Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
dimmed, his legs sank under him, and he would have fallen `
` had not Florentin supported him. `
` `
` "Poor young man," said Monte Cristo in a low voice; "it is `
` then true that the sin of the father shall fall on the `
` children to the third and fourth generation." Meanwhile `
` Albert had revived, and, continuing to read, he threw back `
` his head, saying, "Florentin, is your horse fit to return `
` immediately?" `
` `
` "It is a poor lame post-horse." `
` `
` "In what state was the house when you left?" `
` `
` "All was quiet, but on returning from M. Beauchamp's, I `
` found madame in tears: she had sent for me to know when you `
` would return. I told her my orders from M. Beauchamp; she `
` first extended her arms to prevent me, but after a moment's `
` reflection, `Yes, go, Florentin,' said she, `and may he come `
` quickly.'" `
` `
` "Yes, my mother," said Albert, "I will return, and woe to `
` the infamous wretch! But first of all I must get there." `
` `
` He went back to the room where he had left Monte Cristo. `
` Five minutes had sufficed to make a complete transformation `
` in his appearance. His voice had become rough and hoarse; `
` his face was furrowed with wrinkles; his eyes burned under `
` the blue-veined lids, and he tottered like a drunken man. `
` "Count," said he, "I thank you for your hospitality, which I `
` would gladly have enjoyed longer; but I must return to `
` Paris." `
` `
` "What has happened?" `
` `
` "A great misfortune, more important to me than life. Don't `
` question me, I beg of you, but lend me a horse." `
` `
` "My stables are at your command, viscount; but you will kill `
` yourself by riding on horseback. Take a post-chaise or a `
` carriage." `
` `
` "No, it would delay me, and I need the fatigue you warn me `
` of; it will do me good." Albert reeled as if he had been `
` shot, and fell on a chair near the door. Monte Cristo did `
` not see this second manifestation of physical exhaustion; he `
` was at the window, calling, "Ali, a horse for M. de Morcerf `
` -- quick! he is in a hurry!" These words restored Albert; he `
` darted from the room, followed by the count. "Thank you!" `
` cried he, throwing himself on his horse. "Return as soon as `
` you can, Florentin. Must I use any password to procure a `
` horse?" `
` `
` "Only dismount; another will be immediately saddled." Albert `
` hesitated a moment. "You may think my departure strange and `
` foolish," said the young man; "you do not know how a `
` paragraph in a newspaper may exasperate one. Read that," `
` said he, "when I am gone, that you may not be witness of my `
` anger." `
` `
` While the count picked up the paper he put spurs to his `
` horse, which leaped in astonishment at such an unusual `
` stimulus, and shot away with the rapidity of an arrow. The `
` count watched him with a feeling of compassion, and when he `
` had completely disappeared, read as follows: -- `
` `
` "The French officer in the service of Ali Pasha of Yanina `
` alluded to three weeks since in the Impartial, who not only `
` surrendered the castle of Yanina, but sold his benefactor to `
` the Turks, styled himself truly at that time Fernand, as our `
` esteemed contemporary states; but he has since added to his `
` Christian name a title of nobility and a family name. He now `
` calls himself the Count of Morcerf, and ranks among the `
` peers." `
` `
` Thus the terrible secret, which Beauchamp had so generously `
` destroyed, appeared again like an armed phantom; and another `
` paper, deriving its information from some malicious source, `
` had published two days after Albert's departure for Normandy `
` the few lines which had rendered the unfortunate young man `
` almost crazy. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 86 `
` The Trial. `
` `
` At eight o'clock in the morning Albert had arrived at `
` Beauchamp's door. The valet de chambre had received orders `
` to usher him in at once. Beauchamp was in his bath. "Here I `
` am," said Albert. `
` `
` "Well, my poor friend," replied Beauchamp, "I expected you." `
` `
` "I need not say I think you are too faithful and too kind to `
` have spoken of that painful circumstance. Your having sent `
` for me is another proof of your affection. So, without `
` losing time, tell me, have you the slightest idea whence `
` this terrible blow proceeds?" `
` `
` "I think I have some clew." `
` `
` "But first tell me all the particulars of this shameful `
` plot." Beauchamp proceeded to relate to the young man, who `
` was overwhelmed with shame and grief, the following facts. `
` Two days previously, the article had appeared in another `
` paper besides the Impartial, and, what was more serious, one `
` that was well known as a government paper. Beauchamp was `
` breakfasting when he read the paragraph. He sent immediately `
` for a cabriolet, and hastened to the publisher's office. `
` Although professing diametrically opposite principles from `
` those of the editor of the other paper, Beauchamp -- as it `
` sometimes, we may say often, happens -- was his intimate `
` friend. The editor was reading, with apparent delight, a `
` leading article in the same paper on beet-sugar, probably a `
` composition of his own. `
` `
` "Ah, pardieu," said Beauchamp, "with the paper in your hand, `
` my friend, I need not tell you the cause of my visit." `
` `
` "Are you interested in the sugar question?" asked the editor `
` of the ministerial paper. `
` `
` "No," replied Beauchamp, "I have not considered the `
` question; a totally different subject interests me." `
` `
` "What is it?" `
` `
` "The article relative to Morcerf." `
` `
` "Indeed? Is it not a curious affair?" `
` `
` "So curious, that I think you are running a great risk of a `
` prosecution for defamation of character." `
` `
` "Not at all; we have received with the information all the `
` requisite proofs, and we are quite sure M. de Morcerf will `
` not raise his voice against us; besides, it is rendering a `
` service to one's country to denounce these wretched `
` criminals who are unworthy of the honor bestowed on them." `
` Beauchamp was thunderstruck. "Who, then, has so correctly `
` informed you?" asked he; "for my paper, which gave the first `
` information on the subject, has been obliged to stop for `
` want of proof; and yet we are more interested than you in `
` exposing M. de Morcerf, as he is a peer of France, and we `
` are of the opposition." `
` `
` "Oh, that is very simple; we have not sought to scandalize. `
` This news was brought to us. A man arrived yesterday from `
` Yanina, bringing a formidable array of documents; and when `
` we hesitated to publish the accusatory article, he told us `
` it should be inserted in some other paper." `
` `
` Beauchamp understood that nothing remained but to submit, `
` and left the office to despatch a courier to Morcerf. But he `
` had been unable to send to Albert the following particulars, `
` as the events had transpired after the messenger's `
` departure; namely, that the same day a great agitation was `
` manifest in the House of Peers among the usually calm `
` members of that dignified assembly. Every one had arrived `
` almost before the usual hour, and was conversing on the `
` melancholy event which was to attract the attention of the `
` public towards one of their most illustrious colleagues. `
` Some were perusing the article, others making comments and `
` recalling circumstances which substantiated the charges `
` still more. The Count of Morcerf was no favorite with his `
` colleagues. Like all upstarts, he had had recourse to a `
` great deal of haughtiness to maintain his position. The true `
` nobility laughed at him, the talented repelled him, and the `
` honorable instinctively despised him. He was, in fact, in `
` the unhappy position of the victim marked for sacrifice; the `
` finger of God once pointed at him, every one was prepared to `
` raise the hue and cry. `
` `
` The Count of Morcerf alone was ignorant of the news. He did `
` not take in the paper containing the defamatory article, and `
` had passed the morning in writing letters and in trying a `
` horse. He arrived at his usual hour, with a proud look and `
` insolent demeanor; he alighted, passed through the `
` corridors, and entered the house without observing the `
` hesitation of the door-keepers or the coolness of his `
` colleagues. Business had already been going on for half an `
` hour when he entered. Every one held the accusing paper, `
` but, as usual, no one liked to take upon himself the `
` responsibility of the attack. At length an honorable peer, `
` Morcerf's acknowledged enemy, ascended the tribune with that `
` solemnity which announced that the expected moment had `
` arrived. There was an impressive silence; Morcerf alone knew `
` not why such profound attention was given to an orator who `
` was not always listened to with so much complacency. The `
` count did not notice the introduction, in which the speaker `
` announced that his communication would be of that vital `
` importance that it demanded the undivided attention of the `
` House; but at the mention of Yanina and Colonel Fernand, he `
` turned so frightfully pale that every member shuddered and `
` fixed his eyes upon him. Moral wounds have this peculiarity, `
` -- they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, `
` always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and `
` open in the heart. `
` `
` The article having been read during the painful hush that `
`
` had not Florentin supported him. `
` `
` "Poor young man," said Monte Cristo in a low voice; "it is `
` then true that the sin of the father shall fall on the `
` children to the third and fourth generation." Meanwhile `
` Albert had revived, and, continuing to read, he threw back `
` his head, saying, "Florentin, is your horse fit to return `
` immediately?" `
` `
` "It is a poor lame post-horse." `
` `
` "In what state was the house when you left?" `
` `
` "All was quiet, but on returning from M. Beauchamp's, I `
` found madame in tears: she had sent for me to know when you `
` would return. I told her my orders from M. Beauchamp; she `
` first extended her arms to prevent me, but after a moment's `
` reflection, `Yes, go, Florentin,' said she, `and may he come `
` quickly.'" `
` `
` "Yes, my mother," said Albert, "I will return, and woe to `
` the infamous wretch! But first of all I must get there." `
` `
` He went back to the room where he had left Monte Cristo. `
` Five minutes had sufficed to make a complete transformation `
` in his appearance. His voice had become rough and hoarse; `
` his face was furrowed with wrinkles; his eyes burned under `
` the blue-veined lids, and he tottered like a drunken man. `
` "Count," said he, "I thank you for your hospitality, which I `
` would gladly have enjoyed longer; but I must return to `
` Paris." `
` `
` "What has happened?" `
` `
` "A great misfortune, more important to me than life. Don't `
` question me, I beg of you, but lend me a horse." `
` `
` "My stables are at your command, viscount; but you will kill `
` yourself by riding on horseback. Take a post-chaise or a `
` carriage." `
` `
` "No, it would delay me, and I need the fatigue you warn me `
` of; it will do me good." Albert reeled as if he had been `
` shot, and fell on a chair near the door. Monte Cristo did `
` not see this second manifestation of physical exhaustion; he `
` was at the window, calling, "Ali, a horse for M. de Morcerf `
` -- quick! he is in a hurry!" These words restored Albert; he `
` darted from the room, followed by the count. "Thank you!" `
` cried he, throwing himself on his horse. "Return as soon as `
` you can, Florentin. Must I use any password to procure a `
` horse?" `
` `
` "Only dismount; another will be immediately saddled." Albert `
` hesitated a moment. "You may think my departure strange and `
` foolish," said the young man; "you do not know how a `
` paragraph in a newspaper may exasperate one. Read that," `
` said he, "when I am gone, that you may not be witness of my `
` anger." `
` `
` While the count picked up the paper he put spurs to his `
` horse, which leaped in astonishment at such an unusual `
` stimulus, and shot away with the rapidity of an arrow. The `
` count watched him with a feeling of compassion, and when he `
` had completely disappeared, read as follows: -- `
` `
` "The French officer in the service of Ali Pasha of Yanina `
` alluded to three weeks since in the Impartial, who not only `
` surrendered the castle of Yanina, but sold his benefactor to `
` the Turks, styled himself truly at that time Fernand, as our `
` esteemed contemporary states; but he has since added to his `
` Christian name a title of nobility and a family name. He now `
` calls himself the Count of Morcerf, and ranks among the `
` peers." `
` `
` Thus the terrible secret, which Beauchamp had so generously `
` destroyed, appeared again like an armed phantom; and another `
` paper, deriving its information from some malicious source, `
` had published two days after Albert's departure for Normandy `
` the few lines which had rendered the unfortunate young man `
` almost crazy. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 86 `
` The Trial. `
` `
` At eight o'clock in the morning Albert had arrived at `
` Beauchamp's door. The valet de chambre had received orders `
` to usher him in at once. Beauchamp was in his bath. "Here I `
` am," said Albert. `
` `
` "Well, my poor friend," replied Beauchamp, "I expected you." `
` `
` "I need not say I think you are too faithful and too kind to `
` have spoken of that painful circumstance. Your having sent `
` for me is another proof of your affection. So, without `
` losing time, tell me, have you the slightest idea whence `
` this terrible blow proceeds?" `
` `
` "I think I have some clew." `
` `
` "But first tell me all the particulars of this shameful `
` plot." Beauchamp proceeded to relate to the young man, who `
` was overwhelmed with shame and grief, the following facts. `
` Two days previously, the article had appeared in another `
` paper besides the Impartial, and, what was more serious, one `
` that was well known as a government paper. Beauchamp was `
` breakfasting when he read the paragraph. He sent immediately `
` for a cabriolet, and hastened to the publisher's office. `
` Although professing diametrically opposite principles from `
` those of the editor of the other paper, Beauchamp -- as it `
` sometimes, we may say often, happens -- was his intimate `
` friend. The editor was reading, with apparent delight, a `
` leading article in the same paper on beet-sugar, probably a `
` composition of his own. `
` `
` "Ah, pardieu," said Beauchamp, "with the paper in your hand, `
` my friend, I need not tell you the cause of my visit." `
` `
` "Are you interested in the sugar question?" asked the editor `
` of the ministerial paper. `
` `
` "No," replied Beauchamp, "I have not considered the `
` question; a totally different subject interests me." `
` `
` "What is it?" `
` `
` "The article relative to Morcerf." `
` `
` "Indeed? Is it not a curious affair?" `
` `
` "So curious, that I think you are running a great risk of a `
` prosecution for defamation of character." `
` `
` "Not at all; we have received with the information all the `
` requisite proofs, and we are quite sure M. de Morcerf will `
` not raise his voice against us; besides, it is rendering a `
` service to one's country to denounce these wretched `
` criminals who are unworthy of the honor bestowed on them." `
` Beauchamp was thunderstruck. "Who, then, has so correctly `
` informed you?" asked he; "for my paper, which gave the first `
` information on the subject, has been obliged to stop for `
` want of proof; and yet we are more interested than you in `
` exposing M. de Morcerf, as he is a peer of France, and we `
` are of the opposition." `
` `
` "Oh, that is very simple; we have not sought to scandalize. `
` This news was brought to us. A man arrived yesterday from `
` Yanina, bringing a formidable array of documents; and when `
` we hesitated to publish the accusatory article, he told us `
` it should be inserted in some other paper." `
` `
` Beauchamp understood that nothing remained but to submit, `
` and left the office to despatch a courier to Morcerf. But he `
` had been unable to send to Albert the following particulars, `
` as the events had transpired after the messenger's `
` departure; namely, that the same day a great agitation was `
` manifest in the House of Peers among the usually calm `
` members of that dignified assembly. Every one had arrived `
` almost before the usual hour, and was conversing on the `
` melancholy event which was to attract the attention of the `
` public towards one of their most illustrious colleagues. `
` Some were perusing the article, others making comments and `
` recalling circumstances which substantiated the charges `
` still more. The Count of Morcerf was no favorite with his `
` colleagues. Like all upstarts, he had had recourse to a `
` great deal of haughtiness to maintain his position. The true `
` nobility laughed at him, the talented repelled him, and the `
` honorable instinctively despised him. He was, in fact, in `
` the unhappy position of the victim marked for sacrifice; the `
` finger of God once pointed at him, every one was prepared to `
` raise the hue and cry. `
` `
` The Count of Morcerf alone was ignorant of the news. He did `
` not take in the paper containing the defamatory article, and `
` had passed the morning in writing letters and in trying a `
` horse. He arrived at his usual hour, with a proud look and `
` insolent demeanor; he alighted, passed through the `
` corridors, and entered the house without observing the `
` hesitation of the door-keepers or the coolness of his `
` colleagues. Business had already been going on for half an `
` hour when he entered. Every one held the accusing paper, `
` but, as usual, no one liked to take upon himself the `
` responsibility of the attack. At length an honorable peer, `
` Morcerf's acknowledged enemy, ascended the tribune with that `
` solemnity which announced that the expected moment had `
` arrived. There was an impressive silence; Morcerf alone knew `
` not why such profound attention was given to an orator who `
` was not always listened to with so much complacency. The `
` count did not notice the introduction, in which the speaker `
` announced that his communication would be of that vital `
` importance that it demanded the undivided attention of the `
` House; but at the mention of Yanina and Colonel Fernand, he `
` turned so frightfully pale that every member shuddered and `
` fixed his eyes upon him. Moral wounds have this peculiarity, `
` -- they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, `
` always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and `
` open in the heart. `
` `
` The article having been read during the painful hush that `
`