Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
`
` "I am glad of it." `
` `
` "Then I will go alone." `
` `
` "Go; but you would do better still by not going at all." `
` `
` "That is impossible." `
` `
` "Do so, then; it will be a wiser plan than the first which `
` you proposed." `
` `
` "But if, in spite of all my precautions, I am at last `
` obliged to fight, will you not be my second?" `
` `
` "My dear viscount," said Monte Cristo gravely, "you must `
` have seen before to-day that at all times and in all places `
` I have been at your disposal, but the service which you have `
` just demanded of me is one which it is out of my power to `
` render you." `
` `
` "Why?" `
` `
` "Perhaps you may know at some future period, and in the mean `
` time I request you to excuse my declining to put you in `
` possession of my reasons." `
` `
` "Well, I will have Franz and Chateau-Renaud; they will be `
` the very men for it." `
` `
` "Do so, then." `
` `
` "But if I do fight, you will surely not object to giving me `
` a lesson or two in shooting and fencing?" `
` `
` "That, too, is impossible." `
` `
` "What a singular being you are! -- you will not interfere in `
` anything." `
` `
` "You are right -- that is the principle on which I wish to `
` act." `
` `
` "We will say no more about it, then. Good-by, count." `
` Morcerf took his hat, and left the room. He found his `
` carriage at the door, and doing his utmost to restrain his `
` anger he went at once to find Beauchamp, who was in his `
` office. It was a gloomy, dusty-looking apartment, such as `
` journalists' offices have always been from time immemorial. `
` The servant announced M. Albert de Morcerf. Beauchamp `
` repeated the name to himself, as though he could scarcely `
` believe that he had heard aright, and then gave orders for `
` him to be admitted. Albert entered. Beauchamp uttered an `
` exclamation of surprise on seeing his friend leap over and `
` trample under foot all the newspapers which were strewed `
` about the room. "This way, this way, my dear Albert!" said `
` he, holding out his hand to the young man. "Are you out of `
` your senses, or do you come peaceably to take breakfast with `
` me? Try and find a seat -- there is one by that geranium, `
` which is the only thing in the room to remind me that there `
` are other leaves in the world besides leaves of paper." `
` `
` "Beauchamp," said Albert, "it is of your journal that I come `
` to speak." `
` `
` "Indeed? What do you wish to say about it?" `
` `
` "I desire that a statement contained in it should be `
` rectified." `
` `
` "To what do you refer? But pray sit down." `
` `
` "Thank you," said Albert, with a cold and formal bow. `
` `
` "Will you now have the kindness to explain the nature of the `
` statement which has displeased you?" `
` `
` "An announcement has been made which implicates the honor of `
` a member of my family." `
` `
` "What is it?" said Beauchamp, much surprised; "surely you `
` must be mistaken." `
` `
` "The story sent you from Yanina." `
` `
` "Yanina?" `
` `
` "Yes; really you appear to be totally ignorant of the cause `
` which brings me here." `
` `
` "Such is really the case, I assure you, upon my honor! `
` Baptiste, give me yesterday's paper," cried Beauchamp. `
` `
` "Here, I have brought mine with me," replied Albert. `
` `
` Beauchamp took the paper, and read the article to which `
` Albert pointed in an undertone. "You see it is a serious `
` annoyance," said Morcerf, when Beauchamp had finished the `
` perusal of the paragraph. "Is the officer referred to a `
` relation of yours, then?" demanded the journalist. `
` `
` "Yes," said Albert, blushing. `
` `
` "Well, what do you wish me to do for you?" said Beauchamp `
` mildly. `
` `
` "My dear Beauchamp, I wish you to contradict this `
` statement." Beauchamp looked at Albert with a benevolent `
` expression. `
` `
` "Come," said he, "this matter will want a good deal of `
` talking over; a retractation is always a serious thing, you `
` know. Sit down, and I will read it again." Albert resumed `
` his seat, and Beauchamp read, with more attention than at `
` first, the lines denounced by his friend. "Well," said `
` Albert in a determined tone, "you see that your paper his `
` insulted a member of my family, and I insist on a `
` retractation being made." `
` `
` "You insist?" `
` `
` "Yes, I insist." `
` `
` "Permit me to remind you that you are not in the Chamber, my `
` dear Viscount." `
` `
` "Nor do I wish to be there," replied the young man, rising. `
` "I repeat that I am determined to have the announcement of `
` yesterday contradicted. You have known me long enough," `
` continued Albert, biting his lips convulsively, for he saw `
` that Beauchamp's anger was beginning to rise, -- "you have `
` been my friend, and therefore sufficiently intimate with me `
` to be aware that I am likely to maintain my resolution on `
` this point." `
` `
` "If I have been your friend, Morcerf, your present manner of `
` speaking would almost lead me to forget that I ever bore `
` that title. But wait a moment, do not let us get angry, or `
` at least not yet. You are irritated and vexed -- tell me how `
` this Fernand is related to you?" `
` `
` "He is merely my father," said Albert -- "M. Fernand `
` Mondego, Count of Morcerf, an old soldier who has fought in `
` twenty battles and whose honorable scars they would denounce `
` as badges of disgrace." `
` `
` "Is it your father?" said Beauchamp; "that is quite another `
` thing. Then can well understand your indignation, my dear `
` Albert. I will look at it again;" and he read the paragraph `
` for the third time, laying a stress on each word as he `
` proceeded. "But the paper nowhere identifies this Fernand `
` with your father." `
` `
` "No; but the connection will be seen by others, and `
` therefore I will have the article contradicted." At the `
` words "I will," Beauchamp steadily raised his eyes to `
` Albert's countenance, and then as gradually lowering them, `
` he remained thoughtful for a few moments. "You will retract `
` this assertion, will you not, Beauchamp?" said Albert with `
` increased though stifled anger. `
` `
` "Yes," replied Beauchamp. `
` `
` "Immediately?" said Albert. `
` `
` "When I am convinced that the statement is false." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "The thing is worth looking into, and I will take pains to `
` investigate the matter thoroughly." `
` `
` "But what is there to investigate, sir?" said Albert, `
` enraged beyond measure at Beauchamp's last remark. "If you `
` do not believe that it is my father, say so immediately; and `
` if, on the contrary, you believe it to be him, state your `
` reasons for doing so." Beauchamp looked at Albert with the `
` smile which was so peculiar to him, and which in its `
` numerous modifications served to express every varied `
` emotion of his mind. "Sir," replied he, "if you came to me `
` with the idea of demanding satisfaction, you should have `
` gone at once to the point, and not have entertained me with `
` the idle conversation to which I have been patiently `
` listening for the last half hour. Am I to put this `
` construction on your visit?" `
` `
` "Yes, if you will not consent to retract that infamous `
` calumny." `
` `
` "Wait a moment -- no threats, if you please, M. Fernand `
` Mondego, Vicomte de Morcerf; I never allow them from my `
` enemies, and therefore shall not put up with them from my `
` friends. You insist on my contradicting the article relating `
` to General Fernand, an article with which, I assure you on `
` my word of honor, I had nothing whatever to do?" `
` `
` "Yes, I insist on it," said Albert, whose mind was beginning `
` to get bewildered with the excitement of his feelings. `
` `
` "And if I refuse to retract, you wish to fight, do you?" `
` said Beauchamp in a calm tone. `
`
` "I am glad of it." `
` `
` "Then I will go alone." `
` `
` "Go; but you would do better still by not going at all." `
` `
` "That is impossible." `
` `
` "Do so, then; it will be a wiser plan than the first which `
` you proposed." `
` `
` "But if, in spite of all my precautions, I am at last `
` obliged to fight, will you not be my second?" `
` `
` "My dear viscount," said Monte Cristo gravely, "you must `
` have seen before to-day that at all times and in all places `
` I have been at your disposal, but the service which you have `
` just demanded of me is one which it is out of my power to `
` render you." `
` `
` "Why?" `
` `
` "Perhaps you may know at some future period, and in the mean `
` time I request you to excuse my declining to put you in `
` possession of my reasons." `
` `
` "Well, I will have Franz and Chateau-Renaud; they will be `
` the very men for it." `
` `
` "Do so, then." `
` `
` "But if I do fight, you will surely not object to giving me `
` a lesson or two in shooting and fencing?" `
` `
` "That, too, is impossible." `
` `
` "What a singular being you are! -- you will not interfere in `
` anything." `
` `
` "You are right -- that is the principle on which I wish to `
` act." `
` `
` "We will say no more about it, then. Good-by, count." `
` Morcerf took his hat, and left the room. He found his `
` carriage at the door, and doing his utmost to restrain his `
` anger he went at once to find Beauchamp, who was in his `
` office. It was a gloomy, dusty-looking apartment, such as `
` journalists' offices have always been from time immemorial. `
` The servant announced M. Albert de Morcerf. Beauchamp `
` repeated the name to himself, as though he could scarcely `
` believe that he had heard aright, and then gave orders for `
` him to be admitted. Albert entered. Beauchamp uttered an `
` exclamation of surprise on seeing his friend leap over and `
` trample under foot all the newspapers which were strewed `
` about the room. "This way, this way, my dear Albert!" said `
` he, holding out his hand to the young man. "Are you out of `
` your senses, or do you come peaceably to take breakfast with `
` me? Try and find a seat -- there is one by that geranium, `
` which is the only thing in the room to remind me that there `
` are other leaves in the world besides leaves of paper." `
` `
` "Beauchamp," said Albert, "it is of your journal that I come `
` to speak." `
` `
` "Indeed? What do you wish to say about it?" `
` `
` "I desire that a statement contained in it should be `
` rectified." `
` `
` "To what do you refer? But pray sit down." `
` `
` "Thank you," said Albert, with a cold and formal bow. `
` `
` "Will you now have the kindness to explain the nature of the `
` statement which has displeased you?" `
` `
` "An announcement has been made which implicates the honor of `
` a member of my family." `
` `
` "What is it?" said Beauchamp, much surprised; "surely you `
` must be mistaken." `
` `
` "The story sent you from Yanina." `
` `
` "Yanina?" `
` `
` "Yes; really you appear to be totally ignorant of the cause `
` which brings me here." `
` `
` "Such is really the case, I assure you, upon my honor! `
` Baptiste, give me yesterday's paper," cried Beauchamp. `
` `
` "Here, I have brought mine with me," replied Albert. `
` `
` Beauchamp took the paper, and read the article to which `
` Albert pointed in an undertone. "You see it is a serious `
` annoyance," said Morcerf, when Beauchamp had finished the `
` perusal of the paragraph. "Is the officer referred to a `
` relation of yours, then?" demanded the journalist. `
` `
` "Yes," said Albert, blushing. `
` `
` "Well, what do you wish me to do for you?" said Beauchamp `
` mildly. `
` `
` "My dear Beauchamp, I wish you to contradict this `
` statement." Beauchamp looked at Albert with a benevolent `
` expression. `
` `
` "Come," said he, "this matter will want a good deal of `
` talking over; a retractation is always a serious thing, you `
` know. Sit down, and I will read it again." Albert resumed `
` his seat, and Beauchamp read, with more attention than at `
` first, the lines denounced by his friend. "Well," said `
` Albert in a determined tone, "you see that your paper his `
` insulted a member of my family, and I insist on a `
` retractation being made." `
` `
` "You insist?" `
` `
` "Yes, I insist." `
` `
` "Permit me to remind you that you are not in the Chamber, my `
` dear Viscount." `
` `
` "Nor do I wish to be there," replied the young man, rising. `
` "I repeat that I am determined to have the announcement of `
` yesterday contradicted. You have known me long enough," `
` continued Albert, biting his lips convulsively, for he saw `
` that Beauchamp's anger was beginning to rise, -- "you have `
` been my friend, and therefore sufficiently intimate with me `
` to be aware that I am likely to maintain my resolution on `
` this point." `
` `
` "If I have been your friend, Morcerf, your present manner of `
` speaking would almost lead me to forget that I ever bore `
` that title. But wait a moment, do not let us get angry, or `
` at least not yet. You are irritated and vexed -- tell me how `
` this Fernand is related to you?" `
` `
` "He is merely my father," said Albert -- "M. Fernand `
` Mondego, Count of Morcerf, an old soldier who has fought in `
` twenty battles and whose honorable scars they would denounce `
` as badges of disgrace." `
` `
` "Is it your father?" said Beauchamp; "that is quite another `
` thing. Then can well understand your indignation, my dear `
` Albert. I will look at it again;" and he read the paragraph `
` for the third time, laying a stress on each word as he `
` proceeded. "But the paper nowhere identifies this Fernand `
` with your father." `
` `
` "No; but the connection will be seen by others, and `
` therefore I will have the article contradicted." At the `
` words "I will," Beauchamp steadily raised his eyes to `
` Albert's countenance, and then as gradually lowering them, `
` he remained thoughtful for a few moments. "You will retract `
` this assertion, will you not, Beauchamp?" said Albert with `
` increased though stifled anger. `
` `
` "Yes," replied Beauchamp. `
` `
` "Immediately?" said Albert. `
` `
` "When I am convinced that the statement is false." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "The thing is worth looking into, and I will take pains to `
` investigate the matter thoroughly." `
` `
` "But what is there to investigate, sir?" said Albert, `
` enraged beyond measure at Beauchamp's last remark. "If you `
` do not believe that it is my father, say so immediately; and `
` if, on the contrary, you believe it to be him, state your `
` reasons for doing so." Beauchamp looked at Albert with the `
` smile which was so peculiar to him, and which in its `
` numerous modifications served to express every varied `
` emotion of his mind. "Sir," replied he, "if you came to me `
` with the idea of demanding satisfaction, you should have `
` gone at once to the point, and not have entertained me with `
` the idle conversation to which I have been patiently `
` listening for the last half hour. Am I to put this `
` construction on your visit?" `
` `
` "Yes, if you will not consent to retract that infamous `
` calumny." `
` `
` "Wait a moment -- no threats, if you please, M. Fernand `
` Mondego, Vicomte de Morcerf; I never allow them from my `
` enemies, and therefore shall not put up with them from my `
` friends. You insist on my contradicting the article relating `
` to General Fernand, an article with which, I assure you on `
` my word of honor, I had nothing whatever to do?" `
` `
` "Yes, I insist on it," said Albert, whose mind was beginning `
` to get bewildered with the excitement of his feelings. `
` `
` "And if I refuse to retract, you wish to fight, do you?" `
` said Beauchamp in a calm tone. `
`