separated from his `
` son, and almost at the hour of his arrest, he breathed his `
` last in Mercedes' arms. M. Morrel paid the expenses of his `
` funeral, and a few small debts the poor old man had `
` contracted. `
` `
` There was more than benevolence in this action; there was `
` courage; the south was aflame, and to assist, even on his `
` death-bed, the father of so dangerous a Bonapartist as `
` Dantes, was stigmatized as a crime. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 14 `
` The Two Prisoners. `
` `
` A year after Louis XVIII.'s restoration, a visit was made by `
` the inspector-general of prisons. Dantes in his cell heard `
` the noise of preparation, -- sounds that at the depth where `
` he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a `
` prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that `
` every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon. He guessed `
` something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had `
` so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that `
` he looked upon himself as dead. `
` `
` The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and `
` dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or `
` stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the `
` government. He inquired how they were fed, and if they had `
` any request to make. The universal response was, that the `
` fare was detestable, and that they wanted to be set free. `
` `
` The inspector asked if they had anything else to ask for. `
` They shook their heads. What could they desire beyond their `
` liberty? The inspector turned smilingly to the governor. `
` `
` "I do not know what reason government can assign for these `
` useless visits; when you see one prisoner, you see all, -- `
` always the same thing, -- ill fed and innocent. Are there `
` any others?" `
` `
` "Yes; the dangerous and mad prisoners are in the dungeons." `
` `
` "Let us visit them," said the inspector with an air of `
` fatigue. "We must play the farce to the end. Let us see the `
` dungeons." `
` `
` "Let us first send for two soldiers," said the governor. `
` "The prisoners sometimes, through mere uneasiness of life, `
` and in order to be sentenced to death, commit acts of `
` useless violence, and you might fall a victim." `
` `
` "Take all needful precautions," replied the inspector. `
` `
` Two soldiers were accordingly sent for, and the inspector `
` descended a stairway, so foul, so humid, so dark, as to be `
` loathsome to sight, smell, and respiration. `
` `
` "Oh," cried the inspector, "who can live here?" `
` `
` "A most dangerous conspirator, a man we are ordered to keep `
` the most strict watch over, as he is daring and resolute." `
` `
` "He is alone?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
`
` "Oh, I know what that is; the minister receives two hundred `
` petitions every day, and does not read three." `
` `
` "That is true; but he will read a petition countersigned and `
` presented by me." `
` `
` "And will you undertake to deliver it?" `
` `
` "With the greatest pleasure. Dantes was then guilty, and now `
` he is innocent, and it is as much my duty to free him as it `
` was to condemn him." Villefort thus forestalled any danger `
` of an inquiry, which, however improbable it might be, if it `
` did take place would leave him defenceless. `
` `
` "But how shall I address the minister?" `
` `
` "Sit down there," said Villefort, giving up his place to `
` Morrel, "and write what I dictate." `
` `
` "Will you be so good?" `
` `
` "Certainly. But lose no time; we have lost too much `
` already." `
` `
` "That is true. Only think what the poor fellow may even now `
` be suffering." Villefort shuddered at the suggestion; but he `
` had gone too far to draw back. Dantes must be crushed to `
` gratify Villefort's ambition. `
` `
` Villefort dictated a petition, in which, from an excellent `
` intention, no doubt, Dantes' patriotic services were `
` exaggerated, and he was made out one of the most active `
` agents of Napoleon's return. It was evident that at the `
` sight of this document the minister would instantly release `
` him. The petition finished, Villefort read it aloud. `
` `
` "That will do," said he; "leave the rest to me." `
` `
` "Will the petition go soon?" `
` `
` "To-day." `
` `
` "Countersigned by you?" `
` `
` "The best thing I can do will be to certify the truth of the `
` contents of your petition." And, sitting down, Villefort `
` wrote the certificate at the bottom. `
` `
` "What more is to be done?" `
` `
` "I will do whatever is necessary." This assurance delighted `
` Morrel, who took leave of Villefort, and hastened to `
` announce to old Dantes that he would soon see his son. `
` `
` As for Villefort, instead of sending to Paris, he carefully `
` preserved the petition that so fearfully compromised Dantes, `
` in the hopes of an event that seemed not unlikely, -- that `
` is, a second restoration. Dantes remained a prisoner, and `
` heard not the noise of the fall of Louis XVIII.'s throne, or `
` the still more tragic destruction of the empire. `
` `
` Twice during the Hundred Days had Morrel renewed his demand, `
` and twice had Villefort soothed him with promises. At last `
` there was Waterloo, and Morrel came no more; he had done all `
` that was in his power, and any fresh attempt would only `
` compromise himself uselessly. `
` `
` Louis XVIII. remounted the throne; Villefort, to whom `
` Marseilles had become filled with remorseful memories, `
` sought and obtained the situation of king's procureur at `
` Toulouse, and a fortnight afterwards he married Mademoiselle `
` de Saint-Meran, whose father now stood higher at court than `
` ever. `
` `
` And so Dantes, after the Hundred Days and after Waterloo, `
` remained in his dungeon, forgotten of earth and heaven. `
` Danglars comprehended the full extent of the wretched fate `
` that overwhelmed Dantes; and, when Napoleon returned to `
` France, he, after the manner of mediocre minds, termed the `
` coincidence, "a decree of Providence." But when Napoleon `
` returned to Paris, Danglars' heart failed him, and he lived `
` in constant fear of Dantes' return on a mission of `
` vengeance. He therefore informed M. Morrel of his wish to `
` quit the sea, and obtained a recommendation from him to a `
` Spanish merchant, into whose service he entered at the end `
` of March, that is, ten or twelve days after Napoleon's `
` return. He then left for Madrid, and was no more heard of. `
` `
` Fernand understood nothing except that Dantes was absent. `
` What had become of him he cared not to inquire. Only, during `
` the respite the absence of his rival afforded him, he `
` reflected, partly on the means of deceiving Mercedes as to `
` the cause of his absence, partly on plans of emigration and `
` abduction, as from time to time he sat sad and motionless on `
` the summit of Cape Pharo, at the spot from whence Marseilles `
` and the Catalans are visible, watching for the apparition of `
` a young and handsome man, who was for him also the messenger `
` of vengeance. Fernand's mind was made up; he would shoot `
` Dantes, and then kill himself. But Fernand was mistaken; a `
` man of his disposition never kills himself, for he `
` constantly hopes. `
` `
` During this time the empire made its last conscription, and `
` every man in France capable of bearing arms rushed to obey `
` the summons of the emperor. Fernand departed with the rest, `
` bearing with him the terrible thought that while he was `
` away, his rival would perhaps return and marry Mercedes. Had `
` Fernand really meant to kill himself, he would have done so `
` when he parted from Mercedes. His devotion, and the `
` compassion he showed for her misfortunes, produced the `
` effect they always produce on noble minds -- Mercedes had `
` always had a sincere regard for Fernand, and this was now `
` strengthened by gratitude. `
` `
` "My brother," said she as she placed his knapsack on his `
` shoulders, "be careful of yourself, for if you are killed, I `
` shall be alone in the world." These words carried a ray of `
` hope into Fernand's heart. Should Dantes not return, `
` Mercedes might one day be his. `
` `
` Mercedes was left alone face to face with the vast plain `
` that had never seemed so barren, and the sea that had never `
` seemed so vast. Bathed in tears she wandered about the `
` Catalan village. Sometimes she stood mute and motionless as `
` a statue, looking towards Marseilles, at other times gazing `
` on the sea, and debating as to whether it were not better to `
` cast herself into the abyss of the ocean, and thus end her `
` woes. It was not want of courage that prevented her putting `
` this resolution into execution; but her religious feelings `
` came to her aid and saved her. Caderousse was, like Fernand, `
` enrolled in the army, but, being married and eight years `
` older, he was merely sent to the frontier. Old Dantes, who `
` was only sustained by hope, lost all hope at Napoleon's `
` downfall. Five months after he had been separated from his `
` son, and almost at the hour of his arrest, he breathed his `
` last in Mercedes' arms. M. Morrel paid the expenses of his `
` funeral, and a few small debts the poor old man had `
` contracted. `
` `
` There was more than benevolence in this action; there was `
` courage; the south was aflame, and to assist, even on his `
` death-bed, the father of so dangerous a Bonapartist as `
` Dantes, was stigmatized as a crime. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 14 `
` The Two Prisoners. `
` `
` A year after Louis XVIII.'s restoration, a visit was made by `
` the inspector-general of prisons. Dantes in his cell heard `
` the noise of preparation, -- sounds that at the depth where `
` he lay would have been inaudible to any but the ear of a `
` prisoner, who could hear the splash of the drop of water that `
` every hour fell from the roof of his dungeon. He guessed `
` something uncommon was passing among the living; but he had `
` so long ceased to have any intercourse with the world, that `
` he looked upon himself as dead. `
` `
` The inspector visited, one after another, the cells and `
` dungeons of several of the prisoners, whose good behavior or `
` stupidity recommended them to the clemency of the `
` government. He inquired how they were fed, and if they had `
` any request to make. The universal response was, that the `
` fare was detestable, and that they wanted to be set free. `
` `
` The inspector asked if they had anything else to ask for. `
` They shook their heads. What could they desire beyond their `
` liberty? The inspector turned smilingly to the governor. `
` `
` "I do not know what reason government can assign for these `
` useless visits; when you see one prisoner, you see all, -- `
` always the same thing, -- ill fed and innocent. Are there `
` any others?" `
` `
` "Yes; the dangerous and mad prisoners are in the dungeons." `
` `
` "Let us visit them," said the inspector with an air of `
` fatigue. "We must play the farce to the end. Let us see the `
` dungeons." `
` `
` "Let us first send for two soldiers," said the governor. `
` "The prisoners sometimes, through mere uneasiness of life, `
` and in order to be sentenced to death, commit acts of `
` useless violence, and you might fall a victim." `
` `
` "Take all needful precautions," replied the inspector. `
` `
` Two soldiers were accordingly sent for, and the inspector `
` descended a stairway, so foul, so humid, so dark, as to be `
` loathsome to sight, smell, and respiration. `
` `
` "Oh," cried the inspector, "who can live here?" `
` `
` "A most dangerous conspirator, a man we are ordered to keep `
` the most strict watch over, as he is daring and resolute." `
` `
` "He is alone?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
`