Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
let your profits end here. It would be long indeed ere you `
` would find so lucrative a post as that you have now the good `
` fortune to fill. I neither ill-use nor ill-treat my servants `
` by word or action. An error I readily forgive, but wilful `
` negligence or forgetfulness, never. My commands are `
` ordinarily short, clear, and precise; and I would rather be `
` obliged to repeat my words twice, or even three times, than `
` they should be misunderstood. I am rich enough to know `
` whatever I desire to know, and I can promise you I am not `
` wanting in curiosity. If, then, I should learn that you had `
` taken upon yourself to speak of me to any one favorably or `
` unfavorably, to comment on my actions, or watch my conduct, `
` that very instant you would quit my service. You may now `
` retire. I never caution my servants a second time -- `
` remember that." Baptistin bowed, and was proceeding towards `
` the door. "I forgot to mention to you," said the count, `
` "that I lay yearly aside a certain sum for each servant in `
` my establishment; those whom I am compelled to dismiss lose `
` (as a matter of course) all participation in this money, `
` while their portion goes to the fund accumulating for those `
` domestics who remain with me, and among whom it will be `
` divided at my death. You have been in my service a year, `
` your fund has already begun to accumulate -- let it continue `
` to do so." `
` `
` This address, delivered in the presence of Ali, who, not `
` understanding one word of the language in which it was `
` spoken, stood wholly unmoved, produced an effect on M. `
` Baptistin only to be conceived by such as have occasion to `
` study the character and disposition of French domestics. "I `
` assure your excellency," said he, "that at least it shall be `
` my study to merit your approbation in all things, and I will `
` take M. Ali as my model." `
` `
` "By no means," replied the count in the most frigid tones; `
` "Ali has many faults mixed with most excellent qualities. He `
` cannot possibly serve you as a pattern for your conduct, not `
` being, as you are, a paid servant, but a mere slave -- a `
` dog, who, should he fail in his duty towards me, I should `
` not discharge from my service, but kill." Baptistin opened `
` his eyes with astonishment. `
` `
` "You seem incredulous," said Monte Cristo, who repeated to `
` Ali in the Arabic language what he had just been saying to `
` Baptistin in French. The Nubian smiled assentingly to his `
` master's words, then, kneeling on one knee, respectfully `
` kissed the hand of the count. This corroboration of the `
` lesson he had just received put the finishing stroke to the `
` wonder and stupefaction of M. Baptistin. The count then `
` motioned the valet de chambre to retire, and to Ali to `
` follow to his study, where they conversed long and earnestly `
` together. As the hand of the clock pointed to five the count `
` struck thrice upon his gong. When Ali was wanted one stroke `
` was given, two summoned Baptistin, and three Bertuccio. The `
` steward entered. "My horses," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "They are at the door harnessed to the carriage as your `
` excellency desired. Does your excellency wish me to `
` accompany him?" `
` `
` "No, the coachman, Ali, and Baptistin will go." The count `
` descended to the door of his mansion, and beheld his `
` carriage drawn by the very pair of horses he had so much `
` admired in the morning as the property of Danglars. As he `
` passed them he said -- "They are extremely handsome `
` certainly, and you have done well to purchase them, although `
` you were somewhat remiss not to have procured them sooner." `
` `
` "Indeed, your excellency, I had very considerable difficulty `
` in obtaining them, and, as it is, they have cost an enormous `
` price." `
` `
` "Does the sum you gave for them make the animals less `
` beautiful," inquired the count, shrugging his shoulders. `
` `
` "Nay, if your excellency is satisfied, it is all that I `
` could wish. Whither does your excellency desire to be `
` driven?" `
` `
` "To the residence of Baron Danglars, Rue de la Chaussee `
` d'Antin." This conversation had passed as they stood upon `
` the terrace, from which a flight of stone steps led to the `
` carriage-drive. As Bertuccio, with a respectful bow, was `
` moving away, the count called him back. "I have another `
` commission for you, M. Bertuccio," said he; "I am desirous `
` of having an estate by the seaside in Normandy -- for `
` instance, between Havre and Boulogne. You see I give you a `
` wide range. It will be absolutely necessary that the place `
` you may select have a small harbor, creek, or bay, into `
` which my corvette can enter and remain at anchor. She draws `
` only fifteen feet. She must be kept in constant readiness to `
` sail immediately I think proper to give the signal. Make the `
` requisite inquiries for a place of this description, and `
` when you have met with an eligible spot, visit it, and if it `
` possess the advantages desired, purchase it at once in your `
` own name. The corvette must now, I think, be on her way to `
` Fecamp, must she not?" `
` `
` "Certainly, your excellency; I saw her put to sea the same `
` evening we quitted Marseilles." `
` `
` "And the yacht." `
` `
` "Was ordered to remain at Martigues." `
` `
` "'Tis well. I wish you to write from time to time to the `
` captains in charge of the two vessels so as to keep them on `
` the alert." `
` `
` "And the steamboat?" `
` `
` "She is at Chalons?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "The same orders for her as for the two sailing vessels." `
` `
` "Very good." `
` `
` "When you have purchased the estate I desire, I want `
` constant relays of horses at ten leagues apart along the `
` northern and southern road." `
` `
` "Your excellency may depend upon me." The Count made a `
` gesture of satisfaction, descended the terrace steps, and `
` sprang into his carriage, which was whirled along swiftly to `
` the banker's house. Danglars was engaged at that moment, `
` presiding over a railroad committee. But the meeting was `
` nearly concluded when the name of his visitor was announced. `
` As the count's title sounded on his ear he rose, and `
` addressing his colleagues, who were members of one or the `
` other Chamber, he said, -- "Gentlemen, pardon me for leaving `
` you so abruptly; but a most ridiculous circumstance has `
` occurred, which is this, -- Thomson French, the Roman `
` bankers, have sent to me a certain person calling himself `
` the Count of Monte Cristo, and have given him an unlimited `
` credit with me. I confess this is the drollest thing I have `
` ever met with in the course of my extensive foreign `
` transactions, and you may readily suppose it has greatly `
` roused my curiosity. I took the trouble this morning to call `
` on the pretended count -- if he were a real count he `
` wouldn't be so rich. But, would you believe it, `He was not `
` receiving.' So the master of Monte Cristo gives himself airs `
` befitting a great millionaire or a capricious beauty. I made `
` inquiries, and found that the house in the Champs Elysees is `
` his own property, and certainly it was very decently kept `
` up. But," pursued Danglars with one of his sinister smiles, `
` "an order for unlimited credit calls for something like `
` caution on the part of the banker to whom that order is `
` given. I am very anxious to see this man. I suspect a hoax `
` is intended, but the instigators of it little knew whom they `
` had to deal with. `They laugh best who laugh last!'" `
` `
` Having delivered himself of this pompous address, uttered `
` with a degree of energy that left the baron almost out of `
` breath, he bowed to the assembled party and withdrew to his `
` drawing-room, whose sumptuous furnishings of white and gold `
` had caused a great sensation in the Chaussee d'Antin. It was `
` to this apartment he had desired his guest to be shown, with `
` the purpose of overwhelming him at the sight of so much `
` luxury. He found the count standing before some copies of `
` Albano and Fattore that had been passed off to the banker as `
` originals; but which, mere copies as they were, seemed to `
` feel their degradation in being brought into juxtaposition `
` with the gaudy colors that covered the ceiling. The count `
` turned round as he heard the entrance of Danglars into the `
` room. With a slight inclination of the head, Danglars signed `
` to the count to be seated, pointing significantly to a `
` gilded arm-chair, covered with white satin embroidered with `
` gold. The count sat down. "I have the honor, I presume, of `
` addressing M. de Monte Cristo." `
` `
` The count bowed. "And I of speaking to Baron Danglars, `
` chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and member of the Chamber `
` of Deputies?" `
` `
` Monte Cristo repeated all the titles he had read on the `
` baron's card. `
` `
` Danglars felt the irony and compressed his lips. "You will, `
` I trust, excuse me, monsieur, for not calling you by your `
` title when I first addressed you," he said, "but you are `
` aware that we are living under a popular form of government, `
` and that I am myself a representative of the liberties of `
` the people." `
` `
` "So much so," replied Monte Cristo, "that while you call `
` yourself baron you are not willing to call anybody else `
` count." `
` `
` "Upon my word, monsieur," said Danglars with affected `
` carelessness, "I attach no sort of value to such empty `
` distinctions; but the fact is, I was made baron, and also `
` chevalier of the Legion of Honor, in return for services `
` rendered, but" -- `
` `
` "But you have discarded your titles after the example set `
` you by Messrs. de Montmorency and Lafayette? That was a `
` noble example to follow, monsieur." `
` `
` "Why," replied Danglars, "not entirely so; with the `
`
` would find so lucrative a post as that you have now the good `
` fortune to fill. I neither ill-use nor ill-treat my servants `
` by word or action. An error I readily forgive, but wilful `
` negligence or forgetfulness, never. My commands are `
` ordinarily short, clear, and precise; and I would rather be `
` obliged to repeat my words twice, or even three times, than `
` they should be misunderstood. I am rich enough to know `
` whatever I desire to know, and I can promise you I am not `
` wanting in curiosity. If, then, I should learn that you had `
` taken upon yourself to speak of me to any one favorably or `
` unfavorably, to comment on my actions, or watch my conduct, `
` that very instant you would quit my service. You may now `
` retire. I never caution my servants a second time -- `
` remember that." Baptistin bowed, and was proceeding towards `
` the door. "I forgot to mention to you," said the count, `
` "that I lay yearly aside a certain sum for each servant in `
` my establishment; those whom I am compelled to dismiss lose `
` (as a matter of course) all participation in this money, `
` while their portion goes to the fund accumulating for those `
` domestics who remain with me, and among whom it will be `
` divided at my death. You have been in my service a year, `
` your fund has already begun to accumulate -- let it continue `
` to do so." `
` `
` This address, delivered in the presence of Ali, who, not `
` understanding one word of the language in which it was `
` spoken, stood wholly unmoved, produced an effect on M. `
` Baptistin only to be conceived by such as have occasion to `
` study the character and disposition of French domestics. "I `
` assure your excellency," said he, "that at least it shall be `
` my study to merit your approbation in all things, and I will `
` take M. Ali as my model." `
` `
` "By no means," replied the count in the most frigid tones; `
` "Ali has many faults mixed with most excellent qualities. He `
` cannot possibly serve you as a pattern for your conduct, not `
` being, as you are, a paid servant, but a mere slave -- a `
` dog, who, should he fail in his duty towards me, I should `
` not discharge from my service, but kill." Baptistin opened `
` his eyes with astonishment. `
` `
` "You seem incredulous," said Monte Cristo, who repeated to `
` Ali in the Arabic language what he had just been saying to `
` Baptistin in French. The Nubian smiled assentingly to his `
` master's words, then, kneeling on one knee, respectfully `
` kissed the hand of the count. This corroboration of the `
` lesson he had just received put the finishing stroke to the `
` wonder and stupefaction of M. Baptistin. The count then `
` motioned the valet de chambre to retire, and to Ali to `
` follow to his study, where they conversed long and earnestly `
` together. As the hand of the clock pointed to five the count `
` struck thrice upon his gong. When Ali was wanted one stroke `
` was given, two summoned Baptistin, and three Bertuccio. The `
` steward entered. "My horses," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "They are at the door harnessed to the carriage as your `
` excellency desired. Does your excellency wish me to `
` accompany him?" `
` `
` "No, the coachman, Ali, and Baptistin will go." The count `
` descended to the door of his mansion, and beheld his `
` carriage drawn by the very pair of horses he had so much `
` admired in the morning as the property of Danglars. As he `
` passed them he said -- "They are extremely handsome `
` certainly, and you have done well to purchase them, although `
` you were somewhat remiss not to have procured them sooner." `
` `
` "Indeed, your excellency, I had very considerable difficulty `
` in obtaining them, and, as it is, they have cost an enormous `
` price." `
` `
` "Does the sum you gave for them make the animals less `
` beautiful," inquired the count, shrugging his shoulders. `
` `
` "Nay, if your excellency is satisfied, it is all that I `
` could wish. Whither does your excellency desire to be `
` driven?" `
` `
` "To the residence of Baron Danglars, Rue de la Chaussee `
` d'Antin." This conversation had passed as they stood upon `
` the terrace, from which a flight of stone steps led to the `
` carriage-drive. As Bertuccio, with a respectful bow, was `
` moving away, the count called him back. "I have another `
` commission for you, M. Bertuccio," said he; "I am desirous `
` of having an estate by the seaside in Normandy -- for `
` instance, between Havre and Boulogne. You see I give you a `
` wide range. It will be absolutely necessary that the place `
` you may select have a small harbor, creek, or bay, into `
` which my corvette can enter and remain at anchor. She draws `
` only fifteen feet. She must be kept in constant readiness to `
` sail immediately I think proper to give the signal. Make the `
` requisite inquiries for a place of this description, and `
` when you have met with an eligible spot, visit it, and if it `
` possess the advantages desired, purchase it at once in your `
` own name. The corvette must now, I think, be on her way to `
` Fecamp, must she not?" `
` `
` "Certainly, your excellency; I saw her put to sea the same `
` evening we quitted Marseilles." `
` `
` "And the yacht." `
` `
` "Was ordered to remain at Martigues." `
` `
` "'Tis well. I wish you to write from time to time to the `
` captains in charge of the two vessels so as to keep them on `
` the alert." `
` `
` "And the steamboat?" `
` `
` "She is at Chalons?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "The same orders for her as for the two sailing vessels." `
` `
` "Very good." `
` `
` "When you have purchased the estate I desire, I want `
` constant relays of horses at ten leagues apart along the `
` northern and southern road." `
` `
` "Your excellency may depend upon me." The Count made a `
` gesture of satisfaction, descended the terrace steps, and `
` sprang into his carriage, which was whirled along swiftly to `
` the banker's house. Danglars was engaged at that moment, `
` presiding over a railroad committee. But the meeting was `
` nearly concluded when the name of his visitor was announced. `
` As the count's title sounded on his ear he rose, and `
` addressing his colleagues, who were members of one or the `
` other Chamber, he said, -- "Gentlemen, pardon me for leaving `
` you so abruptly; but a most ridiculous circumstance has `
` occurred, which is this, -- Thomson French, the Roman `
` bankers, have sent to me a certain person calling himself `
` the Count of Monte Cristo, and have given him an unlimited `
` credit with me. I confess this is the drollest thing I have `
` ever met with in the course of my extensive foreign `
` transactions, and you may readily suppose it has greatly `
` roused my curiosity. I took the trouble this morning to call `
` on the pretended count -- if he were a real count he `
` wouldn't be so rich. But, would you believe it, `He was not `
` receiving.' So the master of Monte Cristo gives himself airs `
` befitting a great millionaire or a capricious beauty. I made `
` inquiries, and found that the house in the Champs Elysees is `
` his own property, and certainly it was very decently kept `
` up. But," pursued Danglars with one of his sinister smiles, `
` "an order for unlimited credit calls for something like `
` caution on the part of the banker to whom that order is `
` given. I am very anxious to see this man. I suspect a hoax `
` is intended, but the instigators of it little knew whom they `
` had to deal with. `They laugh best who laugh last!'" `
` `
` Having delivered himself of this pompous address, uttered `
` with a degree of energy that left the baron almost out of `
` breath, he bowed to the assembled party and withdrew to his `
` drawing-room, whose sumptuous furnishings of white and gold `
` had caused a great sensation in the Chaussee d'Antin. It was `
` to this apartment he had desired his guest to be shown, with `
` the purpose of overwhelming him at the sight of so much `
` luxury. He found the count standing before some copies of `
` Albano and Fattore that had been passed off to the banker as `
` originals; but which, mere copies as they were, seemed to `
` feel their degradation in being brought into juxtaposition `
` with the gaudy colors that covered the ceiling. The count `
` turned round as he heard the entrance of Danglars into the `
` room. With a slight inclination of the head, Danglars signed `
` to the count to be seated, pointing significantly to a `
` gilded arm-chair, covered with white satin embroidered with `
` gold. The count sat down. "I have the honor, I presume, of `
` addressing M. de Monte Cristo." `
` `
` The count bowed. "And I of speaking to Baron Danglars, `
` chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and member of the Chamber `
` of Deputies?" `
` `
` Monte Cristo repeated all the titles he had read on the `
` baron's card. `
` `
` Danglars felt the irony and compressed his lips. "You will, `
` I trust, excuse me, monsieur, for not calling you by your `
` title when I first addressed you," he said, "but you are `
` aware that we are living under a popular form of government, `
` and that I am myself a representative of the liberties of `
` the people." `
` `
` "So much so," replied Monte Cristo, "that while you call `
` yourself baron you are not willing to call anybody else `
` count." `
` `
` "Upon my word, monsieur," said Danglars with affected `
` carelessness, "I attach no sort of value to such empty `
` distinctions; but the fact is, I was made baron, and also `
` chevalier of the Legion of Honor, in return for services `
` rendered, but" -- `
` `
` "But you have discarded your titles after the example set `
` you by Messrs. de Montmorency and Lafayette? That was a `
` noble example to follow, monsieur." `
` `
` "Why," replied Danglars, "not entirely so; with the `
`