Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
`
` "I perfectly well remember Perugia, sir, and the Hotel des `
` Postes, and the festival of which you speak," said Madame de `
` Villefort, "but in vain do I tax my memory, of whose `
` treachery I am ashamed, for I really do not recall to mind `
` that I ever had the pleasure of seeing you before." `
` `
` "It is strange, but neither do I recollect meeting with `
` you," observed Valentine, raising her beautiful eyes to the `
` count. `
` `
` "But I remember it perfectly," interposed the darling `
` Edward. `
` `
` "I will assist your memory, madame," continued the count; `
` "the day had been burning hot; you were waiting for horses, `
` which were delayed in consequence of the festival. `
` Mademoiselle was walking in the shade of the garden, and `
` your son disappeared in pursuit of the peacock." `
` `
` "And I caught it, mamma, don't you remember?" interposed `
` Edward, "and I pulled three such beautiful feathers out of `
` his tail." `
` `
` "You, madame, remained under the arbor; do you not remember, `
` that while you were seated on a stone bench, and while, as I `
` told you, Mademoiselle de Villefort and your young son were `
` absent, you conversed for a considerable time with `
` somebody?" `
` `
` "Yes, in truth, yes," answered the young lady, turning very `
` red, "I do remember conversing with a person wrapped in a `
` long woollen mantle; he was a medical man, I think." `
` `
` "Precisely so, madame; this man was myself; for a fortnight `
` I had been at that hotel, during which period I had cured my `
` valet de chambre of a fever, and my landlord of the `
` jaundice, so that I really acquired a reputation as a `
` skilful physician. We discoursed a long time, madame, on `
` different subjects; of Perugino, of Raffaelle, of manners, `
` customs, of the famous aquatofana, of which they had told `
` you, I think you said, that certain individuals in Perugia `
` had preserved the secret." `
` `
` "Yes, true," replied Madame de Villefort, somewhat uneasily, `
` "I remember now." `
` `
` "I do not recollect now all the various subjects of which we `
` discoursed, madame," continued the count with perfect `
` calmness; "but I perfectly remember that, falling into the `
` error which others had entertained respecting me, you `
` consulted me as to the health of Mademoiselle de Villefort." `
` `
` "Yes, really, sir, you were in fact a medical man," said `
` Madame de Villefort, "since you had cured the sick." `
` `
` "Moliere or Beaumarchais would reply to you, madame, that it `
` was precisely because I was not, that I had cured my `
` patients; for myself, I am content to say to you that I have `
` studied chemistry and the natural sciences somewhat deeply, `
` but still only as an amateur, you understand." -- At this `
` moment the clock struck six. "It is six o'clock," said `
` Madame de Villefort, evidently agitated. "Valentine, will `
` you not go and see if your grandpapa will have his dinner?" `
` Valentine rose, and saluting the count, left the apartment `
` without speaking. `
` `
` "Oh, madame," said the count, when Valentine had left the `
` room, "was it on my account that you sent Mademoiselle de `
` Villefort away?" `
` `
` "By no means," replied the young lady quickly; "but this is `
` the hour when we usually give M. Noirtier the unwelcome meal `
` that sustains his pitiful existence. You are aware, sir, of `
` the deplorable condition of my husband's father?" `
` `
` "Yes, madame, M. de Villefort spoke of it to me -- a `
` paralysis, I think." `
` `
` "Alas, yes; the poor old gentleman is entirely helpless; the `
` mind alone is still active in this human machine, and that `
` is faint and flickering, like the light of a lamp about to `
` expire. But excuse me, sir, for talking of our domestic `
` misfortunes; I interrupted you at the moment when you were `
` telling me that you were a skilful chemist." `
` `
` "No, madame, I did not say as much as that," replied the `
` count with a smile; "quite the contrary. I have studied `
` chemistry because, having determined to live in eastern `
` climates I have been desirous of following the example of `
` King Mithridates." `
` `
` "Mithridates rex Ponticus," said the young scamp, as he tore `
` some beautiful portraits out of a splendid album, "the `
` individual who took cream in his cup of poison every morning `
` at breakfast." `
` `
` "Edward, you naughty boy," exclaimed Madame de Villefort, `
` snatching the mutilated book from the urchin's grasp, "you `
` are positively past bearing; you really disturb the `
` conversation; go, leave us, and join your sister Valentine `
` in dear grandpapa Noirtier's room." `
` `
` "The album," said Edward sulkily. `
` `
` "What do you mean? -- the album!" `
` `
` "I want the album." `
` `
` "How dare you tear out the drawings?" `
` `
` "Oh, it amuses me." `
` `
` "Go -- go at once." `
` `
` "I won't go unless you give me the album," said the boy, `
` seating himself doggedly in an arm-chair, according to his `
` habit of never giving way. `
` `
` "Take it, then, and pray disturb us no longer," said Madame `
` de Villefort, giving the album to Edward, who then went `
` towards the door, led by his mother. The count followed her `
` with his eyes. `
` `
` "Let us see if she shuts the door after him," he muttered. `
` Madame de Villefort closed the door carefully after the `
` child, the count appearing not to notice her; then casting a `
` scrutinizing glance around the chamber, the young wife `
` returned to her chair, in which she seated herself. "Allow `
` me to observe, madame," said the count, with that kind tone `
` he could assume so well, "you are really very severe with `
` that dear clever child." `
` `
` "Oh, sometimes severity is quite necessary," replied Madame `
` de Villefort, with all a mother's real firmness. `
` `
` "It was his Cornelius Nepos that Master Edward was repeating `
` when he referred to King Mithridates," continued the count, `
` "and you interrupted him in a quotation which proves that `
` his tutor has by no means neglected him, for your son is `
` really advanced for his years." `
` `
` "The fact is, count," answered the mother, agreeably `
` flattered, "he has great aptitude, and learns all that is `
` set before him. He has but one fault, he is somewhat wilful; `
` but really, on referring for the moment to what he said, do `
` you truly believe that Mithridates used these precautions, `
` and that these precautions were efficacious?" `
` `
` "I think so, madame, because I myself have made use of them, `
` that I might not be poisoned at Naples, at Palermo, and at `
` Smyrna -- that is to say, on three several occasions when, `
` but for these precautions, I must have lost my life." `
` `
` "And your precautions were successful?" `
` `
` "Completely so." `
` `
` "Yes, I remember now your mentioning to me at Perugia `
` something of this sort." `
` `
` "Indeed?" said the count with an air of surprise, remarkably `
` well counterfeited; "I really did not remember." `
` `
` "I inquired of you if poisons acted equally, and with the `
` same effect, on men of the North as on men of the South; and `
` you answered me that the cold and sluggish habits of the `
` North did not present the same aptitude as the rich and `
` energetic temperaments of the natives of the South." `
` `
` "And that is the case," observed Monte Cristo. "I have seen `
` Russians devour, without being visibly inconvenienced, `
` vegetable substances which would infallibly have killed a `
` Neapolitan or an Arab." `
` `
` "And you really believe the result would be still more sure `
` with us than in the East, and in the midst of our fogs and `
` rains a man would habituate himself more easily than in a `
` warm latitude to this progressive absorption of poison?" `
` `
` "Certainly; it being at the same time perfectly understood `
` that he should have been duly fortified against the poison `
` to which he had not been accustomed." `
` `
` "Yes, I understand that; and how would you habituate `
` yourself, for instance, or rather, how did you habituate `
` yourself to it?" `
` `
` "Oh, very easily. Suppose you knew beforehand the poison `
` that would be made use of against you; suppose the poison `
` was, for instance, brucine" -- `
` `
` "Brucine is extracted from the false angostura* is it not?" `
` inquired Madame de Villefort. `
` `
` "Precisely, madame," replied Monte Cristo; "but I perceive I `
` have not much to teach you. Allow me to compliment you on `
` your knowledge; such learning is very rare among ladies." `
` `
` * Brucoea ferruginea. `
` `
`
` "I perfectly well remember Perugia, sir, and the Hotel des `
` Postes, and the festival of which you speak," said Madame de `
` Villefort, "but in vain do I tax my memory, of whose `
` treachery I am ashamed, for I really do not recall to mind `
` that I ever had the pleasure of seeing you before." `
` `
` "It is strange, but neither do I recollect meeting with `
` you," observed Valentine, raising her beautiful eyes to the `
` count. `
` `
` "But I remember it perfectly," interposed the darling `
` Edward. `
` `
` "I will assist your memory, madame," continued the count; `
` "the day had been burning hot; you were waiting for horses, `
` which were delayed in consequence of the festival. `
` Mademoiselle was walking in the shade of the garden, and `
` your son disappeared in pursuit of the peacock." `
` `
` "And I caught it, mamma, don't you remember?" interposed `
` Edward, "and I pulled three such beautiful feathers out of `
` his tail." `
` `
` "You, madame, remained under the arbor; do you not remember, `
` that while you were seated on a stone bench, and while, as I `
` told you, Mademoiselle de Villefort and your young son were `
` absent, you conversed for a considerable time with `
` somebody?" `
` `
` "Yes, in truth, yes," answered the young lady, turning very `
` red, "I do remember conversing with a person wrapped in a `
` long woollen mantle; he was a medical man, I think." `
` `
` "Precisely so, madame; this man was myself; for a fortnight `
` I had been at that hotel, during which period I had cured my `
` valet de chambre of a fever, and my landlord of the `
` jaundice, so that I really acquired a reputation as a `
` skilful physician. We discoursed a long time, madame, on `
` different subjects; of Perugino, of Raffaelle, of manners, `
` customs, of the famous aquatofana, of which they had told `
` you, I think you said, that certain individuals in Perugia `
` had preserved the secret." `
` `
` "Yes, true," replied Madame de Villefort, somewhat uneasily, `
` "I remember now." `
` `
` "I do not recollect now all the various subjects of which we `
` discoursed, madame," continued the count with perfect `
` calmness; "but I perfectly remember that, falling into the `
` error which others had entertained respecting me, you `
` consulted me as to the health of Mademoiselle de Villefort." `
` `
` "Yes, really, sir, you were in fact a medical man," said `
` Madame de Villefort, "since you had cured the sick." `
` `
` "Moliere or Beaumarchais would reply to you, madame, that it `
` was precisely because I was not, that I had cured my `
` patients; for myself, I am content to say to you that I have `
` studied chemistry and the natural sciences somewhat deeply, `
` but still only as an amateur, you understand." -- At this `
` moment the clock struck six. "It is six o'clock," said `
` Madame de Villefort, evidently agitated. "Valentine, will `
` you not go and see if your grandpapa will have his dinner?" `
` Valentine rose, and saluting the count, left the apartment `
` without speaking. `
` `
` "Oh, madame," said the count, when Valentine had left the `
` room, "was it on my account that you sent Mademoiselle de `
` Villefort away?" `
` `
` "By no means," replied the young lady quickly; "but this is `
` the hour when we usually give M. Noirtier the unwelcome meal `
` that sustains his pitiful existence. You are aware, sir, of `
` the deplorable condition of my husband's father?" `
` `
` "Yes, madame, M. de Villefort spoke of it to me -- a `
` paralysis, I think." `
` `
` "Alas, yes; the poor old gentleman is entirely helpless; the `
` mind alone is still active in this human machine, and that `
` is faint and flickering, like the light of a lamp about to `
` expire. But excuse me, sir, for talking of our domestic `
` misfortunes; I interrupted you at the moment when you were `
` telling me that you were a skilful chemist." `
` `
` "No, madame, I did not say as much as that," replied the `
` count with a smile; "quite the contrary. I have studied `
` chemistry because, having determined to live in eastern `
` climates I have been desirous of following the example of `
` King Mithridates." `
` `
` "Mithridates rex Ponticus," said the young scamp, as he tore `
` some beautiful portraits out of a splendid album, "the `
` individual who took cream in his cup of poison every morning `
` at breakfast." `
` `
` "Edward, you naughty boy," exclaimed Madame de Villefort, `
` snatching the mutilated book from the urchin's grasp, "you `
` are positively past bearing; you really disturb the `
` conversation; go, leave us, and join your sister Valentine `
` in dear grandpapa Noirtier's room." `
` `
` "The album," said Edward sulkily. `
` `
` "What do you mean? -- the album!" `
` `
` "I want the album." `
` `
` "How dare you tear out the drawings?" `
` `
` "Oh, it amuses me." `
` `
` "Go -- go at once." `
` `
` "I won't go unless you give me the album," said the boy, `
` seating himself doggedly in an arm-chair, according to his `
` habit of never giving way. `
` `
` "Take it, then, and pray disturb us no longer," said Madame `
` de Villefort, giving the album to Edward, who then went `
` towards the door, led by his mother. The count followed her `
` with his eyes. `
` `
` "Let us see if she shuts the door after him," he muttered. `
` Madame de Villefort closed the door carefully after the `
` child, the count appearing not to notice her; then casting a `
` scrutinizing glance around the chamber, the young wife `
` returned to her chair, in which she seated herself. "Allow `
` me to observe, madame," said the count, with that kind tone `
` he could assume so well, "you are really very severe with `
` that dear clever child." `
` `
` "Oh, sometimes severity is quite necessary," replied Madame `
` de Villefort, with all a mother's real firmness. `
` `
` "It was his Cornelius Nepos that Master Edward was repeating `
` when he referred to King Mithridates," continued the count, `
` "and you interrupted him in a quotation which proves that `
` his tutor has by no means neglected him, for your son is `
` really advanced for his years." `
` `
` "The fact is, count," answered the mother, agreeably `
` flattered, "he has great aptitude, and learns all that is `
` set before him. He has but one fault, he is somewhat wilful; `
` but really, on referring for the moment to what he said, do `
` you truly believe that Mithridates used these precautions, `
` and that these precautions were efficacious?" `
` `
` "I think so, madame, because I myself have made use of them, `
` that I might not be poisoned at Naples, at Palermo, and at `
` Smyrna -- that is to say, on three several occasions when, `
` but for these precautions, I must have lost my life." `
` `
` "And your precautions were successful?" `
` `
` "Completely so." `
` `
` "Yes, I remember now your mentioning to me at Perugia `
` something of this sort." `
` `
` "Indeed?" said the count with an air of surprise, remarkably `
` well counterfeited; "I really did not remember." `
` `
` "I inquired of you if poisons acted equally, and with the `
` same effect, on men of the North as on men of the South; and `
` you answered me that the cold and sluggish habits of the `
` North did not present the same aptitude as the rich and `
` energetic temperaments of the natives of the South." `
` `
` "And that is the case," observed Monte Cristo. "I have seen `
` Russians devour, without being visibly inconvenienced, `
` vegetable substances which would infallibly have killed a `
` Neapolitan or an Arab." `
` `
` "And you really believe the result would be still more sure `
` with us than in the East, and in the midst of our fogs and `
` rains a man would habituate himself more easily than in a `
` warm latitude to this progressive absorption of poison?" `
` `
` "Certainly; it being at the same time perfectly understood `
` that he should have been duly fortified against the poison `
` to which he had not been accustomed." `
` `
` "Yes, I understand that; and how would you habituate `
` yourself, for instance, or rather, how did you habituate `
` yourself to it?" `
` `
` "Oh, very easily. Suppose you knew beforehand the poison `
` that would be made use of against you; suppose the poison `
` was, for instance, brucine" -- `
` `
` "Brucine is extracted from the false angostura* is it not?" `
` inquired Madame de Villefort. `
` `
` "Precisely, madame," replied Monte Cristo; "but I perceive I `
` have not much to teach you. Allow me to compliment you on `
` your knowledge; such learning is very rare among ladies." `
` `
` * Brucoea ferruginea. `
` `
`