Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
singular expression, and added to the vivacity of his look, `
` and the malice of his smile. Unfortunately, there is a `
` proverb which says that `red is either altogether good or `
` altogether bad.' The proverb was but too correct as regarded `
` Benedetto, and even in his infancy he manifested the worst `
` disposition. It is true that the indulgence of his `
` foster-mother encouraged him. This child, for whom my poor `
` sister would go to the town, five or six leagues off, to `
` purchase the earliest fruits and the most tempting `
` sweetmeats, preferred to Palma grapes or Genoese preserves, `
` the chestnuts stolen from a neighbor's orchard, or the dried `
` apples in his loft, when he could eat as well of the nuts `
` and apples that grew in my garden. One day, when Benedetto `
` was about five or six, our neighbor Vasilio, who, according `
` to the custom of the country, never locked up his purse or `
` his valuables -- for, as your excellency knows, there are no `
` thieves in Corsica -- complained that he had lost a louis `
` out of his purse; we thought he must have made a mistake in `
` counting his money, but he persisted in the accuracy of his `
` statement. One day, Benedetto, who had been gone from the `
` house since morning, to our great anxiety, did not return `
` until late in the evening, dragging a monkey after him, `
` which he said he had found chained to the foot of a tree. `
` For more than a month past, the mischievous child, who knew `
` not what to wish for, had taken it into his head to have a `
` monkey. A boatman, who had passed by Rogliano, and who had `
` several of these animals, whose tricks had greatly diverted `
` him, had, doubtless, suggested this idea to him. `Monkeys `
` are not found in our woods chained to trees,' said I; `
` `confess how you obtained this animal.' Benedetto maintained `
` the truth of what he had said, and accompanied it with `
` details that did more honor to his imagination than to his `
` veracity. I became angry; he began to laugh, I threatened to `
` strike him, and he made two steps backwards. `You cannot `
` beat me,' said he; `you have no right, for you are not my `
` father.' `
` `
` "We never knew who had revealed this fatal secret, which we `
` had so carefully concealed from him; however, it was this `
` answer, in which the child's whole character revealed `
` itself, that almost terrified me, and my arm fell without `
` touching him. The boy triumphed, and this victory rendered `
` him so audacious, that all the money of Assunta, whose `
` affection for him seemed to increase as he became more `
` unworthy of it, was spent in caprices she knew not how to `
` contend against, and follies she had not the courage to `
` prevent. When I was at Rogliano everything went on properly, `
` but no sooner was my back turned than Benedetto became `
` master, and everything went ill. When he was only eleven, he `
` chose his companions from among the young men of eighteen or `
` twenty, the worst characters in Bastia, or, indeed, in `
` Corsica, and they had already, for some mischievous pranks, `
` been several times threatened with a prosecution. I became `
` alarmed, as any prosecution might be attended with serious `
` consequences. I was compelled, at this period, to leave `
` Corsica on an important expedition; I reflected for a long `
` time, and with the hope of averting some impending `
` misfortune, I resolved that Benedetto should accompany me. I `
` hoped that the active and laborious life of a smuggler, with `
` the severe discipline on board, would have a salutary effect `
` on his character, which was now well-nigh, if not quite, `
` corrupt. I spoke to Benedetto alone, and proposed to him to `
` accompany me, endeavoring to tempt him by all the promises `
` most likely to dazzle the imagination of a child of twelve. `
` He heard me patiently, and when I had finished, burst out `
` laughing. `
` `
` "`Are you mad, uncle?' (he called me by this name when he `
` was in good humor); `do you think I am going to change the `
` life I lead for your mode of existence -- my agreeable `
` indolence for the hard and precarious toil you impose on `
` yourself, exposed to the bitter frost at night, and the `
` scorching heat by day, compelled to conceal yourself, and `
` when you are perceived, receive a volley of bullets, all to `
` earn a paltry sum? Why, I have as much money as I want; `
` mother Assunta always furnishes me when I ask for it! You `
` see that I should be a fool to accept your offer.' The `
` arguments, and his audacity, perfectly stupefied me. `
` Benedetto rejoined his associates, and I saw him from a `
` distance point me out to them as a fool." `
` `
` "Sweet child," murmured Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Oh, had he been my own son," replied Bertuccio, "or even my `
` nephew, I would have brought him back to the right road, for `
` the knowledge that you are doing your duty gives you `
` strength, but the idea that I was striking a child whose `
` father I had killed, made it impossible for me to punish `
` him. I gave my sister, who constantly defended the `
` unfortunate boy, good advice, and as she confessed that she `
` had several times missed money to a considerable amount, I `
` showed her a safe place in which to conceal our little `
` treasure for the future. My mind was already made up. `
` Benedetto could read, write, and cipher perfectly, for when `
` the fit seized him, he learned more in a day than others in `
` a week. My intention was to enter him as a clerk in some `
` ship, and without letting him know anything of my plan, to `
` convey him some morning on board; by this means his future `
` treatment would depend upon his own conduct. I set off for `
` France, after having fixed upon the plan. Our cargo was to `
` be landed in the Gulf of Lyons, and this was a difficult `
` thing to do because it was then the year 1829. The most `
` perfect tranquillity was restored, and the vigilance of the `
` custom-house officers was redoubled, and their strictness `
` was increased at this time, in consequence of the fair at `
` Beaucaire. `
` `
` "Our expedition made a favorable beginning. We anchored our `
` vessel -- which had a double hold, where our goods were `
` concealed -- amidst a number of other vessels that bordered `
` the banks of the Rhone from Beaucaire to Arles. On our `
` arrival we began to discharge our cargo in the night, and to `
` convey it into the town, by the help of the inn-keeper with `
` whom we were connected. Whether success rendered us `
` imprudent, or whether we were betrayed, I know not; but one `
` evening, about five o'clock, our little cabin-boy came `
` breathlessly, to inform us that he had seen a detachment of `
` custom-house officers advancing in our direction. It was not `
` their proximity that alarmed us, for detachments were `
` constantly patrolling along the banks of the Rhone, but the `
` care, according to the boy's account, that they took to `
` avoid being seen. In an instant we were on the alert, but it `
` was too late; our vessel was surrounded, and amongst the `
` custom-house officers I observed several gendarmes, and, as `
` terrified at the sight of their uniforms as I was brave at `
` the sight of any other, I sprang into the hold, opened a `
` port, and dropped into the river, dived, and only rose at `
` intervals to breathe, until I reached a ditch that had `
` recently been made from the Rhone to the canal that runs `
` from Beaucaire to Aigues-Mortes. I was now safe, for I could `
` swim along the ditch without being seen, and I reached the `
` canal in safety. I had designedly taken this direction. I `
` have already told your excellency of an inn-keeper from `
` Nimes who had set up a little tavern on the road from `
` Bellegarde to Beaucaire." `
` `
` "Yes," said Monte Cristo "I perfectly recollect him; I think `
` he was your colleague." `
` `
` "Precisely," answered Bertuccio; "but he had, seven or eight `
` years before this period, sold his establishment to a tailor `
` at Marseilles, who, having almost ruined himself in his old `
` trade, wished to make his fortune in another. Of course, we `
` made the same arrangements with the new landlord that we had `
` with the old; and it was of this man that I intended to ask `
` shelter." `
` `
` "What was his name?" inquired the count, who seemed to `
` become somewhat interested in Bertuccio's story. `
` `
` "Gaspard Caderousse; he had married a woman from the village `
` of Carconte, and whom we did not know by any other name than `
` that of her village. She was suffering from malarial fever, `
` and seemed dying by inches. As for her husband, he was a `
` strapping fellow of forty, or five and forty, who had more `
` than once, in time of danger, given ample proof of his `
` presence of mind and courage." `
` `
` "And you say," interrupted Monte Cristo "that this took `
` place towards the year" -- `
` `
` "1829, your excellency." `
` `
` "In what month?" `
` `
` "June." `
` `
` "The beginning or the end?" `
` `
` "The evening of the 3d." `
` `
` "Ah," said Monte Cristo "the evening of the 3d of June, `
` 1829. Go on." `
` `
` "It was from Caderousse that I intended demanding shelter, `
` and, as we never entered by the door that opened onto the `
` road, I resolved not to break through the rule, so climbing `
` over the garden-hedge, I crept amongst the olive and wild `
` fig trees, and fearing that Caderousse might have some `
` guest, I entered a kind of shed in which I had often passed `
` the night, and which was only separated from the inn by a `
` partition, in which holes had been made in order to enable `
` us to watch an opportunity of announcing our presence. My `
` intention was, if Caderousse was alone, to acquaint him with `
` my presence, finish the meal the custom-house officers had `
` interrupted, and profit by the threatened storm to return to `
` the Rhone, and ascertain the state of our vessel and its `
` crew. I stepped into the shed, and it was fortunate I did `
` so, for at that moment Caderousse entered with a stranger. `
` `
` "I waited patiently, not to overhear what they said, but `
` because I could do nothing else; besides, the same thing had `
` occurred often before. The man who was with Caderousse was `
` evidently a stranger to the South of France; he was one of `
` those merchants who come to sell jewellery at the Beaucaire `
` fair, and who during the month the fair lasts, and during `
` which there is so great an influx of merchants and customers `
` from all parts of Europe, often have dealings to the amount `
` of 100,000 to 150,000 francs. Caderousse entered hastily. `
` Then, seeing that the room was, as usual, empty, and only `
` guarded by the dog, he called to his wife, `Hello, `
`
` and the malice of his smile. Unfortunately, there is a `
` proverb which says that `red is either altogether good or `
` altogether bad.' The proverb was but too correct as regarded `
` Benedetto, and even in his infancy he manifested the worst `
` disposition. It is true that the indulgence of his `
` foster-mother encouraged him. This child, for whom my poor `
` sister would go to the town, five or six leagues off, to `
` purchase the earliest fruits and the most tempting `
` sweetmeats, preferred to Palma grapes or Genoese preserves, `
` the chestnuts stolen from a neighbor's orchard, or the dried `
` apples in his loft, when he could eat as well of the nuts `
` and apples that grew in my garden. One day, when Benedetto `
` was about five or six, our neighbor Vasilio, who, according `
` to the custom of the country, never locked up his purse or `
` his valuables -- for, as your excellency knows, there are no `
` thieves in Corsica -- complained that he had lost a louis `
` out of his purse; we thought he must have made a mistake in `
` counting his money, but he persisted in the accuracy of his `
` statement. One day, Benedetto, who had been gone from the `
` house since morning, to our great anxiety, did not return `
` until late in the evening, dragging a monkey after him, `
` which he said he had found chained to the foot of a tree. `
` For more than a month past, the mischievous child, who knew `
` not what to wish for, had taken it into his head to have a `
` monkey. A boatman, who had passed by Rogliano, and who had `
` several of these animals, whose tricks had greatly diverted `
` him, had, doubtless, suggested this idea to him. `Monkeys `
` are not found in our woods chained to trees,' said I; `
` `confess how you obtained this animal.' Benedetto maintained `
` the truth of what he had said, and accompanied it with `
` details that did more honor to his imagination than to his `
` veracity. I became angry; he began to laugh, I threatened to `
` strike him, and he made two steps backwards. `You cannot `
` beat me,' said he; `you have no right, for you are not my `
` father.' `
` `
` "We never knew who had revealed this fatal secret, which we `
` had so carefully concealed from him; however, it was this `
` answer, in which the child's whole character revealed `
` itself, that almost terrified me, and my arm fell without `
` touching him. The boy triumphed, and this victory rendered `
` him so audacious, that all the money of Assunta, whose `
` affection for him seemed to increase as he became more `
` unworthy of it, was spent in caprices she knew not how to `
` contend against, and follies she had not the courage to `
` prevent. When I was at Rogliano everything went on properly, `
` but no sooner was my back turned than Benedetto became `
` master, and everything went ill. When he was only eleven, he `
` chose his companions from among the young men of eighteen or `
` twenty, the worst characters in Bastia, or, indeed, in `
` Corsica, and they had already, for some mischievous pranks, `
` been several times threatened with a prosecution. I became `
` alarmed, as any prosecution might be attended with serious `
` consequences. I was compelled, at this period, to leave `
` Corsica on an important expedition; I reflected for a long `
` time, and with the hope of averting some impending `
` misfortune, I resolved that Benedetto should accompany me. I `
` hoped that the active and laborious life of a smuggler, with `
` the severe discipline on board, would have a salutary effect `
` on his character, which was now well-nigh, if not quite, `
` corrupt. I spoke to Benedetto alone, and proposed to him to `
` accompany me, endeavoring to tempt him by all the promises `
` most likely to dazzle the imagination of a child of twelve. `
` He heard me patiently, and when I had finished, burst out `
` laughing. `
` `
` "`Are you mad, uncle?' (he called me by this name when he `
` was in good humor); `do you think I am going to change the `
` life I lead for your mode of existence -- my agreeable `
` indolence for the hard and precarious toil you impose on `
` yourself, exposed to the bitter frost at night, and the `
` scorching heat by day, compelled to conceal yourself, and `
` when you are perceived, receive a volley of bullets, all to `
` earn a paltry sum? Why, I have as much money as I want; `
` mother Assunta always furnishes me when I ask for it! You `
` see that I should be a fool to accept your offer.' The `
` arguments, and his audacity, perfectly stupefied me. `
` Benedetto rejoined his associates, and I saw him from a `
` distance point me out to them as a fool." `
` `
` "Sweet child," murmured Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Oh, had he been my own son," replied Bertuccio, "or even my `
` nephew, I would have brought him back to the right road, for `
` the knowledge that you are doing your duty gives you `
` strength, but the idea that I was striking a child whose `
` father I had killed, made it impossible for me to punish `
` him. I gave my sister, who constantly defended the `
` unfortunate boy, good advice, and as she confessed that she `
` had several times missed money to a considerable amount, I `
` showed her a safe place in which to conceal our little `
` treasure for the future. My mind was already made up. `
` Benedetto could read, write, and cipher perfectly, for when `
` the fit seized him, he learned more in a day than others in `
` a week. My intention was to enter him as a clerk in some `
` ship, and without letting him know anything of my plan, to `
` convey him some morning on board; by this means his future `
` treatment would depend upon his own conduct. I set off for `
` France, after having fixed upon the plan. Our cargo was to `
` be landed in the Gulf of Lyons, and this was a difficult `
` thing to do because it was then the year 1829. The most `
` perfect tranquillity was restored, and the vigilance of the `
` custom-house officers was redoubled, and their strictness `
` was increased at this time, in consequence of the fair at `
` Beaucaire. `
` `
` "Our expedition made a favorable beginning. We anchored our `
` vessel -- which had a double hold, where our goods were `
` concealed -- amidst a number of other vessels that bordered `
` the banks of the Rhone from Beaucaire to Arles. On our `
` arrival we began to discharge our cargo in the night, and to `
` convey it into the town, by the help of the inn-keeper with `
` whom we were connected. Whether success rendered us `
` imprudent, or whether we were betrayed, I know not; but one `
` evening, about five o'clock, our little cabin-boy came `
` breathlessly, to inform us that he had seen a detachment of `
` custom-house officers advancing in our direction. It was not `
` their proximity that alarmed us, for detachments were `
` constantly patrolling along the banks of the Rhone, but the `
` care, according to the boy's account, that they took to `
` avoid being seen. In an instant we were on the alert, but it `
` was too late; our vessel was surrounded, and amongst the `
` custom-house officers I observed several gendarmes, and, as `
` terrified at the sight of their uniforms as I was brave at `
` the sight of any other, I sprang into the hold, opened a `
` port, and dropped into the river, dived, and only rose at `
` intervals to breathe, until I reached a ditch that had `
` recently been made from the Rhone to the canal that runs `
` from Beaucaire to Aigues-Mortes. I was now safe, for I could `
` swim along the ditch without being seen, and I reached the `
` canal in safety. I had designedly taken this direction. I `
` have already told your excellency of an inn-keeper from `
` Nimes who had set up a little tavern on the road from `
` Bellegarde to Beaucaire." `
` `
` "Yes," said Monte Cristo "I perfectly recollect him; I think `
` he was your colleague." `
` `
` "Precisely," answered Bertuccio; "but he had, seven or eight `
` years before this period, sold his establishment to a tailor `
` at Marseilles, who, having almost ruined himself in his old `
` trade, wished to make his fortune in another. Of course, we `
` made the same arrangements with the new landlord that we had `
` with the old; and it was of this man that I intended to ask `
` shelter." `
` `
` "What was his name?" inquired the count, who seemed to `
` become somewhat interested in Bertuccio's story. `
` `
` "Gaspard Caderousse; he had married a woman from the village `
` of Carconte, and whom we did not know by any other name than `
` that of her village. She was suffering from malarial fever, `
` and seemed dying by inches. As for her husband, he was a `
` strapping fellow of forty, or five and forty, who had more `
` than once, in time of danger, given ample proof of his `
` presence of mind and courage." `
` `
` "And you say," interrupted Monte Cristo "that this took `
` place towards the year" -- `
` `
` "1829, your excellency." `
` `
` "In what month?" `
` `
` "June." `
` `
` "The beginning or the end?" `
` `
` "The evening of the 3d." `
` `
` "Ah," said Monte Cristo "the evening of the 3d of June, `
` 1829. Go on." `
` `
` "It was from Caderousse that I intended demanding shelter, `
` and, as we never entered by the door that opened onto the `
` road, I resolved not to break through the rule, so climbing `
` over the garden-hedge, I crept amongst the olive and wild `
` fig trees, and fearing that Caderousse might have some `
` guest, I entered a kind of shed in which I had often passed `
` the night, and which was only separated from the inn by a `
` partition, in which holes had been made in order to enable `
` us to watch an opportunity of announcing our presence. My `
` intention was, if Caderousse was alone, to acquaint him with `
` my presence, finish the meal the custom-house officers had `
` interrupted, and profit by the threatened storm to return to `
` the Rhone, and ascertain the state of our vessel and its `
` crew. I stepped into the shed, and it was fortunate I did `
` so, for at that moment Caderousse entered with a stranger. `
` `
` "I waited patiently, not to overhear what they said, but `
` because I could do nothing else; besides, the same thing had `
` occurred often before. The man who was with Caderousse was `
` evidently a stranger to the South of France; he was one of `
` those merchants who come to sell jewellery at the Beaucaire `
` fair, and who during the month the fair lasts, and during `
` which there is so great an influx of merchants and customers `
` from all parts of Europe, often have dealings to the amount `
` of 100,000 to 150,000 francs. Caderousse entered hastily. `
` Then, seeing that the room was, as usual, empty, and only `
` guarded by the dog, he called to his wife, `Hello, `
`