Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
`
` "Was I pale, Albert?" `
` `
` "Yes; a pallor that suits you admirably, mother, but which `
` did not the less alarm my father and myself." `
` `
` "Did your father speak of it?" inquired Mercedes eagerly. `
` `
` "No, madame; but do you not remember that he spoke of the `
` fact to you?" `
` `
` "Yes, I do remember," replied the countess. A servant `
` entered, summoned by Albert's ring of the bell. "Take these `
` flowers into the anteroom or dressing-room," said the `
` viscount; "they make the countess ill." The footman obeyed `
` his orders. A long pause ensued, which lasted until all the `
` flowers were removed. "What is this name of Monte Cristo?" `
` inquired the countess, when the servant had taken away the `
` last vase of flowers, "is it a family name, or the name of `
` the estate, or a simple title?" `
` `
` "I believe, mother, it is merely a title. The count `
` purchased an island in the Tuscan archipelago, and, as he `
` told you to-day, has founded a commandery. You know the same `
` thing was done for Saint Stephen of Florence, Saint George, `
` Constantinian of Parma, and even for the Order of Malta. `
` Except this, he has no pretension to nobility, and calls `
` himself a chance count, although the general opinion at Rome `
` is that the count is a man of very high distinction." `
` `
` "His manners are admirable," said the countess, "at least, `
` as far as I could judge in the few minutes he remained `
` here." `
` `
` "They are perfect mother, so perfect, that they surpass by `
` far all I have known in the leading aristocracy of the three `
` proudest nobilities of Europe -- the English, the Spanish, `
` and the German." The countess paused a moment; then, after a `
` slight hesitation, she resumed, -- "You have seen, my dear `
` Albert -- I ask the question as a mother -- you have seen M. `
` de Monte Cristo in his house, you are quicksighted, have `
` much knowledge of the world, more tact than is usual at your `
` age, do you think the count is really what he appears to `
` be?" `
` `
` "What does he appear to be?" `
` `
` "Why, you have just said, -- a man of high distinction." `
` `
` "I told you, my dear mother, he was esteemed such." `
` `
` "But what is your own opinion, Albert?" `
` `
` "I must tell you that I have not come to any decided opinion `
` respecting him, but I think him a Maltese." `
` `
` "I do not ask you of his origin but what he is." `
` `
` "Ah, what he is; that is quite another thing. I have seen so `
` many remarkable things in him, that if you would have me `
` really say what I think, I shall reply that I really do look `
` upon him as one of Byron's heroes, whom misery has marked `
` with a fatal brand; some Manfred, some Lara, some Werner, `
` one of those wrecks, as it were, of some ancient family, `
` who, disinherited of their patrimony, have achieved one by `
` the force of their adventurous genius, which has placed them `
` above the laws of society." `
` `
` "You say" -- `
` `
` "I say that Monte Cristo is an island in the midst of the `
` Mediterranean, without inhabitants or garrison, the resort `
` of smugglers of all nations, and pirates of every flag. Who `
` knows whether or not these industrious worthies do not pay `
` to their feudal lord some dues for his protection?" `
` `
` "That is possible," said the countess, reflecting. `
` `
` "Never mind," continued the young man, "smuggler or not, you `
` must agree, mother dear, as you have seen him, that the `
` Count of Monte Cristo is a remarkable man, who will have the `
` greatest success in the salons of Paris. Why, this very `
` morning, in my rooms, he made his entree amongst us by `
` striking every man of us with amazement, not even excepting `
` Chateau-Renaud." `
` `
` "And what do you suppose is the count's age?" inquired `
` Mercedes, evidently attaching great importance to this `
` question. `
` `
` "Thirty-five or thirty-six, mother." `
` `
` "So young, -- it is impossible," said Mercedes, replying at `
` the same time to what Albert said as well as to her own `
` private reflection. `
` `
` "It is the truth, however. Three or four times he has said `
` to me, and certainly without the slightest premeditation, `
` `at such a period I was five years old, at another ten years `
` old, at another twelve,' and I, induced by curiosity, which `
` kept me alive to these details, have compared the dates, and `
` never found him inaccurate. The age of this singular man, `
` who is of no age, is then, I am certain, thirty-five. `
` Besides, mother, remark how vivid his eye, how raven-black `
` his hair, and his brow, though so pale, is free from `
` wrinkles, -- he is not only vigorous, but also young." The `
` countess bent her head, as if beneath a heavy wave of bitter `
` thoughts. "And has this man displayed a friendship for you, `
` Albert?" she asked with a nervous shudder. `
` `
` "I am inclined to think so." `
` `
` "And -- do -- you -- like -- him?" `
` `
` "Why, he pleases me in spite of Franz d'Epinay, who tries to `
` convince me that he is a being returned from the other `
` world." The countess shuddered. "Albert," she said, in a `
` voice which was altered by emotion, "I have always put you `
` on your guard against new acquaintances. Now you are a man, `
` and are able to give me advice; yet I repeat to you, Albert, `
` be prudent." `
` `
` "Why, my dear mother, it is necessary, in order to make your `
` advice turn to account, that I should know beforehand what I `
` have to distrust. The count never plays, he only drinks pure `
` water tinged with a little sherry, and is so rich that he `
` cannot, without intending to laugh at me, try to borrow `
` money. What, then, have I to fear from him?" `
` `
` "You are right," said the countess, "and my fears are `
` weakness, especially when directed against a man who has `
` saved your life. How did your father receive him, Albert? It `
` is necessary that we should be more than complaisant to the `
` count. M. de Morcerf is sometimes occupied, his business `
` makes him reflective, and he might, without intending it" -- `
` `
` "Nothing could be in better taste than my father's demeanor, `
` madame," said Albert; "nay, more, he seemed greatly `
` flattered at two or three compliments which the count very `
` skilfully and agreeably paid him with as much ease as if he `
` had known him these thirty years. Each of these little `
` tickling arrows must have pleased my father," added Albert `
` with a laugh. "And thus they parted the best possible `
` friends, and M. de Morcerf even wished to take him to the `
` Chamber to hear the speakers." The countess made no reply. `
` She fell into so deep a revery that her eyes gradually `
` closed. The young man, standing up before her, gazed upon `
` her with that filial affection which is so tender and `
` endearing with children whose mothers are still young and `
` handsome. Then, after seeing her eyes closed, and hearing `
` her breathe gently, he believed she had dropped asleep, and `
` left the apartment on tiptoe, closing the door after him `
` with the utmost precaution. "This devil of a fellow," he `
` muttered, shaking his head; "I said at the time he would `
` create a sensation here, and I measure his effect by an `
` infallible thermometer. My mother has noticed him, and he `
` must therefore, perforce, be remarkable." He went down to `
` the stables, not without some slight annoyance, when he `
` remembered that the Count of Monte Cristo had laid his hands `
` on a "turnout" which sent his bays down to second place in `
` the opinion of connoisseurs. "Most decidedly," said he, "men `
` are not equal, and I must beg my father to develop this `
` theorem in the Chamber of Peers." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 42 `
` Monsieur Bertuccio. `
` `
` Meanwhile the count had arrived at his house; it had taken `
` him six minutes to perform the distance, but these six `
` minutes were sufficient to induce twenty young men who knew `
` the price of the equipage they had been unable to purchase `
` themselves, to put their horses in a gallop in order to see `
` the rich foreigner who could afford to give 20,000 francs `
` apiece for his horses. The house Ali had chosen, and which `
` was to serve as a town residence to Monte Cristo, was `
` situated on the right hand as you ascend the Champs Elysees. `
` A thick clump of trees and shrubs rose in the centre, and `
` masked a portion of the front; around this shrubbery two `
` alleys, like two arms, extended right and left, and formed a `
` carriage-drive from the iron gates to a double portico, on `
` every step of which stood a porcelain vase, filled with `
` flowers. This house, isolated from the rest, had, besides `
` the main entrance, another in the Rue Ponthieu. Even before `
` the coachman had hailed the concierge, the massy gates `
` rolled on their hinges -- they had seen the Count coming, `
` and at Paris, as everywhere else, he was served with the `
` rapidity of lightning. The coachman entered and traversed `
` the half-circle without slackening his speed, and the gates `
` were closed ere the wheels had ceased to sound on the `
` gravel. The carriage stopped at the left side of the `
` portico, two men presented themselves at the `
` carriage-window; the one was Ali, who, smiling with an `
` expression of the most sincere joy, seemed amply repaid by a `
` mere look from Monte Cristo. The other bowed respectfully, `
` and offered his arm to assist the count in descending. `
` "Thanks, M. Bertuccio," said the count, springing lightly up `
` the three steps of the portico; "and the notary?" `
` `
` "He is in the small salon, excellency," returned Bertuccio. `
`
` "Was I pale, Albert?" `
` `
` "Yes; a pallor that suits you admirably, mother, but which `
` did not the less alarm my father and myself." `
` `
` "Did your father speak of it?" inquired Mercedes eagerly. `
` `
` "No, madame; but do you not remember that he spoke of the `
` fact to you?" `
` `
` "Yes, I do remember," replied the countess. A servant `
` entered, summoned by Albert's ring of the bell. "Take these `
` flowers into the anteroom or dressing-room," said the `
` viscount; "they make the countess ill." The footman obeyed `
` his orders. A long pause ensued, which lasted until all the `
` flowers were removed. "What is this name of Monte Cristo?" `
` inquired the countess, when the servant had taken away the `
` last vase of flowers, "is it a family name, or the name of `
` the estate, or a simple title?" `
` `
` "I believe, mother, it is merely a title. The count `
` purchased an island in the Tuscan archipelago, and, as he `
` told you to-day, has founded a commandery. You know the same `
` thing was done for Saint Stephen of Florence, Saint George, `
` Constantinian of Parma, and even for the Order of Malta. `
` Except this, he has no pretension to nobility, and calls `
` himself a chance count, although the general opinion at Rome `
` is that the count is a man of very high distinction." `
` `
` "His manners are admirable," said the countess, "at least, `
` as far as I could judge in the few minutes he remained `
` here." `
` `
` "They are perfect mother, so perfect, that they surpass by `
` far all I have known in the leading aristocracy of the three `
` proudest nobilities of Europe -- the English, the Spanish, `
` and the German." The countess paused a moment; then, after a `
` slight hesitation, she resumed, -- "You have seen, my dear `
` Albert -- I ask the question as a mother -- you have seen M. `
` de Monte Cristo in his house, you are quicksighted, have `
` much knowledge of the world, more tact than is usual at your `
` age, do you think the count is really what he appears to `
` be?" `
` `
` "What does he appear to be?" `
` `
` "Why, you have just said, -- a man of high distinction." `
` `
` "I told you, my dear mother, he was esteemed such." `
` `
` "But what is your own opinion, Albert?" `
` `
` "I must tell you that I have not come to any decided opinion `
` respecting him, but I think him a Maltese." `
` `
` "I do not ask you of his origin but what he is." `
` `
` "Ah, what he is; that is quite another thing. I have seen so `
` many remarkable things in him, that if you would have me `
` really say what I think, I shall reply that I really do look `
` upon him as one of Byron's heroes, whom misery has marked `
` with a fatal brand; some Manfred, some Lara, some Werner, `
` one of those wrecks, as it were, of some ancient family, `
` who, disinherited of their patrimony, have achieved one by `
` the force of their adventurous genius, which has placed them `
` above the laws of society." `
` `
` "You say" -- `
` `
` "I say that Monte Cristo is an island in the midst of the `
` Mediterranean, without inhabitants or garrison, the resort `
` of smugglers of all nations, and pirates of every flag. Who `
` knows whether or not these industrious worthies do not pay `
` to their feudal lord some dues for his protection?" `
` `
` "That is possible," said the countess, reflecting. `
` `
` "Never mind," continued the young man, "smuggler or not, you `
` must agree, mother dear, as you have seen him, that the `
` Count of Monte Cristo is a remarkable man, who will have the `
` greatest success in the salons of Paris. Why, this very `
` morning, in my rooms, he made his entree amongst us by `
` striking every man of us with amazement, not even excepting `
` Chateau-Renaud." `
` `
` "And what do you suppose is the count's age?" inquired `
` Mercedes, evidently attaching great importance to this `
` question. `
` `
` "Thirty-five or thirty-six, mother." `
` `
` "So young, -- it is impossible," said Mercedes, replying at `
` the same time to what Albert said as well as to her own `
` private reflection. `
` `
` "It is the truth, however. Three or four times he has said `
` to me, and certainly without the slightest premeditation, `
` `at such a period I was five years old, at another ten years `
` old, at another twelve,' and I, induced by curiosity, which `
` kept me alive to these details, have compared the dates, and `
` never found him inaccurate. The age of this singular man, `
` who is of no age, is then, I am certain, thirty-five. `
` Besides, mother, remark how vivid his eye, how raven-black `
` his hair, and his brow, though so pale, is free from `
` wrinkles, -- he is not only vigorous, but also young." The `
` countess bent her head, as if beneath a heavy wave of bitter `
` thoughts. "And has this man displayed a friendship for you, `
` Albert?" she asked with a nervous shudder. `
` `
` "I am inclined to think so." `
` `
` "And -- do -- you -- like -- him?" `
` `
` "Why, he pleases me in spite of Franz d'Epinay, who tries to `
` convince me that he is a being returned from the other `
` world." The countess shuddered. "Albert," she said, in a `
` voice which was altered by emotion, "I have always put you `
` on your guard against new acquaintances. Now you are a man, `
` and are able to give me advice; yet I repeat to you, Albert, `
` be prudent." `
` `
` "Why, my dear mother, it is necessary, in order to make your `
` advice turn to account, that I should know beforehand what I `
` have to distrust. The count never plays, he only drinks pure `
` water tinged with a little sherry, and is so rich that he `
` cannot, without intending to laugh at me, try to borrow `
` money. What, then, have I to fear from him?" `
` `
` "You are right," said the countess, "and my fears are `
` weakness, especially when directed against a man who has `
` saved your life. How did your father receive him, Albert? It `
` is necessary that we should be more than complaisant to the `
` count. M. de Morcerf is sometimes occupied, his business `
` makes him reflective, and he might, without intending it" -- `
` `
` "Nothing could be in better taste than my father's demeanor, `
` madame," said Albert; "nay, more, he seemed greatly `
` flattered at two or three compliments which the count very `
` skilfully and agreeably paid him with as much ease as if he `
` had known him these thirty years. Each of these little `
` tickling arrows must have pleased my father," added Albert `
` with a laugh. "And thus they parted the best possible `
` friends, and M. de Morcerf even wished to take him to the `
` Chamber to hear the speakers." The countess made no reply. `
` She fell into so deep a revery that her eyes gradually `
` closed. The young man, standing up before her, gazed upon `
` her with that filial affection which is so tender and `
` endearing with children whose mothers are still young and `
` handsome. Then, after seeing her eyes closed, and hearing `
` her breathe gently, he believed she had dropped asleep, and `
` left the apartment on tiptoe, closing the door after him `
` with the utmost precaution. "This devil of a fellow," he `
` muttered, shaking his head; "I said at the time he would `
` create a sensation here, and I measure his effect by an `
` infallible thermometer. My mother has noticed him, and he `
` must therefore, perforce, be remarkable." He went down to `
` the stables, not without some slight annoyance, when he `
` remembered that the Count of Monte Cristo had laid his hands `
` on a "turnout" which sent his bays down to second place in `
` the opinion of connoisseurs. "Most decidedly," said he, "men `
` are not equal, and I must beg my father to develop this `
` theorem in the Chamber of Peers." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 42 `
` Monsieur Bertuccio. `
` `
` Meanwhile the count had arrived at his house; it had taken `
` him six minutes to perform the distance, but these six `
` minutes were sufficient to induce twenty young men who knew `
` the price of the equipage they had been unable to purchase `
` themselves, to put their horses in a gallop in order to see `
` the rich foreigner who could afford to give 20,000 francs `
` apiece for his horses. The house Ali had chosen, and which `
` was to serve as a town residence to Monte Cristo, was `
` situated on the right hand as you ascend the Champs Elysees. `
` A thick clump of trees and shrubs rose in the centre, and `
` masked a portion of the front; around this shrubbery two `
` alleys, like two arms, extended right and left, and formed a `
` carriage-drive from the iron gates to a double portico, on `
` every step of which stood a porcelain vase, filled with `
` flowers. This house, isolated from the rest, had, besides `
` the main entrance, another in the Rue Ponthieu. Even before `
` the coachman had hailed the concierge, the massy gates `
` rolled on their hinges -- they had seen the Count coming, `
` and at Paris, as everywhere else, he was served with the `
` rapidity of lightning. The coachman entered and traversed `
` the half-circle without slackening his speed, and the gates `
` were closed ere the wheels had ceased to sound on the `
` gravel. The carriage stopped at the left side of the `
` portico, two men presented themselves at the `
` carriage-window; the one was Ali, who, smiling with an `
` expression of the most sincere joy, seemed amply repaid by a `
` mere look from Monte Cristo. The other bowed respectfully, `
` and offered his arm to assist the count in descending. `
` "Thanks, M. Bertuccio," said the count, springing lightly up `
` the three steps of the portico; "and the notary?" `
` `
` "He is in the small salon, excellency," returned Bertuccio. `
`