Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
secret griefs written in each wrinkle time had planted `
` there. "The countess," said Morcerf, "was at her toilet when `
` she was informed of the visit she was about to receive. She `
` will, however, be in the salon in ten minutes." `
` `
` "It is a great honor to me," returned Monte Cristo, "to be `
` thus, on the first day of my arrival in Paris, brought in `
` contact with a man whose merit equals his reputation, and to `
` whom fortune has for once been equitable, but has she not `
` still on the plains of Metidja, or in the mountains of `
` Atlas, a marshal's staff to offer you?" `
` `
` "Oh," replied Morcerf, reddening slightly, "I have left the `
` service, monsieur. Made a peer at the Restoration, I served `
` through the first campaign under the orders of Marshal `
` Bourmont. I could, therefore, expect a higher rank, and who `
` knows what might have happened had the elder branch remained `
` on the throne? But the Revolution of July was, it seems, `
` sufficiently glorious to allow itself to be ungrateful, and `
` it was so for all services that did not date from the `
` imperial period. I tendered my resignation, for when you `
` have gained your epaulets on the battle-field, you do not `
` know how to manoeuvre on the slippery grounds of the salons. `
` I have hung up my sword, and cast myself into politics. I `
` have devoted myself to industry; I study the useful arts. `
` During the twenty years I served, I often wished to do so, `
` but I had not the time." `
` `
` "These are the ideas that render your nation superior to any `
` other," returned Monte Cristo. "A gentleman of high birth, `
` possessor of an ample fortune, you have consented to gain `
` your promotion as an obscure soldier, step by step -- this `
` is uncommon; then become general, peer of France, commander `
` of the Legion of Honor, you consent to again commence a `
` second apprenticeship, without any other hope or any other `
` desire than that of one day becoming useful to your `
` fellow-creatures; this, indeed, is praiseworthy, -- nay, `
` more, it is sublime." Albert looked on and listened with `
` astonishment; he was not used to see Monte Cristo give vent `
` to such bursts of enthusiasm. "Alas," continued the `
` stranger, doubtless to dispel the slight cloud that covered `
` Morcerf's brow, "we do not act thus in Italy; we grow `
` according to our race and our species, and we pursue the `
` same lines, and often the same uselessness, all our lives." `
` `
` "But, monsieur," said the Count of Morcerf, "for a man of `
` your merit, Italy is not a country, and France opens her `
` arms to receive you; respond to her call. France will not, `
` perhaps, be always ungrateful. She treats her children ill, `
` but she always welcomes strangers." `
` `
` "Ah, father," said Albert with a smile, "it is evident you `
` do not know the Count of Monte Cristo; he despises all `
` honors, and contents himself with those written on his `
` passport." `
` `
` "That is the most just remark," replied the stranger, "I `
` ever heard made concerning myself." `
` `
` "You have been free to choose your career," observed the `
` Count of Morcerf, with a sigh; "and you have chosen the path `
` strewed with flowers." `
` `
` "Precisely, monsieur," replied Monte Cristo with one of `
` those smiles that a painter could never represent or a `
` physiologist analyze. `
` `
` "If I did not fear to fatigue you," said the general, `
` evidently charmed with the count's manners, "I would have `
` taken you to the Chamber; there is a debate very curious to `
` those who are strangers to our modern senators." `
` `
` "I shall be most grateful, monsieur, if you will, at some `
` future time, renew your offer, but I have been flattered `
` with the hope of being introduced to the countess, and I `
` will therefore wait." `
` `
` "Ah, here is my mother," cried the viscount. Monte Cristo, `
` turned round hastily, and saw Madame de Morcerf at the `
` entrance of the salon, at the door opposite to that by which `
` her husband had entered, pale and motionless; when Monte `
` Cristo turned round, she let fall her arm, which for some `
` unknown reason had been resting on the gilded door-post. She `
` had been there some moments, and had heard the last words of `
` the visitor. The latter rose and bowed to the countess, who `
` inclined herself without speaking. "Ah, good heavens, `
` madame," said the count, "are you ill, or is it the heat of `
` the room that affects you?" `
` `
` "Are you ill, mother?" cried the viscount, springing towards `
` her. `
` `
` She thanked them both with a smile. "No," returned she, "but `
` I feel some emotion on seeing, for the first time, the man `
` without whose intervention we should have been in tears and `
` desolation. Monsieur," continued the countess, advancing `
` with the majesty of a queen, "I owe to you the life of my `
` son, and for this I bless you. Now, I thank you for the `
` pleasure you give me in thus affording me the opportunity of `
` thanking you as I have blessed you, from the bottom of my `
` heart." The count bowed again, but lower than before; He was `
` even paler than Mercedes. "Madame," said he, "the count and `
` yourself recompense too generously a simple action. To save `
` a man, to spare a father's feelings, or a mother's `
` sensibility, is not to do a good action, but a simple deed `
` of humanity." At these words, uttered with the most `
` exquisite sweetness and politeness, Madame de Morcerf `
` replied. "It is very fortunate for my son, monsieur, that he `
` found such a friend, and I thank God that things are thus." `
` And Mercedes raised her fine eyes to heaven with so fervent `
` an expression of gratitude, that the count fancied he saw `
` tears in them. M. de Morcerf approached her. "Madame," said `
` he. "I have already made my excuses to the count for `
` quitting him, and I pray you to do so also. The sitting `
` commences at two; it is now three, and I am to speak." `
` `
` "Go, then, and monsieur and I will strive our best to forget `
` your absence," replied the countess, with the same tone of `
` deep feeling. "Monsieur," continued she, turning to Monte `
` Cristo, "will you do us the honor of passing the rest of the `
` day with us?" `
` `
` "Believe me, madame, I feel most grateful for your kindness, `
` but I got out of my travelling carriage at your door this `
` morning, and I am ignorant how I am installed in Paris, `
` which I scarcely know; this is but a trifling inquietude, I `
` know, but one that may be appreciated." `
` `
` "We shall have the pleasure another time," said the `
` countess; "you promise that?" Monte Cristo inclined himself `
` without answering, but the gesture might pass for assent. "I `
` will not detain you, monsieur," continued the countess; "I `
` would not have our gratitude become indiscreet or `
` importunate." `
` `
` "My dear Count," said Albert, "I will endeavor to return `
` your politeness at Rome, and place my coupe at your disposal `
` until your own be ready." `
` `
` "A thousand thanks for your kindness, viscount," returned `
` the Count of Monte Cristo "but I suppose that M. Bertuccio `
` has suitably employed the four hours and a half I have given `
` him, and that I shall find a carriage of some sort ready at `
` the door." Albert was used to the count's manner of `
` proceeding; he knew that, like Nero, he was in search of the `
` impossible, and nothing astonished him, but wishing to judge `
` with his own eyes how far the count's orders had been `
` executed, he accompanied him to the door of the house. Monte `
` Cristo was not deceived. As soon as he appeared in the Count `
` of Morcerf's ante-chamber, a footman, the same who at Rome `
` had brought the count's card to the two young men, and `
` announced his visit, sprang into the vestibule, and when he `
` arrived at the door the illustrious traveller found his `
` carriage awaiting him. It was a coupe of Koller's building, `
` and with horses and harness for which Drake had, to the `
` knowledge of all the lions of Paris, refused on the previous `
` day seven hundred guineas. "Monsieur," said the count to `
` Albert, "I do not ask you to accompany me to my house, as I `
` can only show you a habitation fitted up in a hurry, and I `
` have, as you know, a reputation to keep up as regards not `
` being taken by surprise. Give me, therefore, one more day `
` before I invite you; I shall then be certain not to fail in `
` my hospitality." `
` `
` "If you ask me for a day, count, I know what to anticipate; `
` it will not be a house I shall see, but a palace. You have `
` decidedly some genius at your control." `
` `
` "Ma foi, spread that idea," replied the Count of Monte `
` Cristo, putting his foot on the velvet-lined steps of his `
` splendid carriage, "and that will be worth something to me `
` among the ladies." As he spoke, he sprang into the vehicle, `
` the door was closed, but not so rapidly that Monte Cristo `
` failed to perceive the almost imperceptible movement which `
` stirred the curtains of the apartment in which he had left `
` Madame de Morcerf. When Albert returned to his mother, he `
` found her in the boudoir reclining in a large velvet `
` arm-chair, the whole room so obscure that only the shining `
` spangle, fastened here and there to the drapery, and the `
` angles of the gilded frames of the pictures, showed with `
` some degree of brightness in the gloom. Albert could not see `
` the face of the countess, as it was covered with a thin veil `
` she had put on her head, and which fell over her features in `
` misty folds, but it seemed to him as though her voice had `
` altered. He could distinguish amid the perfumes of the roses `
` and heliotropes in the flower-stands, the sharp and fragrant `
` odor of volatile salts, and he noticed in one of the chased `
` cups on the mantle-piece the countess's smelling-bottle, `
` taken from its shagreen case, and exclaimed in a tone of `
` uneasiness, as he entered, -- "My dear mother, have you been `
` ill during my absence?" `
` `
` "No, no, Albert, but you know these roses, tuberoses, and `
` orange-flowers throw out at first, before one is used to `
` them, such violent perfumes." `
` `
` "Then, my dear mother," said Albert, putting his hand to the `
` bell, "they must be taken into the ante-chamber. You are `
` really ill, and just now were so pale as you came into the `
` room" -- `
` `
`
` there. "The countess," said Morcerf, "was at her toilet when `
` she was informed of the visit she was about to receive. She `
` will, however, be in the salon in ten minutes." `
` `
` "It is a great honor to me," returned Monte Cristo, "to be `
` thus, on the first day of my arrival in Paris, brought in `
` contact with a man whose merit equals his reputation, and to `
` whom fortune has for once been equitable, but has she not `
` still on the plains of Metidja, or in the mountains of `
` Atlas, a marshal's staff to offer you?" `
` `
` "Oh," replied Morcerf, reddening slightly, "I have left the `
` service, monsieur. Made a peer at the Restoration, I served `
` through the first campaign under the orders of Marshal `
` Bourmont. I could, therefore, expect a higher rank, and who `
` knows what might have happened had the elder branch remained `
` on the throne? But the Revolution of July was, it seems, `
` sufficiently glorious to allow itself to be ungrateful, and `
` it was so for all services that did not date from the `
` imperial period. I tendered my resignation, for when you `
` have gained your epaulets on the battle-field, you do not `
` know how to manoeuvre on the slippery grounds of the salons. `
` I have hung up my sword, and cast myself into politics. I `
` have devoted myself to industry; I study the useful arts. `
` During the twenty years I served, I often wished to do so, `
` but I had not the time." `
` `
` "These are the ideas that render your nation superior to any `
` other," returned Monte Cristo. "A gentleman of high birth, `
` possessor of an ample fortune, you have consented to gain `
` your promotion as an obscure soldier, step by step -- this `
` is uncommon; then become general, peer of France, commander `
` of the Legion of Honor, you consent to again commence a `
` second apprenticeship, without any other hope or any other `
` desire than that of one day becoming useful to your `
` fellow-creatures; this, indeed, is praiseworthy, -- nay, `
` more, it is sublime." Albert looked on and listened with `
` astonishment; he was not used to see Monte Cristo give vent `
` to such bursts of enthusiasm. "Alas," continued the `
` stranger, doubtless to dispel the slight cloud that covered `
` Morcerf's brow, "we do not act thus in Italy; we grow `
` according to our race and our species, and we pursue the `
` same lines, and often the same uselessness, all our lives." `
` `
` "But, monsieur," said the Count of Morcerf, "for a man of `
` your merit, Italy is not a country, and France opens her `
` arms to receive you; respond to her call. France will not, `
` perhaps, be always ungrateful. She treats her children ill, `
` but she always welcomes strangers." `
` `
` "Ah, father," said Albert with a smile, "it is evident you `
` do not know the Count of Monte Cristo; he despises all `
` honors, and contents himself with those written on his `
` passport." `
` `
` "That is the most just remark," replied the stranger, "I `
` ever heard made concerning myself." `
` `
` "You have been free to choose your career," observed the `
` Count of Morcerf, with a sigh; "and you have chosen the path `
` strewed with flowers." `
` `
` "Precisely, monsieur," replied Monte Cristo with one of `
` those smiles that a painter could never represent or a `
` physiologist analyze. `
` `
` "If I did not fear to fatigue you," said the general, `
` evidently charmed with the count's manners, "I would have `
` taken you to the Chamber; there is a debate very curious to `
` those who are strangers to our modern senators." `
` `
` "I shall be most grateful, monsieur, if you will, at some `
` future time, renew your offer, but I have been flattered `
` with the hope of being introduced to the countess, and I `
` will therefore wait." `
` `
` "Ah, here is my mother," cried the viscount. Monte Cristo, `
` turned round hastily, and saw Madame de Morcerf at the `
` entrance of the salon, at the door opposite to that by which `
` her husband had entered, pale and motionless; when Monte `
` Cristo turned round, she let fall her arm, which for some `
` unknown reason had been resting on the gilded door-post. She `
` had been there some moments, and had heard the last words of `
` the visitor. The latter rose and bowed to the countess, who `
` inclined herself without speaking. "Ah, good heavens, `
` madame," said the count, "are you ill, or is it the heat of `
` the room that affects you?" `
` `
` "Are you ill, mother?" cried the viscount, springing towards `
` her. `
` `
` She thanked them both with a smile. "No," returned she, "but `
` I feel some emotion on seeing, for the first time, the man `
` without whose intervention we should have been in tears and `
` desolation. Monsieur," continued the countess, advancing `
` with the majesty of a queen, "I owe to you the life of my `
` son, and for this I bless you. Now, I thank you for the `
` pleasure you give me in thus affording me the opportunity of `
` thanking you as I have blessed you, from the bottom of my `
` heart." The count bowed again, but lower than before; He was `
` even paler than Mercedes. "Madame," said he, "the count and `
` yourself recompense too generously a simple action. To save `
` a man, to spare a father's feelings, or a mother's `
` sensibility, is not to do a good action, but a simple deed `
` of humanity." At these words, uttered with the most `
` exquisite sweetness and politeness, Madame de Morcerf `
` replied. "It is very fortunate for my son, monsieur, that he `
` found such a friend, and I thank God that things are thus." `
` And Mercedes raised her fine eyes to heaven with so fervent `
` an expression of gratitude, that the count fancied he saw `
` tears in them. M. de Morcerf approached her. "Madame," said `
` he. "I have already made my excuses to the count for `
` quitting him, and I pray you to do so also. The sitting `
` commences at two; it is now three, and I am to speak." `
` `
` "Go, then, and monsieur and I will strive our best to forget `
` your absence," replied the countess, with the same tone of `
` deep feeling. "Monsieur," continued she, turning to Monte `
` Cristo, "will you do us the honor of passing the rest of the `
` day with us?" `
` `
` "Believe me, madame, I feel most grateful for your kindness, `
` but I got out of my travelling carriage at your door this `
` morning, and I am ignorant how I am installed in Paris, `
` which I scarcely know; this is but a trifling inquietude, I `
` know, but one that may be appreciated." `
` `
` "We shall have the pleasure another time," said the `
` countess; "you promise that?" Monte Cristo inclined himself `
` without answering, but the gesture might pass for assent. "I `
` will not detain you, monsieur," continued the countess; "I `
` would not have our gratitude become indiscreet or `
` importunate." `
` `
` "My dear Count," said Albert, "I will endeavor to return `
` your politeness at Rome, and place my coupe at your disposal `
` until your own be ready." `
` `
` "A thousand thanks for your kindness, viscount," returned `
` the Count of Monte Cristo "but I suppose that M. Bertuccio `
` has suitably employed the four hours and a half I have given `
` him, and that I shall find a carriage of some sort ready at `
` the door." Albert was used to the count's manner of `
` proceeding; he knew that, like Nero, he was in search of the `
` impossible, and nothing astonished him, but wishing to judge `
` with his own eyes how far the count's orders had been `
` executed, he accompanied him to the door of the house. Monte `
` Cristo was not deceived. As soon as he appeared in the Count `
` of Morcerf's ante-chamber, a footman, the same who at Rome `
` had brought the count's card to the two young men, and `
` announced his visit, sprang into the vestibule, and when he `
` arrived at the door the illustrious traveller found his `
` carriage awaiting him. It was a coupe of Koller's building, `
` and with horses and harness for which Drake had, to the `
` knowledge of all the lions of Paris, refused on the previous `
` day seven hundred guineas. "Monsieur," said the count to `
` Albert, "I do not ask you to accompany me to my house, as I `
` can only show you a habitation fitted up in a hurry, and I `
` have, as you know, a reputation to keep up as regards not `
` being taken by surprise. Give me, therefore, one more day `
` before I invite you; I shall then be certain not to fail in `
` my hospitality." `
` `
` "If you ask me for a day, count, I know what to anticipate; `
` it will not be a house I shall see, but a palace. You have `
` decidedly some genius at your control." `
` `
` "Ma foi, spread that idea," replied the Count of Monte `
` Cristo, putting his foot on the velvet-lined steps of his `
` splendid carriage, "and that will be worth something to me `
` among the ladies." As he spoke, he sprang into the vehicle, `
` the door was closed, but not so rapidly that Monte Cristo `
` failed to perceive the almost imperceptible movement which `
` stirred the curtains of the apartment in which he had left `
` Madame de Morcerf. When Albert returned to his mother, he `
` found her in the boudoir reclining in a large velvet `
` arm-chair, the whole room so obscure that only the shining `
` spangle, fastened here and there to the drapery, and the `
` angles of the gilded frames of the pictures, showed with `
` some degree of brightness in the gloom. Albert could not see `
` the face of the countess, as it was covered with a thin veil `
` she had put on her head, and which fell over her features in `
` misty folds, but it seemed to him as though her voice had `
` altered. He could distinguish amid the perfumes of the roses `
` and heliotropes in the flower-stands, the sharp and fragrant `
` odor of volatile salts, and he noticed in one of the chased `
` cups on the mantle-piece the countess's smelling-bottle, `
` taken from its shagreen case, and exclaimed in a tone of `
` uneasiness, as he entered, -- "My dear mother, have you been `
` ill during my absence?" `
` `
` "No, no, Albert, but you know these roses, tuberoses, and `
` orange-flowers throw out at first, before one is used to `
` them, such violent perfumes." `
` `
` "Then, my dear mother," said Albert, putting his hand to the `
` bell, "they must be taken into the ante-chamber. You are `
` really ill, and just now were so pale as you came into the `
` room" -- `
` `
`