Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
`
` "And who," said Albert with a forced smile, "is to marry `
` Mademoiselle Danglars instead of me, which grieves me `
` cruelly." `
` `
` "What? Cavalcanti is going to marry Mademoiselle Danglars?" `
` asked Beauchamp. `
` `
` "Certainly; do you come from the end of the world?" said `
` Monte Cristo; "you, a journalist, the husband of renown? It `
` is the talk of all Paris." `
` `
` "And you, count, have made this match?" asked Beauchamp. `
` `
` "I? Silence, purveyor of gossip, do not spread that report. `
` I make a match? No, you do not know me; I have done all in `
` my power to oppose it." `
` `
` "Ah, I understand," said Beauchamp, "on our friend Albert's `
` account." `
` `
` "On my account?" said the young man; "oh, no, indeed, the `
` count will do me the justice to assert that I have, on the `
` contrary, always entreated him to break off my engagement, `
` and happily it is ended. The count pretends I have not him `
` to thank; -- so be it -- I will erect an altar Deo ignoto." `
` `
` "Listen," said Monte Cristo; "I have had little to do with `
` it, for I am at variance both with the father-in-law and the `
` young man; there is only Mademoiselle Eugenie, who appears `
` but little charmed with the thoughts of matrimony, and who, `
` seeing how little I was disposed to persuade her to renounce `
` her dear liberty, retains any affection for me." `
` `
` "And do you say this wedding is at hand?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes, in spite of all I could say. I do not know the `
` young man; he is said to be of good family and rich, but I `
` never trust to vague assertions. I have warned M. Danglars `
` of it till I am tired, but he is fascinated with his `
` Luccanese. I have even informed him of a circumstance I `
` consider very serious; the young man was either charmed by `
` his nurse, stolen by gypsies, or lost by his tutor, I `
` scarcely know which. But I do know his father lost sight of `
` him for more than ten years; what he did during these ten `
` years, God only knows. Well, all that was useless. They have `
` commissioned me to write to the major to demand papers, and `
` here they are. I send them, but like Pilate -- washing my `
` hands." `
` `
` "And what does Mademoiselle d'Armilly say to you for robbing `
` her of her pupil?" `
` `
` "Oh, well, I don't know; but I understand that she is going `
` to Italy. Madame Danglars asked me for letters of `
` recommendation for the impresari; I gave her a few lines for `
` the director of the Valle Theatre, who is under some `
` obligation to me. But what is the matter, Albert? you look `
` dull; are you, after all, unconsciously in love with `
` Mademoiselle Eugenie?" `
` `
` "I am not aware of it," said Albert, smiling sorrowfully. `
` Beauchamp turned to look at some paintings. "But," continued `
` Monte Cristo, "you are not in your usual spirits?" `
` `
` "I have a dreadful headache," said Albert. `
` `
` "Well, my dear viscount," said Monte Cristo, "I have an `
` infallible remedy to propose to you." `
` `
` "What is that?" asked the young man. `
` `
` "A change." `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Albert. `
` `
` "Yes; and as I am just now excessively annoyed, I shall go `
` from home. Shall we go together?" `
` `
` "You annoyed, count?" said Beauchamp; "and by what?" `
` `
` "Ah, you think very lightly of it; I should like to see you `
` with a brief preparing in your house." `
` `
` "What brief?" `
` `
` "The one M. de Villefort is preparing against my amiable `
` assassin -- some brigand escaped from the gallows `
` apparently." `
` `
` "True," said Beauchamp; "I saw it in the paper. Who is this `
` Caderousse?" `
` `
` "Some provincial, it appears. M. de Villefort heard of him `
` at Marseilles, and M. Danglars recollects having seen him. `
` Consequently, the procureur is very active in the affair, `
` and the prefect of police very much interested; and, thanks `
` to that interest, for which I am very grateful, they send me `
` all the robbers of Paris and the neighborhood, under `
` pretence of their being Caderousse's murderers, so that in `
` three months, if this continue, every robber and assassin in `
` France will have the plan of my house at his fingers' end. I `
` am resolved to desert them and go to some remote corner of `
` the earth, and shall be happy if you will accompany me, `
` viscount." `
` `
` "Willingly." `
` `
` "Then it is settled?" `
` `
` "Yes, but where?" `
` `
` "I have told you, where the air is pure, where every sound `
` soothes, where one is sure to be humbled, however proud may `
` be his nature. I love that humiliation, I, who am master of `
` the universe, as was Augustus." `
` `
` "But where are you really going?" `
` `
` "To sea, viscount; you know I am a sailor. I was rocked when `
` an infant in the arms of old ocean, and on the bosom of the `
` beautiful Amphitrite; I have sported with the green mantle `
` of the one and the azure robe of the other; I love the sea `
` as a mistress, and pine if I do not often see her." `
` `
` "Let us go, count." `
` `
` "To sea?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "You accept my proposal?" `
` `
` "I do." `
` `
` "Well, Viscount, there will be in my court-yard this evening `
` a good travelling britzka, with four post-horses, in which `
` one may rest as in a bed. M. Beauchamp, it holds four very `
` well, will you accompany us?" `
` `
` "Thank you, I have just returned from sea." `
` `
` "What? you have been to sea?" `
` `
` "Yes; I have just made a little excursion to the Borromean `
` Islands."* `
` `
` * Lake Maggiore. `
` `
` "What of that? come with us," said Albert. `
` `
` "No, dear Morcerf; you know I only refuse when the thing is `
` impossible. Besides, it is important," added he in a low `
` tone, "that I should remain in Paris just now to watch the `
` paper." `
` `
` "Ah, you are a good and an excellent friend," said Albert; `
` "yes, you are right; watch, watch, Beauchamp, and try to `
` discover the enemy who made this disclosure." Albert and `
` Beauchamp parted, the last pressure of their hands `
` expressing what their tongues could not before a stranger. `
` `
` "Beauchamp is a worthy fellow," said Monte Cristo, when the `
` journalist was gone; "is he not, Albert?" `
` `
` "Yes, and a sincere friend; I love him devotedly. But now we `
` are alone, -- although it is immaterial to me, -- where are `
` we going?" `
` `
` "Into Normandy, if you like." `
` `
` "Delightful; shall we be quite retired? have no society, no `
` neighbors?" `
` `
` "Our companions will be riding-horses, dogs to hunt with, `
` and a fishing-boat." `
` `
` "Exactly what I wish for; I will apprise my mother of my `
` intention, and return to you." `
` `
` "But shall you be allowed to go into Normandy?" `
` `
` "I may go where I please." `
` `
` "Yes, I am aware you may go alone, since I once met you in `
` Italy -- but to accompany the mysterious Monte Cristo?" `
` `
` "You forget, count, that I have often told you of the deep `
` interest my mother takes in you." `
` `
` "`Woman is fickle.' said Francis I.; `woman is like a wave `
` of the sea,' said Shakespeare; both the great king and the `
` great poet ought to have known woman's nature well." `
` `
` "Woman's, yes; my mother is not woman, but a woman." `
` `
` "As I am only a humble foreigner, you must pardon me if I do `
` not understand all the subtle refinements of your language." `
` `
` "What I mean to say is, that my mother is not quick to give `
` her confidence, but when she does she never changes." `
`
` "And who," said Albert with a forced smile, "is to marry `
` Mademoiselle Danglars instead of me, which grieves me `
` cruelly." `
` `
` "What? Cavalcanti is going to marry Mademoiselle Danglars?" `
` asked Beauchamp. `
` `
` "Certainly; do you come from the end of the world?" said `
` Monte Cristo; "you, a journalist, the husband of renown? It `
` is the talk of all Paris." `
` `
` "And you, count, have made this match?" asked Beauchamp. `
` `
` "I? Silence, purveyor of gossip, do not spread that report. `
` I make a match? No, you do not know me; I have done all in `
` my power to oppose it." `
` `
` "Ah, I understand," said Beauchamp, "on our friend Albert's `
` account." `
` `
` "On my account?" said the young man; "oh, no, indeed, the `
` count will do me the justice to assert that I have, on the `
` contrary, always entreated him to break off my engagement, `
` and happily it is ended. The count pretends I have not him `
` to thank; -- so be it -- I will erect an altar Deo ignoto." `
` `
` "Listen," said Monte Cristo; "I have had little to do with `
` it, for I am at variance both with the father-in-law and the `
` young man; there is only Mademoiselle Eugenie, who appears `
` but little charmed with the thoughts of matrimony, and who, `
` seeing how little I was disposed to persuade her to renounce `
` her dear liberty, retains any affection for me." `
` `
` "And do you say this wedding is at hand?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes, in spite of all I could say. I do not know the `
` young man; he is said to be of good family and rich, but I `
` never trust to vague assertions. I have warned M. Danglars `
` of it till I am tired, but he is fascinated with his `
` Luccanese. I have even informed him of a circumstance I `
` consider very serious; the young man was either charmed by `
` his nurse, stolen by gypsies, or lost by his tutor, I `
` scarcely know which. But I do know his father lost sight of `
` him for more than ten years; what he did during these ten `
` years, God only knows. Well, all that was useless. They have `
` commissioned me to write to the major to demand papers, and `
` here they are. I send them, but like Pilate -- washing my `
` hands." `
` `
` "And what does Mademoiselle d'Armilly say to you for robbing `
` her of her pupil?" `
` `
` "Oh, well, I don't know; but I understand that she is going `
` to Italy. Madame Danglars asked me for letters of `
` recommendation for the impresari; I gave her a few lines for `
` the director of the Valle Theatre, who is under some `
` obligation to me. But what is the matter, Albert? you look `
` dull; are you, after all, unconsciously in love with `
` Mademoiselle Eugenie?" `
` `
` "I am not aware of it," said Albert, smiling sorrowfully. `
` Beauchamp turned to look at some paintings. "But," continued `
` Monte Cristo, "you are not in your usual spirits?" `
` `
` "I have a dreadful headache," said Albert. `
` `
` "Well, my dear viscount," said Monte Cristo, "I have an `
` infallible remedy to propose to you." `
` `
` "What is that?" asked the young man. `
` `
` "A change." `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Albert. `
` `
` "Yes; and as I am just now excessively annoyed, I shall go `
` from home. Shall we go together?" `
` `
` "You annoyed, count?" said Beauchamp; "and by what?" `
` `
` "Ah, you think very lightly of it; I should like to see you `
` with a brief preparing in your house." `
` `
` "What brief?" `
` `
` "The one M. de Villefort is preparing against my amiable `
` assassin -- some brigand escaped from the gallows `
` apparently." `
` `
` "True," said Beauchamp; "I saw it in the paper. Who is this `
` Caderousse?" `
` `
` "Some provincial, it appears. M. de Villefort heard of him `
` at Marseilles, and M. Danglars recollects having seen him. `
` Consequently, the procureur is very active in the affair, `
` and the prefect of police very much interested; and, thanks `
` to that interest, for which I am very grateful, they send me `
` all the robbers of Paris and the neighborhood, under `
` pretence of their being Caderousse's murderers, so that in `
` three months, if this continue, every robber and assassin in `
` France will have the plan of my house at his fingers' end. I `
` am resolved to desert them and go to some remote corner of `
` the earth, and shall be happy if you will accompany me, `
` viscount." `
` `
` "Willingly." `
` `
` "Then it is settled?" `
` `
` "Yes, but where?" `
` `
` "I have told you, where the air is pure, where every sound `
` soothes, where one is sure to be humbled, however proud may `
` be his nature. I love that humiliation, I, who am master of `
` the universe, as was Augustus." `
` `
` "But where are you really going?" `
` `
` "To sea, viscount; you know I am a sailor. I was rocked when `
` an infant in the arms of old ocean, and on the bosom of the `
` beautiful Amphitrite; I have sported with the green mantle `
` of the one and the azure robe of the other; I love the sea `
` as a mistress, and pine if I do not often see her." `
` `
` "Let us go, count." `
` `
` "To sea?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "You accept my proposal?" `
` `
` "I do." `
` `
` "Well, Viscount, there will be in my court-yard this evening `
` a good travelling britzka, with four post-horses, in which `
` one may rest as in a bed. M. Beauchamp, it holds four very `
` well, will you accompany us?" `
` `
` "Thank you, I have just returned from sea." `
` `
` "What? you have been to sea?" `
` `
` "Yes; I have just made a little excursion to the Borromean `
` Islands."* `
` `
` * Lake Maggiore. `
` `
` "What of that? come with us," said Albert. `
` `
` "No, dear Morcerf; you know I only refuse when the thing is `
` impossible. Besides, it is important," added he in a low `
` tone, "that I should remain in Paris just now to watch the `
` paper." `
` `
` "Ah, you are a good and an excellent friend," said Albert; `
` "yes, you are right; watch, watch, Beauchamp, and try to `
` discover the enemy who made this disclosure." Albert and `
` Beauchamp parted, the last pressure of their hands `
` expressing what their tongues could not before a stranger. `
` `
` "Beauchamp is a worthy fellow," said Monte Cristo, when the `
` journalist was gone; "is he not, Albert?" `
` `
` "Yes, and a sincere friend; I love him devotedly. But now we `
` are alone, -- although it is immaterial to me, -- where are `
` we going?" `
` `
` "Into Normandy, if you like." `
` `
` "Delightful; shall we be quite retired? have no society, no `
` neighbors?" `
` `
` "Our companions will be riding-horses, dogs to hunt with, `
` and a fishing-boat." `
` `
` "Exactly what I wish for; I will apprise my mother of my `
` intention, and return to you." `
` `
` "But shall you be allowed to go into Normandy?" `
` `
` "I may go where I please." `
` `
` "Yes, I am aware you may go alone, since I once met you in `
` Italy -- but to accompany the mysterious Monte Cristo?" `
` `
` "You forget, count, that I have often told you of the deep `
` interest my mother takes in you." `
` `
` "`Woman is fickle.' said Francis I.; `woman is like a wave `
` of the sea,' said Shakespeare; both the great king and the `
` great poet ought to have known woman's nature well." `
` `
` "Woman's, yes; my mother is not woman, but a woman." `
` `
` "As I am only a humble foreigner, you must pardon me if I do `
` not understand all the subtle refinements of your language." `
` `
` "What I mean to say is, that my mother is not quick to give `
` her confidence, but when she does she never changes." `
`