Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
`
` "Ha, ha," said Chateau-Renaud, "here comes some friends of `
` yours, viscount! What are you looking at there? don't you `
` see they are trying to catch your eye?" Albert turned round, `
` just in time to receive a gracious wave of the fan from the `
` baroness; as for Mademoiselle Eugenie, she scarcely `
` vouchsafed to waste the glances of her large black eyes even `
` upon the business of the stage. "I tell you what, my dear `
` fellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "I cannot imagine what `
` objection you can possibly have to Mademoiselle Danglars -- `
` that is, setting aside her want of ancestry and somewhat `
` inferior rank, which by the way I don't think you care very `
` much about. Now, barring all that, I mean to say she is a `
` deuced fine girl!" `
` `
` "Handsome, certainly," replied Albert, "but not to my taste, `
` which I confess, inclines to something softer, gentler, and `
` more feminine." `
` `
` "Ah, well," exclaimed Chateau-Renaud, who because he had `
` seen his thirtieth summer fancied himself duly warranted in `
` assuming a sort of paternal air with his more youthful `
` friend, "you young people are never satisfied; why, what `
` would you have more? your parents have chosen you a bride `
` built on the model of Diana, the huntress, and yet you are `
` not content." `
` `
` "No, for that very resemblance affrights me; I should have `
` liked something more in the manner of the Venus of Milo or `
` Capua; but this chase-loving Diana continually surrounded by `
` her nymphs gives me a sort of alarm lest she should some day `
` bring on me the fate of Actaeon." `
` `
` And, indeed, it required but one glance at Mademoiselle `
` Danglars to comprehend the justness of Morcerf's remark -- `
` she was beautiful, but her beauty was of too marked and `
` decided a character to please a fastidious taste; her hair `
` was raven black, but its natural waves seemed somewhat `
` rebellious; her eyes, of the same color as her hair, were `
` surmounted by well-arched brows, whose great defect, `
` however, consisted in an almost habitual frown, while her `
` whole physiognomy wore that expression of firmness and `
` decision so little in accordance with the gentler attributes `
` of her sex -- her nose was precisely what a sculptor would `
` have chosen for a chiselled Juno. Her mouth, which might `
` have been found fault with as too large, displayed teeth of `
` pearly whiteness, rendered still more conspicuous by the `
` brilliant carmine of her lips, contrasting vividly with her `
` naturally pale complexion. But that which completed the `
` almost masculine look Morcerf found so little to his taste, `
` was a dark mole, of much larger dimensions than these freaks `
` of nature generally are, placed just at the corner of her `
` mouth; and the effect tended to increase the expression of `
` self-dependence that characterized her countenance. The rest `
` of Mademoiselle Eugenie's person was in perfect keeping with `
` the head just described; she, indeed, reminded one of Diana, `
` as Chateau-Renaud observed, but her bearing was more haughty `
` and resolute. As regarded her attainments, the only fault to `
` be found with them was the same that a fastidious `
` connoisseur might have found with her beauty, that they were `
` somewhat too erudite and masculine for so young a person. `
` She was a perfect linguist, a first-rate artist, wrote `
` poetry, and composed music; to the study of the latter she `
` professed to be entirely devoted, following it with an `
` indefatigable perseverance, assisted by a schoolfellow, -- a `
` young woman without fortune whose talent promised to develop `
` into remarkable powers as a singer. It was rumored that she `
` was an object of almost paternal interest to one of the `
` principal composers of the day, who excited her to spare no `
` pains in the cultivation of her voice, which might hereafter `
` prove a source of wealth and independence. But this counsel `
` effectually decided Mademoiselle Danglars never to commit `
` herself by being seen in public with one destined for a `
` theatrical life; and acting upon this principle, the `
` banker's daughter, though perfectly willing to allow `
` Mademoiselle Louise d'Armilly (that was the name of the `
` young virtuosa) to practice with her through the day, took `
` especial care not to be seen in her company. Still, though `
` not actually received at the Hotel Danglars in the light of `
` an acknowledged friend, Louise was treated with far more `
` kindness and consideration than is usually bestowed on a `
` governess. `
` `
` The curtain fell almost immediately after the entrance of `
` Madame Danglars into her box, the band quitted the orchestra `
` for the accustomed half-hour's interval allowed between the `
` acts, and the audience were left at liberty to promenade the `
` salon or lobbies, or to pay and receive visits in their `
` respective boxes. Morcerf and Chateau-Renaud were amongst `
` the first to avail themselves of this permission. For an `
` instant the idea struck Madame Danglars that this eagerness `
` on the part of the young viscount arose from his impatience `
` to join her party, and she whispered her expectations to her `
` daughter, that Albert was hurrying to pay his respects to `
` them. Mademoiselle Eugenie, however, merely returned a `
` dissenting movement of the head, while, with a cold smile, `
` she directed the attention of her mother to an opposite box `
` on the first circle, in which sat the Countess G---- , and `
` where Morcerf had just made his appearance. "So we meet `
` again, my travelling friend, do we?" cried the countess, `
` extending her hand to him with all the warmth and cordiality `
` of an old acquaintance; "it was really very good of you to `
` recognize me so quickly, and still more so to bestow your `
` first visit on me." `
` `
` "Be assured," replied Albert, "that if I had been aware of `
` your arrival in Paris, and had known your address, I should `
` have paid my respects to you before this. Allow me to `
` introduce my friend, Baron de Chateau-Renaud, one of the few `
` true gentlemen now to be found in France, and from whom I `
` have just learned that you were a spectator of the races in `
` the Champ-de-Mars, yesterday." Chateau-Renaud bowed to the `
` countess. `
` `
` "So you were at the races, baron?" inquired the countess `
` eagerly. `
` `
` "Yes, madame." `
` `
` "Well, then," pursued Madame G---- with considerable `
` animation, "you can probably tell me who won the Jockey Club `
` stakes?" `
` `
` "I am sorry to say I cannot," replied the baron; "and I was `
` just asking the same question of Albert." `
` `
` "Are you very anxious to know, countess?" asked Albert. `
` `
` "To know what?" `
` `
` "The name of the owner of the winning horse?" `
` `
` "Excessively; only imagine -- but do tell me, viscount, `
` whether you really are acquainted with it or no?" `
` `
` "I beg your pardon, madame, but you were about to relate `
` some story, were you not? You said, `only imagine,' -- and `
` then paused. Pray continue." `
` `
` "Well, then, listen. You must know I felt so interested in `
` the splendid roan horse, with his elegant little rider, so `
` tastefully dressed in a pink satin jacket and cap, that I `
` could not help praying for their success with as much `
` earnestness as though the half of my fortune were at stake; `
` and when I saw them outstrip all the others, and come to the `
` winning-post in such gallant style, I actually clapped my `
` hands with joy. Imagine my surprise, when, upon returning `
` home, the first object I met on the staircase was the `
` identical jockey in the pink jacket! I concluded that, by `
` some singular chance, the owner of the winning horse must `
` live in the same hotel as myself; but, as I entered my `
` apartments, I beheld the very gold cup awarded as a prize to `
` the unknown horse and rider. Inside the cup was a small `
` piece of paper, on which were written these words -- `From `
` Lord Ruthven to Countess G---- .'" `
` `
` "Precisely; I was sure of it," said Morcerf. `
` `
` "Sure of what?" `
` `
` "That the owner of the horse was Lord Ruthven himself." `
` `
` "What Lord Ruthven do you mean?" `
` `
` "Why, our Lord Ruthven -- the Vampire of the Salle `
` Argentino!" `
` `
` "Is it possible?" exclaimed the countess; "is he here in `
` Paris?" `
` `
` "To be sure, -- why not?" `
` `
` "And you visit him? -- meet him at your own house and `
` elsewhere?" `
` `
` "I assure you he is my most intimate friend, and M. de `
` Chateau-Renaud has also the honor of his acquaintance." `
` `
` "But why are you so sure of his being the winner of the `
` Jockey Club prize?" `
` `
` "Was not the winning horse entered by the name of Vampa?" `
` `
` "What of that?" `
` `
` "Why, do you not recollect the name of the celebrated bandit `
` by whom I was made prisoner?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes." `
` `
` "And from whose hands the count extricated me in so `
` wonderful a manner?" `
` `
` "To be sure, I remember it all now." `
` `
` "He called himself Vampa. You see, it's evident where the `
` count got the name." `
` `
` "But what could have been his motive for sending the cup to `
` me?" `
` `
`
` "Ha, ha," said Chateau-Renaud, "here comes some friends of `
` yours, viscount! What are you looking at there? don't you `
` see they are trying to catch your eye?" Albert turned round, `
` just in time to receive a gracious wave of the fan from the `
` baroness; as for Mademoiselle Eugenie, she scarcely `
` vouchsafed to waste the glances of her large black eyes even `
` upon the business of the stage. "I tell you what, my dear `
` fellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "I cannot imagine what `
` objection you can possibly have to Mademoiselle Danglars -- `
` that is, setting aside her want of ancestry and somewhat `
` inferior rank, which by the way I don't think you care very `
` much about. Now, barring all that, I mean to say she is a `
` deuced fine girl!" `
` `
` "Handsome, certainly," replied Albert, "but not to my taste, `
` which I confess, inclines to something softer, gentler, and `
` more feminine." `
` `
` "Ah, well," exclaimed Chateau-Renaud, who because he had `
` seen his thirtieth summer fancied himself duly warranted in `
` assuming a sort of paternal air with his more youthful `
` friend, "you young people are never satisfied; why, what `
` would you have more? your parents have chosen you a bride `
` built on the model of Diana, the huntress, and yet you are `
` not content." `
` `
` "No, for that very resemblance affrights me; I should have `
` liked something more in the manner of the Venus of Milo or `
` Capua; but this chase-loving Diana continually surrounded by `
` her nymphs gives me a sort of alarm lest she should some day `
` bring on me the fate of Actaeon." `
` `
` And, indeed, it required but one glance at Mademoiselle `
` Danglars to comprehend the justness of Morcerf's remark -- `
` she was beautiful, but her beauty was of too marked and `
` decided a character to please a fastidious taste; her hair `
` was raven black, but its natural waves seemed somewhat `
` rebellious; her eyes, of the same color as her hair, were `
` surmounted by well-arched brows, whose great defect, `
` however, consisted in an almost habitual frown, while her `
` whole physiognomy wore that expression of firmness and `
` decision so little in accordance with the gentler attributes `
` of her sex -- her nose was precisely what a sculptor would `
` have chosen for a chiselled Juno. Her mouth, which might `
` have been found fault with as too large, displayed teeth of `
` pearly whiteness, rendered still more conspicuous by the `
` brilliant carmine of her lips, contrasting vividly with her `
` naturally pale complexion. But that which completed the `
` almost masculine look Morcerf found so little to his taste, `
` was a dark mole, of much larger dimensions than these freaks `
` of nature generally are, placed just at the corner of her `
` mouth; and the effect tended to increase the expression of `
` self-dependence that characterized her countenance. The rest `
` of Mademoiselle Eugenie's person was in perfect keeping with `
` the head just described; she, indeed, reminded one of Diana, `
` as Chateau-Renaud observed, but her bearing was more haughty `
` and resolute. As regarded her attainments, the only fault to `
` be found with them was the same that a fastidious `
` connoisseur might have found with her beauty, that they were `
` somewhat too erudite and masculine for so young a person. `
` She was a perfect linguist, a first-rate artist, wrote `
` poetry, and composed music; to the study of the latter she `
` professed to be entirely devoted, following it with an `
` indefatigable perseverance, assisted by a schoolfellow, -- a `
` young woman without fortune whose talent promised to develop `
` into remarkable powers as a singer. It was rumored that she `
` was an object of almost paternal interest to one of the `
` principal composers of the day, who excited her to spare no `
` pains in the cultivation of her voice, which might hereafter `
` prove a source of wealth and independence. But this counsel `
` effectually decided Mademoiselle Danglars never to commit `
` herself by being seen in public with one destined for a `
` theatrical life; and acting upon this principle, the `
` banker's daughter, though perfectly willing to allow `
` Mademoiselle Louise d'Armilly (that was the name of the `
` young virtuosa) to practice with her through the day, took `
` especial care not to be seen in her company. Still, though `
` not actually received at the Hotel Danglars in the light of `
` an acknowledged friend, Louise was treated with far more `
` kindness and consideration than is usually bestowed on a `
` governess. `
` `
` The curtain fell almost immediately after the entrance of `
` Madame Danglars into her box, the band quitted the orchestra `
` for the accustomed half-hour's interval allowed between the `
` acts, and the audience were left at liberty to promenade the `
` salon or lobbies, or to pay and receive visits in their `
` respective boxes. Morcerf and Chateau-Renaud were amongst `
` the first to avail themselves of this permission. For an `
` instant the idea struck Madame Danglars that this eagerness `
` on the part of the young viscount arose from his impatience `
` to join her party, and she whispered her expectations to her `
` daughter, that Albert was hurrying to pay his respects to `
` them. Mademoiselle Eugenie, however, merely returned a `
` dissenting movement of the head, while, with a cold smile, `
` she directed the attention of her mother to an opposite box `
` on the first circle, in which sat the Countess G---- , and `
` where Morcerf had just made his appearance. "So we meet `
` again, my travelling friend, do we?" cried the countess, `
` extending her hand to him with all the warmth and cordiality `
` of an old acquaintance; "it was really very good of you to `
` recognize me so quickly, and still more so to bestow your `
` first visit on me." `
` `
` "Be assured," replied Albert, "that if I had been aware of `
` your arrival in Paris, and had known your address, I should `
` have paid my respects to you before this. Allow me to `
` introduce my friend, Baron de Chateau-Renaud, one of the few `
` true gentlemen now to be found in France, and from whom I `
` have just learned that you were a spectator of the races in `
` the Champ-de-Mars, yesterday." Chateau-Renaud bowed to the `
` countess. `
` `
` "So you were at the races, baron?" inquired the countess `
` eagerly. `
` `
` "Yes, madame." `
` `
` "Well, then," pursued Madame G---- with considerable `
` animation, "you can probably tell me who won the Jockey Club `
` stakes?" `
` `
` "I am sorry to say I cannot," replied the baron; "and I was `
` just asking the same question of Albert." `
` `
` "Are you very anxious to know, countess?" asked Albert. `
` `
` "To know what?" `
` `
` "The name of the owner of the winning horse?" `
` `
` "Excessively; only imagine -- but do tell me, viscount, `
` whether you really are acquainted with it or no?" `
` `
` "I beg your pardon, madame, but you were about to relate `
` some story, were you not? You said, `only imagine,' -- and `
` then paused. Pray continue." `
` `
` "Well, then, listen. You must know I felt so interested in `
` the splendid roan horse, with his elegant little rider, so `
` tastefully dressed in a pink satin jacket and cap, that I `
` could not help praying for their success with as much `
` earnestness as though the half of my fortune were at stake; `
` and when I saw them outstrip all the others, and come to the `
` winning-post in such gallant style, I actually clapped my `
` hands with joy. Imagine my surprise, when, upon returning `
` home, the first object I met on the staircase was the `
` identical jockey in the pink jacket! I concluded that, by `
` some singular chance, the owner of the winning horse must `
` live in the same hotel as myself; but, as I entered my `
` apartments, I beheld the very gold cup awarded as a prize to `
` the unknown horse and rider. Inside the cup was a small `
` piece of paper, on which were written these words -- `From `
` Lord Ruthven to Countess G---- .'" `
` `
` "Precisely; I was sure of it," said Morcerf. `
` `
` "Sure of what?" `
` `
` "That the owner of the horse was Lord Ruthven himself." `
` `
` "What Lord Ruthven do you mean?" `
` `
` "Why, our Lord Ruthven -- the Vampire of the Salle `
` Argentino!" `
` `
` "Is it possible?" exclaimed the countess; "is he here in `
` Paris?" `
` `
` "To be sure, -- why not?" `
` `
` "And you visit him? -- meet him at your own house and `
` elsewhere?" `
` `
` "I assure you he is my most intimate friend, and M. de `
` Chateau-Renaud has also the honor of his acquaintance." `
` `
` "But why are you so sure of his being the winner of the `
` Jockey Club prize?" `
` `
` "Was not the winning horse entered by the name of Vampa?" `
` `
` "What of that?" `
` `
` "Why, do you not recollect the name of the celebrated bandit `
` by whom I was made prisoner?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes." `
` `
` "And from whose hands the count extricated me in so `
` wonderful a manner?" `
` `
` "To be sure, I remember it all now." `
` `
` "He called himself Vampa. You see, it's evident where the `
` count got the name." `
` `
` "But what could have been his motive for sending the cup to `
` me?" `
` `
`