Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
coming down, she thought she recognized the French officer `
` who had been sent to Constantinople, and in whom my father `
` placed so much confidence; for he knew that all the soldiers `
` of the French emperor were naturally noble and generous. She `
` advanced some steps towards the staircase, and listened. `
` `They are approaching,' said she; `perhaps they bring us `
` peace and liberty!' -- `What do you fear, Vasiliki?' said `
` Selim, in a voice at once so gentle and yet so proud. `If `
` they do not bring us peace, we will give them war; if they `
` do not bring life, we will give them death.' And he renewed `
` the flame of his lance with a gesture which made one think `
` of Dionysus of Crete.* But I, being only a little child, was `
` terrified by this undaunted courage, which appeared to me `
` both ferocious and senseless, and I recoiled with horror `
` from the idea of the frightful death amidst fire and flames `
` which probably awaited us. `
` `
` * The god of fruitfulness in Grecian mythology. In Crete he `
` was supposed to be slain in winter with the decay of `
` vegetation and to revive in the spring. Haidee's learned `
` reference is to the behavior of an actor in the Dionysian `
` festivals. -- Ed. `
` `
` "My mother experienced the same sensations, for I felt her `
` tremble. `Mamma, mamma,' said I, `are we really to be `
` killed?' And at the sound of my voice the slaves redoubled `
` their cries and prayers and lamentations. `My child,' said `
` Vasiliki, `may God preserve you from ever wishing for that `
` death which to-day you so much dread!' Then, whispering to `
` Selim, she asked what were her master's orders. `If he send `
` me his poniard, it will signify that the emperor's `
` intentions are not favorable, and I am to set fire to the `
` powder; if, on the contrary, he send me his ring, it will be `
` a sign that the emperor pardons him, and I am to extinguish `
` the match and leave the magazine untouched.' -- `My friend,' `
` said my mother, `when your master's orders arrive, if it is `
` the poniard which he sends, instead of despatching us by `
` that horrible death which we both so much dread, you will `
` mercifully kill us with this same poniard, will you not?' -- `
` `Yes, Vasiliki,' replied Selim tranquilly. `
` `
` "Suddenly we heard loud cries; and, listening, discerned `
` that they were cries of joy. The name of the French officer `
` who had been sent to Constantinople resounded on all sides `
` amongst our Palikares; it was evident that he brought the `
` answer of the emperor, and that it was favorable." `
` `
` "And do you not remember the Frenchman's name?" said `
` Morcerf, quite ready to aid the memory of the narrator. `
` Monte Cristo made a sign to him to be silent. `
` `
` "I do not recollect it," said Haidee. `
` `
` "The noise increased; steps were heard approaching nearer `
` and nearer: they were descending the steps leading to the `
` cavern. Selim made ready his lance. Soon a figure appeared `
` in the gray twilight at the entrance of the cave, formed by `
` the reflection of the few rays of daylight which had found `
` their way into this gloomy retreat. `Who are you?' cried `
` Selim. `But whoever you may be, I charge you not to advance `
` another step.' -- `Long live the emperor!' said the figure. `
` `He grants a full pardon to the Vizier Ali, and not only `
` gives him his life, but restores to him his fortune and his `
` possessions.' My mother uttered a cry of joy, and clasped me `
` to her bosom. `Stop,' said Selim, seeing that she was about `
` to go out; `you see I have not yet received the ring,' -- `
` `True,' said my mother. And she fell on her knees, at the `
` same time holding me up towards heaven, as if she desired, `
` while praying to God in my behalf, to raise me actually to `
` his presence." `
` `
` And for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by such `
` violent emotion that the perspiration stood upon her pale `
` brow, and her stifled voice seemed hardly able to find `
` utterance, so parched and dry were her throat and lips. `
` Monte Cristo poured a little iced water into a glass, and `
` presented it to her, saying with a mildness in which was `
` also a shade of command, -- "Courage." `
` `
` Haidee dried her eyes, and continued: "By this time our `
` eyes, habituated to the darkness, had recognized the `
` messenger of the pasha, -- it was a friend. Selim had also `
` recognized him, but the brave young man only acknowledged `
` one duty, which was to obey. `In whose name do you come?' `
` said he to him. `I come in the name of our master, Ali `
` Tepelini.' -- `If you come from Ali himself,' said Selim, `
` `you know what you were charged to remit to me?' -- `Yes,' `
` said the messenger, `and I bring you his ring.' At these `
` words he raised his hand above his head, to show the token; `
` but it was too far off, and there was not light enough to `
` enable Selim, where he was standing, to distinguish and `
` recognize the object presented to his view. `I do not see `
` what you have in your hand,' said Selim. `Approach then,' `
` said the messenger, `or I will come nearer to you, if you `
` prefer it.' -- `I will agree to neither one nor the other,' `
` replied the young soldier; `place the object which I desire `
` to see in the ray of light which shines there, and retire `
` while I examine it.' -- `Be it so,' said the envoy; and he `
` retired, after having first deposited the token agreed on in `
` the place pointed out to him by Selim. `
` `
` "Oh, how our hearts palpitated; for it did, indeed, seem to `
` be a ring which was placed there. But was it my father's `
` ring? that was the question. Selim, still holding in his `
` hand the lighted match, walked towards the opening in the `
` cavern, and, aided by the faint light which streamed in `
` through the mouth of the cave, picked up the token. `
` `
` "`It is well,' said he, kissing it; `it is my master's `
` ring!' And throwing the match on the ground, he trampled on `
` it and extinguished it. The messenger uttered a cry of joy `
` and clapped his hands. At this signal four soldiers of the `
` Serasker Koorshid suddenly appeared, and Selim fell, pierced `
` by five blows. Each man had stabbed him separately, and, `
` intoxicated by their crime, though still pale with fear, `
` they sought all over the cavern to discover if there was any `
` fear of fire, after which they amused themselves by rolling `
` on the bags of gold. At this moment my mother seized me in `
` her arms, and hurrying noiselessly along numerous turnings `
` and windings known only to ourselves, she arrived at a `
` private staircase of the kiosk, where was a scene of `
` frightful tumult and confusion. The lower rooms were `
` entirely filled with Koorshid's troops; that is to say, with `
` our enemies. Just as my mother was on the point of pushing `
` open a small door, we heard the voice of the pasha sounding `
` in a loud and threatening tone. My mother applied her eye to `
` the crack between the boards; I luckily found a small `
` opening which afforded me a view of the apartment and what `
` was passing within. `What do you want?' said my father to `
` some people who were holding a paper inscribed with `
` characters of gold. `What we want,' replied one, `is to `
` communicate to you the will of his highness. Do you see this `
` firman?' -- `I do,' said my father. `Well, read it; he `
` demands your head.' `
` `
` "My father answered with a loud laugh, which was more `
` frightful than even threats would have been, and he had not `
` ceased when two reports of a pistol were heard; he had fired `
` them himself, and had killed two men. The Palikares, who `
` were prostrated at my father's feet, now sprang up and `
` fired, and the room was filled with fire and smoke. At the `
` same instant the firing began on the other side, and the `
` balls penetrated the boards all round us. Oh, how noble did `
` the grand vizier my father look at that moment, in the midst `
` of the flying bullets, his scimitar in his hand, and his `
` face blackened with the powder of his enemies! and how he `
` terrified them, even then, and made them fly before him! `
` `Selim, Selim!' cried he, `guardian of the fire, do your `
` duty!' -- `Selim is dead,' replied a voice which seemed to `
` come from the depths of the earth, `and you are lost, Ali!' `
` At the same moment an explosion was heard, and the flooring `
` of the room in which my father was sitting was suddenly torn `
` up and shivered to atoms -- the troops were firing from `
` underneath. Three or four Palikares fell with their bodies `
` literally ploughed with wounds. `
` `
` "My father howled aloud, plunged his fingers into the holes `
` which the balls had made, and tore up one of the planks `
` entire. But immediately through this opening twenty more `
` shots were fired, and the flame, rushing up like fire from `
` the crater of a volcano, soon reached the tapestry, which it `
` quickly devoured. In the midst of all this frightful tumult `
` and these terrific cries, two reports, fearfully distinct, `
` followed by two shrieks more heartrending than all, froze me `
` with terror. These two shots had mortally wounded my father, `
` and it was he who had given utterance to these frightful `
` cries. However, he remained standing, clinging to a window. `
` My mother tried to force the door, that she might go and die `
` with him, but it was fastened on the inside. All around him `
` were lying the Palikares, writhing in convulsive agonies, `
` while two or three who were only slightly wounded were `
` trying to escape by springing from the windows. At this `
` crisis the whole flooring suddenly gave way, my father fell `
` on one knee, and at the same moment twenty hands were thrust `
` forth, armed with sabres, pistols, and poniards -- twenty `
` blows were instantaneously directed against one man, and my `
` father disappeared in a whirlwind of fire and smoke kindled `
` by these demons, and which seemed like hell itself opening `
` beneath his feet. I felt myself fall to the ground, my `
` mother had fainted." `
` `
` Haidee's arms fell by her side, and she uttered a deep `
` groan, at the same time looking towards the count as if to `
` ask if he were satisfied with her obedience to his commands. `
` Monte Cristo arose and approached her, took her hand, and `
` said to her in Romaic, "Calm yourself, my dear child, and `
` take courage in remembering that there is a God who will `
` punish traitors." `
` `
` "It is a frightful story, count," said Albert, terrified at `
` the paleness of Haidee's countenance, "and I reproach myself `
` now for having been so cruel and thoughtless in my request." `
` `
` "Oh, it is nothing," said Monte Cristo. Then, patting the `
` young girl on the head, he continued, "Haidee is very `
` courageous, and she sometimes even finds consolation in the `
` recital of her misfortunes." `
` `
` "Because, my lord," said Haidee eagerly, "my miseries recall `
` to me the remembrance of your goodness." `
` `
`
` who had been sent to Constantinople, and in whom my father `
` placed so much confidence; for he knew that all the soldiers `
` of the French emperor were naturally noble and generous. She `
` advanced some steps towards the staircase, and listened. `
` `They are approaching,' said she; `perhaps they bring us `
` peace and liberty!' -- `What do you fear, Vasiliki?' said `
` Selim, in a voice at once so gentle and yet so proud. `If `
` they do not bring us peace, we will give them war; if they `
` do not bring life, we will give them death.' And he renewed `
` the flame of his lance with a gesture which made one think `
` of Dionysus of Crete.* But I, being only a little child, was `
` terrified by this undaunted courage, which appeared to me `
` both ferocious and senseless, and I recoiled with horror `
` from the idea of the frightful death amidst fire and flames `
` which probably awaited us. `
` `
` * The god of fruitfulness in Grecian mythology. In Crete he `
` was supposed to be slain in winter with the decay of `
` vegetation and to revive in the spring. Haidee's learned `
` reference is to the behavior of an actor in the Dionysian `
` festivals. -- Ed. `
` `
` "My mother experienced the same sensations, for I felt her `
` tremble. `Mamma, mamma,' said I, `are we really to be `
` killed?' And at the sound of my voice the slaves redoubled `
` their cries and prayers and lamentations. `My child,' said `
` Vasiliki, `may God preserve you from ever wishing for that `
` death which to-day you so much dread!' Then, whispering to `
` Selim, she asked what were her master's orders. `If he send `
` me his poniard, it will signify that the emperor's `
` intentions are not favorable, and I am to set fire to the `
` powder; if, on the contrary, he send me his ring, it will be `
` a sign that the emperor pardons him, and I am to extinguish `
` the match and leave the magazine untouched.' -- `My friend,' `
` said my mother, `when your master's orders arrive, if it is `
` the poniard which he sends, instead of despatching us by `
` that horrible death which we both so much dread, you will `
` mercifully kill us with this same poniard, will you not?' -- `
` `Yes, Vasiliki,' replied Selim tranquilly. `
` `
` "Suddenly we heard loud cries; and, listening, discerned `
` that they were cries of joy. The name of the French officer `
` who had been sent to Constantinople resounded on all sides `
` amongst our Palikares; it was evident that he brought the `
` answer of the emperor, and that it was favorable." `
` `
` "And do you not remember the Frenchman's name?" said `
` Morcerf, quite ready to aid the memory of the narrator. `
` Monte Cristo made a sign to him to be silent. `
` `
` "I do not recollect it," said Haidee. `
` `
` "The noise increased; steps were heard approaching nearer `
` and nearer: they were descending the steps leading to the `
` cavern. Selim made ready his lance. Soon a figure appeared `
` in the gray twilight at the entrance of the cave, formed by `
` the reflection of the few rays of daylight which had found `
` their way into this gloomy retreat. `Who are you?' cried `
` Selim. `But whoever you may be, I charge you not to advance `
` another step.' -- `Long live the emperor!' said the figure. `
` `He grants a full pardon to the Vizier Ali, and not only `
` gives him his life, but restores to him his fortune and his `
` possessions.' My mother uttered a cry of joy, and clasped me `
` to her bosom. `Stop,' said Selim, seeing that she was about `
` to go out; `you see I have not yet received the ring,' -- `
` `True,' said my mother. And she fell on her knees, at the `
` same time holding me up towards heaven, as if she desired, `
` while praying to God in my behalf, to raise me actually to `
` his presence." `
` `
` And for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by such `
` violent emotion that the perspiration stood upon her pale `
` brow, and her stifled voice seemed hardly able to find `
` utterance, so parched and dry were her throat and lips. `
` Monte Cristo poured a little iced water into a glass, and `
` presented it to her, saying with a mildness in which was `
` also a shade of command, -- "Courage." `
` `
` Haidee dried her eyes, and continued: "By this time our `
` eyes, habituated to the darkness, had recognized the `
` messenger of the pasha, -- it was a friend. Selim had also `
` recognized him, but the brave young man only acknowledged `
` one duty, which was to obey. `In whose name do you come?' `
` said he to him. `I come in the name of our master, Ali `
` Tepelini.' -- `If you come from Ali himself,' said Selim, `
` `you know what you were charged to remit to me?' -- `Yes,' `
` said the messenger, `and I bring you his ring.' At these `
` words he raised his hand above his head, to show the token; `
` but it was too far off, and there was not light enough to `
` enable Selim, where he was standing, to distinguish and `
` recognize the object presented to his view. `I do not see `
` what you have in your hand,' said Selim. `Approach then,' `
` said the messenger, `or I will come nearer to you, if you `
` prefer it.' -- `I will agree to neither one nor the other,' `
` replied the young soldier; `place the object which I desire `
` to see in the ray of light which shines there, and retire `
` while I examine it.' -- `Be it so,' said the envoy; and he `
` retired, after having first deposited the token agreed on in `
` the place pointed out to him by Selim. `
` `
` "Oh, how our hearts palpitated; for it did, indeed, seem to `
` be a ring which was placed there. But was it my father's `
` ring? that was the question. Selim, still holding in his `
` hand the lighted match, walked towards the opening in the `
` cavern, and, aided by the faint light which streamed in `
` through the mouth of the cave, picked up the token. `
` `
` "`It is well,' said he, kissing it; `it is my master's `
` ring!' And throwing the match on the ground, he trampled on `
` it and extinguished it. The messenger uttered a cry of joy `
` and clapped his hands. At this signal four soldiers of the `
` Serasker Koorshid suddenly appeared, and Selim fell, pierced `
` by five blows. Each man had stabbed him separately, and, `
` intoxicated by their crime, though still pale with fear, `
` they sought all over the cavern to discover if there was any `
` fear of fire, after which they amused themselves by rolling `
` on the bags of gold. At this moment my mother seized me in `
` her arms, and hurrying noiselessly along numerous turnings `
` and windings known only to ourselves, she arrived at a `
` private staircase of the kiosk, where was a scene of `
` frightful tumult and confusion. The lower rooms were `
` entirely filled with Koorshid's troops; that is to say, with `
` our enemies. Just as my mother was on the point of pushing `
` open a small door, we heard the voice of the pasha sounding `
` in a loud and threatening tone. My mother applied her eye to `
` the crack between the boards; I luckily found a small `
` opening which afforded me a view of the apartment and what `
` was passing within. `What do you want?' said my father to `
` some people who were holding a paper inscribed with `
` characters of gold. `What we want,' replied one, `is to `
` communicate to you the will of his highness. Do you see this `
` firman?' -- `I do,' said my father. `Well, read it; he `
` demands your head.' `
` `
` "My father answered with a loud laugh, which was more `
` frightful than even threats would have been, and he had not `
` ceased when two reports of a pistol were heard; he had fired `
` them himself, and had killed two men. The Palikares, who `
` were prostrated at my father's feet, now sprang up and `
` fired, and the room was filled with fire and smoke. At the `
` same instant the firing began on the other side, and the `
` balls penetrated the boards all round us. Oh, how noble did `
` the grand vizier my father look at that moment, in the midst `
` of the flying bullets, his scimitar in his hand, and his `
` face blackened with the powder of his enemies! and how he `
` terrified them, even then, and made them fly before him! `
` `Selim, Selim!' cried he, `guardian of the fire, do your `
` duty!' -- `Selim is dead,' replied a voice which seemed to `
` come from the depths of the earth, `and you are lost, Ali!' `
` At the same moment an explosion was heard, and the flooring `
` of the room in which my father was sitting was suddenly torn `
` up and shivered to atoms -- the troops were firing from `
` underneath. Three or four Palikares fell with their bodies `
` literally ploughed with wounds. `
` `
` "My father howled aloud, plunged his fingers into the holes `
` which the balls had made, and tore up one of the planks `
` entire. But immediately through this opening twenty more `
` shots were fired, and the flame, rushing up like fire from `
` the crater of a volcano, soon reached the tapestry, which it `
` quickly devoured. In the midst of all this frightful tumult `
` and these terrific cries, two reports, fearfully distinct, `
` followed by two shrieks more heartrending than all, froze me `
` with terror. These two shots had mortally wounded my father, `
` and it was he who had given utterance to these frightful `
` cries. However, he remained standing, clinging to a window. `
` My mother tried to force the door, that she might go and die `
` with him, but it was fastened on the inside. All around him `
` were lying the Palikares, writhing in convulsive agonies, `
` while two or three who were only slightly wounded were `
` trying to escape by springing from the windows. At this `
` crisis the whole flooring suddenly gave way, my father fell `
` on one knee, and at the same moment twenty hands were thrust `
` forth, armed with sabres, pistols, and poniards -- twenty `
` blows were instantaneously directed against one man, and my `
` father disappeared in a whirlwind of fire and smoke kindled `
` by these demons, and which seemed like hell itself opening `
` beneath his feet. I felt myself fall to the ground, my `
` mother had fainted." `
` `
` Haidee's arms fell by her side, and she uttered a deep `
` groan, at the same time looking towards the count as if to `
` ask if he were satisfied with her obedience to his commands. `
` Monte Cristo arose and approached her, took her hand, and `
` said to her in Romaic, "Calm yourself, my dear child, and `
` take courage in remembering that there is a God who will `
` punish traitors." `
` `
` "It is a frightful story, count," said Albert, terrified at `
` the paleness of Haidee's countenance, "and I reproach myself `
` now for having been so cruel and thoughtless in my request." `
` `
` "Oh, it is nothing," said Monte Cristo. Then, patting the `
` young girl on the head, he continued, "Haidee is very `
` courageous, and she sometimes even finds consolation in the `
` recital of her misfortunes." `
` `
` "Because, my lord," said Haidee eagerly, "my miseries recall `
` to me the remembrance of your goodness." `
` `
`