Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
"He is in the small salon, excellency," returned Bertuccio. `
` `
` "And the cards I ordered to be engraved as soon as you knew `
` the number of the house?" `
` `
` "Your excellency, it is done already. I have been myself to `
` the best engraver of the Palais Royal, who did the plate in `
` my presence. The first card struck off was taken, according `
` to your orders, to the Baron Danglars, Rue de la Chaussee `
` d'Antin, No. 7; the others are on the mantle-piece of your `
` excellency's bedroom." `
` `
` "Good; what o'clock is it?" `
` `
` "Four o'clock." Monte Cristo gave his hat, cane, and gloves `
` to the same French footman who had called his carriage at `
` the Count of Morcerf's, and then he passed into the small `
` salon, preceded by Bertuccio, who showed him the way. "These `
` are but indifferent marbles in this ante-chamber," said `
` Monte Cristo. "I trust all this will soon be taken away." `
` Bertuccio bowed. As the steward had said, the notary awaited `
` him in the small salon. He was a simple-looking lawyer's `
` clerk, elevated to the extraordinary dignity of a provincial `
` scrivener. "You are the notary empowered to sell the country `
` house that I wish to purchase, monsieur?" asked Monte `
` Cristo. `
` `
` "Yes, count," returned the notary. `
` `
` "Is the deed of sale ready?" `
` `
` "Yes, count." `
` `
` "Have you brought it?" `
` `
` "Here it is." `
` `
` "Very well; and where is this house that I purchase?" asked `
` the count carelessly, addressing himself half to Bertuccio, `
` half to the notary. The steward made a gesture that `
` signified, "I do not know." The notary looked at the count `
` with astonishment. "What!" said he, "does not the count know `
` where the house he purchases is situated?" `
` `
` "No," returned the count. `
` `
` "The count does not know?" `
` `
` "How should I know? I have arrived from Cadiz this morning. `
` I have never before been at Paris, and it is the first time `
` I have ever even set my foot in France." `
` `
` "Ah, that is different; the house you purchase is at `
` Auteuil." At these words Bertuccio turned pale. "And where `
` is Auteuil?" asked the count. `
` `
` "Close by here, monsieur," replied the notary -- "a little `
` beyond Passy; a charming situation, in the heart of the Bois `
` de Boulogne." `
` `
` "So near as that?" said the Count; "but that is not in the `
` country. What made you choose a house at the gates of Paris, `
` M. Bertuccio?" `
` `
` "I," cried the steward with a strange expression. "His `
` excellency did not charge me to purchase this house. If his `
` excellency will recollect -- if he will think" -- `
` `
` "Ah, true," observed Monte Cristo; "I recollect now. I read `
` the advertisement in one of the papers, and was tempted by `
` the false title, `a country house.'" `
` `
` "It is not yet too late," cried Bertuccio, eagerly; "and if `
` your excellency will intrust me with the commission, I will `
` find you a better at Enghien, at Fontenay-aux-Roses, or at `
` Bellevue." `
` `
` "Oh, no," returned Monte Cristo negligently; "since I have `
` this, I will keep it." `
` `
` "And you are quite right," said the notary, who feared to `
` lose his fee. "It is a charming place, well supplied with `
` spring-water and fine trees; a comfortable habitation, `
` although abandoned for a long time, without reckoning the `
` furniture, which, although old, is yet valuable, now that `
` old things are so much sought after. I suppose the count has `
` the tastes of the day?" `
` `
` "To be sure," returned Monte Cristo; "it is very convenient, `
` then?" `
` `
` "It is more -- it is magnificent." `
` `
` "Peste, let us not lose such an opportunity," returned Monte `
` Cristo. "The deed, if you please, Mr. Notary." And he signed `
` it rapidly, after having first run his eye over that part of `
` the deed in which were specified the situation of the house `
` and the names of the proprietors. "Bertuccio," said he, `
` "give fifty-five thousand francs to monsieur." The steward `
` left the room with a faltering step, and returned with a `
` bundle of bank-notes, which the notary counted like a man `
` who never gives a receipt for money until after he is sure `
` it is all there. "And now," demanded the count, "are all the `
` forms complied with?" `
` `
` "All, sir." `
` `
` "Have you the keys?" `
` `
` "They are in the hands of the concierge, who takes care of `
` the house, but here is the order I have given him to install `
` the count in his new possessions." `
` `
` "Very well;" and Monte Cristo made a sign with his hand to `
` the notary, which said, "I have no further need of you; you `
` may go." `
` `
` "But," observed the honest notary, "the count is, I think, `
` mistaken; it is only fifty thousand francs, everything `
` included." `
` `
` "And your fee?" `
` `
` "Is included in this sum." `
` `
` "But have you not come from Auteuil here?" `
` `
` "Yes, certainly." `
` `
` "Well, then, it is but fair that you should be paid for your `
` loss of time and trouble," said the count; and he made a `
` gesture of polite dismissal. The notary left the room `
` backwards, and bowing down to the ground; it was the first `
` time he had ever met a similar client. "See this gentleman `
` out," said the count to Bertuccio. And the steward followed `
` the notary out of the room. Scarcely was the count alone, `
` when he drew from his pocket a book closed with a lock, and `
` opened it with a key which he wore round his neck, and which `
` never left him. After having sought for a few minutes, he `
` stopped at a leaf which had several notes, and compared them `
` with the deed of sale, which lay on the table. "`Auteuil, `
` Rue de la Fontaine, No. 28;' it is indeed the same," said `
` he; "and now, am I to rely upon an avowal extorted by `
` religious or physical terror? However, in an hour I shall `
` know all. Bertuccio!" cried he, striking a light hammer with `
` a pliant handle on a small gong. "Bertuccio!" The steward `
` appeared at the door. "Monsieur Bertuccio," said the count, `
` "did you never tell me that you had travelled in France?" `
` `
` "In some parts of France -- yes, excellency." `
` `
` "You know the environs of Paris, then?" `
` `
` "No, excellency, no," returned the steward, with a sort of `
` nervous trembling, which Monte Cristo, a connoisseur in all `
` emotions, rightly attributed to great disquietude. `
` `
` "It is unfortunate," returned he, "that you have never `
` visited the environs, for I wish to see my new property this `
` evening, and had you gone with me, you could have given me `
` some useful information." `
` `
` "To Auteuil!" cried Bertuccio, whose copper complexion `
` became livid -- "I go to Auteuil?" `
` `
` "Well, what is there surprising in that? When I live at `
` Auteuil, you must come there, as you belong to my service." `
` Bertuccio hung down his head before the imperious look of `
` his master, and remained motionless, without making any `
` answer. "Why, what has happened to you? -- are you going to `
` make me ring a second time for the carriage?" asked Monte `
` Cristo, in the same tone that Louis XIV. pronounced the `
` famous, "I have been almost obliged to wait." Bertuccio made `
` but one bound to the ante-chamber, and cried in a hoarse `
` voice -- "His excellency's horses!" Monte Cristo wrote two `
` or three notes, and, as he sealed the last, the steward `
` appeared. "Your excellency's carriage is at the door," said `
` he. `
` `
` "Well, take your hat and gloves," returned Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Am I to accompany you, your excellency?" cried Bertuccio. `
` `
` "Certainly, you must give the orders, for I intend residing `
` at the house." It was unexampled for a servant of the `
` count's to dare to dispute an order of his, so the steward, `
` without saying a word, followed his master, who got into the `
` carriage, and signed to him to follow, which he did, taking `
` his place respectfully on the front seat. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 43 `
` The House at Auteuil. `
` `
` Monte Cristo noticed, as they descended the staircase, that `
` Bertuccio signed himself in the Corsican manner; that is, `
` had formed the sign of the cross in the air with his thumb, `
` and as he seated himself in the carriage, muttered a short `
` prayer. Any one but a man of exhaustless thirst for `
` knowledge would have had pity on seeing the steward's `
`
` `
` "And the cards I ordered to be engraved as soon as you knew `
` the number of the house?" `
` `
` "Your excellency, it is done already. I have been myself to `
` the best engraver of the Palais Royal, who did the plate in `
` my presence. The first card struck off was taken, according `
` to your orders, to the Baron Danglars, Rue de la Chaussee `
` d'Antin, No. 7; the others are on the mantle-piece of your `
` excellency's bedroom." `
` `
` "Good; what o'clock is it?" `
` `
` "Four o'clock." Monte Cristo gave his hat, cane, and gloves `
` to the same French footman who had called his carriage at `
` the Count of Morcerf's, and then he passed into the small `
` salon, preceded by Bertuccio, who showed him the way. "These `
` are but indifferent marbles in this ante-chamber," said `
` Monte Cristo. "I trust all this will soon be taken away." `
` Bertuccio bowed. As the steward had said, the notary awaited `
` him in the small salon. He was a simple-looking lawyer's `
` clerk, elevated to the extraordinary dignity of a provincial `
` scrivener. "You are the notary empowered to sell the country `
` house that I wish to purchase, monsieur?" asked Monte `
` Cristo. `
` `
` "Yes, count," returned the notary. `
` `
` "Is the deed of sale ready?" `
` `
` "Yes, count." `
` `
` "Have you brought it?" `
` `
` "Here it is." `
` `
` "Very well; and where is this house that I purchase?" asked `
` the count carelessly, addressing himself half to Bertuccio, `
` half to the notary. The steward made a gesture that `
` signified, "I do not know." The notary looked at the count `
` with astonishment. "What!" said he, "does not the count know `
` where the house he purchases is situated?" `
` `
` "No," returned the count. `
` `
` "The count does not know?" `
` `
` "How should I know? I have arrived from Cadiz this morning. `
` I have never before been at Paris, and it is the first time `
` I have ever even set my foot in France." `
` `
` "Ah, that is different; the house you purchase is at `
` Auteuil." At these words Bertuccio turned pale. "And where `
` is Auteuil?" asked the count. `
` `
` "Close by here, monsieur," replied the notary -- "a little `
` beyond Passy; a charming situation, in the heart of the Bois `
` de Boulogne." `
` `
` "So near as that?" said the Count; "but that is not in the `
` country. What made you choose a house at the gates of Paris, `
` M. Bertuccio?" `
` `
` "I," cried the steward with a strange expression. "His `
` excellency did not charge me to purchase this house. If his `
` excellency will recollect -- if he will think" -- `
` `
` "Ah, true," observed Monte Cristo; "I recollect now. I read `
` the advertisement in one of the papers, and was tempted by `
` the false title, `a country house.'" `
` `
` "It is not yet too late," cried Bertuccio, eagerly; "and if `
` your excellency will intrust me with the commission, I will `
` find you a better at Enghien, at Fontenay-aux-Roses, or at `
` Bellevue." `
` `
` "Oh, no," returned Monte Cristo negligently; "since I have `
` this, I will keep it." `
` `
` "And you are quite right," said the notary, who feared to `
` lose his fee. "It is a charming place, well supplied with `
` spring-water and fine trees; a comfortable habitation, `
` although abandoned for a long time, without reckoning the `
` furniture, which, although old, is yet valuable, now that `
` old things are so much sought after. I suppose the count has `
` the tastes of the day?" `
` `
` "To be sure," returned Monte Cristo; "it is very convenient, `
` then?" `
` `
` "It is more -- it is magnificent." `
` `
` "Peste, let us not lose such an opportunity," returned Monte `
` Cristo. "The deed, if you please, Mr. Notary." And he signed `
` it rapidly, after having first run his eye over that part of `
` the deed in which were specified the situation of the house `
` and the names of the proprietors. "Bertuccio," said he, `
` "give fifty-five thousand francs to monsieur." The steward `
` left the room with a faltering step, and returned with a `
` bundle of bank-notes, which the notary counted like a man `
` who never gives a receipt for money until after he is sure `
` it is all there. "And now," demanded the count, "are all the `
` forms complied with?" `
` `
` "All, sir." `
` `
` "Have you the keys?" `
` `
` "They are in the hands of the concierge, who takes care of `
` the house, but here is the order I have given him to install `
` the count in his new possessions." `
` `
` "Very well;" and Monte Cristo made a sign with his hand to `
` the notary, which said, "I have no further need of you; you `
` may go." `
` `
` "But," observed the honest notary, "the count is, I think, `
` mistaken; it is only fifty thousand francs, everything `
` included." `
` `
` "And your fee?" `
` `
` "Is included in this sum." `
` `
` "But have you not come from Auteuil here?" `
` `
` "Yes, certainly." `
` `
` "Well, then, it is but fair that you should be paid for your `
` loss of time and trouble," said the count; and he made a `
` gesture of polite dismissal. The notary left the room `
` backwards, and bowing down to the ground; it was the first `
` time he had ever met a similar client. "See this gentleman `
` out," said the count to Bertuccio. And the steward followed `
` the notary out of the room. Scarcely was the count alone, `
` when he drew from his pocket a book closed with a lock, and `
` opened it with a key which he wore round his neck, and which `
` never left him. After having sought for a few minutes, he `
` stopped at a leaf which had several notes, and compared them `
` with the deed of sale, which lay on the table. "`Auteuil, `
` Rue de la Fontaine, No. 28;' it is indeed the same," said `
` he; "and now, am I to rely upon an avowal extorted by `
` religious or physical terror? However, in an hour I shall `
` know all. Bertuccio!" cried he, striking a light hammer with `
` a pliant handle on a small gong. "Bertuccio!" The steward `
` appeared at the door. "Monsieur Bertuccio," said the count, `
` "did you never tell me that you had travelled in France?" `
` `
` "In some parts of France -- yes, excellency." `
` `
` "You know the environs of Paris, then?" `
` `
` "No, excellency, no," returned the steward, with a sort of `
` nervous trembling, which Monte Cristo, a connoisseur in all `
` emotions, rightly attributed to great disquietude. `
` `
` "It is unfortunate," returned he, "that you have never `
` visited the environs, for I wish to see my new property this `
` evening, and had you gone with me, you could have given me `
` some useful information." `
` `
` "To Auteuil!" cried Bertuccio, whose copper complexion `
` became livid -- "I go to Auteuil?" `
` `
` "Well, what is there surprising in that? When I live at `
` Auteuil, you must come there, as you belong to my service." `
` Bertuccio hung down his head before the imperious look of `
` his master, and remained motionless, without making any `
` answer. "Why, what has happened to you? -- are you going to `
` make me ring a second time for the carriage?" asked Monte `
` Cristo, in the same tone that Louis XIV. pronounced the `
` famous, "I have been almost obliged to wait." Bertuccio made `
` but one bound to the ante-chamber, and cried in a hoarse `
` voice -- "His excellency's horses!" Monte Cristo wrote two `
` or three notes, and, as he sealed the last, the steward `
` appeared. "Your excellency's carriage is at the door," said `
` he. `
` `
` "Well, take your hat and gloves," returned Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Am I to accompany you, your excellency?" cried Bertuccio. `
` `
` "Certainly, you must give the orders, for I intend residing `
` at the house." It was unexampled for a servant of the `
` count's to dare to dispute an order of his, so the steward, `
` without saying a word, followed his master, who got into the `
` carriage, and signed to him to follow, which he did, taking `
` his place respectfully on the front seat. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 43 `
` The House at Auteuil. `
` `
` Monte Cristo noticed, as they descended the staircase, that `
` Bertuccio signed himself in the Corsican manner; that is, `
` had formed the sign of the cross in the air with his thumb, `
` and as he seated himself in the carriage, muttered a short `
` prayer. Any one but a man of exhaustless thirst for `
` knowledge would have had pity on seeing the steward's `
`