Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
"I must confess to you, count," said Danglars, "that I have `
` hitherto imagined myself acquainted with the degree of all `
` the great fortunes of Europe, and still wealth such as yours `
` has been wholly unknown to me. May I presume to ask whether `
` you have long possessed it?" `
` `
` "It has been in the family a very long while," returned `
` Monte Cristo, "a sort of treasure expressly forbidden to be `
` touched for a certain period of years, during which the `
` accumulated interest has doubled the capital. The period `
` appointed by the testator for the disposal of these riches `
` occurred only a short time ago, and they have only been `
` employed by me within the last few years. Your ignorance on `
` the subject, therefore, is easily accounted for. However, `
` you will be better informed as to me and my possessions ere `
` long." And the count, while pronouncing these latter words, `
` accompanied them with one of those ghastly smiles that used `
` to strike terror into poor Franz d'Epinay. `
` `
` "With your tastes, and means of gratifying them," continued `
` Danglars, "you will exhibit a splendor that must effectually `
` put us poor miserable millionaires quite in the shade. If I `
` mistake not you are an admirer of paintings, at least I `
` judged so from the attention you appeared to be bestowing on `
` mine when I entered the room. If you will permit me, I shall `
` be happy to show you my picture gallery, composed entirely `
` of works by the ancient masters -- warranted as such. Not a `
` modern picture among them. I cannot endure the modern school `
` of painting." `
` `
` "You are perfectly right in objecting to them, for this one `
` great fault -- that they have not yet had time to become `
` old." `
` `
` "Or will you allow me to show you several fine statues by `
` Thorwaldsen, Bartoloni, and Canova? -- all foreign artists, `
` for, as you may perceive, I think but very indifferently of `
` our French sculptors." `
` `
` "You have a right to be unjust to them, monsieur; they are `
` your compatriots." `
` `
` "But all this may come later, when we shall be better known `
` to each other. For the present, I will confine myself (if `
` perfectly agreeable to you) to introducing you to the `
` Baroness Danglars -- excuse my impatience, my dear count, `
` but a client like you is almost like a member of the `
` family." Monte Cristo bowed, in sign that he accepted the `
` proffered honor; Danglars rang and was answered by a servant `
` in a showy livery. "Is the baroness at home?" inquired `
` Danglars. `
` `
` "Yes, my lord," answered the man. `
` `
` "And alone?" `
` `
` "No, my lord, madame has visitors." `
` `
` "Have you any objection to meet any persons who may be with `
` madame, or do you desire to preserve a strict incognito?" `
` `
` "No, indeed," replied Monte Cristo with a smile, "I do not `
` arrogate to myself the right of so doing." `
` `
` "And who is with madame? -- M. Debray?" inquired Danglars, `
` with an air of indulgence and good-nature that made Monte `
` Cristo smile, acquainted as he was with the secrets of the `
` banker's domestic life. `
` `
` "Yes, my lord," replied the servant, "M. Debray is with `
` madame." Danglars nodded his head; then, turning to Monte `
` Cristo, said, "M. Lucien Debray is an old friend of ours, `
` and private secretary to the Minister of the Interior. As `
` for my wife, I must tell you, she lowered herself by `
` marrying me, for she belongs to one of the most ancient `
` families in France. Her maiden name was De Servieres, and `
` her first husband was Colonel the Marquis of Nargonne." `
` `
` "I have not the honor of knowing Madame Danglars; but I have `
` already met M. Lucien Debray." `
` `
` "Ah, indeed?" said Danglars; "and where was that?" `
` `
` "At the house of M. de Morcerf." `
` `
` "Ah, ha, you are acquainted with the young viscount, are `
` you?" `
` `
` "We were together a good deal during the Carnival at Rome." `
` `
` "True, true," cried Danglars. "Let me see; have I not heard `
` talk of some strange adventure with bandits or thieves hid `
` in ruins, and of his having had a miraculous escape? I `
` forget how, but I know he used to amuse my wife and daughter `
` by telling them about it after his return from Italy." `
` `
` "Her ladyship is waiting to receive you, gentlemen," said `
` the servant, who had gone to inquire the pleasure of his `
` mistress. "With your permission," said Danglars, bowing, "I `
` will precede you, to show you the way." `
` `
` "By all means," replied Monte Cristo; "I follow you." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 47 `
` The Dappled Grays. `
` `
` The baron, followed by the count, traversed a long series of `
` apartments, in which the prevailing characteristics were `
` heavy magnificence and the gaudiness of ostentatious wealth, `
` until he reached the boudoir of Madame Danglars -- a small `
` octagonal-shaped room, hung with pink satin, covered with `
` white Indian muslin. The chairs were of ancient workmanship `
` and materials; over the doors were painted sketches of `
` shepherds and shepherdesses, after the style and manner of `
` Boucher; and at each side pretty medallions in crayons, `
` harmonizing well with the furnishings of this charming `
` apartment, the only one throughout the great mansion in `
` which any distinctive taste prevailed. The truth was, it had `
` been entirely overlooked in the plan arranged and followed `
` out by M. Danglars and his architect, who had been selected `
` to aid the baron in the great work of improvement solely `
` because he was the most fashionable and celebrated decorator `
` of the day. The decorations of the boudoir had then been `
` left entirely to Madame Danglars and Lucien Debray. M. `
` Danglars, however, while possessing a great admiration for `
` the antique, as it was understood during the time of the `
` Directory, entertained the most sovereign contempt for the `
` simple elegance of his wife's favorite sitting-room, where, `
` by the way, he was never permitted to intrude, unless, `
` indeed, he excused his own appearance by ushering in some `
` more agreeable visitor than himself; and even then he had `
` rather the air and manner of a person who was himself `
` introduced, than that of being the presenter of another, his `
` reception being cordial or frigid, in proportion as the `
` person who accompanied him chanced to please or displease `
` the baroness. `
` `
` Madame Danglars (who, although past the first bloom of `
` youth, was still strikingly handsome) was now seated at the `
` piano, a most elaborate piece of cabinet and inlaid work, `
` while Lucien Debray, standing before a small work-table, was `
` turning over the pages of an album. Lucien had found time, `
` preparatory to the count's arrival, to relate many `
` particulars respecting him to Madame Danglars. It will be `
` remembered that Monte Cristo had made a lively impression on `
` the minds of all the party assembled at the breakfast given `
` by Albert de Morcerf; and although Debray was not in the `
` habit of yielding to such feelings, he had never been able `
` to shake off the powerful influence excited in his mind by `
` the impressive look and manner of the count, consequently `
` the description given by Lucien to the baroness bore the `
` highly-colored tinge of his own heated imagination. Already `
` excited by the wonderful stories related of the count by De `
` Morcerf, it is no wonder that Madame Danglars eagerly `
` listened to, and fully credited, all the additional `
` circumstances detailed by Debray. This posing at the piano `
` and over the album was only a little ruse adopted by way of `
` precaution. A most gracious welcome and unusual smile were `
` bestowed on M. Danglars; the count, in return for his `
` gentlemanly bow, received a formal though graceful courtesy, `
` while Lucien exchanged with the count a sort of distant `
` recognition, and with Danglars a free and easy nod. `
` `
` "Baroness," said Danglars, "give me leave to present to you `
` the Count of Monte Cristo, who has been most warmly `
` recommended to me by my correspondents at Rome. I need but `
` mention one fact to make all the ladies in Paris court his `
` notice, and that is, that he has come to take up his abode `
` in Paris for a year, during which brief period he proposes `
` to spend six millions of money. That means balls, dinners, `
` and lawn parties without end, in all of which I trust the `
` count will remember us, as he may depend upon it we shall `
` him, in our own humble entertainments." In spite of the `
` gross flattery and coarseness of this address, Madame `
` Danglars could not forbear gazing with considerable interest `
` on a man capable of expending six millions in twelve months, `
` and who had selected Paris for the scene of his princely `
` extravagance. "And when did you arrive here?" inquired she. `
` `
` "Yesterday morning, madame." `
` `
` "Coming, as usual, I presume, from the extreme end of the `
` globe? Pardon me -- at least, such I have heard is your `
` custom." `
` `
` "Nay, madame. This time I have merely come from Cadiz." `
` `
` "You have selected a most unfavorable moment for your first `
` visit. Paris is a horrible place in summer. Balls, parties, `
` and fetes are over; the Italian opera is in London; the `
` French opera everywhere except in Paris. As for the Theatre `
` Francais, you know, of course, that it is nowhere. The only `
` amusements left us are the indifferent races at the Champ de `
` Mars and Satory. Do you propose entering any horses at `
` either of these races, count?" `
` `
` "I shall do whatever they do at Paris, madame, if I have the `
` good fortune to find some one who will initiate me into the `
` prevalent ideas of amusement." `
`
` hitherto imagined myself acquainted with the degree of all `
` the great fortunes of Europe, and still wealth such as yours `
` has been wholly unknown to me. May I presume to ask whether `
` you have long possessed it?" `
` `
` "It has been in the family a very long while," returned `
` Monte Cristo, "a sort of treasure expressly forbidden to be `
` touched for a certain period of years, during which the `
` accumulated interest has doubled the capital. The period `
` appointed by the testator for the disposal of these riches `
` occurred only a short time ago, and they have only been `
` employed by me within the last few years. Your ignorance on `
` the subject, therefore, is easily accounted for. However, `
` you will be better informed as to me and my possessions ere `
` long." And the count, while pronouncing these latter words, `
` accompanied them with one of those ghastly smiles that used `
` to strike terror into poor Franz d'Epinay. `
` `
` "With your tastes, and means of gratifying them," continued `
` Danglars, "you will exhibit a splendor that must effectually `
` put us poor miserable millionaires quite in the shade. If I `
` mistake not you are an admirer of paintings, at least I `
` judged so from the attention you appeared to be bestowing on `
` mine when I entered the room. If you will permit me, I shall `
` be happy to show you my picture gallery, composed entirely `
` of works by the ancient masters -- warranted as such. Not a `
` modern picture among them. I cannot endure the modern school `
` of painting." `
` `
` "You are perfectly right in objecting to them, for this one `
` great fault -- that they have not yet had time to become `
` old." `
` `
` "Or will you allow me to show you several fine statues by `
` Thorwaldsen, Bartoloni, and Canova? -- all foreign artists, `
` for, as you may perceive, I think but very indifferently of `
` our French sculptors." `
` `
` "You have a right to be unjust to them, monsieur; they are `
` your compatriots." `
` `
` "But all this may come later, when we shall be better known `
` to each other. For the present, I will confine myself (if `
` perfectly agreeable to you) to introducing you to the `
` Baroness Danglars -- excuse my impatience, my dear count, `
` but a client like you is almost like a member of the `
` family." Monte Cristo bowed, in sign that he accepted the `
` proffered honor; Danglars rang and was answered by a servant `
` in a showy livery. "Is the baroness at home?" inquired `
` Danglars. `
` `
` "Yes, my lord," answered the man. `
` `
` "And alone?" `
` `
` "No, my lord, madame has visitors." `
` `
` "Have you any objection to meet any persons who may be with `
` madame, or do you desire to preserve a strict incognito?" `
` `
` "No, indeed," replied Monte Cristo with a smile, "I do not `
` arrogate to myself the right of so doing." `
` `
` "And who is with madame? -- M. Debray?" inquired Danglars, `
` with an air of indulgence and good-nature that made Monte `
` Cristo smile, acquainted as he was with the secrets of the `
` banker's domestic life. `
` `
` "Yes, my lord," replied the servant, "M. Debray is with `
` madame." Danglars nodded his head; then, turning to Monte `
` Cristo, said, "M. Lucien Debray is an old friend of ours, `
` and private secretary to the Minister of the Interior. As `
` for my wife, I must tell you, she lowered herself by `
` marrying me, for she belongs to one of the most ancient `
` families in France. Her maiden name was De Servieres, and `
` her first husband was Colonel the Marquis of Nargonne." `
` `
` "I have not the honor of knowing Madame Danglars; but I have `
` already met M. Lucien Debray." `
` `
` "Ah, indeed?" said Danglars; "and where was that?" `
` `
` "At the house of M. de Morcerf." `
` `
` "Ah, ha, you are acquainted with the young viscount, are `
` you?" `
` `
` "We were together a good deal during the Carnival at Rome." `
` `
` "True, true," cried Danglars. "Let me see; have I not heard `
` talk of some strange adventure with bandits or thieves hid `
` in ruins, and of his having had a miraculous escape? I `
` forget how, but I know he used to amuse my wife and daughter `
` by telling them about it after his return from Italy." `
` `
` "Her ladyship is waiting to receive you, gentlemen," said `
` the servant, who had gone to inquire the pleasure of his `
` mistress. "With your permission," said Danglars, bowing, "I `
` will precede you, to show you the way." `
` `
` "By all means," replied Monte Cristo; "I follow you." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 47 `
` The Dappled Grays. `
` `
` The baron, followed by the count, traversed a long series of `
` apartments, in which the prevailing characteristics were `
` heavy magnificence and the gaudiness of ostentatious wealth, `
` until he reached the boudoir of Madame Danglars -- a small `
` octagonal-shaped room, hung with pink satin, covered with `
` white Indian muslin. The chairs were of ancient workmanship `
` and materials; over the doors were painted sketches of `
` shepherds and shepherdesses, after the style and manner of `
` Boucher; and at each side pretty medallions in crayons, `
` harmonizing well with the furnishings of this charming `
` apartment, the only one throughout the great mansion in `
` which any distinctive taste prevailed. The truth was, it had `
` been entirely overlooked in the plan arranged and followed `
` out by M. Danglars and his architect, who had been selected `
` to aid the baron in the great work of improvement solely `
` because he was the most fashionable and celebrated decorator `
` of the day. The decorations of the boudoir had then been `
` left entirely to Madame Danglars and Lucien Debray. M. `
` Danglars, however, while possessing a great admiration for `
` the antique, as it was understood during the time of the `
` Directory, entertained the most sovereign contempt for the `
` simple elegance of his wife's favorite sitting-room, where, `
` by the way, he was never permitted to intrude, unless, `
` indeed, he excused his own appearance by ushering in some `
` more agreeable visitor than himself; and even then he had `
` rather the air and manner of a person who was himself `
` introduced, than that of being the presenter of another, his `
` reception being cordial or frigid, in proportion as the `
` person who accompanied him chanced to please or displease `
` the baroness. `
` `
` Madame Danglars (who, although past the first bloom of `
` youth, was still strikingly handsome) was now seated at the `
` piano, a most elaborate piece of cabinet and inlaid work, `
` while Lucien Debray, standing before a small work-table, was `
` turning over the pages of an album. Lucien had found time, `
` preparatory to the count's arrival, to relate many `
` particulars respecting him to Madame Danglars. It will be `
` remembered that Monte Cristo had made a lively impression on `
` the minds of all the party assembled at the breakfast given `
` by Albert de Morcerf; and although Debray was not in the `
` habit of yielding to such feelings, he had never been able `
` to shake off the powerful influence excited in his mind by `
` the impressive look and manner of the count, consequently `
` the description given by Lucien to the baroness bore the `
` highly-colored tinge of his own heated imagination. Already `
` excited by the wonderful stories related of the count by De `
` Morcerf, it is no wonder that Madame Danglars eagerly `
` listened to, and fully credited, all the additional `
` circumstances detailed by Debray. This posing at the piano `
` and over the album was only a little ruse adopted by way of `
` precaution. A most gracious welcome and unusual smile were `
` bestowed on M. Danglars; the count, in return for his `
` gentlemanly bow, received a formal though graceful courtesy, `
` while Lucien exchanged with the count a sort of distant `
` recognition, and with Danglars a free and easy nod. `
` `
` "Baroness," said Danglars, "give me leave to present to you `
` the Count of Monte Cristo, who has been most warmly `
` recommended to me by my correspondents at Rome. I need but `
` mention one fact to make all the ladies in Paris court his `
` notice, and that is, that he has come to take up his abode `
` in Paris for a year, during which brief period he proposes `
` to spend six millions of money. That means balls, dinners, `
` and lawn parties without end, in all of which I trust the `
` count will remember us, as he may depend upon it we shall `
` him, in our own humble entertainments." In spite of the `
` gross flattery and coarseness of this address, Madame `
` Danglars could not forbear gazing with considerable interest `
` on a man capable of expending six millions in twelve months, `
` and who had selected Paris for the scene of his princely `
` extravagance. "And when did you arrive here?" inquired she. `
` `
` "Yesterday morning, madame." `
` `
` "Coming, as usual, I presume, from the extreme end of the `
` globe? Pardon me -- at least, such I have heard is your `
` custom." `
` `
` "Nay, madame. This time I have merely come from Cadiz." `
` `
` "You have selected a most unfavorable moment for your first `
` visit. Paris is a horrible place in summer. Balls, parties, `
` and fetes are over; the Italian opera is in London; the `
` French opera everywhere except in Paris. As for the Theatre `
` Francais, you know, of course, that it is nowhere. The only `
` amusements left us are the indifferent races at the Champ de `
` Mars and Satory. Do you propose entering any horses at `
` either of these races, count?" `
` `
` "I shall do whatever they do at Paris, madame, if I have the `
` good fortune to find some one who will initiate me into the `
` prevalent ideas of amusement." `
`