Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
gratified with the commission assigned him, walked calmly `
` towards a projecting stone forming the angle of the street `
` and house, and, seating himself thereon, began to smoke his `
` chibouque, while Monte Cristo re-entered his dwelling, `
` perfectly assured of the success of his plan. Still, as five `
` o'clock approached, and the carriage was momentarily `
` expected by the count, the indication of more than common `
` impatience and uneasiness might be observed in his manner. `
` He stationed himself in a room commanding a view of the `
` street, pacing the chamber with restless steps, stopping `
` merely to listen from time to time for the sound of `
` approaching wheels, then to cast an anxious glance on Ali; `
` but the regularity with which the Nubian puffed forth the `
` smoke of his chibouque proved that he at least was wholly `
` absorbed in the enjoyment of his favorite occupation. `
` Suddenly a distant sound of rapidly advancing wheels was `
` heard, and almost immediately a carriage appeared, drawn by `
` a pair of wild, ungovernable horses, while the terrified `
` coachman strove in vain to restrain their furious speed. `
` `
` In the vehicle was a young woman and a child of about seven `
` or eight clasped in each other's arms. Terror seemed to have `
` deprived them even of the power of uttering a cry. The `
` carriage creaked and rattled as it flew over the rough `
` stones, and the slightest obstacle under the wheels would `
` have caused disaster; but it kept on in the middle of the `
` road, and those who saw it pass uttered cries of terror. `
` `
` Ali suddenly cast aside his chibouque, drew the lasso from `
` his pocket, threw it so skilfully as to catch the forelegs `
` of the near horse in its triple fold, and suffered himself `
` to be dragged on for a few steps by the violence of the `
` shock, then the animal fell over on the pole, which snapped, `
` and therefore prevented the other horse from pursuing its `
` way. Gladly availing himself of this opportunity, the `
` coachman leaped from his box; but Ali had promptly seized `
` the nostrils of the second horse, and held them in his iron `
` grasp, till the beast, snorting with pain, sunk beside his `
` companion. All this was achieved in much less time than is `
` occupied in the recital. The brief space had, however, been `
` sufficient for a man, followed by a number of servants, to `
` rush from the house before which the accident had occurred, `
` and, as the coachman opened the door of the carriage, to `
` take from it a lady who was convulsively grasping the `
` cushions with one hand, while with the other she pressed to `
` her bosom the young boy, who had lost consciousness. `
` `
` Monte Cristo carried them both to the salon, and deposited `
` them on a sofa. "Compose yourself, madame," said he; "all `
` danger is over." The woman looked up at these words, and, `
` with a glance far more expressive than any entreaties could `
` have been, pointed to her child, who still continued `
` insensible. "I understand the nature of your alarms, `
` madame," said the count, carefully examining the child, "but `
` I assure you there is not the slightest occasion for `
` uneasiness; your little charge has not received the least `
` injury; his insensibility is merely the effects of terror, `
` and will soon pass." `
` `
` "Are you quite sure you do not say so to tranquillize my `
` fears? See how deadly pale he is! My child, my darling `
` Edward; speak to your mother -- open your dear eyes and look `
` on me once again! Oh, sir, in pity send for a physician; my `
` whole fortune shall not be thought too much for the recovery `
` of my boy." `
` `
` With a calm smile and a gentle wave of the hand, Monte `
` Cristo signed to the distracted mother to lay aside her `
` apprehensions; then, opening a casket that stood near, he `
` drew forth a phial of Bohemian glass incrusted with gold, `
` containing a liquid of the color of blood, of which he let `
` fall a single drop on the child's lips. Scarcely had it `
` reached them, ere the boy, though still pale as marble, `
` opened his eyes, and eagerly gazed around him. At this, the `
` delight of the mother was almost frantic. "Where am I?" `
` exclaimed she; "and to whom am I indebted for so happy a `
` termination to my late dreadful alarm?" `
` `
` "Madame," answered the count, "you are under the roof of one `
` who esteems himself most fortunate in having been able to `
` save you from a further continuance of your sufferings." `
` `
` "My wretched curiosity has brought all this about," pursued `
` the lady. "All Paris rung with the praises of Madame `
` Danglars' beautiful horses, and I had the folly to desire to `
` know whether they really merited the high praise given to `
` them." `
` `
` "Is it possible," exclaimed the count with well-feigned `
` astonishment, "that these horses belong to the baroness?" `
` `
` "They do, indeed. May I inquire if you are acquainted with `
` Madame Danglars?" `
` `
` "I have that honor; and my happiness at your escape from the `
` danger that threatened you is redoubled by the consciousness `
` that I have been the unwilling and the unintentional cause `
` of all the peril you have incurred. I yesterday purchased `
` these horses of the baron; but as the baroness evidently `
` regretted parting with them, I ventured to send them back to `
` her, with a request that she would gratify me by accepting `
` them from my hands." `
` `
` "You are, then, doubtless, the Count of Monte Cristo, of `
` whom Hermine has talked to me so much?" `
` `
` "You have rightly guessed, madame," replied the count. `
` `
` "And I am Madame Heloise de Villefort." The count bowed with `
` the air of a person who hears a name for the first time. `
` "How grateful will M. de Villefort be for all your goodness; `
` how thankfully will he acknowledge that to you alone he owes `
` the existence of his wife and child! Most certainly, but for `
` the prompt assistance of your intrepid servant, this dear `
` child and myself must both have perished." `
` `
` "Indeed, I still shudder at the fearful danger you were `
` placed in." `
` `
` "I trust you will allow me to recompense worthily the `
` devotion of your man." `
` `
` "I beseech you, madame," replied Monte Cristo "not to spoil `
` Ali, either by too great praise or rewards. I cannot allow `
` him to acquire the habit of expecting to be recompensed for `
` every trifling service he may render. Ali is my slave, and `
` in saving your life he was but discharging his duty to me." `
` `
` "Nay," interposed Madame de Villefort, on whom the `
` authoritative style adopted by the count made a deep `
` impression, "nay, but consider that to preserve my life he `
` has risked his own." `
` `
` "His life, madame, belongs not to him; it is mine, in return `
` for my having myself saved him from death." Madame de `
` Villefort made no further reply; her mind was utterly `
` absorbed in the contemplation of the person who, from the `
` first instant she saw him, had made so powerful an `
` impression on her. During the evident preoccupation of `
` Madame de Villefort, Monte Cristo scrutinized the features `
` and appearance of the boy she kept folded in her arms, `
` lavishing on him the most tender endearments. The child was `
` small for his age, and unnaturally pale. A mass of straight `
` black hair, defying all attempts to train or curl it, fell `
` over his projecting forehead, and hung down to his `
` shoulders, giving increased vivacity to eyes already `
` sparkling with a youthful love of mischief and fondness for `
` every forbidden enjoyment. His mouth was large, and the `
` lips, which had not yet regained their color, were `
` particularly thin; in fact, the deep and crafty look, giving `
` a predominant expression to the child's face, belonged `
` rather to a boy of twelve or fourteen than to one so young. `
` His first movement was to free himself by a violent push `
` from the encircling arms of his mother, and to rush forward `
` to the casket from whence the count had taken the phial of `
` elixir; then, without asking permission of any one, he `
` proceeded, in all the wilfulness of a spoiled child `
` unaccustomed to restrain either whims or caprices, to pull `
` the corks out of all the bottles. `
` `
` "Touch nothing, my little friend," cried the count eagerly; `
` "some of those liquids are not only dangerous to taste, but `
` even to inhale." `
` `
` Madame de Villefort became very pale, and, seizing her son's `
` arm, drew him anxiously toward her; but, once satisfied of `
` his safety, she also cast a brief but expressive glance on `
` the casket, which was not lost upon the count. At this `
` moment Ali entered. At sight of him Madame de Villefort `
` uttered an expression of pleasure, and, holding the child `
` still closer towards her, she said, "Edward, dearest, do you `
` see that good man? He has shown very great courage and `
` resolution, for he exposed his own life to stop the horses `
` that were running away with us, and would certainly have `
` dashed the carriage to pieces. Thank him, then, my child, in `
` your very best manner; for, had he not come to our aid, `
` neither you nor I would have been alive to speak our `
` thanks." The child stuck out his lips and turned away his `
` head in a disdainful manner, saying, "He's too ugly." `
` `
` The count smiled as if the child bade fair to realize his `
` hopes, while Madame de Villefort reprimanded her son with a `
` gentleness and moderation very far from conveying the least `
` idea of a fault having been committed. "This lady," said the `
` Count, speaking to Ali in the Arabic language, "is desirous `
` that her son should thank you for saving both their lives; `
` but the boy refuses, saying you are too ugly." Ali turned `
` his intelligent countenance towards the boy, on whom he `
` gazed without any apparent emotion; but the spasmodic `
` working of the nostrils showed to the practiced eye of Monte `
` Cristo that the Arab had been wounded to the heart. `
` `
` "Will you permit me to inquire," said Madame de Villefort, `
` as she arose to take her leave, "whether you usually reside `
` here?" `
` `
` "No, I do not," replied Monte Cristo; "it is a small place I `
` have purchased quite lately. My place of abode is No. 30, `
` Avenue des Champs Elysees; but I see you have quite `
` recovered from your fright, and are, no doubt, desirous of `
` returning home. Anticipating your wishes, I have desired the `
`
` towards a projecting stone forming the angle of the street `
` and house, and, seating himself thereon, began to smoke his `
` chibouque, while Monte Cristo re-entered his dwelling, `
` perfectly assured of the success of his plan. Still, as five `
` o'clock approached, and the carriage was momentarily `
` expected by the count, the indication of more than common `
` impatience and uneasiness might be observed in his manner. `
` He stationed himself in a room commanding a view of the `
` street, pacing the chamber with restless steps, stopping `
` merely to listen from time to time for the sound of `
` approaching wheels, then to cast an anxious glance on Ali; `
` but the regularity with which the Nubian puffed forth the `
` smoke of his chibouque proved that he at least was wholly `
` absorbed in the enjoyment of his favorite occupation. `
` Suddenly a distant sound of rapidly advancing wheels was `
` heard, and almost immediately a carriage appeared, drawn by `
` a pair of wild, ungovernable horses, while the terrified `
` coachman strove in vain to restrain their furious speed. `
` `
` In the vehicle was a young woman and a child of about seven `
` or eight clasped in each other's arms. Terror seemed to have `
` deprived them even of the power of uttering a cry. The `
` carriage creaked and rattled as it flew over the rough `
` stones, and the slightest obstacle under the wheels would `
` have caused disaster; but it kept on in the middle of the `
` road, and those who saw it pass uttered cries of terror. `
` `
` Ali suddenly cast aside his chibouque, drew the lasso from `
` his pocket, threw it so skilfully as to catch the forelegs `
` of the near horse in its triple fold, and suffered himself `
` to be dragged on for a few steps by the violence of the `
` shock, then the animal fell over on the pole, which snapped, `
` and therefore prevented the other horse from pursuing its `
` way. Gladly availing himself of this opportunity, the `
` coachman leaped from his box; but Ali had promptly seized `
` the nostrils of the second horse, and held them in his iron `
` grasp, till the beast, snorting with pain, sunk beside his `
` companion. All this was achieved in much less time than is `
` occupied in the recital. The brief space had, however, been `
` sufficient for a man, followed by a number of servants, to `
` rush from the house before which the accident had occurred, `
` and, as the coachman opened the door of the carriage, to `
` take from it a lady who was convulsively grasping the `
` cushions with one hand, while with the other she pressed to `
` her bosom the young boy, who had lost consciousness. `
` `
` Monte Cristo carried them both to the salon, and deposited `
` them on a sofa. "Compose yourself, madame," said he; "all `
` danger is over." The woman looked up at these words, and, `
` with a glance far more expressive than any entreaties could `
` have been, pointed to her child, who still continued `
` insensible. "I understand the nature of your alarms, `
` madame," said the count, carefully examining the child, "but `
` I assure you there is not the slightest occasion for `
` uneasiness; your little charge has not received the least `
` injury; his insensibility is merely the effects of terror, `
` and will soon pass." `
` `
` "Are you quite sure you do not say so to tranquillize my `
` fears? See how deadly pale he is! My child, my darling `
` Edward; speak to your mother -- open your dear eyes and look `
` on me once again! Oh, sir, in pity send for a physician; my `
` whole fortune shall not be thought too much for the recovery `
` of my boy." `
` `
` With a calm smile and a gentle wave of the hand, Monte `
` Cristo signed to the distracted mother to lay aside her `
` apprehensions; then, opening a casket that stood near, he `
` drew forth a phial of Bohemian glass incrusted with gold, `
` containing a liquid of the color of blood, of which he let `
` fall a single drop on the child's lips. Scarcely had it `
` reached them, ere the boy, though still pale as marble, `
` opened his eyes, and eagerly gazed around him. At this, the `
` delight of the mother was almost frantic. "Where am I?" `
` exclaimed she; "and to whom am I indebted for so happy a `
` termination to my late dreadful alarm?" `
` `
` "Madame," answered the count, "you are under the roof of one `
` who esteems himself most fortunate in having been able to `
` save you from a further continuance of your sufferings." `
` `
` "My wretched curiosity has brought all this about," pursued `
` the lady. "All Paris rung with the praises of Madame `
` Danglars' beautiful horses, and I had the folly to desire to `
` know whether they really merited the high praise given to `
` them." `
` `
` "Is it possible," exclaimed the count with well-feigned `
` astonishment, "that these horses belong to the baroness?" `
` `
` "They do, indeed. May I inquire if you are acquainted with `
` Madame Danglars?" `
` `
` "I have that honor; and my happiness at your escape from the `
` danger that threatened you is redoubled by the consciousness `
` that I have been the unwilling and the unintentional cause `
` of all the peril you have incurred. I yesterday purchased `
` these horses of the baron; but as the baroness evidently `
` regretted parting with them, I ventured to send them back to `
` her, with a request that she would gratify me by accepting `
` them from my hands." `
` `
` "You are, then, doubtless, the Count of Monte Cristo, of `
` whom Hermine has talked to me so much?" `
` `
` "You have rightly guessed, madame," replied the count. `
` `
` "And I am Madame Heloise de Villefort." The count bowed with `
` the air of a person who hears a name for the first time. `
` "How grateful will M. de Villefort be for all your goodness; `
` how thankfully will he acknowledge that to you alone he owes `
` the existence of his wife and child! Most certainly, but for `
` the prompt assistance of your intrepid servant, this dear `
` child and myself must both have perished." `
` `
` "Indeed, I still shudder at the fearful danger you were `
` placed in." `
` `
` "I trust you will allow me to recompense worthily the `
` devotion of your man." `
` `
` "I beseech you, madame," replied Monte Cristo "not to spoil `
` Ali, either by too great praise or rewards. I cannot allow `
` him to acquire the habit of expecting to be recompensed for `
` every trifling service he may render. Ali is my slave, and `
` in saving your life he was but discharging his duty to me." `
` `
` "Nay," interposed Madame de Villefort, on whom the `
` authoritative style adopted by the count made a deep `
` impression, "nay, but consider that to preserve my life he `
` has risked his own." `
` `
` "His life, madame, belongs not to him; it is mine, in return `
` for my having myself saved him from death." Madame de `
` Villefort made no further reply; her mind was utterly `
` absorbed in the contemplation of the person who, from the `
` first instant she saw him, had made so powerful an `
` impression on her. During the evident preoccupation of `
` Madame de Villefort, Monte Cristo scrutinized the features `
` and appearance of the boy she kept folded in her arms, `
` lavishing on him the most tender endearments. The child was `
` small for his age, and unnaturally pale. A mass of straight `
` black hair, defying all attempts to train or curl it, fell `
` over his projecting forehead, and hung down to his `
` shoulders, giving increased vivacity to eyes already `
` sparkling with a youthful love of mischief and fondness for `
` every forbidden enjoyment. His mouth was large, and the `
` lips, which had not yet regained their color, were `
` particularly thin; in fact, the deep and crafty look, giving `
` a predominant expression to the child's face, belonged `
` rather to a boy of twelve or fourteen than to one so young. `
` His first movement was to free himself by a violent push `
` from the encircling arms of his mother, and to rush forward `
` to the casket from whence the count had taken the phial of `
` elixir; then, without asking permission of any one, he `
` proceeded, in all the wilfulness of a spoiled child `
` unaccustomed to restrain either whims or caprices, to pull `
` the corks out of all the bottles. `
` `
` "Touch nothing, my little friend," cried the count eagerly; `
` "some of those liquids are not only dangerous to taste, but `
` even to inhale." `
` `
` Madame de Villefort became very pale, and, seizing her son's `
` arm, drew him anxiously toward her; but, once satisfied of `
` his safety, she also cast a brief but expressive glance on `
` the casket, which was not lost upon the count. At this `
` moment Ali entered. At sight of him Madame de Villefort `
` uttered an expression of pleasure, and, holding the child `
` still closer towards her, she said, "Edward, dearest, do you `
` see that good man? He has shown very great courage and `
` resolution, for he exposed his own life to stop the horses `
` that were running away with us, and would certainly have `
` dashed the carriage to pieces. Thank him, then, my child, in `
` your very best manner; for, had he not come to our aid, `
` neither you nor I would have been alive to speak our `
` thanks." The child stuck out his lips and turned away his `
` head in a disdainful manner, saying, "He's too ugly." `
` `
` The count smiled as if the child bade fair to realize his `
` hopes, while Madame de Villefort reprimanded her son with a `
` gentleness and moderation very far from conveying the least `
` idea of a fault having been committed. "This lady," said the `
` Count, speaking to Ali in the Arabic language, "is desirous `
` that her son should thank you for saving both their lives; `
` but the boy refuses, saying you are too ugly." Ali turned `
` his intelligent countenance towards the boy, on whom he `
` gazed without any apparent emotion; but the spasmodic `
` working of the nostrils showed to the practiced eye of Monte `
` Cristo that the Arab had been wounded to the heart. `
` `
` "Will you permit me to inquire," said Madame de Villefort, `
` as she arose to take her leave, "whether you usually reside `
` here?" `
` `
` "No, I do not," replied Monte Cristo; "it is a small place I `
` have purchased quite lately. My place of abode is No. 30, `
` Avenue des Champs Elysees; but I see you have quite `
` recovered from your fright, and are, no doubt, desirous of `
` returning home. Anticipating your wishes, I have desired the `
`