Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
`
` "In the first place, because I had spoken much of you to `
` him, as you may believe; and in the second, because he `
` delighted to see a countrywoman take so lively an interest `
` in his success." `
` `
` "I trust and hope you never repeated to the count all the `
` foolish remarks we used to make about him?" `
` `
` "I should not like to affirm upon oath that I have not. `
` Besides, his presenting you the cup under the name of Lord `
` Ruthven" -- `
` `
` "Oh, but that is dreadful! Why, the man must owe me a `
` fearful grudge." `
` `
` "Does his action appear like that of an enemy?" `
` `
` "No; certainly not." `
` `
` "Well, then" -- `
` `
` "And so he is in Paris?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "And what effect does he produce?" `
` `
` "Why," said Albert, "he was talked about for a week; then `
` the coronation of the queen of England took place, followed `
` by the theft of Mademoiselle Mars's diamonds; and so people `
` talked of something else." `
` `
` "My good fellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "the count is your `
` friend and you treat him accordingly. Do not believe what `
` Albert is telling you, countess; so far from the sensation `
` excited in the Parisian circles by the appearance of the `
` Count of Monte Cristo having abated, I take upon myself to `
` declare that it is as strong as ever. His first astounding `
` act upon coming amongst us was to present a pair of horses, `
` worth 32,000 francs, to Madame Danglars; his second, the `
` almost miraculous preservation of Madame de Villefort's `
` life; now it seems that he has carried off the prize awarded `
` by the Jockey Club. I therefore maintain, in spite of `
` Morcerf, that not only is the count the object of interest `
` at this present moment, but also that he will continue to be `
` so for a month longer if he pleases to exhibit an `
` eccentricity of conduct which, after all, may be his `
` ordinary mode of existence." `
` `
` "Perhaps you are right," said Morcerf; "meanwhile, who is in `
` the Russian ambassador's box?" `
` `
` "Which box do you mean?" asked the countess. `
` `
` "The one between the pillars on the first tier -- it seems `
` to have been fitted up entirely afresh." `
` `
` "Did you observe any one during the first act?" asked `
` Chateau-Renaud. `
` `
` "Where?" `
` `
` "In that box." `
` `
` "No," replied the countess, "it was certainly empty during `
` the first act;" then, resuming the subject of their previous `
` conversation, she said, "And so you really believe it was `
` your mysterious Count of Monte Cristo that gained the `
` prize?" `
` `
` "I am sure of it." `
` `
` "And who afterwards sent the cup to me?" `
` `
` "Undoubtedly." `
` `
` "But I don't know him," said the countess; "I have a great `
` mind to return it." `
` `
` "Do no such thing, I beg of you; he would only send you `
` another, formed of a magnificent sapphire, or hollowed out `
` of a gigantic ruby. It is his way, and you must take him as `
` you find him." At this moment the bell rang to announce the `
` drawing up of the curtain for the second act. Albert rose to `
` return to his place. "Shall I see you again?" asked the `
` countess. "At the end of the next act, with your permission, `
` I will come and inquire whether there is anything I can do `
` for you in Paris?" `
` `
` "Pray take notice," said the countess, "that my present `
` residence is 22 Rue de Rivoli, and that I am at home to my `
` friends every Saturday evening. So now, you are both `
` forewarned." The young men bowed, and quitted the box. Upon `
` reaching their stalls, they found the whole of the audience `
` in the parterre standing up and directing their gaze towards `
` the box formerly possessed by the Russian ambassador. A man `
` of from thirty-five to forty years of age, dressed in deep `
` black, had just entered, accompanied by a young woman `
` dressed after the Eastern style. The lady was surpassingly `
` beautiful, while the rich magnificence of her attire drew `
` all eyes upon her. "Hullo," said Albert; "it is Monte Cristo `
` and his Greek!" `
` `
` The strangers were, indeed, no other than the count and `
` Haidee. In a few moments the young girl had attracted the `
` attention of the whole house, and even the occupants of the `
` boxes leaned forward to scrutinize her magnificent diamonds. `
` The second act passed away during one continued buzz of `
` voices -- one deep whisper -- intimating that some great and `
` universally interesting event had occurred; all eyes, all `
` thoughts, were occupied with the young and beautiful woman, `
` whose gorgeous apparel and splendid jewels made a most `
` extraordinary spectacle. Upon this occasion an unmistakable `
` sign from Madame Danglars intimated her desire to see Albert `
` in her box directly the curtain fell on the second act, and `
` neither the politeness nor good taste of Morcerf would `
` permit his neglecting an invitation so unequivocally given. `
` At the close of the act he therefore went to the baroness. `
` Having bowed to the two ladies, he extended his hand to `
` Debray. By the baroness he was most graciously welcomed, `
` while Eugenie received him with her accustomed coldness. `
` `
` "My dear fellow," said Debray, "you have come in the nick of `
` time. There is madame overwhelming me with questions `
` respecting the count; she insists upon it that I can tell `
` her his birth, education, and parentage, where he came from, `
` and whither he is going. Being no disciple of Cagliostro, I `
` was wholly unable to do this; so, by way of getting out of `
` the scrape, I said, `Ask Morcerf; he has got the whole `
` history of his beloved Monte Cristo at his fingers' ends;' `
` whereupon the baroness signified her desire to see you." `
` `
` "Is it not almost incredible," said Madame Danglars, "that a `
` person having at least half a million of secret-service `
` money at his command, should possess so little information?" `
` `
` "Let me assure you, madame," said Lucien, "that had I really `
` the sum you mention at my disposal, I would employ it more `
` profitably than in troubling myself to obtain particulars `
` respecting the Count of Monte Cristo, whose only merit in my `
` eyes consists in his being twice as rich as a nabob. `
` However, I have turned the business over to Morcerf, so pray `
` settle it with him as may be most agreeable to you; for my `
` own part, I care nothing about the count or his mysterious `
` doings." `
` `
` "I am very sure no nabob would have sent me a pair of horses `
` worth 32,000 francs, wearing on their heads four diamonds `
` valued at 5,000 francs each." `
` `
` "He seems to have a mania for diamonds," said Morcerf, `
` smiling, "and I verily believe that, like Potemkin, he keeps `
` his pockets filled, for the sake of strewing them along the `
` road, as Tom Thumb did his flint stones." `
` `
` "Perhaps he has discovered some mine," said Madame Danglars. `
` "I suppose you know he has an order for unlimited credit on `
` the baron's banking establishment?" `
` `
` "I was not aware of it," replied Albert, "but I can readily `
` believe it." `
` `
` "And, further, that he stated to M. Danglars his intention `
` of only staying a year in Paris, during which time he `
` proposed to spend six millions. `
` `
` "He must be the Shah of Persia, travelling incog." `
` `
` "Have you noticed the remarkable beauty of the young woman, `
` M. Lucien?" inquired Eugenie. `
` `
` "I really never met with one woman so ready to do justice to `
` the charms of another as yourself," responded Lucien, `
` raising his lorgnette to his eye. "A most lovely creature, `
` upon my soul!" was his verdict. `
` `
` "Who is this young person, M. de Morcerf?" inquired Eugenie; `
` "does anybody know?" `
` `
` "Mademoiselle," said Albert, replying to this direct appeal, `
` "I can give you very exact information on that subject, as `
` well as on most points relative to the mysterious person of `
` whom we are now conversing -- the young woman is a Greek." `
` `
` "So I should suppose by her dress; if you know no more than `
` that, every one here is as well-informed as yourself." `
` `
` "I am extremely sorry you find me so ignorant a cicerone," `
` replied Morcerf, "but I am reluctantly obliged to confess, I `
` have nothing further to communicate -- yes, stay, I do know `
` one thing more, namely, that she is a musician, for one day `
` when I chanced to be breakfasting with the count, I heard `
` the sound of a guzla -- it is impossible that it could have `
` been touched by any other finger than her own." `
` `
` "Then your count entertains visitors, does he?" asked Madame `
` Danglars. `
` `
` "Indeed he does, and in a most lavish manner, I can assure `
` you." `
`
` "In the first place, because I had spoken much of you to `
` him, as you may believe; and in the second, because he `
` delighted to see a countrywoman take so lively an interest `
` in his success." `
` `
` "I trust and hope you never repeated to the count all the `
` foolish remarks we used to make about him?" `
` `
` "I should not like to affirm upon oath that I have not. `
` Besides, his presenting you the cup under the name of Lord `
` Ruthven" -- `
` `
` "Oh, but that is dreadful! Why, the man must owe me a `
` fearful grudge." `
` `
` "Does his action appear like that of an enemy?" `
` `
` "No; certainly not." `
` `
` "Well, then" -- `
` `
` "And so he is in Paris?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "And what effect does he produce?" `
` `
` "Why," said Albert, "he was talked about for a week; then `
` the coronation of the queen of England took place, followed `
` by the theft of Mademoiselle Mars's diamonds; and so people `
` talked of something else." `
` `
` "My good fellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "the count is your `
` friend and you treat him accordingly. Do not believe what `
` Albert is telling you, countess; so far from the sensation `
` excited in the Parisian circles by the appearance of the `
` Count of Monte Cristo having abated, I take upon myself to `
` declare that it is as strong as ever. His first astounding `
` act upon coming amongst us was to present a pair of horses, `
` worth 32,000 francs, to Madame Danglars; his second, the `
` almost miraculous preservation of Madame de Villefort's `
` life; now it seems that he has carried off the prize awarded `
` by the Jockey Club. I therefore maintain, in spite of `
` Morcerf, that not only is the count the object of interest `
` at this present moment, but also that he will continue to be `
` so for a month longer if he pleases to exhibit an `
` eccentricity of conduct which, after all, may be his `
` ordinary mode of existence." `
` `
` "Perhaps you are right," said Morcerf; "meanwhile, who is in `
` the Russian ambassador's box?" `
` `
` "Which box do you mean?" asked the countess. `
` `
` "The one between the pillars on the first tier -- it seems `
` to have been fitted up entirely afresh." `
` `
` "Did you observe any one during the first act?" asked `
` Chateau-Renaud. `
` `
` "Where?" `
` `
` "In that box." `
` `
` "No," replied the countess, "it was certainly empty during `
` the first act;" then, resuming the subject of their previous `
` conversation, she said, "And so you really believe it was `
` your mysterious Count of Monte Cristo that gained the `
` prize?" `
` `
` "I am sure of it." `
` `
` "And who afterwards sent the cup to me?" `
` `
` "Undoubtedly." `
` `
` "But I don't know him," said the countess; "I have a great `
` mind to return it." `
` `
` "Do no such thing, I beg of you; he would only send you `
` another, formed of a magnificent sapphire, or hollowed out `
` of a gigantic ruby. It is his way, and you must take him as `
` you find him." At this moment the bell rang to announce the `
` drawing up of the curtain for the second act. Albert rose to `
` return to his place. "Shall I see you again?" asked the `
` countess. "At the end of the next act, with your permission, `
` I will come and inquire whether there is anything I can do `
` for you in Paris?" `
` `
` "Pray take notice," said the countess, "that my present `
` residence is 22 Rue de Rivoli, and that I am at home to my `
` friends every Saturday evening. So now, you are both `
` forewarned." The young men bowed, and quitted the box. Upon `
` reaching their stalls, they found the whole of the audience `
` in the parterre standing up and directing their gaze towards `
` the box formerly possessed by the Russian ambassador. A man `
` of from thirty-five to forty years of age, dressed in deep `
` black, had just entered, accompanied by a young woman `
` dressed after the Eastern style. The lady was surpassingly `
` beautiful, while the rich magnificence of her attire drew `
` all eyes upon her. "Hullo," said Albert; "it is Monte Cristo `
` and his Greek!" `
` `
` The strangers were, indeed, no other than the count and `
` Haidee. In a few moments the young girl had attracted the `
` attention of the whole house, and even the occupants of the `
` boxes leaned forward to scrutinize her magnificent diamonds. `
` The second act passed away during one continued buzz of `
` voices -- one deep whisper -- intimating that some great and `
` universally interesting event had occurred; all eyes, all `
` thoughts, were occupied with the young and beautiful woman, `
` whose gorgeous apparel and splendid jewels made a most `
` extraordinary spectacle. Upon this occasion an unmistakable `
` sign from Madame Danglars intimated her desire to see Albert `
` in her box directly the curtain fell on the second act, and `
` neither the politeness nor good taste of Morcerf would `
` permit his neglecting an invitation so unequivocally given. `
` At the close of the act he therefore went to the baroness. `
` Having bowed to the two ladies, he extended his hand to `
` Debray. By the baroness he was most graciously welcomed, `
` while Eugenie received him with her accustomed coldness. `
` `
` "My dear fellow," said Debray, "you have come in the nick of `
` time. There is madame overwhelming me with questions `
` respecting the count; she insists upon it that I can tell `
` her his birth, education, and parentage, where he came from, `
` and whither he is going. Being no disciple of Cagliostro, I `
` was wholly unable to do this; so, by way of getting out of `
` the scrape, I said, `Ask Morcerf; he has got the whole `
` history of his beloved Monte Cristo at his fingers' ends;' `
` whereupon the baroness signified her desire to see you." `
` `
` "Is it not almost incredible," said Madame Danglars, "that a `
` person having at least half a million of secret-service `
` money at his command, should possess so little information?" `
` `
` "Let me assure you, madame," said Lucien, "that had I really `
` the sum you mention at my disposal, I would employ it more `
` profitably than in troubling myself to obtain particulars `
` respecting the Count of Monte Cristo, whose only merit in my `
` eyes consists in his being twice as rich as a nabob. `
` However, I have turned the business over to Morcerf, so pray `
` settle it with him as may be most agreeable to you; for my `
` own part, I care nothing about the count or his mysterious `
` doings." `
` `
` "I am very sure no nabob would have sent me a pair of horses `
` worth 32,000 francs, wearing on their heads four diamonds `
` valued at 5,000 francs each." `
` `
` "He seems to have a mania for diamonds," said Morcerf, `
` smiling, "and I verily believe that, like Potemkin, he keeps `
` his pockets filled, for the sake of strewing them along the `
` road, as Tom Thumb did his flint stones." `
` `
` "Perhaps he has discovered some mine," said Madame Danglars. `
` "I suppose you know he has an order for unlimited credit on `
` the baron's banking establishment?" `
` `
` "I was not aware of it," replied Albert, "but I can readily `
` believe it." `
` `
` "And, further, that he stated to M. Danglars his intention `
` of only staying a year in Paris, during which time he `
` proposed to spend six millions. `
` `
` "He must be the Shah of Persia, travelling incog." `
` `
` "Have you noticed the remarkable beauty of the young woman, `
` M. Lucien?" inquired Eugenie. `
` `
` "I really never met with one woman so ready to do justice to `
` the charms of another as yourself," responded Lucien, `
` raising his lorgnette to his eye. "A most lovely creature, `
` upon my soul!" was his verdict. `
` `
` "Who is this young person, M. de Morcerf?" inquired Eugenie; `
` "does anybody know?" `
` `
` "Mademoiselle," said Albert, replying to this direct appeal, `
` "I can give you very exact information on that subject, as `
` well as on most points relative to the mysterious person of `
` whom we are now conversing -- the young woman is a Greek." `
` `
` "So I should suppose by her dress; if you know no more than `
` that, every one here is as well-informed as yourself." `
` `
` "I am extremely sorry you find me so ignorant a cicerone," `
` replied Morcerf, "but I am reluctantly obliged to confess, I `
` have nothing further to communicate -- yes, stay, I do know `
` one thing more, namely, that she is a musician, for one day `
` when I chanced to be breakfasting with the count, I heard `
` the sound of a guzla -- it is impossible that it could have `
` been touched by any other finger than her own." `
` `
` "Then your count entertains visitors, does he?" asked Madame `
` Danglars. `
` `
` "Indeed he does, and in a most lavish manner, I can assure `
` you." `
`