Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
"The name of M. Noirtier," interposed Maximilian, "is `
` celebrated throughout Europe; he was a statesman of high `
` standing, and you may or may not know, Valentine, that he `
` took a leading part in every Bonapartist conspiracy set on `
` foot during the restoration of the Bourbons." `
` `
` "Oh, I have often heard whispers of things that seem to me `
` most strange -- the father a Bonapartist, the son a `
` Royalist; what can have been the reason of so singular a `
` difference in parties and politics? But to resume my story; `
` I turned towards my grandfather, as though to question him `
` as to the cause of his emotion; he looked expressively at `
` the newspaper I had been reading. `What is the matter, dear `
` grandfather?' said I, `are you pleased?' He gave me a sign `
` in the affirmative. `With what my father said just now?' He `
` returned a sign in the negative. `Perhaps you liked what M. `
` Danglars said?' Another sign in the negative. `Oh, then, you `
` were glad to hear that M. Morrel (I didn't dare to say `
` Maximilian) had been made an officer of the Legion of `
` Honor?' He signified assent; only think of the poor old `
` man's being so pleased to think that you, who were a perfect `
` stranger to him, had been made an officer of the Legion of `
` Honor! Perhaps it was a mere whim on his part, for he is `
` falling, they say, into second childhood, but I love him for `
` showing so much interest in you." `
` `
` "How singular," murmured Maximilian; "your father hates me, `
` while your grandfather, on the contrary -- What strange `
` feelings are aroused by politics." `
` `
` "Hush," cried Valentine, suddenly; "some one is coming!" `
` Maximilian leaped at one bound into his crop of lucerne, `
` which he began to pull up in the most ruthless way, under `
` the pretext of being occupied in weeding it. `
` `
` "Mademoiselle, mademoiselle!" exclaimed a voice from behind `
` the trees. "Madame is searching for you everywhere; there is `
` a visitor in the drawing-room." `
` `
` "A visitor?" inquired Valentine, much agitated; "who is it?" `
` `
` "Some grand personage -- a prince I believe they said -- the `
` Count of Monte Cristo." `
` `
` "I will come directly," cried Valentine aloud. The name of `
` Monte Cristo sent an electric shock through the young man on `
` the other side of the iron gate, to whom Valentine's "I am `
` coming" was the customary signal of farewell. "Now, then," `
` said Maximilian, leaning on the handle of his spade, "I `
` would give a good deal to know how it comes about that the `
` Count of Monte Cristo is acquainted with M. de Villefort." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 52 `
` Toxicology. `
` `
` It was really the Count of Monte Cristo who had just arrived `
` at Madame de Villefort's for the purpose of returning the `
` procureur's visit, and at his name, as may be easily `
` imagined, the whole house was in confusion. Madame de `
` Villefort, who was alone in her drawing-room when the count `
` was announced, desired that her son might be brought thither `
` instantly to renew his thanks to the count; and Edward, who `
` heard this great personage talked of for two whole days, `
` made all possible haste to come to him, not from obedience `
` to his mother, or out of any feeling of gratitude to the `
` count, but from sheer curiosity, and that some chance remark `
` might give him the opportunity for making one of the `
` impertinent speeches which made his mother say, -- "Oh, that `
` naughty child! But I can't be severe with him, he is really `
` so bright." `
` `
` After the usual civilities, the count inquired after M. de `
` Villefort. "My husband dines with the chancellor," replied `
` the young lady; "he has just gone, and I am sure he'll be `
` exceedingly sorry not to have had the pleasure of seeing you `
` before he went." Two visitors who were there when the count `
` arrived, having gazed at him with all their eyes, retired `
` after that reasonable delay which politeness admits and `
` curiosity requires. "What is your sister Valentine doing?" `
` inquired Madame de Villefort of Edward; "tell some one to `
` bid her come here, that I may have the honor of introducing `
` her to the count." `
` `
` "You have a daughter, then, madame?" inquired the count; `
` "very young, I presume?" `
` `
` "The daughter of M. de Villefort by his first marriage," `
` replied the young wife, "a fine well-grown girl." `
` `
` "But melancholy," interrupted Master Edward, snatching the `
` feathers out of the tail of a splendid parroquet that was `
` screaming on its gilded perch, in order to make a plume for `
` his hat. Madame de Villefort merely cried, -- "Be still, `
` Edward!" She then added, -- "This young madcap is, however, `
` very nearly right, and merely re-echoes what he has heard me `
` say with pain a hundred times; for Mademoiselle de Villefort `
` is, in spite of all we can do to rouse her, of a melancholy `
` disposition and taciturn habit, which frequently injure the `
` effect of her beauty. But what detains her? Go, Edward, and `
` see." `
` `
` "Because they are looking for her where she is not to be `
` found." `
` `
` "And where are they looking for her?" `
` `
` "With grandpapa Noirtier." `
` `
` "And do you think she is not there?" `
` `
` "No, no, no, no, no, she is not there," replied Edward, `
` singing his words. `
` `
` "And where is she, then? If you know, why don't you tell?" `
` `
` "She is under the big chestnut-tree," replied the spoiled `
` brat, as he gave, in spite of his mother's commands, live `
` flies to the parrot, which seemed keenly to relish such `
` fare. Madame de Villefort stretched out her hand to ring, `
` intending to direct her waiting-maid to the spot where she `
` would find Valentine, when the young lady herself entered `
` the apartment. She appeared much dejected; and any person `
` who considered her attentively might have observed the `
` traces of recent tears in her eyes. `
` `
` Valentine, whom we have in the rapid march of our narrative `
` presented to our readers without formally introducing her, `
` was a tall and graceful girl of nineteen, with bright `
` chestnut hair, deep blue eyes, and that reposeful air of `
` quiet distinction which characterized her mother. Her white `
` and slender fingers, her pearly neck, her cheeks tinted with `
` varying hues reminded one of the lovely Englishwomen who `
` have been so poetically compared in their manner to the `
` gracefulness of a swan. She entered the apartment, and `
` seeing near her stepmother the stranger of whom she had `
` already heard so much, saluted him without any girlish `
` awkwardness, or even lowering her eyes, and with an elegance `
` that redoubled the count's attention. He rose to return the `
` salutation. "Mademoiselle de Villefort, my daughter-in-law," `
` said Madame de Villefort to Monte Cristo, leaning back on `
` her sofa and motioning towards Valentine with her hand. "And `
` M. de Monte Cristo, King of China, Emperor of Cochin-China," `
` said the young imp, looking slyly towards his sister. `
` `
` Madame de Villefort at this really did turn pale, and was `
` very nearly angry with this household plague, who answered `
` to the name of Edward; but the count, on the contrary, `
` smiled, and appeared to look at the boy complacently, which `
` caused the maternal heart to bound again with joy and `
` enthusiasm. `
` `
` "But, madame," replied the count, continuing the `
` conversation, and looking by turns at Madame de Villefort `
` and Valentine, "have I not already had the honor of meeting `
` yourself and mademoiselle before? I could not help thinking `
` so just now; the idea came over my mind, and as mademoiselle `
` entered the sight of her was an additional ray of light `
` thrown on a confused remembrance; excuse the remark." `
` `
` "I do not think it likely, sir; Mademoiselle de Villefort is `
` not very fond of society, and we very seldom go out," said `
` the young lady. `
` `
` "Then it was not in society that I met with mademoiselle or `
` yourself, madame, or this charming little merry boy. `
` Besides, the Parisian world is entirely unknown to me, for, `
` as I believe I told you, I have been in Paris but very few `
` days. No, -- but, perhaps, you will permit me to call to `
` mind -- stay!" The Count placed his hand on his brow as if `
` to collect his thoughts. "No -- it was somewhere -- away `
` from here -- it was -- I do not know -- but it appears that `
` this recollection is connected with a lovely sky and some `
` religious fete; mademoiselle was holding flowers in her `
` hand, the interesting boy was chasing a beautiful peacock in `
` a garden, and you, madame, were under the trellis of some `
` arbor. Pray come to my aid, madame; do not these `
` circumstances appeal to your memory?" `
` `
` "No, indeed," replied Madame de Villefort; "and yet it `
` appears to me, sir, that if I had met you anywhere, the `
` recollection of you must have been imprinted on my memory." `
` `
` "Perhaps the count saw us in Italy," said Valentine timidly. `
` `
` "Yes, in Italy; it was in Italy most probably," replied `
` Monte Cristo; "you have travelled then in Italy, `
` mademoiselle?" `
` `
` "Yes; madame and I were there two years ago. The doctors, `
` anxious for my lungs, had prescribed the air of Naples. We `
` went by Bologna, Perugia, and Rome." `
` `
` "Ah, yes -- true, mademoiselle," exclaimed Monte Cristo as `
` if this simple explanation was sufficient to revive the `
` recollection he sought. "It was at Perugia on Corpus Christi `
` Day, in the garden of the Hotel des Postes, when chance `
` brought us together; you, Madame de Villefort, and her son; `
` I now remember having had the honor of meeting you." `
` `
`
` celebrated throughout Europe; he was a statesman of high `
` standing, and you may or may not know, Valentine, that he `
` took a leading part in every Bonapartist conspiracy set on `
` foot during the restoration of the Bourbons." `
` `
` "Oh, I have often heard whispers of things that seem to me `
` most strange -- the father a Bonapartist, the son a `
` Royalist; what can have been the reason of so singular a `
` difference in parties and politics? But to resume my story; `
` I turned towards my grandfather, as though to question him `
` as to the cause of his emotion; he looked expressively at `
` the newspaper I had been reading. `What is the matter, dear `
` grandfather?' said I, `are you pleased?' He gave me a sign `
` in the affirmative. `With what my father said just now?' He `
` returned a sign in the negative. `Perhaps you liked what M. `
` Danglars said?' Another sign in the negative. `Oh, then, you `
` were glad to hear that M. Morrel (I didn't dare to say `
` Maximilian) had been made an officer of the Legion of `
` Honor?' He signified assent; only think of the poor old `
` man's being so pleased to think that you, who were a perfect `
` stranger to him, had been made an officer of the Legion of `
` Honor! Perhaps it was a mere whim on his part, for he is `
` falling, they say, into second childhood, but I love him for `
` showing so much interest in you." `
` `
` "How singular," murmured Maximilian; "your father hates me, `
` while your grandfather, on the contrary -- What strange `
` feelings are aroused by politics." `
` `
` "Hush," cried Valentine, suddenly; "some one is coming!" `
` Maximilian leaped at one bound into his crop of lucerne, `
` which he began to pull up in the most ruthless way, under `
` the pretext of being occupied in weeding it. `
` `
` "Mademoiselle, mademoiselle!" exclaimed a voice from behind `
` the trees. "Madame is searching for you everywhere; there is `
` a visitor in the drawing-room." `
` `
` "A visitor?" inquired Valentine, much agitated; "who is it?" `
` `
` "Some grand personage -- a prince I believe they said -- the `
` Count of Monte Cristo." `
` `
` "I will come directly," cried Valentine aloud. The name of `
` Monte Cristo sent an electric shock through the young man on `
` the other side of the iron gate, to whom Valentine's "I am `
` coming" was the customary signal of farewell. "Now, then," `
` said Maximilian, leaning on the handle of his spade, "I `
` would give a good deal to know how it comes about that the `
` Count of Monte Cristo is acquainted with M. de Villefort." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 52 `
` Toxicology. `
` `
` It was really the Count of Monte Cristo who had just arrived `
` at Madame de Villefort's for the purpose of returning the `
` procureur's visit, and at his name, as may be easily `
` imagined, the whole house was in confusion. Madame de `
` Villefort, who was alone in her drawing-room when the count `
` was announced, desired that her son might be brought thither `
` instantly to renew his thanks to the count; and Edward, who `
` heard this great personage talked of for two whole days, `
` made all possible haste to come to him, not from obedience `
` to his mother, or out of any feeling of gratitude to the `
` count, but from sheer curiosity, and that some chance remark `
` might give him the opportunity for making one of the `
` impertinent speeches which made his mother say, -- "Oh, that `
` naughty child! But I can't be severe with him, he is really `
` so bright." `
` `
` After the usual civilities, the count inquired after M. de `
` Villefort. "My husband dines with the chancellor," replied `
` the young lady; "he has just gone, and I am sure he'll be `
` exceedingly sorry not to have had the pleasure of seeing you `
` before he went." Two visitors who were there when the count `
` arrived, having gazed at him with all their eyes, retired `
` after that reasonable delay which politeness admits and `
` curiosity requires. "What is your sister Valentine doing?" `
` inquired Madame de Villefort of Edward; "tell some one to `
` bid her come here, that I may have the honor of introducing `
` her to the count." `
` `
` "You have a daughter, then, madame?" inquired the count; `
` "very young, I presume?" `
` `
` "The daughter of M. de Villefort by his first marriage," `
` replied the young wife, "a fine well-grown girl." `
` `
` "But melancholy," interrupted Master Edward, snatching the `
` feathers out of the tail of a splendid parroquet that was `
` screaming on its gilded perch, in order to make a plume for `
` his hat. Madame de Villefort merely cried, -- "Be still, `
` Edward!" She then added, -- "This young madcap is, however, `
` very nearly right, and merely re-echoes what he has heard me `
` say with pain a hundred times; for Mademoiselle de Villefort `
` is, in spite of all we can do to rouse her, of a melancholy `
` disposition and taciturn habit, which frequently injure the `
` effect of her beauty. But what detains her? Go, Edward, and `
` see." `
` `
` "Because they are looking for her where she is not to be `
` found." `
` `
` "And where are they looking for her?" `
` `
` "With grandpapa Noirtier." `
` `
` "And do you think she is not there?" `
` `
` "No, no, no, no, no, she is not there," replied Edward, `
` singing his words. `
` `
` "And where is she, then? If you know, why don't you tell?" `
` `
` "She is under the big chestnut-tree," replied the spoiled `
` brat, as he gave, in spite of his mother's commands, live `
` flies to the parrot, which seemed keenly to relish such `
` fare. Madame de Villefort stretched out her hand to ring, `
` intending to direct her waiting-maid to the spot where she `
` would find Valentine, when the young lady herself entered `
` the apartment. She appeared much dejected; and any person `
` who considered her attentively might have observed the `
` traces of recent tears in her eyes. `
` `
` Valentine, whom we have in the rapid march of our narrative `
` presented to our readers without formally introducing her, `
` was a tall and graceful girl of nineteen, with bright `
` chestnut hair, deep blue eyes, and that reposeful air of `
` quiet distinction which characterized her mother. Her white `
` and slender fingers, her pearly neck, her cheeks tinted with `
` varying hues reminded one of the lovely Englishwomen who `
` have been so poetically compared in their manner to the `
` gracefulness of a swan. She entered the apartment, and `
` seeing near her stepmother the stranger of whom she had `
` already heard so much, saluted him without any girlish `
` awkwardness, or even lowering her eyes, and with an elegance `
` that redoubled the count's attention. He rose to return the `
` salutation. "Mademoiselle de Villefort, my daughter-in-law," `
` said Madame de Villefort to Monte Cristo, leaning back on `
` her sofa and motioning towards Valentine with her hand. "And `
` M. de Monte Cristo, King of China, Emperor of Cochin-China," `
` said the young imp, looking slyly towards his sister. `
` `
` Madame de Villefort at this really did turn pale, and was `
` very nearly angry with this household plague, who answered `
` to the name of Edward; but the count, on the contrary, `
` smiled, and appeared to look at the boy complacently, which `
` caused the maternal heart to bound again with joy and `
` enthusiasm. `
` `
` "But, madame," replied the count, continuing the `
` conversation, and looking by turns at Madame de Villefort `
` and Valentine, "have I not already had the honor of meeting `
` yourself and mademoiselle before? I could not help thinking `
` so just now; the idea came over my mind, and as mademoiselle `
` entered the sight of her was an additional ray of light `
` thrown on a confused remembrance; excuse the remark." `
` `
` "I do not think it likely, sir; Mademoiselle de Villefort is `
` not very fond of society, and we very seldom go out," said `
` the young lady. `
` `
` "Then it was not in society that I met with mademoiselle or `
` yourself, madame, or this charming little merry boy. `
` Besides, the Parisian world is entirely unknown to me, for, `
` as I believe I told you, I have been in Paris but very few `
` days. No, -- but, perhaps, you will permit me to call to `
` mind -- stay!" The Count placed his hand on his brow as if `
` to collect his thoughts. "No -- it was somewhere -- away `
` from here -- it was -- I do not know -- but it appears that `
` this recollection is connected with a lovely sky and some `
` religious fete; mademoiselle was holding flowers in her `
` hand, the interesting boy was chasing a beautiful peacock in `
` a garden, and you, madame, were under the trellis of some `
` arbor. Pray come to my aid, madame; do not these `
` circumstances appeal to your memory?" `
` `
` "No, indeed," replied Madame de Villefort; "and yet it `
` appears to me, sir, that if I had met you anywhere, the `
` recollection of you must have been imprinted on my memory." `
` `
` "Perhaps the count saw us in Italy," said Valentine timidly. `
` `
` "Yes, in Italy; it was in Italy most probably," replied `
` Monte Cristo; "you have travelled then in Italy, `
` mademoiselle?" `
` `
` "Yes; madame and I were there two years ago. The doctors, `
` anxious for my lungs, had prescribed the air of Naples. We `
` went by Bologna, Perugia, and Rome." `
` `
` "Ah, yes -- true, mademoiselle," exclaimed Monte Cristo as `
` if this simple explanation was sufficient to revive the `
` recollection he sought. "It was at Perugia on Corpus Christi `
` Day, in the garden of the Hotel des Postes, when chance `
` brought us together; you, Madame de Villefort, and her son; `
` I now remember having had the honor of meeting you." `
` `
`