Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
said Beauchamp in a calm tone. `
` `
` "Yes," replied Albert, raising his voice. `
` `
` "Well," said Beauchamp, "here is my answer, my dear sir. The `
` article was not inserted by me -- I was not even aware of `
` it; but you have, by the step you have taken, called my `
` attention to the paragraph in question, and it will remain `
` until it shall be either contradicted or confirmed by some `
` one who has a right to do so." `
` `
` "Sir," said Albert, rising, "I will do myself the honor of `
` sending my seconds to you, and you will be kind enough to `
` arrange with them the place of meeting and the weapons." `
` `
` "Certainly, my dear sir." `
` `
` "And this evening, if you please, or to-morrow at the `
` latest, we will meet." `
` `
` "No, no, I will be on the ground at the proper time; but in `
` my opinion (and I have a right to dictate the preliminaries, `
` as it is I who have received the provocation) -- in my `
` opinion the time ought not to be yet. I know you to be well `
` skilled in the management of the sword, while I am only `
` moderately so; I know, too, that you are a good marksman -- `
` there we are about equal. I know that a duel between us two `
` would be a serious affair, because you are brave, and I am `
` brave also. I do not therefore wish either to kill you, or `
` to be killed myself without a cause. Now, I am going to put `
` a question to you, and one very much to the purpose too. Do `
` you insist on this retractation so far as to kill me if I do `
` not make it, although I have repeated more than once, and `
` affirmed on my honor, that I was ignorant of the thing with `
` which you charge me, and although I still declare that it is `
` impossible for any one but you to recognize the Count of `
` Morcerf under the name of Fernand?" `
` `
` "I maintain my original resolution." `
` `
` "Very well, my dear sir; then I consent to cut throats with `
` you. But I require three weeks' preparation; at the end of `
` that time I shall come and say to you, `The assertion is `
` false, and I retract it,' or `The assertion is true,' when I `
` shall immediately draw the sword from its sheath, or the `
` pistols from the case, whichever you please." `
` `
` "Three weeks!" cried Albert; "they will pass as slowly as `
` three centuries when I am all the time suffering dishonor." `
` `
` "Had you continued to remain on amicable terms with me, I `
` should have said, `Patience, my friend;' but you have `
` constituted yourself my enemy, therefore I say, `What does `
` that signify to me, sir?'" `
` `
` "Well, let it be three weeks then," said Morcerf; "but `
` remember, at the expiration of that time no delay or `
` subterfuge will justify you in" -- `
` `
` "M. Albert de Morcerf," said Beauchamp, rising in his turn, `
` "I cannot throw you out of window for three weeks -- that is `
` to say, for twenty-four days to come -- nor have you any `
` right to split my skull open till that time has elapsed. `
` To-day is the 29th of August; the 21st of September will, `
` therefore, be the conclusion of the term agreed on, and till `
` that time arrives -- and it is the advice of a gentleman `
` which I am about to give you -- till then we will refrain `
` from growling and barking like two dogs chained within sight `
` of each other." When he had concluded his speech, Beauchamp `
` bowed coldly to Albert, turned his back upon him, and went `
` to the press-room. `
` `
` Albert vented his anger on a pile of newspapers, which he `
` sent flying all over the office by switching them violently `
` with his stick; after which ebullition he departed -- not, `
` however, without walking several times to the door of the `
` press-room, as if he had half a mind to enter. While Albert `
` was lashing the front of his carriage in the same manner `
` that he had the newspapers which were the innocent agents of `
` his discomfiture, as he was crossing the barrier he `
` perceived Morrel, who was walking with a quick step and a `
` bright eye. He was passing the Chinese Baths, and appeared `
` to have come from the direction of the Porte Saint-Martin, `
` and to be going towards the Madeleine. "Ah," said Morcerf, `
` "there goes a happy man!" And it so happened Albert was not `
` mistaken in his opinion. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 79 `
` The Lemonade. `
` `
` Morrel was, in fact, very happy. M. Noirtier had just sent `
` for him, and he was in such haste to know the reason of his `
` doing so that he had not stopped to take a cab, placing `
` infinitely more dependence on his own two legs than on the `
` four legs of a cab-horse. He had therefore set off at a `
` furious rate from the Rue Meslay, and was hastening with `
` rapid strides in the direction of the Faubourg Saint-Honore. `
` Morrel advanced with a firm, manly tread, and poor Barrois `
` followed him as he best might. Morrel was only thirty-one, `
` Barrois was sixty years of age; Morrel was deeply in love, `
` and Barrois was dying with heat and exertion. These two men, `
` thus opposed in age and interests, resembled two parts of a `
` triangle, presenting the extremes of separation, yet `
` nevertheless possessing their point of union. This point of `
` union was Noirtier, and it was he who had just sent for `
` Morrel, with the request that the latter would lose no time `
` in coming to him -- a command which Morrel obeyed to the `
` letter, to the great discomfiture of Barrois. On arriving at `
` the house, Morrel was not even out of breath, for love lends `
` wings to our desires; but Barrois, who had long forgotten `
` what it was to love, was sorely fatigued by the expedition `
` he had been constrained to use. `
` `
` The old servant introduced Morrel by a private entrance, `
` closed the door of the study, and soon the rustling of a `
` dress announced the arrival of Valentine. She looked `
` marvellously beautiful in her deep mourning dress, and `
` Morrel experienced such intense delight in gazing upon her `
` that he felt as if he could almost have dispensed with the `
` conversation of her grandfather. But the easy-chair of the `
` old man was heard rolling along the floor, and he soon made `
` his appearance in the room. Noirtier acknowledged by a look `
` of extreme kindness and benevolence the thanks which Morrel `
` lavished on him for his timely intervention on behalf of `
` Valentine and himself -- an intervention which had saved `
` them from despair. Morrel then cast on the invalid an `
` interrogative look as to the new favor which he designed to `
` bestow on him. Valentine was sitting at a little distance `
` from them, timidly awaiting the moment when she should be `
` obliged to speak. Noirtier fixed his eyes on her. "Am I to `
` say what you told me?" asked Valentine. Noirtier made a sign `
` that she was to do so. `
` `
` "Monsieur Morrel," said Valentine to the young man, who was `
` regarding her with the most intense interest, "my `
` grandfather, M. Noirtier, had a thousand things to say, `
` which he told me three days ago; and now, he has sent for `
` you, that I may repeat them to you. I will repeat them, `
` then; and since he has chosen me as his interpreter, I will `
` be faithful to the trust, and will not alter a word of his `
` intentions." `
` `
` "Oh, I am listening with the greatest impatience," replied `
` the young man; "speak, I beg of you." Valentine cast down `
` her eyes; this was a good omen for Morrel, for he knew that `
` nothing but happiness could have the power of thus `
` overcoming Valentine. "My grandfather intends leaving this `
` house," said she, "and Barrois is looking out suitable `
` apartments for him in another." `
` `
` "But you, Mademoiselle de Villefort, -- you, who are `
` necessary to M. Noirtier's happiness" -- `
` `
` "I?" interrupted Valentine; "I shall not leave my `
` grandfather, -- that is an understood thing between us. My `
` apartment will be close to his. Now, M. de Villefort must `
` either give his consent to this plan or his refusal; in the `
` first case, I shall leave directly, and in the second, I `
` shall wait till I am of age, which will be in about ten `
` months. Then I shall be free, I shall have an independent `
` fortune, and" -- `
` `
` "And what?" demanded Morrel. `
` `
` "And with my grandfather's consent I shall fulfil the `
` promise which I have made you." Valentine pronounced these `
` last few words in such a low tone, that nothing but Morrel's `
` intense interest in what she was saying could have enabled `
` him to hear them. "Have I not explained your wishes, `
` grandpapa?" said Valentine, addressing Noirtier. "Yes," `
` looked the old man. -- "Once under my grandfather's roof, M. `
` Morrel can visit me in the presence of my good and worthy `
` protector, if we still feel that the union we contemplated `
` will be likely to insure our future comfort and happiness; `
` in that case I shall expect M. Morrel to come and claim me `
` at my own hands. But, alas, I have heard it said that hearts `
` inflamed by obstacles to their desire grew cold in time of `
` security; I trust we shall never find it so in our `
` experience!" `
` `
` "Oh," cried Morrel, almost tempted to throw himself on his `
` knees before Noirtier and Valentine, and to adore them as `
` two superior beings, "what have I ever done in my life to `
` merit such unbounded happiness?" `
` `
` "Until that time," continued the young girl in a calm and `
` self-possessed tone of voice, "we will conform to `
` circumstances, and be guided by the wishes of our friends, `
` so long as those wishes do not tend finally to separate us; `
` in a word, and I repeat it, because it expresses all I wish `
` to convey, -- we will wait." `
` `
` "And I swear to make all the sacrifices which this word `
` imposes, sir," said Morrel, "not only with resignation, but `
` with cheerfulness." `
` `
` "Therefore," continued Valentine, looking playfully at `
` Maximilian, "no more inconsiderate actions -- no more rash `
` projects; for you surely would not wish to compromise one `
`
` `
` "Yes," replied Albert, raising his voice. `
` `
` "Well," said Beauchamp, "here is my answer, my dear sir. The `
` article was not inserted by me -- I was not even aware of `
` it; but you have, by the step you have taken, called my `
` attention to the paragraph in question, and it will remain `
` until it shall be either contradicted or confirmed by some `
` one who has a right to do so." `
` `
` "Sir," said Albert, rising, "I will do myself the honor of `
` sending my seconds to you, and you will be kind enough to `
` arrange with them the place of meeting and the weapons." `
` `
` "Certainly, my dear sir." `
` `
` "And this evening, if you please, or to-morrow at the `
` latest, we will meet." `
` `
` "No, no, I will be on the ground at the proper time; but in `
` my opinion (and I have a right to dictate the preliminaries, `
` as it is I who have received the provocation) -- in my `
` opinion the time ought not to be yet. I know you to be well `
` skilled in the management of the sword, while I am only `
` moderately so; I know, too, that you are a good marksman -- `
` there we are about equal. I know that a duel between us two `
` would be a serious affair, because you are brave, and I am `
` brave also. I do not therefore wish either to kill you, or `
` to be killed myself without a cause. Now, I am going to put `
` a question to you, and one very much to the purpose too. Do `
` you insist on this retractation so far as to kill me if I do `
` not make it, although I have repeated more than once, and `
` affirmed on my honor, that I was ignorant of the thing with `
` which you charge me, and although I still declare that it is `
` impossible for any one but you to recognize the Count of `
` Morcerf under the name of Fernand?" `
` `
` "I maintain my original resolution." `
` `
` "Very well, my dear sir; then I consent to cut throats with `
` you. But I require three weeks' preparation; at the end of `
` that time I shall come and say to you, `The assertion is `
` false, and I retract it,' or `The assertion is true,' when I `
` shall immediately draw the sword from its sheath, or the `
` pistols from the case, whichever you please." `
` `
` "Three weeks!" cried Albert; "they will pass as slowly as `
` three centuries when I am all the time suffering dishonor." `
` `
` "Had you continued to remain on amicable terms with me, I `
` should have said, `Patience, my friend;' but you have `
` constituted yourself my enemy, therefore I say, `What does `
` that signify to me, sir?'" `
` `
` "Well, let it be three weeks then," said Morcerf; "but `
` remember, at the expiration of that time no delay or `
` subterfuge will justify you in" -- `
` `
` "M. Albert de Morcerf," said Beauchamp, rising in his turn, `
` "I cannot throw you out of window for three weeks -- that is `
` to say, for twenty-four days to come -- nor have you any `
` right to split my skull open till that time has elapsed. `
` To-day is the 29th of August; the 21st of September will, `
` therefore, be the conclusion of the term agreed on, and till `
` that time arrives -- and it is the advice of a gentleman `
` which I am about to give you -- till then we will refrain `
` from growling and barking like two dogs chained within sight `
` of each other." When he had concluded his speech, Beauchamp `
` bowed coldly to Albert, turned his back upon him, and went `
` to the press-room. `
` `
` Albert vented his anger on a pile of newspapers, which he `
` sent flying all over the office by switching them violently `
` with his stick; after which ebullition he departed -- not, `
` however, without walking several times to the door of the `
` press-room, as if he had half a mind to enter. While Albert `
` was lashing the front of his carriage in the same manner `
` that he had the newspapers which were the innocent agents of `
` his discomfiture, as he was crossing the barrier he `
` perceived Morrel, who was walking with a quick step and a `
` bright eye. He was passing the Chinese Baths, and appeared `
` to have come from the direction of the Porte Saint-Martin, `
` and to be going towards the Madeleine. "Ah," said Morcerf, `
` "there goes a happy man!" And it so happened Albert was not `
` mistaken in his opinion. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 79 `
` The Lemonade. `
` `
` Morrel was, in fact, very happy. M. Noirtier had just sent `
` for him, and he was in such haste to know the reason of his `
` doing so that he had not stopped to take a cab, placing `
` infinitely more dependence on his own two legs than on the `
` four legs of a cab-horse. He had therefore set off at a `
` furious rate from the Rue Meslay, and was hastening with `
` rapid strides in the direction of the Faubourg Saint-Honore. `
` Morrel advanced with a firm, manly tread, and poor Barrois `
` followed him as he best might. Morrel was only thirty-one, `
` Barrois was sixty years of age; Morrel was deeply in love, `
` and Barrois was dying with heat and exertion. These two men, `
` thus opposed in age and interests, resembled two parts of a `
` triangle, presenting the extremes of separation, yet `
` nevertheless possessing their point of union. This point of `
` union was Noirtier, and it was he who had just sent for `
` Morrel, with the request that the latter would lose no time `
` in coming to him -- a command which Morrel obeyed to the `
` letter, to the great discomfiture of Barrois. On arriving at `
` the house, Morrel was not even out of breath, for love lends `
` wings to our desires; but Barrois, who had long forgotten `
` what it was to love, was sorely fatigued by the expedition `
` he had been constrained to use. `
` `
` The old servant introduced Morrel by a private entrance, `
` closed the door of the study, and soon the rustling of a `
` dress announced the arrival of Valentine. She looked `
` marvellously beautiful in her deep mourning dress, and `
` Morrel experienced such intense delight in gazing upon her `
` that he felt as if he could almost have dispensed with the `
` conversation of her grandfather. But the easy-chair of the `
` old man was heard rolling along the floor, and he soon made `
` his appearance in the room. Noirtier acknowledged by a look `
` of extreme kindness and benevolence the thanks which Morrel `
` lavished on him for his timely intervention on behalf of `
` Valentine and himself -- an intervention which had saved `
` them from despair. Morrel then cast on the invalid an `
` interrogative look as to the new favor which he designed to `
` bestow on him. Valentine was sitting at a little distance `
` from them, timidly awaiting the moment when she should be `
` obliged to speak. Noirtier fixed his eyes on her. "Am I to `
` say what you told me?" asked Valentine. Noirtier made a sign `
` that she was to do so. `
` `
` "Monsieur Morrel," said Valentine to the young man, who was `
` regarding her with the most intense interest, "my `
` grandfather, M. Noirtier, had a thousand things to say, `
` which he told me three days ago; and now, he has sent for `
` you, that I may repeat them to you. I will repeat them, `
` then; and since he has chosen me as his interpreter, I will `
` be faithful to the trust, and will not alter a word of his `
` intentions." `
` `
` "Oh, I am listening with the greatest impatience," replied `
` the young man; "speak, I beg of you." Valentine cast down `
` her eyes; this was a good omen for Morrel, for he knew that `
` nothing but happiness could have the power of thus `
` overcoming Valentine. "My grandfather intends leaving this `
` house," said she, "and Barrois is looking out suitable `
` apartments for him in another." `
` `
` "But you, Mademoiselle de Villefort, -- you, who are `
` necessary to M. Noirtier's happiness" -- `
` `
` "I?" interrupted Valentine; "I shall not leave my `
` grandfather, -- that is an understood thing between us. My `
` apartment will be close to his. Now, M. de Villefort must `
` either give his consent to this plan or his refusal; in the `
` first case, I shall leave directly, and in the second, I `
` shall wait till I am of age, which will be in about ten `
` months. Then I shall be free, I shall have an independent `
` fortune, and" -- `
` `
` "And what?" demanded Morrel. `
` `
` "And with my grandfather's consent I shall fulfil the `
` promise which I have made you." Valentine pronounced these `
` last few words in such a low tone, that nothing but Morrel's `
` intense interest in what she was saying could have enabled `
` him to hear them. "Have I not explained your wishes, `
` grandpapa?" said Valentine, addressing Noirtier. "Yes," `
` looked the old man. -- "Once under my grandfather's roof, M. `
` Morrel can visit me in the presence of my good and worthy `
` protector, if we still feel that the union we contemplated `
` will be likely to insure our future comfort and happiness; `
` in that case I shall expect M. Morrel to come and claim me `
` at my own hands. But, alas, I have heard it said that hearts `
` inflamed by obstacles to their desire grew cold in time of `
` security; I trust we shall never find it so in our `
` experience!" `
` `
` "Oh," cried Morrel, almost tempted to throw himself on his `
` knees before Noirtier and Valentine, and to adore them as `
` two superior beings, "what have I ever done in my life to `
` merit such unbounded happiness?" `
` `
` "Until that time," continued the young girl in a calm and `
` self-possessed tone of voice, "we will conform to `
` circumstances, and be guided by the wishes of our friends, `
` so long as those wishes do not tend finally to separate us; `
` in a word, and I repeat it, because it expresses all I wish `
` to convey, -- we will wait." `
` `
` "And I swear to make all the sacrifices which this word `
` imposes, sir," said Morrel, "not only with resignation, but `
` with cheerfulness." `
` `
` "Therefore," continued Valentine, looking playfully at `
` Maximilian, "no more inconsiderate actions -- no more rash `
` projects; for you surely would not wish to compromise one `
`