Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
by any vow,' said he; `I know and admire the Corsican nature `
` too well to fear you. Here, take this,' continued he, after `
` rapidly writing the few lines I brought to your excellency, `
` and upon receipt of which you deigned to receive me into `
` your service, and proudly I ask whether your excellency has `
` ever had cause to repent having done so?" `
` `
` "No," replied the count; "I take pleasure in saying that you `
` have served me faithfully, Bertuccio; but you might have `
` shown more confidence in me." `
` `
` "I, your excellency?" `
` `
` "Yes; you. How comes it, that having both a sister and an `
` adopted son, you have never spoken to me of either?" `
` `
` "Alas, I have still to recount the most distressing period `
` of my life. Anxious as you may suppose I was to behold and `
` comfort my dear sister, I lost no time in hastening to `
` Corsica, but when I arrived at Rogliano I found a house of `
` mourning, the consequences of a scene so horrible that the `
` neighbors remember and speak of it to this day. Acting by my `
` advice, my poor sister had refused to comply with the `
` unreasonable demands of Benedetto, who was continually `
` tormenting her for money, as long as he believed there was a `
` sou left in her possession. One morning that he had demanded `
` money, threatening her with the severest consequences if she `
` did not supply him with what he desired, he disappeared and `
` remained away all day, leaving the kind-hearted Assunta, who `
` loved him as if he were her own child, to weep over his `
` conduct and bewail his absence. Evening came, and still, `
` with all the patient solicitude of a mother, she watched for `
` his return. `
` `
` "As the eleventh hour struck, he entered with a swaggering `
` air, attended by two of the most dissolute and reckless of `
` his boon companions. She stretched out her arms to him, but `
` they seized hold of her, and one of the three -- none other `
` than the accursed Benedetto exclaimed, -- `Put her to `
` torture and she'll soon tell us where her money is.' `
` `
` "It unfortunately happened that our neighbor, Vasilio, was `
` at Bastia, leaving no person in his house but his wife; no `
` human creature beside could hear or see anything that took `
` place within our dwelling. Two held poor Assunta, who, `
` unable to conceive that any harm was intended to her, smiled `
` in the face of those who were soon to become her `
` executioners. The third proceeded to barricade the doors and `
` windows, then returned, and the three united in stifling the `
` cries of terror incited by the sight of these preparations, `
` and then dragged Assunta feet foremost towards the brazier, `
` expecting to wring from her an avowal of where her supposed `
` treasure was secreted. In the struggle her clothes caught `
` fire, and they were obliged to let go their hold in order to `
` preserve themselves from sharing the same fate. Covered with `
` flames, Assunta rushed wildly to the door, but it was `
` fastened; she flew to the windows, but they were also `
` secured; then the neighbors heard frightful shrieks; it was `
` Assunta calling for help. The cries died away in groans, and `
` next morning, as soon as Vasilio's wife could muster up `
` courage to venture abroad, she caused the door of our `
` dwelling to be opened by the public authorities, when `
` Assunta, although dreadfully burnt, was found still `
` breathing; every drawer and closet in the house had been `
` forced open, and the money stolen. Benedetto never again `
` appeared at Rogliano, neither have I since that day either `
` seen or heard anything concerning him. `
` `
` "It was subsequently to these dreadful events that I waited `
` on your excellency, to whom it would have been folly to have `
` mentioned Benedetto, since all trace of him seemed entirely `
` lost; or of my sister, since she was dead." `
` `
` "And in what light did you view the occurrence?" inquired `
` Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "As a punishment for the crime I had committed," answered `
` Bertuccio. "Oh, those Villeforts are an accursed race!" `
` `
` "Truly they are," murmured the count in a lugubrious tone. `
` `
` "And now," resumed Bertuccio, "your excellency may, perhaps, `
` be able to comprehend that this place, which I revisit for `
` the first time -- this garden, the actual scene of my crime `
` -- must have given rise to reflections of no very agreeable `
` nature, and produced that gloom and depression of spirits `
` which excited the notice of your excellency, who was pleased `
` to express a desire to know the cause. At this instant a `
` shudder passes over me as I reflect that possibly I am now `
` standing on the very grave in which lies M. de Villefort, by `
` whose hand the ground was dug to receive the corpse of his `
` child." `
` `
` "Everything is possible," said Monte Cristo, rising from the `
` bench on which he had been sitting; "even," he added in an `
` inaudible voice, "even that the procureur be not dead. The `
` Abbe Busoni did right to send you to me," he went on in his `
` ordinary tone, "and you have done well in relating to me the `
` whole of your history, as it will prevent my forming any `
` erroneous opinions concerning you in future. As for that `
` Benedetto, who so grossly belied his name, have you never `
` made any effort to trace out whither he has gone, or what `
` has become of him?" `
` `
` "No; far from wishing to learn whither he has betaken `
` himself, I should shun the possibility of meeting him as I `
` would a wild beast. Thank God, I have never heard his name `
` mentioned by any person, and I hope and believe he is dead." `
` `
` "Do not think so, Bertuccio," replied the count; "for the `
` wicked are not so easily disposed of, for God seems to have `
` them under his special watch-care to make of them `
` instruments of his vengeance." `
` `
` "So be it," responded Bertuccio, "all I ask of heaven is `
` that I may never see him again. And now, your excellency," `
` he added, bowing his head, "you know everything -- you are `
` my judge on earth, as the Almighty is in heaven; have you `
` for me no words of consolation?" `
` `
` "My good friend, I can only repeat the words addressed to `
` you by the Abbe Busoni. Villefort merited punishment for `
` what he had done to you, and, perhaps, to others. Benedetto, `
` if still living, will become the instrument of divine `
` retribution in some way or other, and then be duly punished `
` in his turn. As far as you yourself are concerned, I see but `
` one point in which you are really guilty. Ask yourself, `
` wherefore, after rescuing the infant from its living grave, `
` you did not restore it to its mother? There was the crime, `
` Bertuccio -- that was where you became really culpable." `
` `
` "True, excellency, that was the crime, the real crime, for `
` in that I acted like a coward. My first duty, directly I had `
` succeeded in recalling the babe to life, was to restore it `
` to its mother; but, in order to do so, I must have made `
` close and careful inquiry, which would, in all probability, `
` have led to my own apprehension; and I clung to life, partly `
` on my sister's account, and partly from that feeling of `
` pride inborn in our hearts of desiring to come off untouched `
` and victorious in the execution of our vengeance. Perhaps, `
` too, the natural and instinctive love of life made me wish `
` to avoid endangering my own. And then, again, I am not as `
` brave and courageous as was my poor brother." Bertuccio hid `
` his face in his hands as he uttered these words, while Monte `
` Cristo fixed on him a look of inscrutable meaning. After a `
` brief silence, rendered still more solemn by the time and `
` place, the count said, in a tone of melancholy wholly unlike `
` his usual manner, "In order to bring this conversation to a `
` fitting termination (the last we shall ever hold upon this `
` subject), I will repeat to you some words I have heard from `
` the lips of the Abbe Busoni. For all evils there are two `
` remedies -- time and silence. And now leave me, Monsieur `
` Bertuccio, to walk alone here in the garden. The very `
` circumstances which inflict on you, as a principal in the `
` tragic scene enacted here, such painful emotions, are to me, `
` on the contrary, a source of something like contentment, and `
` serve but to enhance the value of this dwelling in my `
` estimation. The chief beauty of trees consists in the deep `
` shadow of their umbrageous boughs, while fancy pictures a `
` moving multitude of shapes and forms flitting and passing `
` beneath that shade. Here I have a garden laid out in such a `
` way as to afford the fullest scope for the imagination, and `
` furnished with thickly grown trees, beneath whose leafy `
` screen a visionary like myself may conjure up phantoms at `
` will. This to me, who expected but to find a blank enclosure `
` surrounded by a straight wall, is, I assure you, a most `
` agreeable surprise. I have no fear of ghosts, and I have `
` never heard it said that so much harm had been done by the `
` dead during six thousand years as is wrought by the living `
` in a single day. Retire within, Bertuccio, and tranquillize `
` your mind. Should your confessor be less indulgent to you in `
` your dying moments than you found the Abbe Busoni, send for `
` me, if I am still on earth, and I will soothe your ears with `
` words that shall effectually calm and soothe your parting `
` soul ere it goes forth to traverse the ocean called `
` eternity." `
` `
` Bertuccio bowed respectfully, and turned away, sighing `
` heavily. Monte Cristo, left alone, took three or four steps `
` onwards, and murmured, "Here, beneath this plane-tree, must `
` have been where the infant's grave was dug. There is the `
` little door opening into the garden. At this corner is the `
` private staircase communicating with the sleeping apartment. `
` There will be no necessity for me to make a note of these `
` particulars, for there, before my eyes, beneath my feet, all `
` around me, I have the plan sketched with all the living `
` reality of truth." After making the tour of the garden a `
` second time, the count re-entered his carriage, while `
` Bertuccio, who perceived the thoughtful expression of his `
` master's features, took his seat beside the driver without `
` uttering a word. The carriage proceeded rapidly towards `
` Paris. `
` `
` That same evening, upon reaching his abode in the Champs `
` Elysees, the Count of Monte Cristo went over the whole `
` building with the air of one long acquainted with each nook `
` or corner. Nor, although preceding the party, did he once `
` mistake one door for another, or commit the smallest error `
` when choosing any particular corridor or staircase to `
` conduct him to a place or suite of rooms he desired to `
` visit. Ali was his principal attendant during this nocturnal `
`
` too well to fear you. Here, take this,' continued he, after `
` rapidly writing the few lines I brought to your excellency, `
` and upon receipt of which you deigned to receive me into `
` your service, and proudly I ask whether your excellency has `
` ever had cause to repent having done so?" `
` `
` "No," replied the count; "I take pleasure in saying that you `
` have served me faithfully, Bertuccio; but you might have `
` shown more confidence in me." `
` `
` "I, your excellency?" `
` `
` "Yes; you. How comes it, that having both a sister and an `
` adopted son, you have never spoken to me of either?" `
` `
` "Alas, I have still to recount the most distressing period `
` of my life. Anxious as you may suppose I was to behold and `
` comfort my dear sister, I lost no time in hastening to `
` Corsica, but when I arrived at Rogliano I found a house of `
` mourning, the consequences of a scene so horrible that the `
` neighbors remember and speak of it to this day. Acting by my `
` advice, my poor sister had refused to comply with the `
` unreasonable demands of Benedetto, who was continually `
` tormenting her for money, as long as he believed there was a `
` sou left in her possession. One morning that he had demanded `
` money, threatening her with the severest consequences if she `
` did not supply him with what he desired, he disappeared and `
` remained away all day, leaving the kind-hearted Assunta, who `
` loved him as if he were her own child, to weep over his `
` conduct and bewail his absence. Evening came, and still, `
` with all the patient solicitude of a mother, she watched for `
` his return. `
` `
` "As the eleventh hour struck, he entered with a swaggering `
` air, attended by two of the most dissolute and reckless of `
` his boon companions. She stretched out her arms to him, but `
` they seized hold of her, and one of the three -- none other `
` than the accursed Benedetto exclaimed, -- `Put her to `
` torture and she'll soon tell us where her money is.' `
` `
` "It unfortunately happened that our neighbor, Vasilio, was `
` at Bastia, leaving no person in his house but his wife; no `
` human creature beside could hear or see anything that took `
` place within our dwelling. Two held poor Assunta, who, `
` unable to conceive that any harm was intended to her, smiled `
` in the face of those who were soon to become her `
` executioners. The third proceeded to barricade the doors and `
` windows, then returned, and the three united in stifling the `
` cries of terror incited by the sight of these preparations, `
` and then dragged Assunta feet foremost towards the brazier, `
` expecting to wring from her an avowal of where her supposed `
` treasure was secreted. In the struggle her clothes caught `
` fire, and they were obliged to let go their hold in order to `
` preserve themselves from sharing the same fate. Covered with `
` flames, Assunta rushed wildly to the door, but it was `
` fastened; she flew to the windows, but they were also `
` secured; then the neighbors heard frightful shrieks; it was `
` Assunta calling for help. The cries died away in groans, and `
` next morning, as soon as Vasilio's wife could muster up `
` courage to venture abroad, she caused the door of our `
` dwelling to be opened by the public authorities, when `
` Assunta, although dreadfully burnt, was found still `
` breathing; every drawer and closet in the house had been `
` forced open, and the money stolen. Benedetto never again `
` appeared at Rogliano, neither have I since that day either `
` seen or heard anything concerning him. `
` `
` "It was subsequently to these dreadful events that I waited `
` on your excellency, to whom it would have been folly to have `
` mentioned Benedetto, since all trace of him seemed entirely `
` lost; or of my sister, since she was dead." `
` `
` "And in what light did you view the occurrence?" inquired `
` Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "As a punishment for the crime I had committed," answered `
` Bertuccio. "Oh, those Villeforts are an accursed race!" `
` `
` "Truly they are," murmured the count in a lugubrious tone. `
` `
` "And now," resumed Bertuccio, "your excellency may, perhaps, `
` be able to comprehend that this place, which I revisit for `
` the first time -- this garden, the actual scene of my crime `
` -- must have given rise to reflections of no very agreeable `
` nature, and produced that gloom and depression of spirits `
` which excited the notice of your excellency, who was pleased `
` to express a desire to know the cause. At this instant a `
` shudder passes over me as I reflect that possibly I am now `
` standing on the very grave in which lies M. de Villefort, by `
` whose hand the ground was dug to receive the corpse of his `
` child." `
` `
` "Everything is possible," said Monte Cristo, rising from the `
` bench on which he had been sitting; "even," he added in an `
` inaudible voice, "even that the procureur be not dead. The `
` Abbe Busoni did right to send you to me," he went on in his `
` ordinary tone, "and you have done well in relating to me the `
` whole of your history, as it will prevent my forming any `
` erroneous opinions concerning you in future. As for that `
` Benedetto, who so grossly belied his name, have you never `
` made any effort to trace out whither he has gone, or what `
` has become of him?" `
` `
` "No; far from wishing to learn whither he has betaken `
` himself, I should shun the possibility of meeting him as I `
` would a wild beast. Thank God, I have never heard his name `
` mentioned by any person, and I hope and believe he is dead." `
` `
` "Do not think so, Bertuccio," replied the count; "for the `
` wicked are not so easily disposed of, for God seems to have `
` them under his special watch-care to make of them `
` instruments of his vengeance." `
` `
` "So be it," responded Bertuccio, "all I ask of heaven is `
` that I may never see him again. And now, your excellency," `
` he added, bowing his head, "you know everything -- you are `
` my judge on earth, as the Almighty is in heaven; have you `
` for me no words of consolation?" `
` `
` "My good friend, I can only repeat the words addressed to `
` you by the Abbe Busoni. Villefort merited punishment for `
` what he had done to you, and, perhaps, to others. Benedetto, `
` if still living, will become the instrument of divine `
` retribution in some way or other, and then be duly punished `
` in his turn. As far as you yourself are concerned, I see but `
` one point in which you are really guilty. Ask yourself, `
` wherefore, after rescuing the infant from its living grave, `
` you did not restore it to its mother? There was the crime, `
` Bertuccio -- that was where you became really culpable." `
` `
` "True, excellency, that was the crime, the real crime, for `
` in that I acted like a coward. My first duty, directly I had `
` succeeded in recalling the babe to life, was to restore it `
` to its mother; but, in order to do so, I must have made `
` close and careful inquiry, which would, in all probability, `
` have led to my own apprehension; and I clung to life, partly `
` on my sister's account, and partly from that feeling of `
` pride inborn in our hearts of desiring to come off untouched `
` and victorious in the execution of our vengeance. Perhaps, `
` too, the natural and instinctive love of life made me wish `
` to avoid endangering my own. And then, again, I am not as `
` brave and courageous as was my poor brother." Bertuccio hid `
` his face in his hands as he uttered these words, while Monte `
` Cristo fixed on him a look of inscrutable meaning. After a `
` brief silence, rendered still more solemn by the time and `
` place, the count said, in a tone of melancholy wholly unlike `
` his usual manner, "In order to bring this conversation to a `
` fitting termination (the last we shall ever hold upon this `
` subject), I will repeat to you some words I have heard from `
` the lips of the Abbe Busoni. For all evils there are two `
` remedies -- time and silence. And now leave me, Monsieur `
` Bertuccio, to walk alone here in the garden. The very `
` circumstances which inflict on you, as a principal in the `
` tragic scene enacted here, such painful emotions, are to me, `
` on the contrary, a source of something like contentment, and `
` serve but to enhance the value of this dwelling in my `
` estimation. The chief beauty of trees consists in the deep `
` shadow of their umbrageous boughs, while fancy pictures a `
` moving multitude of shapes and forms flitting and passing `
` beneath that shade. Here I have a garden laid out in such a `
` way as to afford the fullest scope for the imagination, and `
` furnished with thickly grown trees, beneath whose leafy `
` screen a visionary like myself may conjure up phantoms at `
` will. This to me, who expected but to find a blank enclosure `
` surrounded by a straight wall, is, I assure you, a most `
` agreeable surprise. I have no fear of ghosts, and I have `
` never heard it said that so much harm had been done by the `
` dead during six thousand years as is wrought by the living `
` in a single day. Retire within, Bertuccio, and tranquillize `
` your mind. Should your confessor be less indulgent to you in `
` your dying moments than you found the Abbe Busoni, send for `
` me, if I am still on earth, and I will soothe your ears with `
` words that shall effectually calm and soothe your parting `
` soul ere it goes forth to traverse the ocean called `
` eternity." `
` `
` Bertuccio bowed respectfully, and turned away, sighing `
` heavily. Monte Cristo, left alone, took three or four steps `
` onwards, and murmured, "Here, beneath this plane-tree, must `
` have been where the infant's grave was dug. There is the `
` little door opening into the garden. At this corner is the `
` private staircase communicating with the sleeping apartment. `
` There will be no necessity for me to make a note of these `
` particulars, for there, before my eyes, beneath my feet, all `
` around me, I have the plan sketched with all the living `
` reality of truth." After making the tour of the garden a `
` second time, the count re-entered his carriage, while `
` Bertuccio, who perceived the thoughtful expression of his `
` master's features, took his seat beside the driver without `
` uttering a word. The carriage proceeded rapidly towards `
` Paris. `
` `
` That same evening, upon reaching his abode in the Champs `
` Elysees, the Count of Monte Cristo went over the whole `
` building with the air of one long acquainted with each nook `
` or corner. Nor, although preceding the party, did he once `
` mistake one door for another, or commit the smallest error `
` when choosing any particular corridor or staircase to `
` conduct him to a place or suite of rooms he desired to `
` visit. Ali was his principal attendant during this nocturnal `
`