Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
alarmed, M. Noirtier," said d'Avrigny; "I am going to take `
` my patient into the next room to bleed him; this sort of `
` attack is very frightful to witness." `
` `
` And taking Barrois under the arms, he dragged him into an `
` adjoining room; but almost immediately he returned to fetch `
` the lemonade. Noirtier closed lids right eye. "You want `
` Valentine, do you not? I will tell them to send her to you." `
` Villefort returned, and d'Avrigny met him in the passage. `
` "Well, how is he now?" asked he. "Come in here," said `
` d'Avrigny, and he took him into the chamber where the sick `
` man lay. "Is he still in a fit?" said the procureur. `
` `
` "He is dead." `
` `
` Villefort drew back a few steps, and, clasping his hands, `
` exclaimed, with real amazement and sympathy, "Dead? -- and `
` so soon too!" `
` `
` "Yes, it is very soon," said the doctor, looking at the `
` corpse before him; "but that ought not to astonish you; `
` Monsieur and Madame de Saint-Meran died as soon. People die `
` very suddenly in your house, M. de Villefort." `
` `
` "What?" cried the magistrate, with an accent of horror and `
` consternation, "are you still harping on that terrible `
` idea?" `
` `
` "Still, sir; and I shall always do so," replied d'Avrigny, `
` "for it has never for one instant ceased to retain `
` possession of my mind; and that you may be quite sure I am `
` not mistaken this time, listen well to what I am going to `
` say, M. de Villefort." The magistrate trembled convulsively. `
` "There is a poison which destroys life almost without `
` leaving any perceptible traces. I know it well; I have `
` studied it in all its forms and in the effects which it `
` produces. I recognized the presence of this poison in the `
` case of poor Barrois as well as in that of Madame de `
` Saint-Meran. There is a way of detecting its presence. It `
` restores the blue color of litmus-paper reddened by an acid, `
` and it turns syrup of violets green. We have no `
` litmus-paper, but, see, here they come with the syrup of `
` violets." `
` `
` The doctor was right; steps were heard in the passage. M. `
` d'Avrigny opened the door, and took from the hands of the `
` chambermaid a cup which contained two or three spoonfuls of `
` the syrup, he then carefully closed the door. "Look," said `
` he to the procureur, whose heart beat so loudly that it `
` might almost be heard, "here is in this cup some syrup of `
` violets, and this decanter contains the remainder of the `
` lemonade of which M. Noirtier and Barrois partook. If the `
` lemonade be pure and inoffensive, the syrup will retain its `
` color; if, on the contrary, the lemonade be drugged with `
` poison, the syrup will become green. Look closely!" `
` `
` The doctor then slowly poured some drops of the lemonade `
` from the decanter into the cup, and in an instant a light `
` cloudy sediment began to form at the bottom of the cup; this `
` sediment first took a blue shade, then from the color of `
` sapphire it passed to that of opal, and from opal to `
` emerald. Arrived at this last hue, it changed no more. The `
` result of the experiment left no doubt whatever on the mind. `
` `
` "The unfortunate Barrois has been poisoned," said d'Avrigny, `
` "and I will maintain this assertion before God and man." `
` Villefort said nothing, but he clasped his hands, opened his `
` haggard eyes, and, overcome with his emotion, sank into a `
` chair. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 80 `
` The Accusation. `
` `
` M. D'Avrigny soon restored the magistrate to consciousness, `
` who had looked like a second corpse in that chamber of `
` death. "Oh, death is in my house!" cried Villefort. `
` `
` "Say, rather, crime!" replied the doctor. `
` `
` "M. d'Avrigny," cried Villefort, "I cannot tell you all I `
` feel at this moment, -- terror, grief, madness." `
` `
` "Yes," said M. d'Avrigny, with an imposing calmness, "but I `
` think it is now time to act. I think it is time to stop this `
` torrent of mortality. I can no longer bear to be in `
` possession of these secrets without the hope of seeing the `
` victims and society generally revenged." Villefort cast a `
` gloomy look around him. "In my house," murmured he, "in my `
` house!" `
` `
` "Come, magistrate," said M. d'Avrigny, "show yourself a man; `
` as an interpreter of the law, do honor to your profession by `
` sacrificing your selfish interests to it." `
` `
` "You make me shudder, doctor. Do you talk of a sacrifice?" `
` `
` "I do." `
` `
` "Do you then suspect any one?" `
` `
` "I suspect no one; death raps at your door -- it enters -- `
` it goes, not blindfolded, but circumspectly, from room to `
` room. Well, I follow its course, I track its passage; I `
` adopt the wisdom of the ancients, and feel my way, for my `
` friendship for your family and my respect for you are as a `
` twofold bandage over my eyes; well" -- `
` `
` "Oh, speak, speak, doctor; I shall have courage." `
` `
` "Well, sir, you have in your establishment, or in your `
` family, perhaps, one of the frightful monstrosities of which `
` each century produces only one. Locusta and Agrippina, `
` living at the same time, were an exception, and proved the `
` determination of providence to effect the entire ruin of the `
` Roman empire, sullied by so many crimes. Brunehilde and `
` Fredegonde were the results of the painful struggle of `
` civilization in its infancy, when man was learning to `
` control mind, were it even by an emissary from the realms of `
` darkness. All these women had been, or were, beautiful. The `
` same flower of innocence had flourished, or was still `
` flourishing, on their brow, that is seen on the brow of the `
` culprit in your house." Villefort shrieked, clasped his `
` hands, and looked at the doctor with a supplicating air. But `
` the latter went on without pity: -- `
` `
` "`Seek whom the crime will profit,' says an axiom of `
` jurisprudence." `
` `
` "Doctor," cried Villefort, "alas, doctor, how often has `
` man's justice been deceived by those fatal words. I know not `
` why, but I feel that this crime" -- `
` `
` "You acknowledge, then, the existence of the crime?" `
` `
` "Yes, I see too plainly that it does exist. But it seems `
` that it is intended to affect me personally. I fear an `
` attack myself, after all these disasters." `
` `
` "Oh, man," murmured d'Avrigny, "the most selfish of all `
` animals, the most personal of all creatures, who believes `
` the earth turns, the sun shines, and death strikes for him `
` alone, -- an ant cursing God from the top of a blade of `
` grass! And have those who have lost their lives lost `
` nothing? -- M. de Saint-Meran, Madame de Saint-Meran, M. `
` Noirtier" -- `
` `
` "How? M. Noirtier?" `
` `
` "Yes; think you it was the poor servant's life was coveted? `
` No, no; like Shakespeare's `Polonius,' he died for another. `
` It was Noirtier the lemonade was intended for -- it is `
` Noirtier, logically speaking, who drank it. The other drank `
` it only by accident, and, although Barrois is dead, it was `
` Noirtier whose death was wished for." `
` `
` "But why did it not kill my father?" `
` `
` "I told you one evening in the garden after Madame de `
` Saint-Meran's death -- because his system is accustomed to `
` that very poison, and the dose was trifling to him, which `
` would be fatal to another; because no one knows, not even `
` the assassin, that, for the last twelve months, I have given `
` M. Noirtier brucine for his paralytic affection, while the `
` assassin is not ignorant, for he has proved that brucine is `
` a violent poison." `
` `
` "Oh, have pity -- have pity!" murmured Villefort, wringing `
` his hands. `
` `
` "Follow the culprit's steps; he first kills M. de `
` Saint-Meran" -- `
` `
` "O doctor!" `
` `
` "I would swear to it; what I heard of his symptoms agrees `
` too well with what I have seen in the other cases." `
` Villefort ceased to contend; he only groaned. "He first `
` kills M. de Saint-Meran," repeated the doctor, "then Madame `
` de Saint-Meran, -- a double fortune to inherit." Villefort `
` wiped the perspiration from his forehead. "Listen `
` attentively." `
` `
` "Alas," stammered Villefort, "I do not lose a single word." `
` `
` "M. Noirtier," resumed M. d'Avrigny in the same pitiless `
` tone, -- "M. Noirtier had once made a will against you -- `
` against your family -- in favor of the poor, in fact; M. `
` Noirtier is spared, because nothing is expected from him. `
` But he has no sooner destroyed his first will and made a `
` second, than, for fear he should make a third, he is struck `
` down. The will was made the day before yesterday, I believe; `
` you see there has been no time lost." `
` `
` "Oh, mercy, M. d'Avrigny!" `
` `
` "No mercy, sir! The physician has a sacred mission on earth; `
` and to fulfil it he begins at the source of life, and goes `
` down to the mysterious darkness of the tomb. When crime has `
` been committed, and God, doubtless in anger, turns away his `
`
` my patient into the next room to bleed him; this sort of `
` attack is very frightful to witness." `
` `
` And taking Barrois under the arms, he dragged him into an `
` adjoining room; but almost immediately he returned to fetch `
` the lemonade. Noirtier closed lids right eye. "You want `
` Valentine, do you not? I will tell them to send her to you." `
` Villefort returned, and d'Avrigny met him in the passage. `
` "Well, how is he now?" asked he. "Come in here," said `
` d'Avrigny, and he took him into the chamber where the sick `
` man lay. "Is he still in a fit?" said the procureur. `
` `
` "He is dead." `
` `
` Villefort drew back a few steps, and, clasping his hands, `
` exclaimed, with real amazement and sympathy, "Dead? -- and `
` so soon too!" `
` `
` "Yes, it is very soon," said the doctor, looking at the `
` corpse before him; "but that ought not to astonish you; `
` Monsieur and Madame de Saint-Meran died as soon. People die `
` very suddenly in your house, M. de Villefort." `
` `
` "What?" cried the magistrate, with an accent of horror and `
` consternation, "are you still harping on that terrible `
` idea?" `
` `
` "Still, sir; and I shall always do so," replied d'Avrigny, `
` "for it has never for one instant ceased to retain `
` possession of my mind; and that you may be quite sure I am `
` not mistaken this time, listen well to what I am going to `
` say, M. de Villefort." The magistrate trembled convulsively. `
` "There is a poison which destroys life almost without `
` leaving any perceptible traces. I know it well; I have `
` studied it in all its forms and in the effects which it `
` produces. I recognized the presence of this poison in the `
` case of poor Barrois as well as in that of Madame de `
` Saint-Meran. There is a way of detecting its presence. It `
` restores the blue color of litmus-paper reddened by an acid, `
` and it turns syrup of violets green. We have no `
` litmus-paper, but, see, here they come with the syrup of `
` violets." `
` `
` The doctor was right; steps were heard in the passage. M. `
` d'Avrigny opened the door, and took from the hands of the `
` chambermaid a cup which contained two or three spoonfuls of `
` the syrup, he then carefully closed the door. "Look," said `
` he to the procureur, whose heart beat so loudly that it `
` might almost be heard, "here is in this cup some syrup of `
` violets, and this decanter contains the remainder of the `
` lemonade of which M. Noirtier and Barrois partook. If the `
` lemonade be pure and inoffensive, the syrup will retain its `
` color; if, on the contrary, the lemonade be drugged with `
` poison, the syrup will become green. Look closely!" `
` `
` The doctor then slowly poured some drops of the lemonade `
` from the decanter into the cup, and in an instant a light `
` cloudy sediment began to form at the bottom of the cup; this `
` sediment first took a blue shade, then from the color of `
` sapphire it passed to that of opal, and from opal to `
` emerald. Arrived at this last hue, it changed no more. The `
` result of the experiment left no doubt whatever on the mind. `
` `
` "The unfortunate Barrois has been poisoned," said d'Avrigny, `
` "and I will maintain this assertion before God and man." `
` Villefort said nothing, but he clasped his hands, opened his `
` haggard eyes, and, overcome with his emotion, sank into a `
` chair. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 80 `
` The Accusation. `
` `
` M. D'Avrigny soon restored the magistrate to consciousness, `
` who had looked like a second corpse in that chamber of `
` death. "Oh, death is in my house!" cried Villefort. `
` `
` "Say, rather, crime!" replied the doctor. `
` `
` "M. d'Avrigny," cried Villefort, "I cannot tell you all I `
` feel at this moment, -- terror, grief, madness." `
` `
` "Yes," said M. d'Avrigny, with an imposing calmness, "but I `
` think it is now time to act. I think it is time to stop this `
` torrent of mortality. I can no longer bear to be in `
` possession of these secrets without the hope of seeing the `
` victims and society generally revenged." Villefort cast a `
` gloomy look around him. "In my house," murmured he, "in my `
` house!" `
` `
` "Come, magistrate," said M. d'Avrigny, "show yourself a man; `
` as an interpreter of the law, do honor to your profession by `
` sacrificing your selfish interests to it." `
` `
` "You make me shudder, doctor. Do you talk of a sacrifice?" `
` `
` "I do." `
` `
` "Do you then suspect any one?" `
` `
` "I suspect no one; death raps at your door -- it enters -- `
` it goes, not blindfolded, but circumspectly, from room to `
` room. Well, I follow its course, I track its passage; I `
` adopt the wisdom of the ancients, and feel my way, for my `
` friendship for your family and my respect for you are as a `
` twofold bandage over my eyes; well" -- `
` `
` "Oh, speak, speak, doctor; I shall have courage." `
` `
` "Well, sir, you have in your establishment, or in your `
` family, perhaps, one of the frightful monstrosities of which `
` each century produces only one. Locusta and Agrippina, `
` living at the same time, were an exception, and proved the `
` determination of providence to effect the entire ruin of the `
` Roman empire, sullied by so many crimes. Brunehilde and `
` Fredegonde were the results of the painful struggle of `
` civilization in its infancy, when man was learning to `
` control mind, were it even by an emissary from the realms of `
` darkness. All these women had been, or were, beautiful. The `
` same flower of innocence had flourished, or was still `
` flourishing, on their brow, that is seen on the brow of the `
` culprit in your house." Villefort shrieked, clasped his `
` hands, and looked at the doctor with a supplicating air. But `
` the latter went on without pity: -- `
` `
` "`Seek whom the crime will profit,' says an axiom of `
` jurisprudence." `
` `
` "Doctor," cried Villefort, "alas, doctor, how often has `
` man's justice been deceived by those fatal words. I know not `
` why, but I feel that this crime" -- `
` `
` "You acknowledge, then, the existence of the crime?" `
` `
` "Yes, I see too plainly that it does exist. But it seems `
` that it is intended to affect me personally. I fear an `
` attack myself, after all these disasters." `
` `
` "Oh, man," murmured d'Avrigny, "the most selfish of all `
` animals, the most personal of all creatures, who believes `
` the earth turns, the sun shines, and death strikes for him `
` alone, -- an ant cursing God from the top of a blade of `
` grass! And have those who have lost their lives lost `
` nothing? -- M. de Saint-Meran, Madame de Saint-Meran, M. `
` Noirtier" -- `
` `
` "How? M. Noirtier?" `
` `
` "Yes; think you it was the poor servant's life was coveted? `
` No, no; like Shakespeare's `Polonius,' he died for another. `
` It was Noirtier the lemonade was intended for -- it is `
` Noirtier, logically speaking, who drank it. The other drank `
` it only by accident, and, although Barrois is dead, it was `
` Noirtier whose death was wished for." `
` `
` "But why did it not kill my father?" `
` `
` "I told you one evening in the garden after Madame de `
` Saint-Meran's death -- because his system is accustomed to `
` that very poison, and the dose was trifling to him, which `
` would be fatal to another; because no one knows, not even `
` the assassin, that, for the last twelve months, I have given `
` M. Noirtier brucine for his paralytic affection, while the `
` assassin is not ignorant, for he has proved that brucine is `
` a violent poison." `
` `
` "Oh, have pity -- have pity!" murmured Villefort, wringing `
` his hands. `
` `
` "Follow the culprit's steps; he first kills M. de `
` Saint-Meran" -- `
` `
` "O doctor!" `
` `
` "I would swear to it; what I heard of his symptoms agrees `
` too well with what I have seen in the other cases." `
` Villefort ceased to contend; he only groaned. "He first `
` kills M. de Saint-Meran," repeated the doctor, "then Madame `
` de Saint-Meran, -- a double fortune to inherit." Villefort `
` wiped the perspiration from his forehead. "Listen `
` attentively." `
` `
` "Alas," stammered Villefort, "I do not lose a single word." `
` `
` "M. Noirtier," resumed M. d'Avrigny in the same pitiless `
` tone, -- "M. Noirtier had once made a will against you -- `
` against your family -- in favor of the poor, in fact; M. `
` Noirtier is spared, because nothing is expected from him. `
` But he has no sooner destroyed his first will and made a `
` second, than, for fear he should make a third, he is struck `
` down. The will was made the day before yesterday, I believe; `
` you see there has been no time lost." `
` `
` "Oh, mercy, M. d'Avrigny!" `
` `
` "No mercy, sir! The physician has a sacred mission on earth; `
` and to fulfil it he begins at the source of life, and goes `
` down to the mysterious darkness of the tomb. When crime has `
` been committed, and God, doubtless in anger, turns away his `
`