Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
`
` "Speak." `
` `
` "Guard carefully the secret of your birth. Make no allusion `
` to the past; nor upon any occasion be induced to pronounce `
` the names of your illustrious father or ill-fated mother." `
` `
` "I have already told you, my lord, that I shall see no one." `
` `
` "It is possible, Haidee, that so perfect a seclusion, though `
` conformable with the habits and customs of the East, may not `
` be practicable in Paris. Endeavor, then, to accustom `
` yourself to our manner of living in these northern climes as `
` you did to those of Rome, Florence, Milan, and Madrid; it `
` may be useful to you one of these days, whether you remain `
` here or return to the East." The young girl raised her `
` tearful eyes towards Monte Cristo as she said with touching `
` earnestness, "Whether we return to the East, you mean to `
` say, my lord, do you not?" `
` `
` "My child," returned Monte Cristo "you know full well that `
` whenever we part, it will be no fault or wish of mine; the `
` tree forsakes not the flower -- the flower falls from the `
` tree." `
` `
` "My lord," replied Haidee, "I never will leave you, for I am `
` sure I could not exist without you." `
` `
` "My poor girl, in ten years I shall be old, and you will be `
` still young." `
` `
` "My father had a long white beard, but I loved him; he was `
` sixty years old, but to me he was handsomer than all the `
` fine youths I saw." `
` `
` "Then tell me, Haidee, do you believe you shall be able to `
` accustom yourself to our present mode of life?" `
` `
` "Shall I see you?" `
` `
` "Every day." `
` `
` "Then what do you fear, my lord?" `
` `
` "You might find it dull." `
` `
` "No, my lord. In the morning, I shall rejoice in the `
` prospect of your coming, and in the evening dwell with `
` delight on the happiness I have enjoyed in your presence; `
` then too, when alone, I can call forth mighty pictures of `
` the past, see vast horizons bounded only by the towering `
` mountains of Pindus and Olympus. Oh, believe me, that when `
` three great passions, such as sorrow, love, and gratitude `
` fill the heart, ennui can find no place." `
` `
` "You are a worthy daughter of Epirus, Haidee, and your `
` charming and poetical ideas prove well your descent from `
` that race of goddesses who claim your country as their `
` birthplace. Depend on my care to see that your youth is not `
` blighted, or suffered to pass away in ungenial solitude; and `
` of this be well assured, that if you love me as a father, I `
` love you as a child." `
` `
` "You are wrong, my lord. The love I have for you is very `
` different from the love I had for my father. My father died, `
` but I did not die. If you were to die, I should die too." `
` The Count, with a smile of profound tenderness, extended his `
` hand, and she carried it to her lips. Monte Cristo, thus `
` attuned to the interview he proposed to hold with Morrel and `
` his family, departed, murmuring as he went these lines of `
` Pindar, "Youth is a flower of which love is the fruit; happy `
` is he who, after having watched its silent growth, is `
` permitted to gather and call it his own." The carriage was `
` prepared according to orders, and stepping lightly into it, `
` the count drove off at his usual rapid pace. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 50 `
` The Morrel Family. `
` `
` In a very few minutes the count reached No. 7 in the Rue `
` Meslay. The house was of white stone, and in a small court `
` before it were two small beds full of beautiful flowers. In `
` the concierge that opened the gate the count recognized `
` Cocles; but as he had but one eye, and that eye had become `
` somewhat dim in the course of nine years, Cocles did not `
` recognize the count. The carriages that drove up to the door `
` were compelled to turn, to avoid a fountain that played in a `
` basin of rockwork, -- an ornament that had excited the `
` jealousy of the whole quarter, and had gained for the place `
` the appellation of "The Little Versailles." It is needless `
` to add that there were gold and silver fish in the basin. `
` The house, with kitchens and cellars below, had above the `
` ground-floor, two stories and attics. The whole of the `
` property, consisting of an immense workshop, two pavilions `
` at the bottom of the garden, and the garden itself, had been `
` purchased by Emmanuel, who had seen at a glance that he `
` could make of it a profitable speculation. He had reserved `
` the house and half the garden, and building a wall between `
` the garden and the workshops, had let them upon lease with `
` the pavilions at the bottom of the garden. So that for a `
` trifling sum he was as well lodged, and as perfectly shut `
` out from observation, as the inhabitants of the finest `
` mansion in the Faubourg St. Germain. The breakfast-room was `
` finished in oak; the salon in mahogany, and the furnishings `
` were of blue velvet; the bedroom was in citronwood and green `
` damask. There was a study for Emmanuel, who never studied, `
` and a music-room for Julie, who never played. The whole of `
` the second story was set apart for Maximilian; it was `
` precisely similar to his sister's apartments, except that `
` for the breakfast-parlor he had a billiard-room, where he `
` received his friends. He was superintending the grooming of `
` his horse, and smoking his cigar at the entrance of the `
` garden, when the count's carriage stopped at the gate. `
` `
` Cocles opened the gate, and Baptistin, springing from the `
` box, inquired whether Monsieur and Madame Herbault and `
` Monsieur Maximilian Morrel would see his excellency the `
` Count of Monte Cristo. "The Count of Monte Cristo?" cried `
` Morrel, throwing away his cigar and hastening to the `
` carriage; "I should think we would see him. Ah, a thousand `
` thanks, count, for not having forgotten your promise." And `
` the young officer shook the count's hand so warmly, that `
` Monte Cristo could not be mistaken as to the sincerity of `
` his joy, and he saw that he had been expected with `
` impatience, and was received with pleasure. "Come, come," `
` said Maximilian, "I will serve as your guide; such a man as `
` you are ought not to be introduced by a servant. My sister `
` is in the garden plucking the dead roses; my brother is `
` reading his two papers, the Presse and the Debats, within `
` six steps of her; for wherever you see Madame Herbault, you `
` have only to look within a circle of four yards and you will `
` find M. Emmanuel, and `reciprocally,' as they say at the `
` Polytechnic School." At the sound of their steps a young `
` woman of twenty to five and twenty, dressed in a silk `
` morning gown, and busily engaged in plucking the dead leaves `
` off a noisette rose-tree, raised her head. This was Julie, `
` who had become, as the clerk of the house of Thomson `
` French had predicted, Madame Emmanuel Herbault. She uttered `
` a cry of surprise at the sight of a stranger, and Maximilian `
` began to laugh. "Don't disturb yourself, Julie," said he. `
` "The count has only been two or three days in Paris, but he `
` already knows what a fashionable woman of the Marais is, and `
` if he does not, you will show him." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur," returned Julie, "it is treason in my brother `
` to bring you thus, but he never has any regard for his poor `
` sister. Penelon, Penelon!" An old man, who was digging `
` busily at one of the beds, stuck his spade in the earth, and `
` approached, cap in hand, striving to conceal a quid of `
` tobacco he had just thrust into his cheek. A few locks of `
` gray mingled with his hair, which was still thick and `
` matted, while his bronzed features and determined glance `
` well suited an old sailor who had braved the heat of the `
` equator and the storms of the tropics. "I think you hailed `
` me, Mademoiselle Julie?" said he. Penelon had still `
` preserved the habit of calling his master's daughter `
` "Mademoiselle Julie," and had never been able to change the `
` name to Madame Herbault. "Penelon," replied Julie, "go and `
` inform M. Emmanuel of this gentleman's visit, and Maximilian `
` will conduct him to the salon." Then, turning to Monte `
` Cristo, -- "I hope you will permit me to leave you for a few `
` minutes," continued she; and without awaiting any reply, `
` disappeared behind a clump of trees, and escaped to the `
` house by a lateral alley. `
` `
` "I am sorry to see," observed Monte Cristo to Morrel, "that `
` I cause no small disturbance in your house." `
` `
` "Look there," said Maximilian, laughing; "there is her `
` husband changing his jacket for a coat. I assure you, you `
` are well known in the Rue Meslay." `
` `
` "Your family appears to be a very happy one," said the `
` count, as if speaking to himself. `
` `
` "Oh, yes, I assure you, count, they want nothing that can `
` render them happy; they are young and cheerful, they are `
` tenderly attached to each other, and with twenty-five `
` thousand francs a year they fancy themselves as rich as `
` Rothschild." `
` `
` "Five and twenty thousand francs is not a large sum, `
` however," replied Monte Cristo, with a tone so sweet and `
` gentle, that it went to Maximilian's heart like the voice of `
` a father; "but they will not be content with that. Your `
` brother-in-law is a barrister? a doctor?" `
` `
` "He was a merchant, monsieur, and had succeeded to the `
` business of my poor father. M. Morrel, at his death, left `
` 500,000 francs, which were divided between my sister and `
` myself, for we were his only children. Her husband, who, `
` when he married her, had no other patrimony than his noble `
` probity, his first-rate ability, and his spotless `
` reputation, wished to possess as much as his wife. He `
` labored and toiled until he had amassed 250,000 francs; six `
` years sufficed to achieve this object. Oh, I assure you, `
` sir, it was a touching spectacle to see these young `
` creatures, destined by their talents for higher stations, `
` toiling together, and through their unwillingness to change `
`
` "Speak." `
` `
` "Guard carefully the secret of your birth. Make no allusion `
` to the past; nor upon any occasion be induced to pronounce `
` the names of your illustrious father or ill-fated mother." `
` `
` "I have already told you, my lord, that I shall see no one." `
` `
` "It is possible, Haidee, that so perfect a seclusion, though `
` conformable with the habits and customs of the East, may not `
` be practicable in Paris. Endeavor, then, to accustom `
` yourself to our manner of living in these northern climes as `
` you did to those of Rome, Florence, Milan, and Madrid; it `
` may be useful to you one of these days, whether you remain `
` here or return to the East." The young girl raised her `
` tearful eyes towards Monte Cristo as she said with touching `
` earnestness, "Whether we return to the East, you mean to `
` say, my lord, do you not?" `
` `
` "My child," returned Monte Cristo "you know full well that `
` whenever we part, it will be no fault or wish of mine; the `
` tree forsakes not the flower -- the flower falls from the `
` tree." `
` `
` "My lord," replied Haidee, "I never will leave you, for I am `
` sure I could not exist without you." `
` `
` "My poor girl, in ten years I shall be old, and you will be `
` still young." `
` `
` "My father had a long white beard, but I loved him; he was `
` sixty years old, but to me he was handsomer than all the `
` fine youths I saw." `
` `
` "Then tell me, Haidee, do you believe you shall be able to `
` accustom yourself to our present mode of life?" `
` `
` "Shall I see you?" `
` `
` "Every day." `
` `
` "Then what do you fear, my lord?" `
` `
` "You might find it dull." `
` `
` "No, my lord. In the morning, I shall rejoice in the `
` prospect of your coming, and in the evening dwell with `
` delight on the happiness I have enjoyed in your presence; `
` then too, when alone, I can call forth mighty pictures of `
` the past, see vast horizons bounded only by the towering `
` mountains of Pindus and Olympus. Oh, believe me, that when `
` three great passions, such as sorrow, love, and gratitude `
` fill the heart, ennui can find no place." `
` `
` "You are a worthy daughter of Epirus, Haidee, and your `
` charming and poetical ideas prove well your descent from `
` that race of goddesses who claim your country as their `
` birthplace. Depend on my care to see that your youth is not `
` blighted, or suffered to pass away in ungenial solitude; and `
` of this be well assured, that if you love me as a father, I `
` love you as a child." `
` `
` "You are wrong, my lord. The love I have for you is very `
` different from the love I had for my father. My father died, `
` but I did not die. If you were to die, I should die too." `
` The Count, with a smile of profound tenderness, extended his `
` hand, and she carried it to her lips. Monte Cristo, thus `
` attuned to the interview he proposed to hold with Morrel and `
` his family, departed, murmuring as he went these lines of `
` Pindar, "Youth is a flower of which love is the fruit; happy `
` is he who, after having watched its silent growth, is `
` permitted to gather and call it his own." The carriage was `
` prepared according to orders, and stepping lightly into it, `
` the count drove off at his usual rapid pace. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 50 `
` The Morrel Family. `
` `
` In a very few minutes the count reached No. 7 in the Rue `
` Meslay. The house was of white stone, and in a small court `
` before it were two small beds full of beautiful flowers. In `
` the concierge that opened the gate the count recognized `
` Cocles; but as he had but one eye, and that eye had become `
` somewhat dim in the course of nine years, Cocles did not `
` recognize the count. The carriages that drove up to the door `
` were compelled to turn, to avoid a fountain that played in a `
` basin of rockwork, -- an ornament that had excited the `
` jealousy of the whole quarter, and had gained for the place `
` the appellation of "The Little Versailles." It is needless `
` to add that there were gold and silver fish in the basin. `
` The house, with kitchens and cellars below, had above the `
` ground-floor, two stories and attics. The whole of the `
` property, consisting of an immense workshop, two pavilions `
` at the bottom of the garden, and the garden itself, had been `
` purchased by Emmanuel, who had seen at a glance that he `
` could make of it a profitable speculation. He had reserved `
` the house and half the garden, and building a wall between `
` the garden and the workshops, had let them upon lease with `
` the pavilions at the bottom of the garden. So that for a `
` trifling sum he was as well lodged, and as perfectly shut `
` out from observation, as the inhabitants of the finest `
` mansion in the Faubourg St. Germain. The breakfast-room was `
` finished in oak; the salon in mahogany, and the furnishings `
` were of blue velvet; the bedroom was in citronwood and green `
` damask. There was a study for Emmanuel, who never studied, `
` and a music-room for Julie, who never played. The whole of `
` the second story was set apart for Maximilian; it was `
` precisely similar to his sister's apartments, except that `
` for the breakfast-parlor he had a billiard-room, where he `
` received his friends. He was superintending the grooming of `
` his horse, and smoking his cigar at the entrance of the `
` garden, when the count's carriage stopped at the gate. `
` `
` Cocles opened the gate, and Baptistin, springing from the `
` box, inquired whether Monsieur and Madame Herbault and `
` Monsieur Maximilian Morrel would see his excellency the `
` Count of Monte Cristo. "The Count of Monte Cristo?" cried `
` Morrel, throwing away his cigar and hastening to the `
` carriage; "I should think we would see him. Ah, a thousand `
` thanks, count, for not having forgotten your promise." And `
` the young officer shook the count's hand so warmly, that `
` Monte Cristo could not be mistaken as to the sincerity of `
` his joy, and he saw that he had been expected with `
` impatience, and was received with pleasure. "Come, come," `
` said Maximilian, "I will serve as your guide; such a man as `
` you are ought not to be introduced by a servant. My sister `
` is in the garden plucking the dead roses; my brother is `
` reading his two papers, the Presse and the Debats, within `
` six steps of her; for wherever you see Madame Herbault, you `
` have only to look within a circle of four yards and you will `
` find M. Emmanuel, and `reciprocally,' as they say at the `
` Polytechnic School." At the sound of their steps a young `
` woman of twenty to five and twenty, dressed in a silk `
` morning gown, and busily engaged in plucking the dead leaves `
` off a noisette rose-tree, raised her head. This was Julie, `
` who had become, as the clerk of the house of Thomson `
` French had predicted, Madame Emmanuel Herbault. She uttered `
` a cry of surprise at the sight of a stranger, and Maximilian `
` began to laugh. "Don't disturb yourself, Julie," said he. `
` "The count has only been two or three days in Paris, but he `
` already knows what a fashionable woman of the Marais is, and `
` if he does not, you will show him." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur," returned Julie, "it is treason in my brother `
` to bring you thus, but he never has any regard for his poor `
` sister. Penelon, Penelon!" An old man, who was digging `
` busily at one of the beds, stuck his spade in the earth, and `
` approached, cap in hand, striving to conceal a quid of `
` tobacco he had just thrust into his cheek. A few locks of `
` gray mingled with his hair, which was still thick and `
` matted, while his bronzed features and determined glance `
` well suited an old sailor who had braved the heat of the `
` equator and the storms of the tropics. "I think you hailed `
` me, Mademoiselle Julie?" said he. Penelon had still `
` preserved the habit of calling his master's daughter `
` "Mademoiselle Julie," and had never been able to change the `
` name to Madame Herbault. "Penelon," replied Julie, "go and `
` inform M. Emmanuel of this gentleman's visit, and Maximilian `
` will conduct him to the salon." Then, turning to Monte `
` Cristo, -- "I hope you will permit me to leave you for a few `
` minutes," continued she; and without awaiting any reply, `
` disappeared behind a clump of trees, and escaped to the `
` house by a lateral alley. `
` `
` "I am sorry to see," observed Monte Cristo to Morrel, "that `
` I cause no small disturbance in your house." `
` `
` "Look there," said Maximilian, laughing; "there is her `
` husband changing his jacket for a coat. I assure you, you `
` are well known in the Rue Meslay." `
` `
` "Your family appears to be a very happy one," said the `
` count, as if speaking to himself. `
` `
` "Oh, yes, I assure you, count, they want nothing that can `
` render them happy; they are young and cheerful, they are `
` tenderly attached to each other, and with twenty-five `
` thousand francs a year they fancy themselves as rich as `
` Rothschild." `
` `
` "Five and twenty thousand francs is not a large sum, `
` however," replied Monte Cristo, with a tone so sweet and `
` gentle, that it went to Maximilian's heart like the voice of `
` a father; "but they will not be content with that. Your `
` brother-in-law is a barrister? a doctor?" `
` `
` "He was a merchant, monsieur, and had succeeded to the `
` business of my poor father. M. Morrel, at his death, left `
` 500,000 francs, which were divided between my sister and `
` myself, for we were his only children. Her husband, who, `
` when he married her, had no other patrimony than his noble `
` probity, his first-rate ability, and his spotless `
` reputation, wished to possess as much as his wife. He `
` labored and toiled until he had amassed 250,000 francs; six `
` years sufficed to achieve this object. Oh, I assure you, `
` sir, it was a touching spectacle to see these young `
` creatures, destined by their talents for higher stations, `
` toiling together, and through their unwillingness to change `
`