Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
`
` Albert looked at her with curiosity, for she had not yet `
` related what he most desired to know, -- how she had become `
` the slave of the count. Haidee saw at a glance the same `
` expression pervading the countenances of her two auditors; `
` she exclaimed, `When my mother recovered her senses we were `
` before the serasker. `Kill,' said she, `but spare the honor `
` of the widow of Ali.' -- `It is not to me to whom you must `
` address yourself,' said Koorshid. `
` `
` "`To whom, then?' -- `To your new master.' `
` `
` "`Who and where is he?' -- `He is here.' `
` `
` "And Koorshid pointed out one who had more than any `
` contributed to the death of my father," said Haidee, in a `
` tone of chastened anger. "Then," said Albert, "you became `
` the property of this man?" `
` `
` "No," replied Haidee, "he did not dare to keep us, so we `
` were sold to some slave-merchants who were going to `
` Constantinople. We traversed Greece, and arrived half dead `
` at the imperial gates. They were surrounded by a crowd of `
` people, who opened a way for us to pass, when suddenly my `
` mother, having looked closely at an object which was `
` attracting their attention, uttered a piercing cry and fell `
` to the ground, pointing as she did so to a head which was `
` placed over the gates, and beneath which were inscribed `
` these words: `
` `
` "`This is the head of Ali Tepelini Pasha of Yanina.' I cried `
` bitterly, and tried to raise my mother from the earth, but `
` she was dead! I was taken to the slave-market, and was `
` purchased by a rich Armenian. He caused me to be instructed, `
` gave me masters, and when I was thirteen years of age he `
` sold me to the Sultan Mahmood." `
` `
` "Of whom I bought her," said Monte Cristo, "as I told you, `
` Albert, with the emerald which formed a match to the one I `
` had made into a box for the purpose of holding my hashish `
` pills." `
` `
` "Oh, you are good, you are great, my lord!" said Haidee, `
` kissing the count's hand, "and I am very fortunate in `
` belonging to such a master!" Albert remained quite `
` bewildered with all that he had seen and heard. "Come, `
` finish your cup of coffee," said Monte Cristo; "the history `
` is ended." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 78 `
` We hear From Yanina. `
` `
` If Valentine could have seen the trembling step and agitated `
` countenance of Franz when he quitted the chamber of M. `
` Noirtier, even she would have been constrained to pity him. `
` Villefort had only just given utterance to a few incoherent `
` sentences, and then retired to his study, where he received `
` about two hours afterwards the following letter: -- `
` `
` "After all the disclosures which were made this morning, M. `
` Noirtier de Villefort must see the utter impossibility of `
` any alliance being formed between his family and that of M. `
` Franz d'Epinay. M. d'Epinay must say that he is shocked and `
` astonished that M. de Villefort, who appeared to be aware of `
` all the circumstances detailed this morning, should not have `
` anticipated him in this announcement." `
` `
` No one who had seen the magistrate at this moment, so `
` thoroughly unnerved by the recent inauspicious combination `
` of circumstances, would have supposed for an instant that he `
` had anticipated the annoyance; although it certainly never `
` had occurred to him that his father would carry candor, or `
` rather rudeness, so far as to relate such a history. And in `
` justice to Villefort, it must be understood that M. `
` Noirtier, who never cared for the opinion of his son on any `
` subject, had always omitted to explain the affair to `
` Villefort, so that he had all his life entertained the `
` belief that General de Quesnel, or the Baron d'Epinay, as he `
` was alternately styled, according as the speaker wished to `
` identify him by his own family name, or by the title which `
` had been conferred on him, fell the victim of assassination, `
` and not that he was killed fairly in a duel. This harsh `
` letter, coming as it did from a man generally so polite and `
` respectful, struck a mortal blow at the pride of Villefort. `
` Hardly had he read the letter, when his wife entered. The `
` sudden departure of Franz, after being summoned by M. `
` Noirtier, had so much astonished every one, that the `
` position of Madame de Villefort, left alone with the notary `
` and the witnesses, became every moment more embarrassing. `
` Determined to bear it no longer, she arose and left the `
` room; saying she would go and make some inquiries into the `
` cause of his sudden disappearance. `
` `
` M. de Villefort's communications on the subject were very `
` limited and concise; he told her, in fact, that an `
` explanation had taken place between M. Noirtier, M. `
` d'Epinay, and himself, and that the marriage of Valentine `
` and Franz would consequently be broken off. This was an `
` awkward and unpleasant thing to have to report to those who `
` were awaiting her return in the chamber of her `
` father-in-law. She therefore contented herself with saying `
` that M. Noirtier having at the commencement of the `
` discussion been attacked by a sort of apoplectic fit, the `
` affair would necessarily be deferred for some days longer. `
` This news, false as it was following so singularly in the `
` train of the two similar misfortunes which had so recently `
` occurred, evidently astonished the auditors, and they `
` retired without a word. During this time Valentine, at once `
` terrified and happy, after having embraced and thanked the `
` feeble old man for thus breaking with a single blow the `
` chain which she had been accustomed to consider as `
` irrefragable, asked leave to retire to her own room, in `
` order to recover her composure. Noirtier looked the `
` permission which she solicited. But instead of going to her `
` own room, Valentine, having once gained her liberty, entered `
` the gallery, and, opening a small door at the end of it. `
` found herself at once in the garden. `
` `
` In the midst of all the strange events which had crowded one `
` on the other, an indefinable sentiment of dread had taken `
` possession of Valentine's mind. She expected every moment `
` that she should see Morrel appear, pale and trembling, to `
` forbid the signing of the contract, like the Laird of `
` Ravenswood in "The Bride of Lammermoor." It was high time `
` for her to make her appearance at the gate, for Maximilian `
` had long awaited her coming. He had half guessed what was `
` going on when he saw Franz quit the cemetery with M. de `
` Villefort. He followed M. d'Epinay, saw him enter, `
` afterwards go out, and then re-enter with Albert and `
` Chateau-Renaud. He had no longer any doubts as to the nature `
` of the conference; he therefore quickly went to the gate in `
` the clover-patch, prepared to hear the result of the `
` proceedings, and very certain that Valentine would hasten to `
` him the first moment she should be set at liberty. He was `
` not mistaken; peering through the crevices of the wooden `
` partition, he soon discovered the young girl, who cast aside `
` all her usual precautions and walked at once to the barrier. `
` The first glance which Maximilian directed towards her `
` entirely reassured him, and the first words she spoke made `
` his heart bound with delight. `
` `
` "We are saved!" said Valentine. "Saved?" repeated Morrel, `
` not being able to conceive such intense happiness; "by `
` whom?" `
` `
` "By my grandfather. Oh, Morrel, pray love him for all his `
` goodness to us!" Morrel swore to love him with all his soul; `
` and at that moment he could safely promise to do so, for he `
` felt as though it were not enough to love him merely as a `
` friend or even as a father. "But tell me, Valentine, how has `
` it all been effected? What strange means has he used to `
` compass this blessed end?" `
` `
` Valentine was on the point of relating all that had passed, `
` but she suddenly remembered that in doing so she must reveal `
` a terrible secret which concerned others as well as her `
` grandfather, and she said, "At some future time I will tell `
` you all about it." `
` `
` "But when will that be?" `
` `
` "When I am your wife." `
` `
` The conversation had now turned upon a topic so pleasing to `
` Morrel, that he was ready to accede to anything that `
` Valentine thought fit to propose, and he likewise felt that `
` a piece of intelligence such as he just heard ought to be `
` more than sufficient to content him for one day. However, he `
` would not leave without the promise of seeing Valentine `
` again the next night. Valentine promised all that Morrel `
` required of her, and certainly it was less difficult now for `
` her to believe that she should marry Maximilian than it was `
` an hour ago to assure herself that she should not marry `
` Franz. During the time occupied by the interview we have `
` just detailed, Madame de Villefort had gone to visit M. `
` Noirtier. The old man looked at her with that stern and `
` forbidding expression with which he was accustomed to `
` receive her. `
` `
` "Sir," said she, "it is superfluous for me to tell you that `
` Valentine's marriage is broken off, since it was here that `
` the affair was concluded." Noirtier's countenance remained `
` immovable. "But one thing I can tell you, of which I do not `
` think you are aware; that is, that I have always been `
` opposed to this marriage, and that the contract was entered `
` into entirely without my consent or approbation." Noirtier `
` regarded his daughter-in-law with the look of a man desiring `
` an explanation. "Now that this marriage, which I know you so `
` much disliked, is done away with, I come to you on an errand `
` which neither M. de Villefort nor Valentine could `
` consistently undertake." Noirtier's eyes demanded the nature `
` of her mission. "I come to entreat you, sir," continued `
` Madame de Villefort, "as the only one who has the right of `
` doing so, inasmuch as I am the only one who will receive no `
` personal benefit from the transaction, -- I come to entreat `
` you to restore, not your love, for that she has always `
` possessed, but to restore your fortune to your `
` granddaughter." `
` `
`
` Albert looked at her with curiosity, for she had not yet `
` related what he most desired to know, -- how she had become `
` the slave of the count. Haidee saw at a glance the same `
` expression pervading the countenances of her two auditors; `
` she exclaimed, `When my mother recovered her senses we were `
` before the serasker. `Kill,' said she, `but spare the honor `
` of the widow of Ali.' -- `It is not to me to whom you must `
` address yourself,' said Koorshid. `
` `
` "`To whom, then?' -- `To your new master.' `
` `
` "`Who and where is he?' -- `He is here.' `
` `
` "And Koorshid pointed out one who had more than any `
` contributed to the death of my father," said Haidee, in a `
` tone of chastened anger. "Then," said Albert, "you became `
` the property of this man?" `
` `
` "No," replied Haidee, "he did not dare to keep us, so we `
` were sold to some slave-merchants who were going to `
` Constantinople. We traversed Greece, and arrived half dead `
` at the imperial gates. They were surrounded by a crowd of `
` people, who opened a way for us to pass, when suddenly my `
` mother, having looked closely at an object which was `
` attracting their attention, uttered a piercing cry and fell `
` to the ground, pointing as she did so to a head which was `
` placed over the gates, and beneath which were inscribed `
` these words: `
` `
` "`This is the head of Ali Tepelini Pasha of Yanina.' I cried `
` bitterly, and tried to raise my mother from the earth, but `
` she was dead! I was taken to the slave-market, and was `
` purchased by a rich Armenian. He caused me to be instructed, `
` gave me masters, and when I was thirteen years of age he `
` sold me to the Sultan Mahmood." `
` `
` "Of whom I bought her," said Monte Cristo, "as I told you, `
` Albert, with the emerald which formed a match to the one I `
` had made into a box for the purpose of holding my hashish `
` pills." `
` `
` "Oh, you are good, you are great, my lord!" said Haidee, `
` kissing the count's hand, "and I am very fortunate in `
` belonging to such a master!" Albert remained quite `
` bewildered with all that he had seen and heard. "Come, `
` finish your cup of coffee," said Monte Cristo; "the history `
` is ended." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 78 `
` We hear From Yanina. `
` `
` If Valentine could have seen the trembling step and agitated `
` countenance of Franz when he quitted the chamber of M. `
` Noirtier, even she would have been constrained to pity him. `
` Villefort had only just given utterance to a few incoherent `
` sentences, and then retired to his study, where he received `
` about two hours afterwards the following letter: -- `
` `
` "After all the disclosures which were made this morning, M. `
` Noirtier de Villefort must see the utter impossibility of `
` any alliance being formed between his family and that of M. `
` Franz d'Epinay. M. d'Epinay must say that he is shocked and `
` astonished that M. de Villefort, who appeared to be aware of `
` all the circumstances detailed this morning, should not have `
` anticipated him in this announcement." `
` `
` No one who had seen the magistrate at this moment, so `
` thoroughly unnerved by the recent inauspicious combination `
` of circumstances, would have supposed for an instant that he `
` had anticipated the annoyance; although it certainly never `
` had occurred to him that his father would carry candor, or `
` rather rudeness, so far as to relate such a history. And in `
` justice to Villefort, it must be understood that M. `
` Noirtier, who never cared for the opinion of his son on any `
` subject, had always omitted to explain the affair to `
` Villefort, so that he had all his life entertained the `
` belief that General de Quesnel, or the Baron d'Epinay, as he `
` was alternately styled, according as the speaker wished to `
` identify him by his own family name, or by the title which `
` had been conferred on him, fell the victim of assassination, `
` and not that he was killed fairly in a duel. This harsh `
` letter, coming as it did from a man generally so polite and `
` respectful, struck a mortal blow at the pride of Villefort. `
` Hardly had he read the letter, when his wife entered. The `
` sudden departure of Franz, after being summoned by M. `
` Noirtier, had so much astonished every one, that the `
` position of Madame de Villefort, left alone with the notary `
` and the witnesses, became every moment more embarrassing. `
` Determined to bear it no longer, she arose and left the `
` room; saying she would go and make some inquiries into the `
` cause of his sudden disappearance. `
` `
` M. de Villefort's communications on the subject were very `
` limited and concise; he told her, in fact, that an `
` explanation had taken place between M. Noirtier, M. `
` d'Epinay, and himself, and that the marriage of Valentine `
` and Franz would consequently be broken off. This was an `
` awkward and unpleasant thing to have to report to those who `
` were awaiting her return in the chamber of her `
` father-in-law. She therefore contented herself with saying `
` that M. Noirtier having at the commencement of the `
` discussion been attacked by a sort of apoplectic fit, the `
` affair would necessarily be deferred for some days longer. `
` This news, false as it was following so singularly in the `
` train of the two similar misfortunes which had so recently `
` occurred, evidently astonished the auditors, and they `
` retired without a word. During this time Valentine, at once `
` terrified and happy, after having embraced and thanked the `
` feeble old man for thus breaking with a single blow the `
` chain which she had been accustomed to consider as `
` irrefragable, asked leave to retire to her own room, in `
` order to recover her composure. Noirtier looked the `
` permission which she solicited. But instead of going to her `
` own room, Valentine, having once gained her liberty, entered `
` the gallery, and, opening a small door at the end of it. `
` found herself at once in the garden. `
` `
` In the midst of all the strange events which had crowded one `
` on the other, an indefinable sentiment of dread had taken `
` possession of Valentine's mind. She expected every moment `
` that she should see Morrel appear, pale and trembling, to `
` forbid the signing of the contract, like the Laird of `
` Ravenswood in "The Bride of Lammermoor." It was high time `
` for her to make her appearance at the gate, for Maximilian `
` had long awaited her coming. He had half guessed what was `
` going on when he saw Franz quit the cemetery with M. de `
` Villefort. He followed M. d'Epinay, saw him enter, `
` afterwards go out, and then re-enter with Albert and `
` Chateau-Renaud. He had no longer any doubts as to the nature `
` of the conference; he therefore quickly went to the gate in `
` the clover-patch, prepared to hear the result of the `
` proceedings, and very certain that Valentine would hasten to `
` him the first moment she should be set at liberty. He was `
` not mistaken; peering through the crevices of the wooden `
` partition, he soon discovered the young girl, who cast aside `
` all her usual precautions and walked at once to the barrier. `
` The first glance which Maximilian directed towards her `
` entirely reassured him, and the first words she spoke made `
` his heart bound with delight. `
` `
` "We are saved!" said Valentine. "Saved?" repeated Morrel, `
` not being able to conceive such intense happiness; "by `
` whom?" `
` `
` "By my grandfather. Oh, Morrel, pray love him for all his `
` goodness to us!" Morrel swore to love him with all his soul; `
` and at that moment he could safely promise to do so, for he `
` felt as though it were not enough to love him merely as a `
` friend or even as a father. "But tell me, Valentine, how has `
` it all been effected? What strange means has he used to `
` compass this blessed end?" `
` `
` Valentine was on the point of relating all that had passed, `
` but she suddenly remembered that in doing so she must reveal `
` a terrible secret which concerned others as well as her `
` grandfather, and she said, "At some future time I will tell `
` you all about it." `
` `
` "But when will that be?" `
` `
` "When I am your wife." `
` `
` The conversation had now turned upon a topic so pleasing to `
` Morrel, that he was ready to accede to anything that `
` Valentine thought fit to propose, and he likewise felt that `
` a piece of intelligence such as he just heard ought to be `
` more than sufficient to content him for one day. However, he `
` would not leave without the promise of seeing Valentine `
` again the next night. Valentine promised all that Morrel `
` required of her, and certainly it was less difficult now for `
` her to believe that she should marry Maximilian than it was `
` an hour ago to assure herself that she should not marry `
` Franz. During the time occupied by the interview we have `
` just detailed, Madame de Villefort had gone to visit M. `
` Noirtier. The old man looked at her with that stern and `
` forbidding expression with which he was accustomed to `
` receive her. `
` `
` "Sir," said she, "it is superfluous for me to tell you that `
` Valentine's marriage is broken off, since it was here that `
` the affair was concluded." Noirtier's countenance remained `
` immovable. "But one thing I can tell you, of which I do not `
` think you are aware; that is, that I have always been `
` opposed to this marriage, and that the contract was entered `
` into entirely without my consent or approbation." Noirtier `
` regarded his daughter-in-law with the look of a man desiring `
` an explanation. "Now that this marriage, which I know you so `
` much disliked, is done away with, I come to you on an errand `
` which neither M. de Villefort nor Valentine could `
` consistently undertake." Noirtier's eyes demanded the nature `
` of her mission. "I come to entreat you, sir," continued `
` Madame de Villefort, "as the only one who has the right of `
` doing so, inasmuch as I am the only one who will receive no `
` personal benefit from the transaction, -- I come to entreat `
` you to restore, not your love, for that she has always `
` possessed, but to restore your fortune to your `
` granddaughter." `
` `
`