Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
I am yours -- yours only, and forever!'" The poor girl made `
` no reply, but her lover could plainly hear her sobs and `
` tears. A rapid change took place in the young man's `
` feelings. "Dearest, dearest Valentine," exclaimed he, `
` "forgive me if I have offended you, and forget the words I `
` spoke if they have unwittingly caused you pain." `
` `
` "No, Maximilian, I am not offended," answered she, "but do `
` you not see what a poor, helpless being I am, almost a `
` stranger and an outcast in my father's house, where even he `
` is seldom seen; whose will has been thwarted, and spirits `
` broken, from the age of ten years, beneath the iron rod so `
` sternly held over me; oppressed, mortified, and persecuted, `
` day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, no person has `
` cared for, even observed my sufferings, nor have I ever `
` breathed one word on the subject save to yourself. Outwardly `
` and in the eyes of the world, I am surrounded by kindness `
` and affection; but the reverse is the case. The general `
` remark is, `Oh, it cannot be expected that one of so stern a `
` character as M. Villefort could lavish the tenderness some `
` fathers do on their daughters. What though she has lost her `
` own mother at a tender age, she has had the happiness to `
` find a second mother in Madame de Villefort.' The world, `
` however, is mistaken; my father abandons me from utter `
` indifference, while my mother-in-law detests me with a `
` hatred so much the more terrible because it is veiled `
` beneath a continual smile." `
` `
` "Hate you, sweet Valentine," exclaimed the young man; "how `
` is it possible for any one to do that?" `
` `
` "Alas," replied the weeping girl, "I am obliged to own that `
` my mother-in-law's aversion to me arises from a very natural `
` source -- her overweening love for her own child, my brother `
` Edward." `
` `
` "But why should it?" `
` `
` "I do not know; but, though unwilling to introduce money `
` matters into our present conversation, I will just say this `
` much -- that her extreme dislike to me has its origin there; `
` and I much fear she envies me the fortune I enjoy in right `
` of my mother, and which will be more than doubled at the `
` death of M. and Mme. de Saint-Meran, whose sole heiress I `
` am. Madame de Villefort has nothing of her own, and hates me `
` for being so richly endowed. Alas, how gladly would I `
` exchange the half of this wealth for the happiness of at `
` least sharing my father's love. God knows, I would prefer `
` sacrificing the whole, so that it would obtain me a happy `
` and affectionate home." `
` `
` "Poor Valentine!" `
` `
` "I seem to myself as though living a life of bondage, yet at `
` the same time am so conscious of my own weakness that I fear `
` to break the restraint in which I am held, lest I fall `
` utterly helpless. Then, too, my father is not a person whose `
` orders may be infringed with impunity; protected as he is by `
` his high position and firmly established reputation for `
` talent and unswerving integrity, no one could oppose him; he `
` is all-powerful even with the king; he would crush you at a `
` word. Dear Maximilian, believe me when I assure you that if `
` I do not attempt to resist my father's commands it is more `
` on your account than my own." `
` `
` "But why, Valentine, do you persist in anticipating the `
` worst, -- why picture so gloomy a future?" `
` `
` "Because I judge it from the past." `
` `
` "Still, consider that although I may not be, strictly `
` speaking, what is termed an illustrious match for you, I am, `
` for many reasons, not altogether so much beneath your `
` alliance. The days when such distinctions were so nicely `
` weighed and considered no longer exist in France, and the `
` first families of the monarchy have intermarried with those `
` of the empire. The aristocracy of the lance has allied `
` itself with the nobility of the cannon. Now I belong to this `
` last-named class; and certainly my prospects of military `
` preferment are most encouraging as well as certain. My `
` fortune, though small, is free and unfettered, and the `
` memory of my late father is respected in our country, `
` Valentine, as that of the most upright and honorable `
` merchant of the city; I say our country, because you were `
` born not far from Marseilles." `
` `
` "Don't speak of Marseilles, I beg of you, Maximilian; that `
` one word brings back my mother to my recollection -- my `
` angel mother, who died too soon for myself and all who knew `
` her; but who, after watching over her child during the brief `
` period allotted to her in this world, now, I fondly hope, `
` watches from her home in heaven. Oh, if my mother were still `
` living, there would be nothing to fear, Maximilian, for I `
` would tell her that I loved you, and she would protect us." `
` `
` "I fear, Valentine," replied the lover, "that were she `
` living I should never have had the happiness of knowing you; `
` you would then have been too happy to have stooped from your `
` grandeur to bestow a thought on me." `
` `
` "Now it is you who are unjust, Maximilian," cried Valentine; `
` "but there is one thing I wish to know." `
` `
` "And what is that?" inquired the young man, perceiving that `
` Valentine hesitated. `
` `
` "Tell me truly, Maximilian, whether in former days, when our `
` fathers dwelt at Marseilles, there was ever any `
` misunderstanding between them?" `
` `
` "Not that I am aware of," replied the young man, "unless, `
` indeed, any ill-feeling might have arisen from their being `
` of opposite parties -- your father was, as you know, a `
` zealous partisan of the Bourbons, while mine was wholly `
` devoted to the emperor; there could not possibly be any `
` other difference between them. But why do you ask?" `
` `
` "I will tell you," replied the young girl, "for it is but `
` right you should know. Well, on the day when your `
` appointment as an officer of the Legion of honor was `
` announced in the papers, we were all sitting with my `
` grandfather, M. Noirtier; M. Danglars was there also -- you `
` recollect M. Danglars, do you not, Maximilian, the banker, `
` whose horses ran away with my mother-in-law and little `
` brother, and very nearly killed them? While the rest of the `
` company were discussing the approaching marriage of `
` Mademoiselle Danglars, I was reading the paper to my `
` grandfather; but when I came to the paragraph about you, `
` although I had done nothing else but read it over to myself `
` all the morning (you know you had told me all about it the `
` previous evening), I felt so happy, and yet so nervous, at `
` the idea of speaking your name aloud, and before so many `
` people, that I really think I should have passed it over, `
` but for the fear that my doing so might create suspicions as `
` to the cause of my silence; so I summoned up all my courage, `
` and read it as firmly and as steadily as I could." `
` `
` "Dear Valentine!" `
` `
` "Well, would you believe it? directly my father caught the `
` sound of your name he turned round quite hastily, and, like `
` a poor silly thing, I was so persuaded that every one must `
` be as much affected as myself by the utterance of your name, `
` that I was not surprised to see my father start, and almost `
` tremble; but I even thought (though that surely must have `
` been a mistake) that M. Danglars trembled too." `
` `
` "`Morrel, Morrel,' cried my father, `stop a bit;' then `
` knitting his brows into a deep frown, he added, `surely this `
` cannot be one of the Morrel family who lived at Marseilles, `
` and gave us so much trouble from their violent Bonapartism `
` -- I mean about the year 1815.' -- `Yes,' replied M. `
` Danglars, `I believe he is the son of the old shipowner.'" `
` `
` "Indeed," answered Maximilian; "and what did your father say `
` then, Valentine?" `
` `
` "Oh, such a dreadful thing, that I don't dare to tell you." `
` `
` "Always tell me everything," said Maximilian with a smile. `
` `
` "`Ah,' continued my father, still frowning, `their idolized `
` emperor treated these madmen as they deserved; he called `
` them `food for powder,' which was precisely all they were `
` good for; and I am delighted to see that the present `
` government have adopted this salutary principle with all its `
` pristine vigor; if Algiers were good for nothing but to `
` furnish the means of carrying so admirable an idea into `
` practice, it would be an acquisition well worthy of `
` struggling to obtain. Though it certainly does cost France `
` somewhat dear to assert her rights in that uncivilized `
` country.'" `
` `
` "Brutal politics, I must confess." said Maximilian; "but `
` don't attach any serious importance, dear, to what your `
` father said. My father was not a bit behind yours in that `
` sort of talk. `Why,' said he, `does not the emperor, who has `
` devised so many clever and efficient modes of improving the `
` art of war, organize a regiment of lawyers, judges and legal `
` practitioners, sending them in the hottest fire the enemy `
` could maintain, and using them to save better men?' You see, `
` my dear, that for picturesque expression and generosity of `
` spirit there is not much to choose between the language of `
` either party. But what did M. Danglars say to this outburst `
` on the part of the procureur?" `
` `
` "Oh, he laughed, and in that singular manner so peculiar to `
` himself -- half-malicious, half-ferocious; he almost `
` immediately got up and took his leave; then, for the first `
` time, I observed the agitation of my grandfather, and I must `
` tell you, Maximilian, that I am the only person capable of `
` discerning emotion in his paralyzed frame. And I suspected `
` that the conversation that had been carried on in his `
` presence (for they always say and do what they like before `
` the dear old man, without the smallest regard for his `
` feelings) had made a strong impression on his mind; for, `
` naturally enough, it must have pained him to hear the `
` emperor he so devotedly loved and served spoken of in that `
` depreciating manner." `
` `
` "The name of M. Noirtier," interposed Maximilian, "is `
`
` no reply, but her lover could plainly hear her sobs and `
` tears. A rapid change took place in the young man's `
` feelings. "Dearest, dearest Valentine," exclaimed he, `
` "forgive me if I have offended you, and forget the words I `
` spoke if they have unwittingly caused you pain." `
` `
` "No, Maximilian, I am not offended," answered she, "but do `
` you not see what a poor, helpless being I am, almost a `
` stranger and an outcast in my father's house, where even he `
` is seldom seen; whose will has been thwarted, and spirits `
` broken, from the age of ten years, beneath the iron rod so `
` sternly held over me; oppressed, mortified, and persecuted, `
` day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, no person has `
` cared for, even observed my sufferings, nor have I ever `
` breathed one word on the subject save to yourself. Outwardly `
` and in the eyes of the world, I am surrounded by kindness `
` and affection; but the reverse is the case. The general `
` remark is, `Oh, it cannot be expected that one of so stern a `
` character as M. Villefort could lavish the tenderness some `
` fathers do on their daughters. What though she has lost her `
` own mother at a tender age, she has had the happiness to `
` find a second mother in Madame de Villefort.' The world, `
` however, is mistaken; my father abandons me from utter `
` indifference, while my mother-in-law detests me with a `
` hatred so much the more terrible because it is veiled `
` beneath a continual smile." `
` `
` "Hate you, sweet Valentine," exclaimed the young man; "how `
` is it possible for any one to do that?" `
` `
` "Alas," replied the weeping girl, "I am obliged to own that `
` my mother-in-law's aversion to me arises from a very natural `
` source -- her overweening love for her own child, my brother `
` Edward." `
` `
` "But why should it?" `
` `
` "I do not know; but, though unwilling to introduce money `
` matters into our present conversation, I will just say this `
` much -- that her extreme dislike to me has its origin there; `
` and I much fear she envies me the fortune I enjoy in right `
` of my mother, and which will be more than doubled at the `
` death of M. and Mme. de Saint-Meran, whose sole heiress I `
` am. Madame de Villefort has nothing of her own, and hates me `
` for being so richly endowed. Alas, how gladly would I `
` exchange the half of this wealth for the happiness of at `
` least sharing my father's love. God knows, I would prefer `
` sacrificing the whole, so that it would obtain me a happy `
` and affectionate home." `
` `
` "Poor Valentine!" `
` `
` "I seem to myself as though living a life of bondage, yet at `
` the same time am so conscious of my own weakness that I fear `
` to break the restraint in which I am held, lest I fall `
` utterly helpless. Then, too, my father is not a person whose `
` orders may be infringed with impunity; protected as he is by `
` his high position and firmly established reputation for `
` talent and unswerving integrity, no one could oppose him; he `
` is all-powerful even with the king; he would crush you at a `
` word. Dear Maximilian, believe me when I assure you that if `
` I do not attempt to resist my father's commands it is more `
` on your account than my own." `
` `
` "But why, Valentine, do you persist in anticipating the `
` worst, -- why picture so gloomy a future?" `
` `
` "Because I judge it from the past." `
` `
` "Still, consider that although I may not be, strictly `
` speaking, what is termed an illustrious match for you, I am, `
` for many reasons, not altogether so much beneath your `
` alliance. The days when such distinctions were so nicely `
` weighed and considered no longer exist in France, and the `
` first families of the monarchy have intermarried with those `
` of the empire. The aristocracy of the lance has allied `
` itself with the nobility of the cannon. Now I belong to this `
` last-named class; and certainly my prospects of military `
` preferment are most encouraging as well as certain. My `
` fortune, though small, is free and unfettered, and the `
` memory of my late father is respected in our country, `
` Valentine, as that of the most upright and honorable `
` merchant of the city; I say our country, because you were `
` born not far from Marseilles." `
` `
` "Don't speak of Marseilles, I beg of you, Maximilian; that `
` one word brings back my mother to my recollection -- my `
` angel mother, who died too soon for myself and all who knew `
` her; but who, after watching over her child during the brief `
` period allotted to her in this world, now, I fondly hope, `
` watches from her home in heaven. Oh, if my mother were still `
` living, there would be nothing to fear, Maximilian, for I `
` would tell her that I loved you, and she would protect us." `
` `
` "I fear, Valentine," replied the lover, "that were she `
` living I should never have had the happiness of knowing you; `
` you would then have been too happy to have stooped from your `
` grandeur to bestow a thought on me." `
` `
` "Now it is you who are unjust, Maximilian," cried Valentine; `
` "but there is one thing I wish to know." `
` `
` "And what is that?" inquired the young man, perceiving that `
` Valentine hesitated. `
` `
` "Tell me truly, Maximilian, whether in former days, when our `
` fathers dwelt at Marseilles, there was ever any `
` misunderstanding between them?" `
` `
` "Not that I am aware of," replied the young man, "unless, `
` indeed, any ill-feeling might have arisen from their being `
` of opposite parties -- your father was, as you know, a `
` zealous partisan of the Bourbons, while mine was wholly `
` devoted to the emperor; there could not possibly be any `
` other difference between them. But why do you ask?" `
` `
` "I will tell you," replied the young girl, "for it is but `
` right you should know. Well, on the day when your `
` appointment as an officer of the Legion of honor was `
` announced in the papers, we were all sitting with my `
` grandfather, M. Noirtier; M. Danglars was there also -- you `
` recollect M. Danglars, do you not, Maximilian, the banker, `
` whose horses ran away with my mother-in-law and little `
` brother, and very nearly killed them? While the rest of the `
` company were discussing the approaching marriage of `
` Mademoiselle Danglars, I was reading the paper to my `
` grandfather; but when I came to the paragraph about you, `
` although I had done nothing else but read it over to myself `
` all the morning (you know you had told me all about it the `
` previous evening), I felt so happy, and yet so nervous, at `
` the idea of speaking your name aloud, and before so many `
` people, that I really think I should have passed it over, `
` but for the fear that my doing so might create suspicions as `
` to the cause of my silence; so I summoned up all my courage, `
` and read it as firmly and as steadily as I could." `
` `
` "Dear Valentine!" `
` `
` "Well, would you believe it? directly my father caught the `
` sound of your name he turned round quite hastily, and, like `
` a poor silly thing, I was so persuaded that every one must `
` be as much affected as myself by the utterance of your name, `
` that I was not surprised to see my father start, and almost `
` tremble; but I even thought (though that surely must have `
` been a mistake) that M. Danglars trembled too." `
` `
` "`Morrel, Morrel,' cried my father, `stop a bit;' then `
` knitting his brows into a deep frown, he added, `surely this `
` cannot be one of the Morrel family who lived at Marseilles, `
` and gave us so much trouble from their violent Bonapartism `
` -- I mean about the year 1815.' -- `Yes,' replied M. `
` Danglars, `I believe he is the son of the old shipowner.'" `
` `
` "Indeed," answered Maximilian; "and what did your father say `
` then, Valentine?" `
` `
` "Oh, such a dreadful thing, that I don't dare to tell you." `
` `
` "Always tell me everything," said Maximilian with a smile. `
` `
` "`Ah,' continued my father, still frowning, `their idolized `
` emperor treated these madmen as they deserved; he called `
` them `food for powder,' which was precisely all they were `
` good for; and I am delighted to see that the present `
` government have adopted this salutary principle with all its `
` pristine vigor; if Algiers were good for nothing but to `
` furnish the means of carrying so admirable an idea into `
` practice, it would be an acquisition well worthy of `
` struggling to obtain. Though it certainly does cost France `
` somewhat dear to assert her rights in that uncivilized `
` country.'" `
` `
` "Brutal politics, I must confess." said Maximilian; "but `
` don't attach any serious importance, dear, to what your `
` father said. My father was not a bit behind yours in that `
` sort of talk. `Why,' said he, `does not the emperor, who has `
` devised so many clever and efficient modes of improving the `
` art of war, organize a regiment of lawyers, judges and legal `
` practitioners, sending them in the hottest fire the enemy `
` could maintain, and using them to save better men?' You see, `
` my dear, that for picturesque expression and generosity of `
` spirit there is not much to choose between the language of `
` either party. But what did M. Danglars say to this outburst `
` on the part of the procureur?" `
` `
` "Oh, he laughed, and in that singular manner so peculiar to `
` himself -- half-malicious, half-ferocious; he almost `
` immediately got up and took his leave; then, for the first `
` time, I observed the agitation of my grandfather, and I must `
` tell you, Maximilian, that I am the only person capable of `
` discerning emotion in his paralyzed frame. And I suspected `
` that the conversation that had been carried on in his `
` presence (for they always say and do what they like before `
` the dear old man, without the smallest regard for his `
` feelings) had made a strong impression on his mind; for, `
` naturally enough, it must have pained him to hear the `
` emperor he so devotedly loved and served spoken of in that `
` depreciating manner." `
` `
` "The name of M. Noirtier," interposed Maximilian, "is `
`