Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
prevalent ideas of amusement." `
` `
` "Are you fond of horses, count?" `
` `
` "I have passed a considerable part of my life in the East, `
` madame, and you are doubtless aware that the Orientals value `
` only two things -- the fine breeding of their horses and the `
` beauty of their women." `
` `
` "Nay, count," said the baroness, "it would have been `
` somewhat more gallant to have placed the ladies first." `
` `
` "You see, madame, how rightly I spoke when I said I required `
` a preceptor to guide me in all my sayings and doings here." `
` At this instant the favorite attendant of Madame Danglars `
` entered the boudoir; approaching her mistress, she spoke `
` some words in an undertone. Madame Danglars turned very `
` pale, then exclaimed, -- "I cannot believe it; the thing is `
` impossible." `
` `
` "I assure you, madame," replied the woman, "it is as I have `
` said." Turning impatiently towards her husband, Madame `
` Danglars demanded, "Is this true?" `
` `
` "Is what true, madame?" inquired Danglars, visibly agitated. `
` `
` "What my maid tells me." `
` `
` "But what does she tell you?" `
` `
` "That when my coachman was about to harness the horses to my `
` carriage, he discovered that they had been removed from the `
` stables without his knowledge. I desire to know what is the `
` meaning of this?" `
` `
` "Be kind enough, madame, to listen to me," said Danglars. `
` `
` "Oh, yes; I will listen, monsieur, for I am most curious to `
` hear what explanation you will give. These two gentlemen `
` shall decide between us; but, first, I will state the case `
` to them. Gentlemen," continued the baroness, "among the ten `
` horses in the stables of Baron Danglars, are two that belong `
` exclusively to me -- a pair of the handsomest and most `
` spirited creatures to be found in Paris. But to you, at `
` least, M. Debray, I need not give a further description, `
` because to you my beautiful pair of dappled grays were well `
` known. Well, I had promised Madame de Villefort the loan of `
` my carriage to drive to-morrow to the Bois; but when my `
` coachman goes to fetch the grays from the stables they are `
` gone -- positively gone. No doubt M. Danglars has sacrificed `
` them to the selfish consideration of gaining some thousands `
` of paltry francs. Oh, what a detestable crew they are, these `
` mercenary speculators!" `
` `
` "Madame," replied Danglars, "the horses were not `
` sufficiently quiet for you; they were scarcely four years `
` old, and they made me extremely uneasy on your account." `
` `
` "Nonsense," retorted the baroness; "you could not have `
` entertained any alarm on the subject, because you are `
` perfectly well aware that I have had for a month in my `
` service the very best coachman in Paris. But, perhaps, you `
` have disposed of the coachman as well as the horses?" `
` `
` "My dear love, pray do not say any more about them, and I `
` promise you another pair exactly like them in appearance, `
` only more quiet and steady." The baroness shrugged her `
` shoulders with an air of ineffable contempt, while her `
` husband, affecting not to observe this unconjugal gesture, `
` turned towards Monte Cristo and said, -- "Upon my word, `
` count, I am quite sorry not to have met you sooner. You are `
` setting up an establishment, of course?" `
` `
` "Why, yes," replied the count. `
` `
` "I should have liked to have made you the offer of these `
` horses. I have almost given them away, as it is; but, as I `
` before said, I was anxious to get rid of them upon any `
` terms. They were only fit for a young man." `
` `
` "I am much obliged by your kind intentions towards me," said `
` Monte Cristo; "but this morning I purchased a very excellent `
` pair of carriage-horses, and I do not think they were dear. `
` There they are. Come, M. Debray, you are a connoisseur, I `
` believe, let me have your opinion upon them." As Debray `
` walked towards the window, Danglars approached his wife. "I `
` could not tell you before others," said he in a low tone, `
` "the reason of my parting with the horses; but a most `
` enormous price was offered me this morning for them. Some `
` madman or fool, bent upon ruining himself as fast as he can, `
` actually sent his steward to me to purchase them at any `
` cost; and the fact is, I have gained 16,000 francs by the `
` sale of them. Come, don't look so angry, and you shall have `
` 4,000 francs of the money to do what you like with, and `
` Eugenie shall have 2,000. There, what do you think now of `
` the affair? Wasn't I right to part with the horses?" Madame `
` Danglars surveyed her husband with a look of withering `
` contempt. `
` `
` "Great heavens?" suddenly exclaimed Debray. `
` `
` "What is it?" asked the baroness. `
` `
` "I cannot be mistaken; there are your horses! The very `
` animals we were speaking of, harnessed to the count's `
` carriage!" `
` `
` "My dappled grays?" demanded the baroness, springing to the `
` window. "'Tis indeed they!" said she. Danglars looked `
` absolutely stupefied. "How very singular," cried Monte `
` Cristo with well-feigned astonishment. `
` `
` "I cannot believe it," murmured the banker. Madame Danglars `
` whispered a few words in the ear of Debray, who approached `
` Monte Cristo, saying, "The baroness wishes to know what you `
` paid her husband for the horses." `
` `
` "I scarcely know," replied the count; "it was a little `
` surprise prepared for me by my steward, and cost me -- well, `
` somewhere about 30,000 francs." Debray conveyed the count's `
` reply to the baroness. Poor Danglars looked so crest-fallen `
` and discomfited that Monte Cristo assumed a pitying air `
` towards him. "See," said the count, "how very ungrateful `
` women are. Your kind attention, in providing for the safety `
` of the baroness by disposing of the horses, does not seem to `
` have made the least impression on her. But so it is; a woman `
` will often, from mere wilfulness, prefer that which is `
` dangerous to that which is safe. Therefore, in my opinion, `
` my dear baron, the best and easiest way is to leave them to `
` their fancies, and allow them to act as they please, and `
` then, if any mischief follows, why, at least, they have no `
` one to blame but themselves." Danglars made no reply; he was `
` occupied in anticipations of the coming scene between `
` himself and the baroness, whose frowning brow, like that of `
` Olympic Jove, predicted a storm. Debray, who perceived the `
` gathering clouds, and felt no desire to witness the `
` explosion of Madame Danglars' rage, suddenly recollected an `
` appointment, which compelled him to take his leave; while `
` Monte Cristo, unwilling by prolonging his stay to destroy `
` the advantages he hoped to obtain, made a farewell bow and `
` departed, leaving Danglars to endure the angry reproaches of `
` his wife. `
` `
` "Excellent," murmured Monte Cristo to himself, as he came `
` away. "All has gone according to my wishes. The domestic `
` peace of this family is henceforth in my hands. Now, then, `
` to play another master-stroke, by which I shall gain the `
` heart of both husband and wife -- delightful! Still," added `
` he, "amid all this, I have not yet been presented to `
` Mademoiselle Eugenie Danglars, whose acquaintance I should `
` have been glad to make. But," he went on with his peculiar `
` smile, "I am here in Paris, and have plenty of time before `
` me -- by and by will do for that." With these reflections he `
` entered his carriage and returned home. Two hours `
` afterwards, Madame Danglars received a most flattering `
` epistle from the count, in which he entreated her to receive `
` back her favorite "dappled grays," protesting that he could `
` not endure the idea of making his entry into the Parisian `
` world of fashion with the knowledge that his splendid `
` equipage had been obtained at the price of a lovely woman's `
` regrets. The horses were sent back wearing the same harness `
` she had seen on them in the morning; only, by the count's `
` orders, in the centre of each rosette that adorned either `
` side of their heads, had been fastened a large diamond. `
` `
` To Danglars Monte Cristo also wrote, requesting him to `
` excuse the whimsical gift of a capricious millionaire, and `
` to beg the baroness to pardon the Eastern fashion adopted in `
` the return of the horses. `
` `
` During the evening, Monte Cristo quitted Paris for Auteuil, `
` accompanied by Ali. The following day, about three o'clock, `
` a single blow struck on the gong summoned Ali to the `
` presence of the count. "Ali," observed his master, as the `
` Nubian entered the chamber, "you have frequently explained `
` to me how more than commonly skilful you are in throwing the `
` lasso, have you not?" Ali drew himself up proudly, and then `
` returned a sign in the affirmative. "I thought I did not `
` mistake. With your lasso you could stop an ox?" Again Ali `
` repeated his affirmative gesture. "Or a tiger?" Ali bowed `
` his head in token of assent. "A lion even?" Ali sprung `
` forwards, imitating the action of one throwing the lasso, `
` then of a strangled lion. `
` `
` "I understand," said Monte Cristo; "you wish to tell me you `
` have hunted the lion?" Ali smiled with triumphant pride as `
` he signified that he had indeed both chased and captured `
` many lions. "But do you believe you could arrest the `
` progress of two horses rushing forwards with ungovernable `
` fury?" The Nubian smiled. "It is well," said Monte Cristo. `
` "Then listen to me. Ere long a carriage will dash past here, `
` drawn by the pair of dappled gray horses you saw me with `
` yesterday; now, at the risk of your own life, you must `
` manage to stop those horses before my door." `
` `
` Ali descended to the street, and marked a straight line on `
` the pavement immediately at the entrance of the house, and `
` then pointed out the line he had traced to the count, who `
` was watching him. The count patted him gently on the `
` shoulder, his usual mode of praising Ali, who, pleased and `
` gratified with the commission assigned him, walked calmly `
`
` `
` "Are you fond of horses, count?" `
` `
` "I have passed a considerable part of my life in the East, `
` madame, and you are doubtless aware that the Orientals value `
` only two things -- the fine breeding of their horses and the `
` beauty of their women." `
` `
` "Nay, count," said the baroness, "it would have been `
` somewhat more gallant to have placed the ladies first." `
` `
` "You see, madame, how rightly I spoke when I said I required `
` a preceptor to guide me in all my sayings and doings here." `
` At this instant the favorite attendant of Madame Danglars `
` entered the boudoir; approaching her mistress, she spoke `
` some words in an undertone. Madame Danglars turned very `
` pale, then exclaimed, -- "I cannot believe it; the thing is `
` impossible." `
` `
` "I assure you, madame," replied the woman, "it is as I have `
` said." Turning impatiently towards her husband, Madame `
` Danglars demanded, "Is this true?" `
` `
` "Is what true, madame?" inquired Danglars, visibly agitated. `
` `
` "What my maid tells me." `
` `
` "But what does she tell you?" `
` `
` "That when my coachman was about to harness the horses to my `
` carriage, he discovered that they had been removed from the `
` stables without his knowledge. I desire to know what is the `
` meaning of this?" `
` `
` "Be kind enough, madame, to listen to me," said Danglars. `
` `
` "Oh, yes; I will listen, monsieur, for I am most curious to `
` hear what explanation you will give. These two gentlemen `
` shall decide between us; but, first, I will state the case `
` to them. Gentlemen," continued the baroness, "among the ten `
` horses in the stables of Baron Danglars, are two that belong `
` exclusively to me -- a pair of the handsomest and most `
` spirited creatures to be found in Paris. But to you, at `
` least, M. Debray, I need not give a further description, `
` because to you my beautiful pair of dappled grays were well `
` known. Well, I had promised Madame de Villefort the loan of `
` my carriage to drive to-morrow to the Bois; but when my `
` coachman goes to fetch the grays from the stables they are `
` gone -- positively gone. No doubt M. Danglars has sacrificed `
` them to the selfish consideration of gaining some thousands `
` of paltry francs. Oh, what a detestable crew they are, these `
` mercenary speculators!" `
` `
` "Madame," replied Danglars, "the horses were not `
` sufficiently quiet for you; they were scarcely four years `
` old, and they made me extremely uneasy on your account." `
` `
` "Nonsense," retorted the baroness; "you could not have `
` entertained any alarm on the subject, because you are `
` perfectly well aware that I have had for a month in my `
` service the very best coachman in Paris. But, perhaps, you `
` have disposed of the coachman as well as the horses?" `
` `
` "My dear love, pray do not say any more about them, and I `
` promise you another pair exactly like them in appearance, `
` only more quiet and steady." The baroness shrugged her `
` shoulders with an air of ineffable contempt, while her `
` husband, affecting not to observe this unconjugal gesture, `
` turned towards Monte Cristo and said, -- "Upon my word, `
` count, I am quite sorry not to have met you sooner. You are `
` setting up an establishment, of course?" `
` `
` "Why, yes," replied the count. `
` `
` "I should have liked to have made you the offer of these `
` horses. I have almost given them away, as it is; but, as I `
` before said, I was anxious to get rid of them upon any `
` terms. They were only fit for a young man." `
` `
` "I am much obliged by your kind intentions towards me," said `
` Monte Cristo; "but this morning I purchased a very excellent `
` pair of carriage-horses, and I do not think they were dear. `
` There they are. Come, M. Debray, you are a connoisseur, I `
` believe, let me have your opinion upon them." As Debray `
` walked towards the window, Danglars approached his wife. "I `
` could not tell you before others," said he in a low tone, `
` "the reason of my parting with the horses; but a most `
` enormous price was offered me this morning for them. Some `
` madman or fool, bent upon ruining himself as fast as he can, `
` actually sent his steward to me to purchase them at any `
` cost; and the fact is, I have gained 16,000 francs by the `
` sale of them. Come, don't look so angry, and you shall have `
` 4,000 francs of the money to do what you like with, and `
` Eugenie shall have 2,000. There, what do you think now of `
` the affair? Wasn't I right to part with the horses?" Madame `
` Danglars surveyed her husband with a look of withering `
` contempt. `
` `
` "Great heavens?" suddenly exclaimed Debray. `
` `
` "What is it?" asked the baroness. `
` `
` "I cannot be mistaken; there are your horses! The very `
` animals we were speaking of, harnessed to the count's `
` carriage!" `
` `
` "My dappled grays?" demanded the baroness, springing to the `
` window. "'Tis indeed they!" said she. Danglars looked `
` absolutely stupefied. "How very singular," cried Monte `
` Cristo with well-feigned astonishment. `
` `
` "I cannot believe it," murmured the banker. Madame Danglars `
` whispered a few words in the ear of Debray, who approached `
` Monte Cristo, saying, "The baroness wishes to know what you `
` paid her husband for the horses." `
` `
` "I scarcely know," replied the count; "it was a little `
` surprise prepared for me by my steward, and cost me -- well, `
` somewhere about 30,000 francs." Debray conveyed the count's `
` reply to the baroness. Poor Danglars looked so crest-fallen `
` and discomfited that Monte Cristo assumed a pitying air `
` towards him. "See," said the count, "how very ungrateful `
` women are. Your kind attention, in providing for the safety `
` of the baroness by disposing of the horses, does not seem to `
` have made the least impression on her. But so it is; a woman `
` will often, from mere wilfulness, prefer that which is `
` dangerous to that which is safe. Therefore, in my opinion, `
` my dear baron, the best and easiest way is to leave them to `
` their fancies, and allow them to act as they please, and `
` then, if any mischief follows, why, at least, they have no `
` one to blame but themselves." Danglars made no reply; he was `
` occupied in anticipations of the coming scene between `
` himself and the baroness, whose frowning brow, like that of `
` Olympic Jove, predicted a storm. Debray, who perceived the `
` gathering clouds, and felt no desire to witness the `
` explosion of Madame Danglars' rage, suddenly recollected an `
` appointment, which compelled him to take his leave; while `
` Monte Cristo, unwilling by prolonging his stay to destroy `
` the advantages he hoped to obtain, made a farewell bow and `
` departed, leaving Danglars to endure the angry reproaches of `
` his wife. `
` `
` "Excellent," murmured Monte Cristo to himself, as he came `
` away. "All has gone according to my wishes. The domestic `
` peace of this family is henceforth in my hands. Now, then, `
` to play another master-stroke, by which I shall gain the `
` heart of both husband and wife -- delightful! Still," added `
` he, "amid all this, I have not yet been presented to `
` Mademoiselle Eugenie Danglars, whose acquaintance I should `
` have been glad to make. But," he went on with his peculiar `
` smile, "I am here in Paris, and have plenty of time before `
` me -- by and by will do for that." With these reflections he `
` entered his carriage and returned home. Two hours `
` afterwards, Madame Danglars received a most flattering `
` epistle from the count, in which he entreated her to receive `
` back her favorite "dappled grays," protesting that he could `
` not endure the idea of making his entry into the Parisian `
` world of fashion with the knowledge that his splendid `
` equipage had been obtained at the price of a lovely woman's `
` regrets. The horses were sent back wearing the same harness `
` she had seen on them in the morning; only, by the count's `
` orders, in the centre of each rosette that adorned either `
` side of their heads, had been fastened a large diamond. `
` `
` To Danglars Monte Cristo also wrote, requesting him to `
` excuse the whimsical gift of a capricious millionaire, and `
` to beg the baroness to pardon the Eastern fashion adopted in `
` the return of the horses. `
` `
` During the evening, Monte Cristo quitted Paris for Auteuil, `
` accompanied by Ali. The following day, about three o'clock, `
` a single blow struck on the gong summoned Ali to the `
` presence of the count. "Ali," observed his master, as the `
` Nubian entered the chamber, "you have frequently explained `
` to me how more than commonly skilful you are in throwing the `
` lasso, have you not?" Ali drew himself up proudly, and then `
` returned a sign in the affirmative. "I thought I did not `
` mistake. With your lasso you could stop an ox?" Again Ali `
` repeated his affirmative gesture. "Or a tiger?" Ali bowed `
` his head in token of assent. "A lion even?" Ali sprung `
` forwards, imitating the action of one throwing the lasso, `
` then of a strangled lion. `
` `
` "I understand," said Monte Cristo; "you wish to tell me you `
` have hunted the lion?" Ali smiled with triumphant pride as `
` he signified that he had indeed both chased and captured `
` many lions. "But do you believe you could arrest the `
` progress of two horses rushing forwards with ungovernable `
` fury?" The Nubian smiled. "It is well," said Monte Cristo. `
` "Then listen to me. Ere long a carriage will dash past here, `
` drawn by the pair of dappled gray horses you saw me with `
` yesterday; now, at the risk of your own life, you must `
` manage to stop those horses before my door." `
` `
` Ali descended to the street, and marked a straight line on `
` the pavement immediately at the entrance of the house, and `
` then pointed out the line he had traced to the count, who `
` was watching him. The count patted him gently on the `
` shoulder, his usual mode of praising Ali, who, pleased and `
` gratified with the commission assigned him, walked calmly `
`