Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
side by means of the openings in the planks, -- the `
` earnestness of her attitude and the fixed gaze with which `
` she seemed to seek the object of her wishes, proving how `
` much her feelings were interested in the matter. At that `
` instant the little side-gate leading from the waste ground `
` to the street was noiselessly opened, and a tall, powerful `
` young man appeared. He was dressed in a common gray blouse `
` and velvet cap, but his carefully arranged hair, beard and `
` mustache, all of the richest and glossiest black, ill `
` accorded with his plebeian attire. After casting a rapid `
` glance around him, in order to assure himself that he was `
` unobserved, he entered by the small gate, and, carefully `
` closing and securing it after him, proceeded with a hurried `
` step towards the barrier. `
` `
` At the sight of him she expected, though probably not in `
` such a costume, the young woman started in terror, and was `
` about to make a hasty retreat. But the eye of love had `
` already seen, even through the narrow chinks of the wooden `
` palisades, the movement of the white robe, and observed the `
` fluttering of the blue sash. Pressing his lips close to the `
` planks, he exclaimed, "Don't be alarmed, Valentine -- it is `
` I!" Again the timid girl found courage to return to the `
` gate, saying, as she did so, "And why do you come so late `
` to-day? It is almost dinner-time, and I had to use no little `
` diplomacy to get rid of my watchful mother-in-law, my `
` too-devoted maid, and my troublesome brother, who is always `
` teasing me about coming to work at my embroidery, which I am `
` in a fair way never to get done. So pray excuse yourself as `
` well as you can for having made me wait, and, after that, `
` tell me why I see you in a dress so singular that at first I `
` did not recognize you." `
` `
` "Dearest Valentine," said the young man, "the difference `
` between our respective stations makes me fear to offend you `
` by speaking of my love, but yet I cannot find myself in your `
` presence without longing to pour forth my soul, and tell you `
` how fondly I adore you. If it be but to carry away with me `
` the recollection of such sweet moments, I could even thank `
` you for chiding me, for it leaves me a gleam of hope, that `
` if you did not expect me (and that indeed would be worse `
` than vanity to suppose), at least I was in your thoughts. `
` You asked me the cause of my being late, and why I come `
` disguised. I will candidly explain the reason of both, and I `
` trust to your goodness to pardon me. I have chosen a trade." `
` `
` "A trade? Oh, Maximilian, how can you jest at a time when we `
` have such deep cause for uneasiness?" `
` `
` "Heaven keep me from jesting with that which is far dearer `
` to me than life itself! But listen to me, Valentine, and I `
` will tell you all about it. I became weary of ranging fields `
` and scaling walls, and seriously alarmed at the idea `
` suggested by you, that if caught hovering about here your `
` father would very likely have me sent to prison as a thief. `
` That would compromise the honor of the French army, to say `
` nothing of the fact that the continual presence of a captain `
` of Spahis in a place where no warlike projects could be `
` supposed to account for it might well create surprise; so I `
` have become a gardener, and, consequently, adopted the `
` costume of my calling." `
` `
` "What excessive nonsense you talk, Maximilian!" `
` `
` "Nonsense? Pray do not call what I consider the wisest `
` action of my life by such a name. Consider, by becoming a `
` gardener I effectually screen our meetings from all `
` suspicion or danger." `
` `
` "I beseech of you, Maximilian, to cease trifling, and tell `
` me what you really mean." `
` `
` "Simply, that having ascertained that the piece of ground on `
` which I stand was to let, I made application for it, was `
` readily accepted by the proprietor, and am now master of `
` this fine crop of lucerne. Think of that, Valentine! There `
` is nothing now to prevent my building myself a little hut on `
` my plantation, and residing not twenty yards from you. Only `
` imagine what happiness that would afford me. I can scarcely `
` contain myself at the bare idea. Such felicity seems above `
` all price -- as a thing impossible and unattainable. But `
` would you believe that I purchase all this delight, joy, and `
` happiness, for which I would cheerfully have surrendered ten `
` years of my life, at the small cost of 500 francs per annum, `
` paid quarterly? Henceforth we have nothing to fear. I am on `
` my own ground, and have an undoubted right to place a ladder `
` against the wall, and to look over when I please, without `
` having any apprehensions of being taken off by the police as `
` a suspicious character. I may also enjoy the precious `
` privilege of assuring you of my fond, faithful, and `
` unalterable affection, whenever you visit your favorite `
` bower, unless, indeed, it offends your pride to listen to `
` professions of love from the lips of a poor workingman, clad `
` in a blouse and cap." A faint cry of mingled pleasure and `
` surprise escaped from the lips of Valentine, who almost `
` instantly said, in a saddened tone, as though some envious `
` cloud darkened the joy which illumined her heart, "Alas, no, `
` Maximilian, this must not be, for many reasons. We should `
` presume too much on our own strength, and, like others, `
` perhaps, be led astray by our blind confidence in each `
` other's prudence." `
` `
` "How can you for an instant entertain so unworthy a thought, `
` dear Valentine? Have I not, from the first blessed hour of `
` our acquaintance, schooled all my words and actions to your `
` sentiments and ideas? And you have, I am sure, the fullest `
` confidence in my honor. When you spoke to me of experiencing `
` a vague and indefinite sense of coming danger, I placed `
` myself blindly and devotedly at your service, asking no `
` other reward than the pleasure of being useful to you; and `
` have I ever since, by word or look, given you cause of `
` regret for having selected me from the numbers that would `
` willingly have sacrificed their lives for you? You told me, `
` my dear Valentine, that you were engaged to M. d'Epinay, and `
` that your father was resolved upon completing the match, and `
` that from his will there was no appeal, as M. de Villefort `
` was never known to change a determination once formed. I `
` kept in the background, as you wished, and waited, not for `
` the decision of your heart or my own, but hoping that `
` providence would graciously interpose in our behalf, and `
` order events in our favor. But what cared I for delays or `
` difficulties, Valentine, as long as you confessed that you `
` loved me, and took pity on me? If you will only repeat that `
` avowal now and then, I can endure anything." `
` `
` "Ah, Maximilian, that is the very thing that makes you so `
` bold, and which renders me at once so happy and unhappy, `
` that I frequently ask myself whether it is better for me to `
` endure the harshness of my mother-in-law, and her blind `
` preference for her own child, or to be, as I now am, `
` insensible to any pleasure save such as I find in these `
` meetings, so fraught with danger to both." `
` `
` "I will not admit that word," returned the young man; "it is `
` at once cruel and unjust. Is it possible to find a more `
` submissive slave than myself? You have permitted me to `
` converse with you from time to time, Valentine, but `
` forbidden my ever following you in your walks or elsewhere `
` -- have I not obeyed? And since I found means to enter this `
` enclosure to exchange a few words with you through this gate `
` -- to be close to you without really seeing you -- have I `
` ever asked so much as to touch the hem of your gown or tried `
` to pass this barrier which is but a trifle to one of my `
` youth and strength? Never has a complaint or a murmur `
` escaped me. I have been bound by my promises as rigidly as `
` any knight of olden times. Come, come, dearest Valentine, `
` confess that what I say is true, lest I be tempted to call `
` you unjust." `
` `
` "It is true," said Valentine, as she passed the end of her `
` slender fingers through a small opening in the planks, and `
` permitted Maximilian to press his lips to them, "and you are `
` a true and faithful friend; but still you acted from motives `
` of self-interest, my dear Maximilian, for you well knew that `
` from the moment in which you had manifested an opposite `
` spirit all would have been ended between us. You promised to `
` bestow on me the friendly affection of a brother. For I have `
` no friend but yourself upon earth, who am neglected and `
` forgotten by my father, harassed and persecuted by my `
` mother-in-law, and left to the sole companionship of a `
` paralyzed and speechless old man, whose withered hand can no `
` longer press mine, and who can speak to me with the eye `
` alone, although there still lingers in his heart the warmest `
` tenderness for his poor grandchild. Oh, how bitter a fate is `
` mine, to serve either as a victim or an enemy to all who are `
` stronger than myself, while my only friend and supporter is `
` a living corpse! Indeed, indeed, Maximilian, I am very `
` miserable, and if you love me it must be out of pity." `
` `
` "Valentine," replied the young man, deeply affected, "I will `
` not say you are all I love in the world, for I dearly prize `
` my sister and brother-in-law; but my affection for them is `
` calm and tranquil, in no manner resembling what I feel for `
` you. When I think of you my heart beats fast, the blood `
` burns in my veins, and I can hardly breathe; but I solemnly `
` promise you to restrain all this ardor, this fervor and `
` intensity of feeling, until you yourself shall require me to `
` render them available in serving or assisting you. M. Franz `
` is not expected to return home for a year to come, I am `
` told; in that time many favorable and unforeseen chances may `
` befriend us. Let us, then, hope for the best; hope is so `
` sweet a comforter. Meanwhile, Valentine, while reproaching `
` me with selfishness, think a little what you have been to me `
` -- the beautiful but cold resemblance of a marble Venus. `
` What promise of future reward have you made me for all the `
` submission and obedience I have evinced? -- none whatever. `
` What granted me? -- scarcely more. You tell me of M. Franz `
` d'Epinay, your betrothed lover, and you shrink from the idea `
` of being his wife; but tell me, Valentine, is there no other `
` sorrow in your heart? You see me devoted to you, body and `
` soul, my life and each warm drop that circles round my heart `
` are consecrated to your service; you know full well that my `
` existence is bound up in yours -- that were I to lose you I `
` would not outlive the hour of such crushing misery; yet you `
` speak with calmness of the prospect of your being the wife `
` of another! Oh, Valentine, were I in your place, and did I `
` feel conscious, as you do, of being worshipped, adored, with `
` such a love as mine, a hundred times at least should I have `
` passed my hand between these iron bars, and said, `Take this `
` hand, dearest Maximilian, and believe that, living or dead, `
` I am yours -- yours only, and forever!'" The poor girl made `
`
` earnestness of her attitude and the fixed gaze with which `
` she seemed to seek the object of her wishes, proving how `
` much her feelings were interested in the matter. At that `
` instant the little side-gate leading from the waste ground `
` to the street was noiselessly opened, and a tall, powerful `
` young man appeared. He was dressed in a common gray blouse `
` and velvet cap, but his carefully arranged hair, beard and `
` mustache, all of the richest and glossiest black, ill `
` accorded with his plebeian attire. After casting a rapid `
` glance around him, in order to assure himself that he was `
` unobserved, he entered by the small gate, and, carefully `
` closing and securing it after him, proceeded with a hurried `
` step towards the barrier. `
` `
` At the sight of him she expected, though probably not in `
` such a costume, the young woman started in terror, and was `
` about to make a hasty retreat. But the eye of love had `
` already seen, even through the narrow chinks of the wooden `
` palisades, the movement of the white robe, and observed the `
` fluttering of the blue sash. Pressing his lips close to the `
` planks, he exclaimed, "Don't be alarmed, Valentine -- it is `
` I!" Again the timid girl found courage to return to the `
` gate, saying, as she did so, "And why do you come so late `
` to-day? It is almost dinner-time, and I had to use no little `
` diplomacy to get rid of my watchful mother-in-law, my `
` too-devoted maid, and my troublesome brother, who is always `
` teasing me about coming to work at my embroidery, which I am `
` in a fair way never to get done. So pray excuse yourself as `
` well as you can for having made me wait, and, after that, `
` tell me why I see you in a dress so singular that at first I `
` did not recognize you." `
` `
` "Dearest Valentine," said the young man, "the difference `
` between our respective stations makes me fear to offend you `
` by speaking of my love, but yet I cannot find myself in your `
` presence without longing to pour forth my soul, and tell you `
` how fondly I adore you. If it be but to carry away with me `
` the recollection of such sweet moments, I could even thank `
` you for chiding me, for it leaves me a gleam of hope, that `
` if you did not expect me (and that indeed would be worse `
` than vanity to suppose), at least I was in your thoughts. `
` You asked me the cause of my being late, and why I come `
` disguised. I will candidly explain the reason of both, and I `
` trust to your goodness to pardon me. I have chosen a trade." `
` `
` "A trade? Oh, Maximilian, how can you jest at a time when we `
` have such deep cause for uneasiness?" `
` `
` "Heaven keep me from jesting with that which is far dearer `
` to me than life itself! But listen to me, Valentine, and I `
` will tell you all about it. I became weary of ranging fields `
` and scaling walls, and seriously alarmed at the idea `
` suggested by you, that if caught hovering about here your `
` father would very likely have me sent to prison as a thief. `
` That would compromise the honor of the French army, to say `
` nothing of the fact that the continual presence of a captain `
` of Spahis in a place where no warlike projects could be `
` supposed to account for it might well create surprise; so I `
` have become a gardener, and, consequently, adopted the `
` costume of my calling." `
` `
` "What excessive nonsense you talk, Maximilian!" `
` `
` "Nonsense? Pray do not call what I consider the wisest `
` action of my life by such a name. Consider, by becoming a `
` gardener I effectually screen our meetings from all `
` suspicion or danger." `
` `
` "I beseech of you, Maximilian, to cease trifling, and tell `
` me what you really mean." `
` `
` "Simply, that having ascertained that the piece of ground on `
` which I stand was to let, I made application for it, was `
` readily accepted by the proprietor, and am now master of `
` this fine crop of lucerne. Think of that, Valentine! There `
` is nothing now to prevent my building myself a little hut on `
` my plantation, and residing not twenty yards from you. Only `
` imagine what happiness that would afford me. I can scarcely `
` contain myself at the bare idea. Such felicity seems above `
` all price -- as a thing impossible and unattainable. But `
` would you believe that I purchase all this delight, joy, and `
` happiness, for which I would cheerfully have surrendered ten `
` years of my life, at the small cost of 500 francs per annum, `
` paid quarterly? Henceforth we have nothing to fear. I am on `
` my own ground, and have an undoubted right to place a ladder `
` against the wall, and to look over when I please, without `
` having any apprehensions of being taken off by the police as `
` a suspicious character. I may also enjoy the precious `
` privilege of assuring you of my fond, faithful, and `
` unalterable affection, whenever you visit your favorite `
` bower, unless, indeed, it offends your pride to listen to `
` professions of love from the lips of a poor workingman, clad `
` in a blouse and cap." A faint cry of mingled pleasure and `
` surprise escaped from the lips of Valentine, who almost `
` instantly said, in a saddened tone, as though some envious `
` cloud darkened the joy which illumined her heart, "Alas, no, `
` Maximilian, this must not be, for many reasons. We should `
` presume too much on our own strength, and, like others, `
` perhaps, be led astray by our blind confidence in each `
` other's prudence." `
` `
` "How can you for an instant entertain so unworthy a thought, `
` dear Valentine? Have I not, from the first blessed hour of `
` our acquaintance, schooled all my words and actions to your `
` sentiments and ideas? And you have, I am sure, the fullest `
` confidence in my honor. When you spoke to me of experiencing `
` a vague and indefinite sense of coming danger, I placed `
` myself blindly and devotedly at your service, asking no `
` other reward than the pleasure of being useful to you; and `
` have I ever since, by word or look, given you cause of `
` regret for having selected me from the numbers that would `
` willingly have sacrificed their lives for you? You told me, `
` my dear Valentine, that you were engaged to M. d'Epinay, and `
` that your father was resolved upon completing the match, and `
` that from his will there was no appeal, as M. de Villefort `
` was never known to change a determination once formed. I `
` kept in the background, as you wished, and waited, not for `
` the decision of your heart or my own, but hoping that `
` providence would graciously interpose in our behalf, and `
` order events in our favor. But what cared I for delays or `
` difficulties, Valentine, as long as you confessed that you `
` loved me, and took pity on me? If you will only repeat that `
` avowal now and then, I can endure anything." `
` `
` "Ah, Maximilian, that is the very thing that makes you so `
` bold, and which renders me at once so happy and unhappy, `
` that I frequently ask myself whether it is better for me to `
` endure the harshness of my mother-in-law, and her blind `
` preference for her own child, or to be, as I now am, `
` insensible to any pleasure save such as I find in these `
` meetings, so fraught with danger to both." `
` `
` "I will not admit that word," returned the young man; "it is `
` at once cruel and unjust. Is it possible to find a more `
` submissive slave than myself? You have permitted me to `
` converse with you from time to time, Valentine, but `
` forbidden my ever following you in your walks or elsewhere `
` -- have I not obeyed? And since I found means to enter this `
` enclosure to exchange a few words with you through this gate `
` -- to be close to you without really seeing you -- have I `
` ever asked so much as to touch the hem of your gown or tried `
` to pass this barrier which is but a trifle to one of my `
` youth and strength? Never has a complaint or a murmur `
` escaped me. I have been bound by my promises as rigidly as `
` any knight of olden times. Come, come, dearest Valentine, `
` confess that what I say is true, lest I be tempted to call `
` you unjust." `
` `
` "It is true," said Valentine, as she passed the end of her `
` slender fingers through a small opening in the planks, and `
` permitted Maximilian to press his lips to them, "and you are `
` a true and faithful friend; but still you acted from motives `
` of self-interest, my dear Maximilian, for you well knew that `
` from the moment in which you had manifested an opposite `
` spirit all would have been ended between us. You promised to `
` bestow on me the friendly affection of a brother. For I have `
` no friend but yourself upon earth, who am neglected and `
` forgotten by my father, harassed and persecuted by my `
` mother-in-law, and left to the sole companionship of a `
` paralyzed and speechless old man, whose withered hand can no `
` longer press mine, and who can speak to me with the eye `
` alone, although there still lingers in his heart the warmest `
` tenderness for his poor grandchild. Oh, how bitter a fate is `
` mine, to serve either as a victim or an enemy to all who are `
` stronger than myself, while my only friend and supporter is `
` a living corpse! Indeed, indeed, Maximilian, I am very `
` miserable, and if you love me it must be out of pity." `
` `
` "Valentine," replied the young man, deeply affected, "I will `
` not say you are all I love in the world, for I dearly prize `
` my sister and brother-in-law; but my affection for them is `
` calm and tranquil, in no manner resembling what I feel for `
` you. When I think of you my heart beats fast, the blood `
` burns in my veins, and I can hardly breathe; but I solemnly `
` promise you to restrain all this ardor, this fervor and `
` intensity of feeling, until you yourself shall require me to `
` render them available in serving or assisting you. M. Franz `
` is not expected to return home for a year to come, I am `
` told; in that time many favorable and unforeseen chances may `
` befriend us. Let us, then, hope for the best; hope is so `
` sweet a comforter. Meanwhile, Valentine, while reproaching `
` me with selfishness, think a little what you have been to me `
` -- the beautiful but cold resemblance of a marble Venus. `
` What promise of future reward have you made me for all the `
` submission and obedience I have evinced? -- none whatever. `
` What granted me? -- scarcely more. You tell me of M. Franz `
` d'Epinay, your betrothed lover, and you shrink from the idea `
` of being his wife; but tell me, Valentine, is there no other `
` sorrow in your heart? You see me devoted to you, body and `
` soul, my life and each warm drop that circles round my heart `
` are consecrated to your service; you know full well that my `
` existence is bound up in yours -- that were I to lose you I `
` would not outlive the hour of such crushing misery; yet you `
` speak with calmness of the prospect of your being the wife `
` of another! Oh, Valentine, were I in your place, and did I `
` feel conscious, as you do, of being worshipped, adored, with `
` such a love as mine, a hundred times at least should I have `
` passed my hand between these iron bars, and said, `Take this `
` hand, dearest Maximilian, and believe that, living or dead, `
` I am yours -- yours only, and forever!'" The poor girl made `
`