Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
"Why," replied Danglars, "not entirely so; with the `
` servants, -- you understand." `
` `
` "I see; to your domestics you are `my lord,' the journalists `
` style you `monsieur,' while your constituents call you `
` `citizen.' These are distinctions very suitable under a `
` constitutional government. I understand perfectly." Again `
` Danglars bit his lips; he saw that he was no match for Monte `
` Cristo in an argument of this sort, and he therefore `
` hastened to turn to subjects more congenial. `
` `
` "Permit me to inform you, Count," said he, bowing, "that I `
` have received a letter of advice from Thomson French, of `
` Rome." `
` `
` "I am glad to hear it, baron, -- for I must claim the `
` privilege of addressing you after the manner of your `
` servants. I have acquired the bad habit of calling persons `
` by their titles from living in a country where barons are `
` still barons by right of birth. But as regards the letter of `
` advice, I am charmed to find that it has reached you; that `
` will spare me the troublesome and disagreeable task of `
` coming to you for money myself. You have received a regular `
` letter of advice?" `
` `
` "Yes," said Danglars, "but I confess I didn't quite `
` comprehend its meaning." `
` `
` "Indeed?" `
` `
` "And for that reason I did myself the honor of calling upon `
` you, in order to beg for an explanation." `
` `
` "Go on, monsieur. Here I am, ready to give you any `
` explanation you desire." `
` `
` "Why," said Danglers, "in the letter -- I believe I have it `
` about me" -- here he felt in his breast-pocket -- "yes, here `
` it is. Well, this letter gives the Count of Monte Cristo `
` unlimited credit on our house." `
` `
` "Well, baron, what is there difficult to understand about `
` that?" `
` `
` "Merely the term unlimited -- nothing else, certainly." `
` `
` "Is not that word known in France? The people who wrote are `
` Anglo-Germans, you know." `
` `
` "Oh, as for the composition of the letter, there is nothing `
` to be said; but as regards the competency of the document, I `
` certainly have doubts." `
` `
` "Is it possible?" asked the count, assuming all air and tone `
` of the utmost simplicity and candor. "Is it possible that `
` Thomson French are not looked upon as safe and solvent `
` bankers? Pray tell me what you think, baron, for I feel `
` uneasy, I can assure you, having some considerable property `
` in their hands." `
` `
` "Thomson French are perfectly solvent," replied Danglars, `
` with an almost mocking smile: "but the word unlimited, in `
` financial affairs, is so extremely vague." `
` `
` "Is, in fact, unlimited," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Precisely what I was about to say," cried Danglars. "Now `
` what is vague is doubtful; and it was a wise man who said, `
` `when in doubt, keep out.'" `
` `
` "Meaning to say," rejoined Monte Cristo, "that however `
` Thomson French may be inclined to commit acts of `
` imprudence and folly, the Baron Danglars is not disposed to `
` follow their example." `
` `
` "Not at all." `
` `
` "Plainly enough. Messrs. Thomson French set no bounds to `
` their engagements while those of M. Danglars have their `
` limits; he is a wise man, according to his own showing." `
` `
` "Monsieur," replied the banker, drawing himself up with a `
` haughty air, "the extent of my resources has never yet been `
` questioned." `
` `
` "It seems, then, reserved for me," said Monte Cristo coldly, `
` "to be the first to do so." `
` `
` "By what right, sir?" `
` `
` "By right of the objections you have raised, and the `
` explanations you have demanded, which certainly must have `
` some motive." `
` `
` Once more Danglars bit his lips. It was the second time he `
` had been worsted, and this time on his own ground. His `
` forced politeness sat awkwardly upon him, and approached `
` almost to impertinence. Monte Cristo on the contrary, `
` preserved a graceful suavity of demeanor, aided by a certain `
` degree of simplicity he could assume at pleasure, and thus `
` possessed the advantage. `
` `
` "Well, sir," resumed Danglars, after a brief silence, "I `
` will endeavor to make myself understood, by requesting you `
` to inform me for what sum you propose to draw upon me?" `
` `
` "Why, truly," replied Monte Cristo, determined not to lose `
` an inch of the ground he had gained, "my reason for desiring `
` an `unlimited' credit was precisely because I did not know `
` how much money I might need." `
` `
` The banker thought the time had come for him to take the `
` upper hand. So throwing himself back in his arm-chair, he `
` said, with an arrogant and purse-proud air, -- "Let me beg `
` of you not to hesitate in naming your wishes; you will then `
` be convinced that the resources of the house of Danglars, `
` however limited, are still equal to meeting the largest `
` demands; and were you even to require a million" -- `
` `
` "I beg your pardon," interposed Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "I said a million," replied Danglars, with the confidence of `
` ignorance. `
` `
` "But could I do with a million?" retorted the count. "My `
` dear sir, if a trifle like that could suffice me, I should `
` never have given myself the trouble of opening an account. A `
` million? Excuse my smiling when you speak of a sum I am in `
` the habit of carrying in my pocket-book or dressing-case." `
` And with these words Monte Cristo took from his pocket a `
` small case containing his visiting-cards, and drew forth two `
` orders on the treasury for 500,000 francs each, payable at `
` sight to the bearer. A man like Danglars was wholly `
` inaccessible to any gentler method of correction. The effect `
` of the present revelation was stunning; he trembled and was `
` on the verge of apoplexy. The pupils of his eyes, as he `
` gazed at Monte Cristo dilated horribly. `
` `
` "Come, come," said Monte Cristo, "confess honestly that you `
` have not perfect confidence in Thomson French. I `
` understand, and foreseeing that such might be the case, I `
` took, in spite of my ignorance of affairs, certain `
` precautions. See, here are two similar letters to that you `
` have yourself received; one from the house of Arstein `
` Eskeles of Vienna, to Baron Rothschild, the other drawn by `
` Baring of London, upon M. Laffitte. Now, sir, you have but `
` to say the word, and I will spare you all uneasiness by `
` presenting my letter of credit to one or other of these two `
` firms." The blow had struck home, and Danglars was entirely `
` vanquished; with a trembling hand he took the two letters `
` from the count, who held them carelessly between finger and `
` thumb, and proceeded to scrutinize the signatures, with a `
` minuteness that the count might have regarded as insulting, `
` had it not suited his present purpose to mislead the banker. `
` "Oh, sir," said Danglars, after he had convinced himself of `
` the authenticity of the documents he held, and rising as if `
` to salute the power of gold personified in the man before `
` him, -- "three letters of unlimited credit! I can be no `
` longer mistrustful, but you must pardon me, my dear count, `
` for confessing to some degree of astonishment." `
` `
` "Nay," answered Monte Cristo, with the most gentlemanly air, `
` "'tis not for such trifling sums as these that your banking `
` house is to be incommoded. Then, you can let me have some `
` money, can you not?" `
` `
` "Whatever you say, my dear count; I am at your orders." `
` `
` "Why," replied Monte Cristo, "since we mutually understand `
` each other -- for such I presume is the case?" Danglars `
` bowed assentingly. "You are quite sure that not a lurking `
` doubt or suspicion lingers in your mind?" `
` `
` "Oh, my dear count," exclaimed Danglars, "I never for an `
` instant entertained such a feeling towards you." `
` `
` "No, you merely wished to be convinced, nothing more; but `
` now that we have come to so clear an understanding, and that `
` all distrust and suspicion are laid at rest, we may as well `
` fix a sum as the probable expenditure of the first year, `
` suppose we say six millions to" -- `
` `
` "Six millions!" gasped Danglars -- "so be it." `
` `
` "Then, if I should require more," continued Monte Cristo in `
` a careless manner, "why, of course, I should draw upon you; `
` but my present intention is not to remain in France more `
` than a year, and during that period I scarcely think I shall `
` exceed the sum I mentioned. However, we shall see. Be kind `
` enough, then, to send me 500,000 francs to-morrow. I shall `
` be at home till midday, or if not, I will leave a receipt `
` with my steward." `
` `
` "The money you desire shall be at your house by ten o'clock `
` to-morrow morning, my dear count," replied Danglars. "How `
` would you like to have it? in gold, silver, or notes?" `
` `
` "Half in gold, and the other half in bank-notes, if you `
` please," said the count, rising from his seat. `
` `
` "I must confess to you, count," said Danglars, "that I have `
`
` servants, -- you understand." `
` `
` "I see; to your domestics you are `my lord,' the journalists `
` style you `monsieur,' while your constituents call you `
` `citizen.' These are distinctions very suitable under a `
` constitutional government. I understand perfectly." Again `
` Danglars bit his lips; he saw that he was no match for Monte `
` Cristo in an argument of this sort, and he therefore `
` hastened to turn to subjects more congenial. `
` `
` "Permit me to inform you, Count," said he, bowing, "that I `
` have received a letter of advice from Thomson French, of `
` Rome." `
` `
` "I am glad to hear it, baron, -- for I must claim the `
` privilege of addressing you after the manner of your `
` servants. I have acquired the bad habit of calling persons `
` by their titles from living in a country where barons are `
` still barons by right of birth. But as regards the letter of `
` advice, I am charmed to find that it has reached you; that `
` will spare me the troublesome and disagreeable task of `
` coming to you for money myself. You have received a regular `
` letter of advice?" `
` `
` "Yes," said Danglars, "but I confess I didn't quite `
` comprehend its meaning." `
` `
` "Indeed?" `
` `
` "And for that reason I did myself the honor of calling upon `
` you, in order to beg for an explanation." `
` `
` "Go on, monsieur. Here I am, ready to give you any `
` explanation you desire." `
` `
` "Why," said Danglers, "in the letter -- I believe I have it `
` about me" -- here he felt in his breast-pocket -- "yes, here `
` it is. Well, this letter gives the Count of Monte Cristo `
` unlimited credit on our house." `
` `
` "Well, baron, what is there difficult to understand about `
` that?" `
` `
` "Merely the term unlimited -- nothing else, certainly." `
` `
` "Is not that word known in France? The people who wrote are `
` Anglo-Germans, you know." `
` `
` "Oh, as for the composition of the letter, there is nothing `
` to be said; but as regards the competency of the document, I `
` certainly have doubts." `
` `
` "Is it possible?" asked the count, assuming all air and tone `
` of the utmost simplicity and candor. "Is it possible that `
` Thomson French are not looked upon as safe and solvent `
` bankers? Pray tell me what you think, baron, for I feel `
` uneasy, I can assure you, having some considerable property `
` in their hands." `
` `
` "Thomson French are perfectly solvent," replied Danglars, `
` with an almost mocking smile: "but the word unlimited, in `
` financial affairs, is so extremely vague." `
` `
` "Is, in fact, unlimited," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Precisely what I was about to say," cried Danglars. "Now `
` what is vague is doubtful; and it was a wise man who said, `
` `when in doubt, keep out.'" `
` `
` "Meaning to say," rejoined Monte Cristo, "that however `
` Thomson French may be inclined to commit acts of `
` imprudence and folly, the Baron Danglars is not disposed to `
` follow their example." `
` `
` "Not at all." `
` `
` "Plainly enough. Messrs. Thomson French set no bounds to `
` their engagements while those of M. Danglars have their `
` limits; he is a wise man, according to his own showing." `
` `
` "Monsieur," replied the banker, drawing himself up with a `
` haughty air, "the extent of my resources has never yet been `
` questioned." `
` `
` "It seems, then, reserved for me," said Monte Cristo coldly, `
` "to be the first to do so." `
` `
` "By what right, sir?" `
` `
` "By right of the objections you have raised, and the `
` explanations you have demanded, which certainly must have `
` some motive." `
` `
` Once more Danglars bit his lips. It was the second time he `
` had been worsted, and this time on his own ground. His `
` forced politeness sat awkwardly upon him, and approached `
` almost to impertinence. Monte Cristo on the contrary, `
` preserved a graceful suavity of demeanor, aided by a certain `
` degree of simplicity he could assume at pleasure, and thus `
` possessed the advantage. `
` `
` "Well, sir," resumed Danglars, after a brief silence, "I `
` will endeavor to make myself understood, by requesting you `
` to inform me for what sum you propose to draw upon me?" `
` `
` "Why, truly," replied Monte Cristo, determined not to lose `
` an inch of the ground he had gained, "my reason for desiring `
` an `unlimited' credit was precisely because I did not know `
` how much money I might need." `
` `
` The banker thought the time had come for him to take the `
` upper hand. So throwing himself back in his arm-chair, he `
` said, with an arrogant and purse-proud air, -- "Let me beg `
` of you not to hesitate in naming your wishes; you will then `
` be convinced that the resources of the house of Danglars, `
` however limited, are still equal to meeting the largest `
` demands; and were you even to require a million" -- `
` `
` "I beg your pardon," interposed Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "I said a million," replied Danglars, with the confidence of `
` ignorance. `
` `
` "But could I do with a million?" retorted the count. "My `
` dear sir, if a trifle like that could suffice me, I should `
` never have given myself the trouble of opening an account. A `
` million? Excuse my smiling when you speak of a sum I am in `
` the habit of carrying in my pocket-book or dressing-case." `
` And with these words Monte Cristo took from his pocket a `
` small case containing his visiting-cards, and drew forth two `
` orders on the treasury for 500,000 francs each, payable at `
` sight to the bearer. A man like Danglars was wholly `
` inaccessible to any gentler method of correction. The effect `
` of the present revelation was stunning; he trembled and was `
` on the verge of apoplexy. The pupils of his eyes, as he `
` gazed at Monte Cristo dilated horribly. `
` `
` "Come, come," said Monte Cristo, "confess honestly that you `
` have not perfect confidence in Thomson French. I `
` understand, and foreseeing that such might be the case, I `
` took, in spite of my ignorance of affairs, certain `
` precautions. See, here are two similar letters to that you `
` have yourself received; one from the house of Arstein `
` Eskeles of Vienna, to Baron Rothschild, the other drawn by `
` Baring of London, upon M. Laffitte. Now, sir, you have but `
` to say the word, and I will spare you all uneasiness by `
` presenting my letter of credit to one or other of these two `
` firms." The blow had struck home, and Danglars was entirely `
` vanquished; with a trembling hand he took the two letters `
` from the count, who held them carelessly between finger and `
` thumb, and proceeded to scrutinize the signatures, with a `
` minuteness that the count might have regarded as insulting, `
` had it not suited his present purpose to mislead the banker. `
` "Oh, sir," said Danglars, after he had convinced himself of `
` the authenticity of the documents he held, and rising as if `
` to salute the power of gold personified in the man before `
` him, -- "three letters of unlimited credit! I can be no `
` longer mistrustful, but you must pardon me, my dear count, `
` for confessing to some degree of astonishment." `
` `
` "Nay," answered Monte Cristo, with the most gentlemanly air, `
` "'tis not for such trifling sums as these that your banking `
` house is to be incommoded. Then, you can let me have some `
` money, can you not?" `
` `
` "Whatever you say, my dear count; I am at your orders." `
` `
` "Why," replied Monte Cristo, "since we mutually understand `
` each other -- for such I presume is the case?" Danglars `
` bowed assentingly. "You are quite sure that not a lurking `
` doubt or suspicion lingers in your mind?" `
` `
` "Oh, my dear count," exclaimed Danglars, "I never for an `
` instant entertained such a feeling towards you." `
` `
` "No, you merely wished to be convinced, nothing more; but `
` now that we have come to so clear an understanding, and that `
` all distrust and suspicion are laid at rest, we may as well `
` fix a sum as the probable expenditure of the first year, `
` suppose we say six millions to" -- `
` `
` "Six millions!" gasped Danglars -- "so be it." `
` `
` "Then, if I should require more," continued Monte Cristo in `
` a careless manner, "why, of course, I should draw upon you; `
` but my present intention is not to remain in France more `
` than a year, and during that period I scarcely think I shall `
` exceed the sum I mentioned. However, we shall see. Be kind `
` enough, then, to send me 500,000 francs to-morrow. I shall `
` be at home till midday, or if not, I will leave a receipt `
` with my steward." `
` `
` "The money you desire shall be at your house by ten o'clock `
` to-morrow morning, my dear count," replied Danglars. "How `
` would you like to have it? in gold, silver, or notes?" `
` `
` "Half in gold, and the other half in bank-notes, if you `
` please," said the count, rising from his seat. `
` `
` "I must confess to you, count," said Danglars, "that I have `
`