Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
her confidence, but when she does she never changes." `
` `
` "Ah, yes, indeed," said Monte Cristo with a sigh; "and do `
` you think she is in the least interested in me?" `
` `
` "I repeat it, you must really be a very strange and superior `
` man, for my mother is so absorbed by the interest you have `
` excited, that when I am with her she speaks of no one else." `
` `
` "And does she try to make you dislike me?" `
` `
` "On the contrary, she often says, `Morcerf, I believe the `
` count has a noble nature; try to gain his esteem.'" `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Monte Cristo, sighing. `
` `
` "You see, then," said Albert, "that instead of opposing, she `
` will encourage me." `
` `
` "Adieu, then, until five o'clock; be punctual, and we shall `
` arrive at twelve or one." `
` `
` "At Treport?" `
` `
` "Yes; or in the neighborhood." `
` `
` "But can we travel forty-eight leagues in eight hours?" `
` `
` "Easily," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "You are certainly a prodigy; you will soon not only surpass `
` the railway, which would not be very difficult in France, `
` but even the telegraph." `
` `
` "But, viscount, since we cannot perform the journey in less `
` than seven or eight hours, do not keep me waiting." `
` `
` "Do not fear, I have little to prepare." Monte Cristo smiled `
` as he nodded to Albert, then remained a moment absorbed in `
` deep meditation. But passing his hand across his forehead as `
` if to dispel his revery, he rang the bell twice and `
` Bertuccio entered. "Bertuccio," said he, "I intend going `
` this evening to Normandy, instead of to-morrow or the next `
` day. You will have sufficient time before five o'clock; `
` despatch a messenger to apprise the grooms at the first `
` station. M. de Morcerf will accompany me." Bertuccio obeyed `
` and despatched a courier to Pontoise to say the `
` travelling-carriage would arrive at six o'clock. From `
` Pontoise another express was sent to the next stage, and in `
` six hours all the horses stationed on the road were ready. `
` Before his departure, the count went to Haidee's apartments, `
` told her his intention, and resigned everything to her care. `
` Albert was punctual. The journey soon became interesting `
` from its rapidity, of which Morcerf had formed no previous `
` idea. "Truly," said Monte Cristo, "with your posthorses `
` going at the rate of two leagues an hour, and that absurd `
` law that one traveller shall not pass another without `
` permission, so that an invalid or ill-tempered traveller may `
` detain those who are well and active, it is impossible to `
` move; I escape this annoyance by travelling with my own `
` postilion and horses; do I not, Ali?" `
` `
` The count put his head out of the window and whistled, and `
` the horses appeared to fly. The carriage rolled with a `
` thundering noise over the pavement, and every one turned to `
` notice the dazzling meteor. Ali, smiling, repeated the `
` sound, grasped the reins with a firm hand, and spurred his `
` horses, whose beautiful manes floated in the breeze. This `
` child of the desert was in his element, and with his black `
` face and sparkling eyes appeared, in the cloud of dust he `
` raised, like the genius of the simoom and the god of the `
` hurricane. "I never knew till now the delight of speed," `
` said Morcerf, and the last cloud disappeared from his brow; `
` "but where the devil do you get such horses? Are they made `
` to order?" `
` `
` "Precisely," said the count; "six years since I bought a `
` horse in Hungary remarkable for its swiftness. The `
` thirty-two that we shall use to-night are its progeny; they `
` are all entirely black, with the exception of a star upon `
` the forehead." `
` `
` "That is perfectly admirable; but what do you do, count, `
` with all these horses?" `
` `
` "You see, I travel with them." `
` `
` "But you are not always travelling." `
` `
` "When I no longer require them, Bertuccio will sell them, `
` and he expects to realize thirty or forty thousand francs by `
` the sale." `
` `
` "But no monarch in Europe will be wealthy enough to purchase `
` them." `
` `
` "Then he will sell them to some Eastern vizier, who will `
` empty his coffers to purchase them, and refill them by `
` applying the bastinado to his subjects." `
` `
` "Count, may I suggest one idea to you?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "It is that, next to you, Bertuccio must be the richest `
` gentleman in Europe." `
` `
` "You are mistaken, viscount; I believe he has not a franc in `
` his possession." `
` `
` "Then he must be a wonder. My dear count, if you tell me `
` many more marvellous things, I warn you I shall not believe `
` them." `
` `
` "I countenance nothing that is marvellous, M. Albert. Tell `
` me, why does a steward rob his master?" `
` `
` "Because, I suppose, it is his nature to do so, for the love `
` of robbing." `
` `
` "You are mistaken; it is because he has a wife and family, `
` and ambitious desires for himself and them. Also because he `
` is not sure of always retaining his situation, and wishes to `
` provide for the future. Now, M. Bertuccio is alone in the `
` world; he uses my property without accounting for the use he `
` makes of it; he is sure never to leave my service." `
` `
` "Why?" `
` `
` "Because I should never get a better." `
` `
` "Probabilities are deceptive." `
` `
` "But I deal in certainties; he is the best servant over whom `
` one has the power of life and death." `
` `
` "Do you possess that right over Bertuccio?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` There are words which close a conversation with an iron `
` door; such was the count's "yes." The whole journey was `
` performed with equal rapidity; the thirty-two horses, `
` dispersed over seven stages, brought them to their `
` destination in eight hours. At midnight they arrived at the `
` gate of a beautiful park. The porter was in attendance; he `
` had been apprised by the groom of the last stage of the `
` count's approach. At half past two in the morning Morcerf `
` was conducted to his apartments, where a bath and supper `
` were prepared. The servant who had travelled at the back of `
` the carriage waited on him; Baptistin, who rode in front, `
` attended the count. Albert bathed, took his supper, and went `
` to bed. All night he was lulled by the melancholy noise of `
` the surf. On rising, he went to his window, which opened on `
` a terrace, having the sea in front, and at the back a pretty `
` park bounded by a small forest. In a creek lay a little `
` sloop, with a narrow keel and high masts, bearing on its `
` flag the Monte Cristo arms which were a mountain on a sea `
` azure, with a cross gules on the shield. Around the schooner `
` lay a number of small fishing-boats belonging to the `
` fishermen of the neighboring village, like humble subjects `
` awaiting orders from their queen. There, as in every spot `
` where Monte Cristo stopped, if but for two days, luxury `
` abounded and life went on with the utmost ease. `
` `
` Albert found in his anteroom two guns, with all the `
` accoutrements for hunting; a lofty room on the ground-floor `
` containing all the ingenious instruments the English -- `
` eminent in piscatory pursuits, since they are patient and `
` sluggish -- have invented for fishing. The day passed in `
` pursuing those exercises in which Monte Cristo excelled. `
` They killed a dozen pheasants in the park, as many trout in `
` the stream, dined in a summer-house overlooking the ocean, `
` and took tea in the library. `
` `
` Towards the evening of the third day. Albert, completely `
` exhausted with the exercise which invigorated Monte Cristo, `
` was sleeping in an arm-chair near the window, while the `
` count was designing with his architect the plan of a `
` conservatory in his house, when the sound of a horse at full `
` speed on the high road made Albert look up. He was `
` disagreeably surprised to see his own valet de chambre, whom `
` he had not brought, that he might not inconvenience Monte `
` Cristo. `
` `
` "Florentin here!" cried he, starting up; "is my mother ill?" `
` And he hastened to the door. Monte Cristo watched and saw `
` him approach the valet, who drew a small sealed parcel from `
` his pocket, containing a newspaper and a letter. "From whom `
` is this?" said he eagerly. "From M. Beauchamp," replied `
` Florentin. `
` `
` "Did he send you?" `
` `
` "Yes, sir; he sent for me to his house, gave me money for my `
` journey, procured a horse, and made me promise not to stop `
` till I had reached you, I have come in fifteen hours." `
` `
` Albert opened the letter with fear, uttered a shriek on `
` reading the first line, and seized the paper. His sight was `
` dimmed, his legs sank under him, and he would have fallen `
`
` `
` "Ah, yes, indeed," said Monte Cristo with a sigh; "and do `
` you think she is in the least interested in me?" `
` `
` "I repeat it, you must really be a very strange and superior `
` man, for my mother is so absorbed by the interest you have `
` excited, that when I am with her she speaks of no one else." `
` `
` "And does she try to make you dislike me?" `
` `
` "On the contrary, she often says, `Morcerf, I believe the `
` count has a noble nature; try to gain his esteem.'" `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Monte Cristo, sighing. `
` `
` "You see, then," said Albert, "that instead of opposing, she `
` will encourage me." `
` `
` "Adieu, then, until five o'clock; be punctual, and we shall `
` arrive at twelve or one." `
` `
` "At Treport?" `
` `
` "Yes; or in the neighborhood." `
` `
` "But can we travel forty-eight leagues in eight hours?" `
` `
` "Easily," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "You are certainly a prodigy; you will soon not only surpass `
` the railway, which would not be very difficult in France, `
` but even the telegraph." `
` `
` "But, viscount, since we cannot perform the journey in less `
` than seven or eight hours, do not keep me waiting." `
` `
` "Do not fear, I have little to prepare." Monte Cristo smiled `
` as he nodded to Albert, then remained a moment absorbed in `
` deep meditation. But passing his hand across his forehead as `
` if to dispel his revery, he rang the bell twice and `
` Bertuccio entered. "Bertuccio," said he, "I intend going `
` this evening to Normandy, instead of to-morrow or the next `
` day. You will have sufficient time before five o'clock; `
` despatch a messenger to apprise the grooms at the first `
` station. M. de Morcerf will accompany me." Bertuccio obeyed `
` and despatched a courier to Pontoise to say the `
` travelling-carriage would arrive at six o'clock. From `
` Pontoise another express was sent to the next stage, and in `
` six hours all the horses stationed on the road were ready. `
` Before his departure, the count went to Haidee's apartments, `
` told her his intention, and resigned everything to her care. `
` Albert was punctual. The journey soon became interesting `
` from its rapidity, of which Morcerf had formed no previous `
` idea. "Truly," said Monte Cristo, "with your posthorses `
` going at the rate of two leagues an hour, and that absurd `
` law that one traveller shall not pass another without `
` permission, so that an invalid or ill-tempered traveller may `
` detain those who are well and active, it is impossible to `
` move; I escape this annoyance by travelling with my own `
` postilion and horses; do I not, Ali?" `
` `
` The count put his head out of the window and whistled, and `
` the horses appeared to fly. The carriage rolled with a `
` thundering noise over the pavement, and every one turned to `
` notice the dazzling meteor. Ali, smiling, repeated the `
` sound, grasped the reins with a firm hand, and spurred his `
` horses, whose beautiful manes floated in the breeze. This `
` child of the desert was in his element, and with his black `
` face and sparkling eyes appeared, in the cloud of dust he `
` raised, like the genius of the simoom and the god of the `
` hurricane. "I never knew till now the delight of speed," `
` said Morcerf, and the last cloud disappeared from his brow; `
` "but where the devil do you get such horses? Are they made `
` to order?" `
` `
` "Precisely," said the count; "six years since I bought a `
` horse in Hungary remarkable for its swiftness. The `
` thirty-two that we shall use to-night are its progeny; they `
` are all entirely black, with the exception of a star upon `
` the forehead." `
` `
` "That is perfectly admirable; but what do you do, count, `
` with all these horses?" `
` `
` "You see, I travel with them." `
` `
` "But you are not always travelling." `
` `
` "When I no longer require them, Bertuccio will sell them, `
` and he expects to realize thirty or forty thousand francs by `
` the sale." `
` `
` "But no monarch in Europe will be wealthy enough to purchase `
` them." `
` `
` "Then he will sell them to some Eastern vizier, who will `
` empty his coffers to purchase them, and refill them by `
` applying the bastinado to his subjects." `
` `
` "Count, may I suggest one idea to you?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "It is that, next to you, Bertuccio must be the richest `
` gentleman in Europe." `
` `
` "You are mistaken, viscount; I believe he has not a franc in `
` his possession." `
` `
` "Then he must be a wonder. My dear count, if you tell me `
` many more marvellous things, I warn you I shall not believe `
` them." `
` `
` "I countenance nothing that is marvellous, M. Albert. Tell `
` me, why does a steward rob his master?" `
` `
` "Because, I suppose, it is his nature to do so, for the love `
` of robbing." `
` `
` "You are mistaken; it is because he has a wife and family, `
` and ambitious desires for himself and them. Also because he `
` is not sure of always retaining his situation, and wishes to `
` provide for the future. Now, M. Bertuccio is alone in the `
` world; he uses my property without accounting for the use he `
` makes of it; he is sure never to leave my service." `
` `
` "Why?" `
` `
` "Because I should never get a better." `
` `
` "Probabilities are deceptive." `
` `
` "But I deal in certainties; he is the best servant over whom `
` one has the power of life and death." `
` `
` "Do you possess that right over Bertuccio?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` There are words which close a conversation with an iron `
` door; such was the count's "yes." The whole journey was `
` performed with equal rapidity; the thirty-two horses, `
` dispersed over seven stages, brought them to their `
` destination in eight hours. At midnight they arrived at the `
` gate of a beautiful park. The porter was in attendance; he `
` had been apprised by the groom of the last stage of the `
` count's approach. At half past two in the morning Morcerf `
` was conducted to his apartments, where a bath and supper `
` were prepared. The servant who had travelled at the back of `
` the carriage waited on him; Baptistin, who rode in front, `
` attended the count. Albert bathed, took his supper, and went `
` to bed. All night he was lulled by the melancholy noise of `
` the surf. On rising, he went to his window, which opened on `
` a terrace, having the sea in front, and at the back a pretty `
` park bounded by a small forest. In a creek lay a little `
` sloop, with a narrow keel and high masts, bearing on its `
` flag the Monte Cristo arms which were a mountain on a sea `
` azure, with a cross gules on the shield. Around the schooner `
` lay a number of small fishing-boats belonging to the `
` fishermen of the neighboring village, like humble subjects `
` awaiting orders from their queen. There, as in every spot `
` where Monte Cristo stopped, if but for two days, luxury `
` abounded and life went on with the utmost ease. `
` `
` Albert found in his anteroom two guns, with all the `
` accoutrements for hunting; a lofty room on the ground-floor `
` containing all the ingenious instruments the English -- `
` eminent in piscatory pursuits, since they are patient and `
` sluggish -- have invented for fishing. The day passed in `
` pursuing those exercises in which Monte Cristo excelled. `
` They killed a dozen pheasants in the park, as many trout in `
` the stream, dined in a summer-house overlooking the ocean, `
` and took tea in the library. `
` `
` Towards the evening of the third day. Albert, completely `
` exhausted with the exercise which invigorated Monte Cristo, `
` was sleeping in an arm-chair near the window, while the `
` count was designing with his architect the plan of a `
` conservatory in his house, when the sound of a horse at full `
` speed on the high road made Albert look up. He was `
` disagreeably surprised to see his own valet de chambre, whom `
` he had not brought, that he might not inconvenience Monte `
` Cristo. `
` `
` "Florentin here!" cried he, starting up; "is my mother ill?" `
` And he hastened to the door. Monte Cristo watched and saw `
` him approach the valet, who drew a small sealed parcel from `
` his pocket, containing a newspaper and a letter. "From whom `
` is this?" said he eagerly. "From M. Beauchamp," replied `
` Florentin. `
` `
` "Did he send you?" `
` `
` "Yes, sir; he sent for me to his house, gave me money for my `
` journey, procured a horse, and made me promise not to stop `
` till I had reached you, I have come in fifteen hours." `
` `
` Albert opened the letter with fear, uttered a shriek on `
` reading the first line, and seized the paper. His sight was `
` dimmed, his legs sank under him, and he would have fallen `
`