Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
`
` There was a doubtful expression in Noirtier's eyes; he was `
` evidently trying to discover the motive of this proceeding, `
` and he could not succeed in doing so. "May I hope, sir," `
` said Madame de Villefort, "that your intentions accord with `
` my request?" Noirtier made a sign that they did. "In that `
` case, sir," rejoined Madame de Villefort, "I will leave you `
` overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness at your prompt `
` acquiescence to my wishes." She then bowed to M. Noirtier `
` and retired. `
` `
` The next day M. Noirtier sent for the notary; the first will `
` was torn up and a second made, in which he left the whole of `
` his fortune to Valentine, on condition that she should never `
` be separated from him. It was then generally reported that `
` Mademoiselle de Villefort, the heiress of the marquis and `
` marchioness of Saint-Meran, had regained the good graces of `
` her grandfather, and that she would ultimately be in `
` possession of an income of 300,000 livres. `
` `
` While all the proceedings relative to the dissolution of the `
` marriage-contract were being carried on at the house of M. `
` de Villefort, Monte Cristo had paid his visit to the Count `
` of Morcerf, who, in order to lose no time in responding to `
` M. Danglars' wishes, and at the same time to pay all due `
` deference to his position in society, donned his uniform of `
` lieutenant-general, which he ornamented with all his `
` crosses, and thus attired, ordered his finest horses and `
` drove to the Rue de la Chausse d'Antin. `
` `
` Danglars was balancing his monthly accounts, and it was `
` perhaps not the most favorable moment for finding him in his `
` best humor. At the first sight of his old friend, Danglars `
` assumed his majestic air, and settled himself in his `
` easy-chair. Morcerf, usually so stiff and formal, accosted `
` the banker in an affable and smiling manner, and, feeling `
` sure that the overture he was about make would be well `
` received, he did not consider it necessary to adopt any `
` manoeuvres in order to gain his end, but went at once `
` straight to the point. `
` `
` "Well, baron," said he, "here I am at last; some time has `
` elapsed since our plans were formed, and they are not yet `
` executed." Morcerf paused at these words, quietly waiting `
` till the cloud should have dispersed which had gathered on `
` the brow of Danglars, and which he attributed to his `
` silence; but, on the contrary, to his great surprise, it `
` grew darker and darker. "To what do you allude, monsieur?" `
` said Danglars; as if he were trying in vain to guess at the `
` possible meaning of the general's words. `
` `
` "Ah," said Morcerf, "I see you are a stickler for forms, my `
` dear sir, and you would remind me that the ceremonial rites `
` should not be omitted. Ma foi, I beg your pardon, but as I `
` have but one son, and it is the first time I have ever `
` thought of marrying him, I am still serving my `
` apprenticeship, you know; come, I will reform." And Morcerf `
` with a forced smile arose, and, making a low bow to M. `
` Danglars, said: "Baron, I have the honor of asking of you `
` the hand of Mademoiselle Eugenie Danglars for my son, the `
` Vicomte Albert de Morcerf." `
` `
` But Danglars, instead of receiving this address in the `
` favorable manner which Morcerf had expected, knit his brow, `
` and without inviting the count, who was still standing, to `
` take a seat, he said: "Monsieur, it will be necessary to `
` reflect before I give you an answer." `
` `
` "To reflect?" said Morcerf, more and more astonished; "have `
` you not had enough time for reflection during the eight `
` years which have elapsed since this marriage was first `
` discussed between us?" `
` `
` "Count," said the banker, "things are constantly occurring `
` in the world to induce us to lay aside our most established `
` opinions, or at all events to cause us to remodel them `
` according to the change of circumstances, which may have `
` placed affairs in a totally different light to that in which `
` we at first viewed them." `
` `
` "I do not understand you, baron," said Morcerf. `
` `
` "What I mean to say is this, sir, -- that during the last `
` fortnight unforeseen circumstances have occurred" -- `
` `
` "Excuse me," said Morcerf, "but is it a play we are acting?" `
` `
` "A play?" `
` `
` "Yes, for it is like one; pray let us come more to the `
` point, and endeavor thoroughly to understand each other." `
` `
` "That is quite my desire." `
` `
` "You have seen M. de Monte Cristo have you not?" `
` `
` "I see him very often," said Danglars, drawing himself up; `
` "he is a particular friend of mine." `
` `
` "Well, in one of your late conversations with him, you said `
` that I appeared to be forgetful and irresolute concerning `
` this marriage, did you not?" `
` `
` "I did say so." `
` `
` "Well, here I am, proving at once that I am really neither `
` the one nor the other, by entreating you to keep your `
` promise on that score." `
` `
` Danglars did not answer. "Have you so soon changed your `
` mind," added Morcerf, "or have you only provoked my request `
` that you may have the pleasure of seeing me humbled?" `
` Danglars, seeing that if he continued the conversation in `
` the same tone in which he had begun it, the whole thing `
` might turn out to his own disadvantage, turned to Morcerf, `
` and said: "Count, you must doubtless be surprised at my `
` reserve, and I assure you it costs me much to act in such a `
` manner towards you; but, believe me when I say that `
` imperative necessity has imposed the painful task upon me." `
` `
` "These are all so many empty words, my dear sir," said `
` Morcerf: "they might satisfy a new acquaintance, but the `
` Comte de Morcerf does not rank in that list; and when a man `
` like him comes to another, recalls to him his plighted word, `
` and this man fails to redeem the pledge, he has at least a `
` right to exact from him a good reason for so doing." `
` Danglars was a coward, but did not wish to appear so; he was `
` piqued at the tone which Morcerf had just assumed. "I am not `
` without a good reason for my conduct," replied the banker. `
` `
` "What do you mean to say?" `
` `
` "I mean to say that I have a good reason, but that it is `
` difficult to explain." `
` `
` "You must be aware, at all events, that it is impossible for `
` me to understand motives before they are explained to me; `
` but one thing at least is clear, which is, that you decline `
` allying yourself with my family." `
` `
` "No, sir," said Danglars; "I merely suspend my decision, `
` that is all." `
` `
` "And do you really flatter yourself that I shall yield to `
` all your caprices, and quietly and humbly await the time of `
` again being received into your good graces?" `
` `
` "Then, count, if you will not wait, we must look upon these `
` projects as if they had never been entertained." The count `
` bit his lips till the blood almost started, to prevent the `
` ebullition of anger which his proud and irritable temper `
` scarcely allowed him to restrain; understanding, however, `
` that in the present state of things the laugh would `
` decidedly be against him, he turned from the door, towards `
` which he had been directing his steps, and again confronted `
` the banker. A cloud settled on his brow, evincing decided `
` anxiety and uneasiness, instead of the expression of `
` offended pride which had lately reigned there. "My dear `
` Danglars," said Morcerf, "we have been acquainted for many `
` years, and consequently we ought to make some allowance for `
` each other's failings. You owe me an explanation, and really `
` it is but fair that I should know what circumstance has `
` occurred to deprive my son of your favor." `
` `
` "It is from no personal ill-feeling towards the viscount, `
` that is all I can say, sir," replied Danglars, who resumed `
` his insolent manner as soon as he perceived that Morcerf was `
` a little softened and calmed down. "And towards whom do you `
` bear this personal ill-feeling, then?" said Morcerf, turning `
` pale with anger. The expression of the count's face had not `
` remained unperceived by the banker; he fixed on him a look `
` of greater assurance than before, and said: "You may, `
` perhaps, be better satisfied that I should not go farther `
` into particulars." `
` `
` A tremor of suppressed rage shook the whole frame of the `
` count, and making a violent effort over himself, he said: "I `
` have a right to insist on your giving me an explanation. Is `
` it Madame de Morcerf who has displeased you? Is it my `
` fortune which you find insufficient? Is it because my `
` opinions differ from yours?" `
` `
` "Nothing of the kind, sir," replied Danglars: "if such had `
` been the case, I only should have been to blame, inasmuch as `
` I was aware of all these things when I made the engagement. `
` No, do not seek any longer to discover the reason. I really `
` am quite ashamed to have been the cause of your undergoing `
` such severe self-examination; let us drop the subject, and `
` adopt the middle course of delay, which implies neither a `
` rupture nor an engagement. Ma foi, there is no hurry. My `
` daughter is only seventeen years old, and your son `
` twenty-one. While we wait, time will be progressing, events `
` will succeed each other; things which in the evening look `
` dark and obscure, appear but too clearly in the light of `
` morning, and sometimes the utterance of one word, or the `
` lapse of a single day, will reveal the most cruel `
` calumnies." `
` `
` "Calumnies, did you say, sir?" cried Morcerf, turning livid `
` with rage. "Does any one dare to slander me?" `
` `
`
` There was a doubtful expression in Noirtier's eyes; he was `
` evidently trying to discover the motive of this proceeding, `
` and he could not succeed in doing so. "May I hope, sir," `
` said Madame de Villefort, "that your intentions accord with `
` my request?" Noirtier made a sign that they did. "In that `
` case, sir," rejoined Madame de Villefort, "I will leave you `
` overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness at your prompt `
` acquiescence to my wishes." She then bowed to M. Noirtier `
` and retired. `
` `
` The next day M. Noirtier sent for the notary; the first will `
` was torn up and a second made, in which he left the whole of `
` his fortune to Valentine, on condition that she should never `
` be separated from him. It was then generally reported that `
` Mademoiselle de Villefort, the heiress of the marquis and `
` marchioness of Saint-Meran, had regained the good graces of `
` her grandfather, and that she would ultimately be in `
` possession of an income of 300,000 livres. `
` `
` While all the proceedings relative to the dissolution of the `
` marriage-contract were being carried on at the house of M. `
` de Villefort, Monte Cristo had paid his visit to the Count `
` of Morcerf, who, in order to lose no time in responding to `
` M. Danglars' wishes, and at the same time to pay all due `
` deference to his position in society, donned his uniform of `
` lieutenant-general, which he ornamented with all his `
` crosses, and thus attired, ordered his finest horses and `
` drove to the Rue de la Chausse d'Antin. `
` `
` Danglars was balancing his monthly accounts, and it was `
` perhaps not the most favorable moment for finding him in his `
` best humor. At the first sight of his old friend, Danglars `
` assumed his majestic air, and settled himself in his `
` easy-chair. Morcerf, usually so stiff and formal, accosted `
` the banker in an affable and smiling manner, and, feeling `
` sure that the overture he was about make would be well `
` received, he did not consider it necessary to adopt any `
` manoeuvres in order to gain his end, but went at once `
` straight to the point. `
` `
` "Well, baron," said he, "here I am at last; some time has `
` elapsed since our plans were formed, and they are not yet `
` executed." Morcerf paused at these words, quietly waiting `
` till the cloud should have dispersed which had gathered on `
` the brow of Danglars, and which he attributed to his `
` silence; but, on the contrary, to his great surprise, it `
` grew darker and darker. "To what do you allude, monsieur?" `
` said Danglars; as if he were trying in vain to guess at the `
` possible meaning of the general's words. `
` `
` "Ah," said Morcerf, "I see you are a stickler for forms, my `
` dear sir, and you would remind me that the ceremonial rites `
` should not be omitted. Ma foi, I beg your pardon, but as I `
` have but one son, and it is the first time I have ever `
` thought of marrying him, I am still serving my `
` apprenticeship, you know; come, I will reform." And Morcerf `
` with a forced smile arose, and, making a low bow to M. `
` Danglars, said: "Baron, I have the honor of asking of you `
` the hand of Mademoiselle Eugenie Danglars for my son, the `
` Vicomte Albert de Morcerf." `
` `
` But Danglars, instead of receiving this address in the `
` favorable manner which Morcerf had expected, knit his brow, `
` and without inviting the count, who was still standing, to `
` take a seat, he said: "Monsieur, it will be necessary to `
` reflect before I give you an answer." `
` `
` "To reflect?" said Morcerf, more and more astonished; "have `
` you not had enough time for reflection during the eight `
` years which have elapsed since this marriage was first `
` discussed between us?" `
` `
` "Count," said the banker, "things are constantly occurring `
` in the world to induce us to lay aside our most established `
` opinions, or at all events to cause us to remodel them `
` according to the change of circumstances, which may have `
` placed affairs in a totally different light to that in which `
` we at first viewed them." `
` `
` "I do not understand you, baron," said Morcerf. `
` `
` "What I mean to say is this, sir, -- that during the last `
` fortnight unforeseen circumstances have occurred" -- `
` `
` "Excuse me," said Morcerf, "but is it a play we are acting?" `
` `
` "A play?" `
` `
` "Yes, for it is like one; pray let us come more to the `
` point, and endeavor thoroughly to understand each other." `
` `
` "That is quite my desire." `
` `
` "You have seen M. de Monte Cristo have you not?" `
` `
` "I see him very often," said Danglars, drawing himself up; `
` "he is a particular friend of mine." `
` `
` "Well, in one of your late conversations with him, you said `
` that I appeared to be forgetful and irresolute concerning `
` this marriage, did you not?" `
` `
` "I did say so." `
` `
` "Well, here I am, proving at once that I am really neither `
` the one nor the other, by entreating you to keep your `
` promise on that score." `
` `
` Danglars did not answer. "Have you so soon changed your `
` mind," added Morcerf, "or have you only provoked my request `
` that you may have the pleasure of seeing me humbled?" `
` Danglars, seeing that if he continued the conversation in `
` the same tone in which he had begun it, the whole thing `
` might turn out to his own disadvantage, turned to Morcerf, `
` and said: "Count, you must doubtless be surprised at my `
` reserve, and I assure you it costs me much to act in such a `
` manner towards you; but, believe me when I say that `
` imperative necessity has imposed the painful task upon me." `
` `
` "These are all so many empty words, my dear sir," said `
` Morcerf: "they might satisfy a new acquaintance, but the `
` Comte de Morcerf does not rank in that list; and when a man `
` like him comes to another, recalls to him his plighted word, `
` and this man fails to redeem the pledge, he has at least a `
` right to exact from him a good reason for so doing." `
` Danglars was a coward, but did not wish to appear so; he was `
` piqued at the tone which Morcerf had just assumed. "I am not `
` without a good reason for my conduct," replied the banker. `
` `
` "What do you mean to say?" `
` `
` "I mean to say that I have a good reason, but that it is `
` difficult to explain." `
` `
` "You must be aware, at all events, that it is impossible for `
` me to understand motives before they are explained to me; `
` but one thing at least is clear, which is, that you decline `
` allying yourself with my family." `
` `
` "No, sir," said Danglars; "I merely suspend my decision, `
` that is all." `
` `
` "And do you really flatter yourself that I shall yield to `
` all your caprices, and quietly and humbly await the time of `
` again being received into your good graces?" `
` `
` "Then, count, if you will not wait, we must look upon these `
` projects as if they had never been entertained." The count `
` bit his lips till the blood almost started, to prevent the `
` ebullition of anger which his proud and irritable temper `
` scarcely allowed him to restrain; understanding, however, `
` that in the present state of things the laugh would `
` decidedly be against him, he turned from the door, towards `
` which he had been directing his steps, and again confronted `
` the banker. A cloud settled on his brow, evincing decided `
` anxiety and uneasiness, instead of the expression of `
` offended pride which had lately reigned there. "My dear `
` Danglars," said Morcerf, "we have been acquainted for many `
` years, and consequently we ought to make some allowance for `
` each other's failings. You owe me an explanation, and really `
` it is but fair that I should know what circumstance has `
` occurred to deprive my son of your favor." `
` `
` "It is from no personal ill-feeling towards the viscount, `
` that is all I can say, sir," replied Danglars, who resumed `
` his insolent manner as soon as he perceived that Morcerf was `
` a little softened and calmed down. "And towards whom do you `
` bear this personal ill-feeling, then?" said Morcerf, turning `
` pale with anger. The expression of the count's face had not `
` remained unperceived by the banker; he fixed on him a look `
` of greater assurance than before, and said: "You may, `
` perhaps, be better satisfied that I should not go farther `
` into particulars." `
` `
` A tremor of suppressed rage shook the whole frame of the `
` count, and making a violent effort over himself, he said: "I `
` have a right to insist on your giving me an explanation. Is `
` it Madame de Morcerf who has displeased you? Is it my `
` fortune which you find insufficient? Is it because my `
` opinions differ from yours?" `
` `
` "Nothing of the kind, sir," replied Danglars: "if such had `
` been the case, I only should have been to blame, inasmuch as `
` I was aware of all these things when I made the engagement. `
` No, do not seek any longer to discover the reason. I really `
` am quite ashamed to have been the cause of your undergoing `
` such severe self-examination; let us drop the subject, and `
` adopt the middle course of delay, which implies neither a `
` rupture nor an engagement. Ma foi, there is no hurry. My `
` daughter is only seventeen years old, and your son `
` twenty-one. While we wait, time will be progressing, events `
` will succeed each other; things which in the evening look `
` dark and obscure, appear but too clearly in the light of `
` morning, and sometimes the utterance of one word, or the `
` lapse of a single day, will reveal the most cruel `
` calumnies." `
` `
` "Calumnies, did you say, sir?" cried Morcerf, turning livid `
` with rage. "Does any one dare to slander me?" `
` `
`