Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
immediately, as if he feared the roof would open and reveal `
` to his distressed view that second tribunal called heaven, `
` and that other judge named God. Then, with a hasty movement, `
` he tore open his coat, which seemed to stifle him, and flew `
` from the room like a madman; his footstep was heard one `
` moment in the corridor, then the rattling of his `
` carriage-wheels as he was driven rapidly away. `Gentlemen,' `
` said the president, when silence was restored, `is the Count `
` of Morcerf convicted of felony, treason, and conduct `
` unbecoming a member of this House?' -- `Yes,' replied all `
` the members of the committee of inquiry with a unanimous `
` voice. `
` `
` "Haidee had remained until the close of the meeting. She `
` heard the count's sentence pronounced without betraying an `
` expression of joy or pity; then drawing her veil over her `
` face she bowed majestically to the councillors, and left `
` with that dignified step which Virgil attributes to his `
` goddesses." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 87 `
` The Challenge. `
` `
` "Then," continued Beauchamp, "I took advantage of the `
` silence and the darkness to leave the house without being `
` seen. The usher who had introduced me was waiting for me at `
` the door, and he conducted me through the corridors to a `
` private entrance opening into the Rue de Vaugirard. I left `
` with mingled feelings of sorrow and delight. Excuse me, `
` Albert, -- sorrow on your account, and delight with that `
` noble girl, thus pursuing paternal vengeance. Yes, Albert, `
` from whatever source the blow may have proceeded -- it may `
` be from an enemy, but that enemy is only the agent of `
` providence." Albert held his head between his hands; he `
` raised his face, red with shame and bathed in tears, and `
` seizing Beauchamp's arm, "My friend," said he, "my life is `
` ended. I cannot calmly say with you, `Providence has struck `
` the blow;' but I must discover who pursues me with this `
` hatred, and when I have found him I shall kill him, or he `
` will kill me. I rely on your friendship to assist me, `
` Beauchamp, if contempt has not banished it from your heart." `
` `
` "Contempt, my friend? How does this misfortune affect you? `
` No, happily that unjust prejudice is forgotten which made `
` the son responsible for the father's actions. Review your `
` life, Albert; although it is only just beginning, did a `
` lovely summer's day ever dawn with greater purity than has `
` marked the commencement of your career? No, Albert, take my `
` advice. You are young and rich -- leave Paris -- all is soon `
` forgotten in this great Babylon of excitement and changing `
` tastes. You will return after three or four years with a `
` Russian princess for a bride, and no one will think more of `
` what occurred yesterday than if it had happened sixteen `
` years ago." `
` `
` "Thank you, my dear Beauchamp, thank you for the excellent `
` feeling which prompts your advice; but it cannot be. I have `
` told you my wish, or rather my determination. You understand `
` that, interested as I am in this affair, I cannot see it in `
` the same light as you do. What appears to you to emanate `
` from a celestial source, seems to me to proceed from one far `
` less pure. Providence appears to me to have no share in this `
` affair; and happily so, for instead of the invisible, `
` impalpable agent of celestial rewards and punishments, I `
` shall find one both palpable and visible, on whom I shall `
` revenge myself, I assure you, for all I have suffered during `
` the last month. Now, I repeat, Beauchamp, I wish to return `
` to human and material existence, and if you are still the `
` friend you profess to be, help me to discover the hand that `
` struck the blow." `
` `
` "Be it so," said Beauchamp; "if you must have me descend to `
` earth, I submit; and if you will seek your enemy, I will `
` assist you, and I will engage to find him, my honor being `
` almost as deeply interested as yours." `
` `
` "Well, then, you understand, Beauchamp, that we begin our `
` search immediately. Each moment's delay is an eternity for `
` me. The calumniator is not yet punished, and he may hope `
` that he will not be; but, on my honor, it he thinks so, he `
` deceives himself." `
` `
` "Well, listen, Morcerf." `
` `
` "Ah, Beauchamp, I see you know something already; you will `
` restore me to life." `
` `
` "I do not say there is any truth in what I am going to tell `
` you, but it is, at least, a ray of light in a dark night; by `
` following it we may, perhaps, discover something more `
` certain." `
` `
` "Tell me; satisfy my impatience." `
` `
` "Well, I will tell you what I did not like to mention on my `
` return from Yanina." `
` `
` "Say on." `
` `
` "I went, of course, to the chief banker of the town to make `
` inquiries. At the first word, before I had even mentioned `
` your father's name" -- `
` `
` "`Ah,' said he. `I guess what brings you here.' `
` `
` "`How, and why?' `
` `
` "`Because a fortnight since I was questioned on the same `
` subject.' `
` `
` "`By whom?' -- `By a Paris banker, my correspondent.' `
` `
` "`Whose name is' -- `
` `
` "`Danglars.'" `
` `
` "He!" cried Albert; "yes, it is indeed he who has so long `
` pursued my father with jealous hatred. He, the man who would `
` be popular, cannot forgive the Count of Morcerf for being `
` created a peer; and this marriage broken off without a `
` reason being assigned -- yes, it is all from the same `
` cause." `
` `
` "Make inquiries, Albert, but do not be angry without reason; `
` make inquiries, and if it be true" -- `
` `
` "Oh, yes, if it be true," cried the young man, "he shall pay `
` me all I have suffered." `
` `
` "Beware, Morcerf, he is already an old man." `
` `
` "I will respect his age as he has respected the honor of my `
` family; if my father had offended him, why did he not attack `
` him personally? Oh, no, he was afraid to encounter him face `
` to face." `
` `
` "I do not condemn you, Albert; I only restrain you. Act `
` prudently." `
` `
` "Oh, do not fear; besides, you will accompany me. Beauchamp, `
` solemn transactions should be sanctioned by a witness. `
` Before this day closes, if M. Danglars is guilty, he shall `
` cease to live, or I shall die. Pardieu, Beauchamp, mine `
` shall be a splendid funeral!" `
` `
` "When such resolutions are made, Albert, they should be `
` promptly executed. Do you wish to go to M. Danglars? Let us `
` go immediately." They sent for a cabriolet. On entering the `
` banker's mansion, they perceived the phaeton and servant of `
` M. Andrea Cavalcanti. "Ah, parbleu, that's good," said `
` Albert, with a gloomy tone. "If M. Danglars will not fight `
` with me, I will kill his son-in-law; Cavalcanti will `
` certainly fight." The servant announced the young man; but `
` the banker, recollecting what had transpired the day before, `
` did not wish him admitted. It was, however, too late; Albert `
` had followed the footman, and, hearing the order given, `
` forced the door open, and followed by Beauchamp found `
` himself in the banker's study. "Sir," cried the latter, "am `
` I no longer at liberty to receive whom I choose in my house? `
` You appear to forget yourself sadly." `
` `
` "No, sir," said Albert, coldly; "there are circumstances in `
` which one cannot, except through cowardice, -- I offer you `
` that refuge, -- refuse to admit certain persons at least." `
` `
` "What is your errand, then, with me, sir?" `
` `
` "I mean," said Albert, drawing near, and without apparently `
` noticing Cavalcanti, who stood with his back towards the `
` fireplace -- "I mean to propose a meeting in some retired `
` corner where no one will interrupt us for ten minutes; that `
` will be sufficient -- where two men having met, one of them `
` will remain on the ground." Danglars turned pale; Cavalcanti `
` moved a step forward, and Albert turned towards him. "And `
` you, too," said he, "come, if you like, monsieur; you have a `
` claim, being almost one of the family, and I will give as `
` many rendezvous of that kind as I can find persons willing `
` to accept them." Cavalcanti looked at Danglars with a `
` stupefied air, and the latter, making an effort, arose and `
` stepped between the two young men. Albert's attack on Andrea `
` had placed him on a different footing, and he hoped this `
` visit had another cause than that he had at first supposed. `
` `
` "Indeed, sir," said he to Albert, "if you are come to `
` quarrel with this gentleman because I have preferred him to `
` you, I shall resign the case to the king's attorney." `
` `
` "You mistake, sir," said Morcerf with a gloomy smile; "I am `
` not referring in the least to matrimony, and I only `
` addressed myself to M. Cavalcanti because he appeared `
` disposed to interfere between us. In one respect you are `
` right, for I am ready to quarrel with every one to-day; but `
` you have the first claim, M. Danglars." `
` `
` "Sir," replied Danglars, pale with anger and fear, "I warn `
` you, when I have the misfortune to meet with a mad dog, I `
` kill it; and far from thinking myself guilty of a crime, I `
` believe I do society a kindness. Now, if you are mad and try `
` to bite me, I will kill you without pity. Is it my fault `
`
` to his distressed view that second tribunal called heaven, `
` and that other judge named God. Then, with a hasty movement, `
` he tore open his coat, which seemed to stifle him, and flew `
` from the room like a madman; his footstep was heard one `
` moment in the corridor, then the rattling of his `
` carriage-wheels as he was driven rapidly away. `Gentlemen,' `
` said the president, when silence was restored, `is the Count `
` of Morcerf convicted of felony, treason, and conduct `
` unbecoming a member of this House?' -- `Yes,' replied all `
` the members of the committee of inquiry with a unanimous `
` voice. `
` `
` "Haidee had remained until the close of the meeting. She `
` heard the count's sentence pronounced without betraying an `
` expression of joy or pity; then drawing her veil over her `
` face she bowed majestically to the councillors, and left `
` with that dignified step which Virgil attributes to his `
` goddesses." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 87 `
` The Challenge. `
` `
` "Then," continued Beauchamp, "I took advantage of the `
` silence and the darkness to leave the house without being `
` seen. The usher who had introduced me was waiting for me at `
` the door, and he conducted me through the corridors to a `
` private entrance opening into the Rue de Vaugirard. I left `
` with mingled feelings of sorrow and delight. Excuse me, `
` Albert, -- sorrow on your account, and delight with that `
` noble girl, thus pursuing paternal vengeance. Yes, Albert, `
` from whatever source the blow may have proceeded -- it may `
` be from an enemy, but that enemy is only the agent of `
` providence." Albert held his head between his hands; he `
` raised his face, red with shame and bathed in tears, and `
` seizing Beauchamp's arm, "My friend," said he, "my life is `
` ended. I cannot calmly say with you, `Providence has struck `
` the blow;' but I must discover who pursues me with this `
` hatred, and when I have found him I shall kill him, or he `
` will kill me. I rely on your friendship to assist me, `
` Beauchamp, if contempt has not banished it from your heart." `
` `
` "Contempt, my friend? How does this misfortune affect you? `
` No, happily that unjust prejudice is forgotten which made `
` the son responsible for the father's actions. Review your `
` life, Albert; although it is only just beginning, did a `
` lovely summer's day ever dawn with greater purity than has `
` marked the commencement of your career? No, Albert, take my `
` advice. You are young and rich -- leave Paris -- all is soon `
` forgotten in this great Babylon of excitement and changing `
` tastes. You will return after three or four years with a `
` Russian princess for a bride, and no one will think more of `
` what occurred yesterday than if it had happened sixteen `
` years ago." `
` `
` "Thank you, my dear Beauchamp, thank you for the excellent `
` feeling which prompts your advice; but it cannot be. I have `
` told you my wish, or rather my determination. You understand `
` that, interested as I am in this affair, I cannot see it in `
` the same light as you do. What appears to you to emanate `
` from a celestial source, seems to me to proceed from one far `
` less pure. Providence appears to me to have no share in this `
` affair; and happily so, for instead of the invisible, `
` impalpable agent of celestial rewards and punishments, I `
` shall find one both palpable and visible, on whom I shall `
` revenge myself, I assure you, for all I have suffered during `
` the last month. Now, I repeat, Beauchamp, I wish to return `
` to human and material existence, and if you are still the `
` friend you profess to be, help me to discover the hand that `
` struck the blow." `
` `
` "Be it so," said Beauchamp; "if you must have me descend to `
` earth, I submit; and if you will seek your enemy, I will `
` assist you, and I will engage to find him, my honor being `
` almost as deeply interested as yours." `
` `
` "Well, then, you understand, Beauchamp, that we begin our `
` search immediately. Each moment's delay is an eternity for `
` me. The calumniator is not yet punished, and he may hope `
` that he will not be; but, on my honor, it he thinks so, he `
` deceives himself." `
` `
` "Well, listen, Morcerf." `
` `
` "Ah, Beauchamp, I see you know something already; you will `
` restore me to life." `
` `
` "I do not say there is any truth in what I am going to tell `
` you, but it is, at least, a ray of light in a dark night; by `
` following it we may, perhaps, discover something more `
` certain." `
` `
` "Tell me; satisfy my impatience." `
` `
` "Well, I will tell you what I did not like to mention on my `
` return from Yanina." `
` `
` "Say on." `
` `
` "I went, of course, to the chief banker of the town to make `
` inquiries. At the first word, before I had even mentioned `
` your father's name" -- `
` `
` "`Ah,' said he. `I guess what brings you here.' `
` `
` "`How, and why?' `
` `
` "`Because a fortnight since I was questioned on the same `
` subject.' `
` `
` "`By whom?' -- `By a Paris banker, my correspondent.' `
` `
` "`Whose name is' -- `
` `
` "`Danglars.'" `
` `
` "He!" cried Albert; "yes, it is indeed he who has so long `
` pursued my father with jealous hatred. He, the man who would `
` be popular, cannot forgive the Count of Morcerf for being `
` created a peer; and this marriage broken off without a `
` reason being assigned -- yes, it is all from the same `
` cause." `
` `
` "Make inquiries, Albert, but do not be angry without reason; `
` make inquiries, and if it be true" -- `
` `
` "Oh, yes, if it be true," cried the young man, "he shall pay `
` me all I have suffered." `
` `
` "Beware, Morcerf, he is already an old man." `
` `
` "I will respect his age as he has respected the honor of my `
` family; if my father had offended him, why did he not attack `
` him personally? Oh, no, he was afraid to encounter him face `
` to face." `
` `
` "I do not condemn you, Albert; I only restrain you. Act `
` prudently." `
` `
` "Oh, do not fear; besides, you will accompany me. Beauchamp, `
` solemn transactions should be sanctioned by a witness. `
` Before this day closes, if M. Danglars is guilty, he shall `
` cease to live, or I shall die. Pardieu, Beauchamp, mine `
` shall be a splendid funeral!" `
` `
` "When such resolutions are made, Albert, they should be `
` promptly executed. Do you wish to go to M. Danglars? Let us `
` go immediately." They sent for a cabriolet. On entering the `
` banker's mansion, they perceived the phaeton and servant of `
` M. Andrea Cavalcanti. "Ah, parbleu, that's good," said `
` Albert, with a gloomy tone. "If M. Danglars will not fight `
` with me, I will kill his son-in-law; Cavalcanti will `
` certainly fight." The servant announced the young man; but `
` the banker, recollecting what had transpired the day before, `
` did not wish him admitted. It was, however, too late; Albert `
` had followed the footman, and, hearing the order given, `
` forced the door open, and followed by Beauchamp found `
` himself in the banker's study. "Sir," cried the latter, "am `
` I no longer at liberty to receive whom I choose in my house? `
` You appear to forget yourself sadly." `
` `
` "No, sir," said Albert, coldly; "there are circumstances in `
` which one cannot, except through cowardice, -- I offer you `
` that refuge, -- refuse to admit certain persons at least." `
` `
` "What is your errand, then, with me, sir?" `
` `
` "I mean," said Albert, drawing near, and without apparently `
` noticing Cavalcanti, who stood with his back towards the `
` fireplace -- "I mean to propose a meeting in some retired `
` corner where no one will interrupt us for ten minutes; that `
` will be sufficient -- where two men having met, one of them `
` will remain on the ground." Danglars turned pale; Cavalcanti `
` moved a step forward, and Albert turned towards him. "And `
` you, too," said he, "come, if you like, monsieur; you have a `
` claim, being almost one of the family, and I will give as `
` many rendezvous of that kind as I can find persons willing `
` to accept them." Cavalcanti looked at Danglars with a `
` stupefied air, and the latter, making an effort, arose and `
` stepped between the two young men. Albert's attack on Andrea `
` had placed him on a different footing, and he hoped this `
` visit had another cause than that he had at first supposed. `
` `
` "Indeed, sir," said he to Albert, "if you are come to `
` quarrel with this gentleman because I have preferred him to `
` you, I shall resign the case to the king's attorney." `
` `
` "You mistake, sir," said Morcerf with a gloomy smile; "I am `
` not referring in the least to matrimony, and I only `
` addressed myself to M. Cavalcanti because he appeared `
` disposed to interfere between us. In one respect you are `
` right, for I am ready to quarrel with every one to-day; but `
` you have the first claim, M. Danglars." `
` `
` "Sir," replied Danglars, pale with anger and fear, "I warn `
` you, when I have the misfortune to meet with a mad dog, I `
` kill it; and far from thinking myself guilty of a crime, I `
` believe I do society a kindness. Now, if you are mad and try `
` to bite me, I will kill you without pity. Is it my fault `
`