Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
understand that a father's sufferings may effect great `
` changes in the mind of a son. I will call on you, sir, since `
` you bid me contemplate, for the advantage of my pride, this `
` terrible spectacle, which must have been so great a source `
` of sorrow to your family." `
` `
` "It would have been so unquestionably, had not God given me `
` so large a compensation. In contrast with the old man, who `
` is dragging his way to the tomb, are two children just `
` entering into life -- Valentine, the daughter by my first `
` wife -- Mademoiselle Renee de Saint-Meran -- and Edward, the `
` boy whose life you have this day saved." `
` `
` "And what is your deduction from this compensation, sir?" `
` inquired Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "My deduction is," replied Villefort, "that my father, led `
` away by his passions, has committed some fault unknown to `
` human justice, but marked by the justice of God. That God, `
` desirous in his mercy to punish but one person, has visited `
` this justice on him alone." Monte Cristo with a smile on his `
` lips, uttered in the depths of his soul a groan which would `
` have made Villefort fly had he but heard it. "Adieu, sir," `
` said the magistrate, who had risen from his seat; "I leave `
` you, bearing a remembrance of you -- a remembrance of `
` esteem, which I hope will not be disagreeable to you when `
` you know me better; for I am not a man to bore my friends, `
` as you will learn. Besides, you have made an eternal friend `
` of Madame de Villefort." The count bowed, and contented `
` himself with seeing Villefort to the door of his cabinet, `
` the procureur being escorted to his carriage by two footmen, `
` who, on a signal from their master, followed him with every `
` mark of attention. When he had gone, Monte Cristo breathed a `
` profound sigh, and said, -- "Enough of this poison, let me `
` now seek the antidote." Then sounding his bell, he said to `
` Ali, who entered, "I am going to madam's chamber -- have the `
` carriage ready at one o'clock." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 49 `
` Haidee. `
` `
` It will be recollected that the new, or rather old, `
` acquaintances of the Count of Monte Cristo, residing in the `
` Rue Meslay, were no other than Maximilian, Julie, and `
` Emmanuel. The very anticipations of delight to be enjoyed in `
` his forthcoming visits -- the bright, pure gleam of heavenly `
` happiness it diffused over the almost deadly warfare in `
` which he had voluntarily engaged, illumined his whole `
` countenance with a look of ineffable joy and calmness, as, `
` immediately after Villefort's departure, his thoughts flew `
` back to the cheering prospect before him, of tasting, at `
` least, a brief respite from the fierce and stormy passions `
` of his mind. Even Ali, who had hastened to obey the Count's `
` summons, went forth from his master's presence in charmed `
` amazement at the unusual animation and pleasure depicted on `
` features ordinarily so stern and cold; while, as though `
` dreading to put to flight the agreeable ideas hovering over `
` his patron's meditations, whatever they were, the faithful `
` Nubian walked on tiptoe towards the door, holding his `
` breath, lest its faintest sound should dissipate his `
` master's happy reverie. `
` `
` It was noon, and Monte Cristo had set apart one hour to be `
` passed in the apartments of Haidee, as though his oppressed `
` spirit could not all at once admit the feeling of pure and `
` unmixed joy, but required a gradual succession of calm and `
` gentle emotions to prepare his mind to receive full and `
` perfect happiness, in the same manner as ordinary natures `
` demand to be inured by degrees to the reception of strong or `
` violent sensations. The young Greek, as we have already `
` said, occupied apartments wholly unconnected with those of `
` the count. The rooms had been fitted up in strict accordance `
` with Oriental ideas; the floors were covered with the `
` richest carpets Turkey could produce; the walls hung with `
` brocaded silk of the most magnificent designs and texture; `
` while around each chamber luxurious divans were placed, with `
` piles of soft and yielding cushions, that needed only to be `
` arranged at the pleasure or convenience of such as sought `
` repose. Haidee and three French maids, and one who was a `
` Greek. The first three remained constantly in a small `
` waiting-room, ready to obey the summons of a small golden `
` bell, or to receive the orders of the Romaic slave, who knew `
` just enough French to be able to transmit her mistress's `
` wishes to the three other waiting-women; the latter had `
` received most peremptory instructions from Monte Cristo to `
` treat Haidee with all the deference they would observe to a `
` queen. `
` `
` The young girl herself generally passed her time in the `
` chamber at the farther end of her apartments. This was a `
` sort of boudoir, circular, and lighted only from the roof, `
` which consisted of rose-colored glass. Haidee was reclining `
` upon soft downy cushions, covered with blue satin spotted `
` with silver; her head, supported by one of her exquisitely `
` moulded arms, rested on the divan immediately behind her, `
` while the other was employed in adjusting to her lips the `
` coral tube of a rich narghile, through whose flexible pipe `
` she drew the smoke fragrant by its passage through perfumed `
` water. Her attitude, though perfectly natural for an Eastern `
` woman would, in a European, have been deemed too full of `
` coquettish straining after effect. Her dress, which was that `
` of the women of Epirus, consisted of a pair of white satin `
` trousers, embroidered with pink roses, displaying feet so `
` exquisitely formed and so delicately fair, that they might `
` well have been taken for Parian marble, had not the eye been `
` undeceived by their movements as they constantly shifted in `
` and out of a pair of little slippers with upturned toes, `
` beautifully ornamented with gold and pearls. She wore a blue `
` and white-striped vest, with long open sleeves, trimmed with `
` silver loops and buttons of pearls, and a sort of bodice, `
` which, closing only from the centre to the waist, exhibited `
` the whole of the ivory throat and upper part of the bosom; `
` it was fastened with three magnificent diamond clasps. The `
` junction of the bodice and drawers was entirely concealed by `
` one of the many-colored scarfs, whose brilliant hues and `
` rich silken fringe have rendered them so precious in the `
` eyes of Parisian belles. Tilted on one side of her head she `
` had a small cap of gold-colored silk, embroidered with `
` pearls; while on the other a purple rose mingled its glowing `
` colors with the luxuriant masses of her hair, of which the `
` blackness was so intense that it was tinged with blue. The `
` extreme beauty of the countenance, that shone forth in `
` loveliness that mocked the vain attempts of dress to augment `
` it, was peculiarly and purely Grecian; there were the large, `
` dark, melting eyes, the finely formed nose, the coral lips, `
` and pearly teeth, that belonged to her race and country. `
` And, to complete the whole, Haidee was in the very `
` springtide and fulness of youthful charms -- she had not yet `
` numbered more than twenty summers. `
` `
` Monte Cristo summoned the Greek attendant, and bade her `
` inquire whether it would be agreeable to her mistress to `
` receive his visit. Haidee's only reply was to direct her `
` servant by a sign to withdraw the tapestried curtain that `
` hung before the door of her boudoir, the framework of the `
` opening thus made serving as a sort of border to the `
` graceful tableau presented by the young girl's picturesque `
` attitude and appearance. As Monte Cristo approached, she `
` leaned upon the elbow of the arm that held the narghile, and `
` extending to him her other hand, said, with a smile of `
` captivating sweetness, in the sonorous language spoken by `
` the women of Athens and Sparta, "Why demand permission ere `
` you enter? Are you no longer my master, or have I ceased to `
` be your slave?" Monte Cristo returned her smile. "Haidee," `
` said he, "you well know." `
` `
` "Why do you address me so coldly -- so distantly?" asked the `
` young Greek. "Have I by any means displeased you? Oh, if so, `
` punish me as you will; but do not -- do not speak to me in `
` tones and manner so formal and constrained." `
` `
` "Haidee," replied the count, "you know that you are now in `
` France, and are free." `
` `
` "Free to do what?" asked the young girl. `
` `
` "Free to leave me." `
` `
` "Leave you? Why should I leave you?" `
` `
` "That is not for me to say; but we are now about to mix in `
` society -- to visit and be visited." `
` `
` "I don't wish to see anybody but you." `
` `
` "And should you see one whom you could prefer, I would not `
` be so unjust" -- `
` `
` "I have never seen any one I preferred to you, and I have `
` never loved any one but you and my father." `
` `
` "My poor child," replied Monte Cristo, "that is merely `
` because your father and myself are the only men who have `
` ever talked to you." `
` `
` "I don't want anybody else to talk to me. My father said I `
` was his `joy' -- you style me your `love,' -- and both of `
` you have called me `my child.'" `
` `
` "Do you remember your father, Haidee?" The young Greek `
` smiled. "He is here, and here," said she, touching her eyes `
` and her heart. "And where am I?" inquired Monte Cristo `
` laughingly. `
` `
` "You?" cried she, with tones of thrilling tenderness, "you `
` are everywhere!" Monte Cristo took the delicate hand of the `
` young girl in his, and was about to raise it to his lips, `
` when the simple child of nature hastily withdrew it, and `
` presented her cheek. "You now understand, Haidee," said the `
` count, "that from this moment you are absolutely free; that `
` here you exercise unlimited sway, and are at liberty to lay `
` aside or continue the costume of your country, as it may `
` suit your inclination. Within this mansion you are absolute `
` mistress of your actions, and may go abroad or remain in `
` your apartments as may seem most agreeable to you. A `
` carriage waits your orders, and Ali and Myrtho will `
` accompany you whithersoever you desire to go. There is but `
` one favor I would entreat of you." `
` `
`
` changes in the mind of a son. I will call on you, sir, since `
` you bid me contemplate, for the advantage of my pride, this `
` terrible spectacle, which must have been so great a source `
` of sorrow to your family." `
` `
` "It would have been so unquestionably, had not God given me `
` so large a compensation. In contrast with the old man, who `
` is dragging his way to the tomb, are two children just `
` entering into life -- Valentine, the daughter by my first `
` wife -- Mademoiselle Renee de Saint-Meran -- and Edward, the `
` boy whose life you have this day saved." `
` `
` "And what is your deduction from this compensation, sir?" `
` inquired Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "My deduction is," replied Villefort, "that my father, led `
` away by his passions, has committed some fault unknown to `
` human justice, but marked by the justice of God. That God, `
` desirous in his mercy to punish but one person, has visited `
` this justice on him alone." Monte Cristo with a smile on his `
` lips, uttered in the depths of his soul a groan which would `
` have made Villefort fly had he but heard it. "Adieu, sir," `
` said the magistrate, who had risen from his seat; "I leave `
` you, bearing a remembrance of you -- a remembrance of `
` esteem, which I hope will not be disagreeable to you when `
` you know me better; for I am not a man to bore my friends, `
` as you will learn. Besides, you have made an eternal friend `
` of Madame de Villefort." The count bowed, and contented `
` himself with seeing Villefort to the door of his cabinet, `
` the procureur being escorted to his carriage by two footmen, `
` who, on a signal from their master, followed him with every `
` mark of attention. When he had gone, Monte Cristo breathed a `
` profound sigh, and said, -- "Enough of this poison, let me `
` now seek the antidote." Then sounding his bell, he said to `
` Ali, who entered, "I am going to madam's chamber -- have the `
` carriage ready at one o'clock." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 49 `
` Haidee. `
` `
` It will be recollected that the new, or rather old, `
` acquaintances of the Count of Monte Cristo, residing in the `
` Rue Meslay, were no other than Maximilian, Julie, and `
` Emmanuel. The very anticipations of delight to be enjoyed in `
` his forthcoming visits -- the bright, pure gleam of heavenly `
` happiness it diffused over the almost deadly warfare in `
` which he had voluntarily engaged, illumined his whole `
` countenance with a look of ineffable joy and calmness, as, `
` immediately after Villefort's departure, his thoughts flew `
` back to the cheering prospect before him, of tasting, at `
` least, a brief respite from the fierce and stormy passions `
` of his mind. Even Ali, who had hastened to obey the Count's `
` summons, went forth from his master's presence in charmed `
` amazement at the unusual animation and pleasure depicted on `
` features ordinarily so stern and cold; while, as though `
` dreading to put to flight the agreeable ideas hovering over `
` his patron's meditations, whatever they were, the faithful `
` Nubian walked on tiptoe towards the door, holding his `
` breath, lest its faintest sound should dissipate his `
` master's happy reverie. `
` `
` It was noon, and Monte Cristo had set apart one hour to be `
` passed in the apartments of Haidee, as though his oppressed `
` spirit could not all at once admit the feeling of pure and `
` unmixed joy, but required a gradual succession of calm and `
` gentle emotions to prepare his mind to receive full and `
` perfect happiness, in the same manner as ordinary natures `
` demand to be inured by degrees to the reception of strong or `
` violent sensations. The young Greek, as we have already `
` said, occupied apartments wholly unconnected with those of `
` the count. The rooms had been fitted up in strict accordance `
` with Oriental ideas; the floors were covered with the `
` richest carpets Turkey could produce; the walls hung with `
` brocaded silk of the most magnificent designs and texture; `
` while around each chamber luxurious divans were placed, with `
` piles of soft and yielding cushions, that needed only to be `
` arranged at the pleasure or convenience of such as sought `
` repose. Haidee and three French maids, and one who was a `
` Greek. The first three remained constantly in a small `
` waiting-room, ready to obey the summons of a small golden `
` bell, or to receive the orders of the Romaic slave, who knew `
` just enough French to be able to transmit her mistress's `
` wishes to the three other waiting-women; the latter had `
` received most peremptory instructions from Monte Cristo to `
` treat Haidee with all the deference they would observe to a `
` queen. `
` `
` The young girl herself generally passed her time in the `
` chamber at the farther end of her apartments. This was a `
` sort of boudoir, circular, and lighted only from the roof, `
` which consisted of rose-colored glass. Haidee was reclining `
` upon soft downy cushions, covered with blue satin spotted `
` with silver; her head, supported by one of her exquisitely `
` moulded arms, rested on the divan immediately behind her, `
` while the other was employed in adjusting to her lips the `
` coral tube of a rich narghile, through whose flexible pipe `
` she drew the smoke fragrant by its passage through perfumed `
` water. Her attitude, though perfectly natural for an Eastern `
` woman would, in a European, have been deemed too full of `
` coquettish straining after effect. Her dress, which was that `
` of the women of Epirus, consisted of a pair of white satin `
` trousers, embroidered with pink roses, displaying feet so `
` exquisitely formed and so delicately fair, that they might `
` well have been taken for Parian marble, had not the eye been `
` undeceived by their movements as they constantly shifted in `
` and out of a pair of little slippers with upturned toes, `
` beautifully ornamented with gold and pearls. She wore a blue `
` and white-striped vest, with long open sleeves, trimmed with `
` silver loops and buttons of pearls, and a sort of bodice, `
` which, closing only from the centre to the waist, exhibited `
` the whole of the ivory throat and upper part of the bosom; `
` it was fastened with three magnificent diamond clasps. The `
` junction of the bodice and drawers was entirely concealed by `
` one of the many-colored scarfs, whose brilliant hues and `
` rich silken fringe have rendered them so precious in the `
` eyes of Parisian belles. Tilted on one side of her head she `
` had a small cap of gold-colored silk, embroidered with `
` pearls; while on the other a purple rose mingled its glowing `
` colors with the luxuriant masses of her hair, of which the `
` blackness was so intense that it was tinged with blue. The `
` extreme beauty of the countenance, that shone forth in `
` loveliness that mocked the vain attempts of dress to augment `
` it, was peculiarly and purely Grecian; there were the large, `
` dark, melting eyes, the finely formed nose, the coral lips, `
` and pearly teeth, that belonged to her race and country. `
` And, to complete the whole, Haidee was in the very `
` springtide and fulness of youthful charms -- she had not yet `
` numbered more than twenty summers. `
` `
` Monte Cristo summoned the Greek attendant, and bade her `
` inquire whether it would be agreeable to her mistress to `
` receive his visit. Haidee's only reply was to direct her `
` servant by a sign to withdraw the tapestried curtain that `
` hung before the door of her boudoir, the framework of the `
` opening thus made serving as a sort of border to the `
` graceful tableau presented by the young girl's picturesque `
` attitude and appearance. As Monte Cristo approached, she `
` leaned upon the elbow of the arm that held the narghile, and `
` extending to him her other hand, said, with a smile of `
` captivating sweetness, in the sonorous language spoken by `
` the women of Athens and Sparta, "Why demand permission ere `
` you enter? Are you no longer my master, or have I ceased to `
` be your slave?" Monte Cristo returned her smile. "Haidee," `
` said he, "you well know." `
` `
` "Why do you address me so coldly -- so distantly?" asked the `
` young Greek. "Have I by any means displeased you? Oh, if so, `
` punish me as you will; but do not -- do not speak to me in `
` tones and manner so formal and constrained." `
` `
` "Haidee," replied the count, "you know that you are now in `
` France, and are free." `
` `
` "Free to do what?" asked the young girl. `
` `
` "Free to leave me." `
` `
` "Leave you? Why should I leave you?" `
` `
` "That is not for me to say; but we are now about to mix in `
` society -- to visit and be visited." `
` `
` "I don't wish to see anybody but you." `
` `
` "And should you see one whom you could prefer, I would not `
` be so unjust" -- `
` `
` "I have never seen any one I preferred to you, and I have `
` never loved any one but you and my father." `
` `
` "My poor child," replied Monte Cristo, "that is merely `
` because your father and myself are the only men who have `
` ever talked to you." `
` `
` "I don't want anybody else to talk to me. My father said I `
` was his `joy' -- you style me your `love,' -- and both of `
` you have called me `my child.'" `
` `
` "Do you remember your father, Haidee?" The young Greek `
` smiled. "He is here, and here," said she, touching her eyes `
` and her heart. "And where am I?" inquired Monte Cristo `
` laughingly. `
` `
` "You?" cried she, with tones of thrilling tenderness, "you `
` are everywhere!" Monte Cristo took the delicate hand of the `
` young girl in his, and was about to raise it to his lips, `
` when the simple child of nature hastily withdrew it, and `
` presented her cheek. "You now understand, Haidee," said the `
` count, "that from this moment you are absolutely free; that `
` here you exercise unlimited sway, and are at liberty to lay `
` aside or continue the costume of your country, as it may `
` suit your inclination. Within this mansion you are absolute `
` mistress of your actions, and may go abroad or remain in `
` your apartments as may seem most agreeable to you. A `
` carriage waits your orders, and Ali and Myrtho will `
` accompany you whithersoever you desire to go. There is but `
` one favor I would entreat of you." `
` `
`