Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
to bite me, I will kill you without pity. Is it my fault `
` that your father has dishonored himself?" `
` `
` "Yes, miserable wretch!" cried Morcerf, "it is your fault." `
` Danglars retreated a few steps. "My fault?" said he; "you `
` must be mad! What do I know of the Grecian affair? Have I `
` travelled in that country? Did I advise your father to sell `
` the castle of Yanina -- to betray" -- `
` `
` "Silence!" said Albert, with a thundering voice. "No; it is `
` not you who have directly made this exposure and brought `
` this sorrow on us, but you hypocritically provoked it." `
` `
` "I?" `
` `
` "Yes; you! How came it known?" `
` `
` "I suppose you read it in the paper in the account from `
` Yanina?" `
` `
` "Who wrote to Yanina?" `
` `
` "To Yanina?" `
` `
` "Yes. Who wrote for particulars concerning my father?" `
` `
` "I imagine any one may write to Yanina." `
` `
` "But one person only wrote!" `
` `
` "One only?" `
` `
` "Yes; and that was you!" `
` `
` "I, doubtless, wrote. It appears to me that when about to `
` marry your daughter to a young man, it is right to make some `
` inquiries respecting his family; it is not only a right, but `
` a duty." `
` `
` "You wrote, sir, knowing what answer you would receive." `
` `
` "I, indeed? I assure you," cried Danglars, with a confidence `
` and security proceeding less from fear than from the `
` interest he really felt for the young man, "I solemnly `
` declare to you, that I should never have thought of writing `
` to Yanina, did I know anything of Ali Pasha's misfortunes." `
` `
` "Who, then, urged you to write? Tell me." `
` `
` "Pardieu, it was the most simple thing in the world. I was `
` speaking of your father's past history. I said the origin of `
` his fortune remained obscure. The person to whom I addressed `
` my scruples asked me where your father had acquired his `
` property? I answered, `In Greece.' -- `Then,' said he, `
` `write to Yanina.'" `
` `
` "And who thus advised you?" `
` `
` "No other than your friend, Monte Cristo." `
` `
` "The Count of Monte Cristo told you to write to Yanina?" `
` `
` "Yes; and I wrote, and will show you my correspondence, if `
` you like." Albert and Beauchamp looked at each other. "Sir," `
` said Beauchamp, who had not yet spoken, "you appear to `
` accuse the count, who is absent from Paris at this moment, `
` and cannot justify himself." `
` `
` "I accuse no one, sir," said Danglars; "I relate, and I will `
` repeat before the count what I have said to you." `
` `
` "Does the count know what answer you received?" `
` `
` "Yes; I showed it to him." `
` `
` "Did he know my father's Christian name was Fernand, and his `
` family name Mondego?" `
` `
` "Yes, I had told him that long since, and I did only what `
` any other would have done in my circumstances, and perhaps `
` less. When, the day after the arrival of this answer, your `
` father came by the advice of Monte Cristo to ask my `
` daughter's hand for you, I decidedly refused him, but `
` without any explanation or exposure. In short, why should I `
` have any more to do with the affair? How did the honor or `
` disgrace of M. de Morcerf affect me? It neither increased `
` nor decreased my income." `
` `
` Albert felt the blood mounting to his brow; there was no `
` doubt upon the subject. Danglars defended himself with the `
` baseness, but at the same time with the assurance, of a man `
` who speaks the truth, at least in part, if not wholly -- not `
` for conscience' sake, but through fear. Besides, what was `
` Morcerf seeking? It was not whether Danglars or Monte Cristo `
` was more or less guilty; it was a man who would answer for `
` the offence, whether trifling or serious; it was a man who `
` would fight, and it was evident Danglars would not fight. `
` And, in addition to this, everything forgotten or `
` unperceived before presented itself now to his recollection. `
` Monte Cristo knew everything, as he had bought the daughter `
` of Ali Pasha; and, knowing everything, he had advised `
` Danglars to write to Yanina. The answer known, he had `
` yielded to Albert's wish to be introduced to Haidee, and `
` allowed the conversation to turn on the death of Ali, and `
` had not opposed Haidee's recital (but having, doubtless, `
` warned the young girl, in the few Romaic words he spoke to `
` her, not to implicate Morcerf's father). Besides, had he not `
` begged of Morcerf not to mention his father's name before `
` Haidee? Lastly, he had taken Albert to Normandy when he knew `
` the final blow was near. There could be no doubt that all `
` had been calculated and previously arranged; Monte Cristo `
` then was in league with his father's enemies. Albert took `
` Beauchamp aside, and communicated these ideas to him. `
` `
` "You are right," said the latter; "M. Danglars has only been `
` a secondary agent in this sad affair, and it is of M. de `
` Monte Cristo that you must demand an explanation." Albert `
` turned. "Sir," said he to Danglars, "understand that I do `
` not take a final leave of you; I must ascertain if your `
` insinuations are just, and am going now to inquire of the `
` Count of Monte Cristo." He bowed to the banker, and went out `
` with Beauchamp, without appearing to notice Cavalcanti. `
` Danglars accompanied him to the door, where he again assured `
` Albert that no motive of personal hatred had influenced him `
` against the Count of Morcerf. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 88 `
` The Insult. `
` `
` At the banker's door Beauchamp stopped Morcerf. "Listen," `
` said he; "just now I told you it was of M. de Monte Cristo `
` you must demand an explanation." `
` `
` "Yes; and we are going to his house." `
` `
` "Reflect, Morcerf, one moment before you go." `
` `
` "On what shall I reflect?" `
` `
` "On the importance of the step you are taking." `
` `
` "Is it more serious than going to M. Danglars?" `
` `
` "Yes; M. Danglars is a money-lover, and those who love `
` money, you know, think too much of what they risk to be `
` easily induced to fight a duel. The other is, on the `
` contrary, to all appearance a true nobleman; but do you not `
` fear to find him a bully?" `
` `
` "I only fear one thing; namely, to find a man who will not `
` fight." `
` `
` "Do not be alarmed," said Beauchamp; "he will meet you. My `
` only fear is that he will be too strong for you." `
` `
` "My friend," said Morcerf, with a sweet smile, "that is what `
` I wish. The happiest thing that could occur to me, would be `
` to die in my father's stead; that would save us all." `
` `
` "Your mother would die of grief." `
` `
` "My poor mother!" said Albert, passing his hand across his `
` eyes, "I know she would; but better so than die of shame." `
` `
` "Are you quite decided, Albert?" `
` `
` "Yes; let us go." `
` `
` "But do you think we shall find the count at home?" `
` `
` "He intended returning some hours after me, and doubtless he `
` is now at home." They ordered the driver to take them to No. `
` 30 Champs-Elysees. Beauchamp wished to go in alone, but `
` Albert observed that as this was an unusual circumstance he `
` might be allowed to deviate from the usual etiquette in `
` affairs of honor. The cause which the young man espoused was `
` one so sacred that Beauchamp had only to comply with all his `
` wishes; he yielded and contented himself with following `
` Morcerf. Albert sprang from the porter's lodge to the steps. `
` He was received by Baptistin. The count had, indeed, just `
` arrived, but he was in his bath, and had forbidden that any `
` one should be admitted. "But after his bath?" asked Morcerf. `
` `
` "My master will go to dinner." `
` `
` "And after dinner?" `
` `
` "He will sleep an hour." `
` `
` "Then?" `
` `
` "He is going to the opera." `
` `
` "Are you sure of it?" asked Albert. `
` `
` "Quite, sir; my master has ordered his horses at eight `
` o'clock precisely." `
` `
` "Very good," replied Albert; "that is all I wished to know." `
`
` that your father has dishonored himself?" `
` `
` "Yes, miserable wretch!" cried Morcerf, "it is your fault." `
` Danglars retreated a few steps. "My fault?" said he; "you `
` must be mad! What do I know of the Grecian affair? Have I `
` travelled in that country? Did I advise your father to sell `
` the castle of Yanina -- to betray" -- `
` `
` "Silence!" said Albert, with a thundering voice. "No; it is `
` not you who have directly made this exposure and brought `
` this sorrow on us, but you hypocritically provoked it." `
` `
` "I?" `
` `
` "Yes; you! How came it known?" `
` `
` "I suppose you read it in the paper in the account from `
` Yanina?" `
` `
` "Who wrote to Yanina?" `
` `
` "To Yanina?" `
` `
` "Yes. Who wrote for particulars concerning my father?" `
` `
` "I imagine any one may write to Yanina." `
` `
` "But one person only wrote!" `
` `
` "One only?" `
` `
` "Yes; and that was you!" `
` `
` "I, doubtless, wrote. It appears to me that when about to `
` marry your daughter to a young man, it is right to make some `
` inquiries respecting his family; it is not only a right, but `
` a duty." `
` `
` "You wrote, sir, knowing what answer you would receive." `
` `
` "I, indeed? I assure you," cried Danglars, with a confidence `
` and security proceeding less from fear than from the `
` interest he really felt for the young man, "I solemnly `
` declare to you, that I should never have thought of writing `
` to Yanina, did I know anything of Ali Pasha's misfortunes." `
` `
` "Who, then, urged you to write? Tell me." `
` `
` "Pardieu, it was the most simple thing in the world. I was `
` speaking of your father's past history. I said the origin of `
` his fortune remained obscure. The person to whom I addressed `
` my scruples asked me where your father had acquired his `
` property? I answered, `In Greece.' -- `Then,' said he, `
` `write to Yanina.'" `
` `
` "And who thus advised you?" `
` `
` "No other than your friend, Monte Cristo." `
` `
` "The Count of Monte Cristo told you to write to Yanina?" `
` `
` "Yes; and I wrote, and will show you my correspondence, if `
` you like." Albert and Beauchamp looked at each other. "Sir," `
` said Beauchamp, who had not yet spoken, "you appear to `
` accuse the count, who is absent from Paris at this moment, `
` and cannot justify himself." `
` `
` "I accuse no one, sir," said Danglars; "I relate, and I will `
` repeat before the count what I have said to you." `
` `
` "Does the count know what answer you received?" `
` `
` "Yes; I showed it to him." `
` `
` "Did he know my father's Christian name was Fernand, and his `
` family name Mondego?" `
` `
` "Yes, I had told him that long since, and I did only what `
` any other would have done in my circumstances, and perhaps `
` less. When, the day after the arrival of this answer, your `
` father came by the advice of Monte Cristo to ask my `
` daughter's hand for you, I decidedly refused him, but `
` without any explanation or exposure. In short, why should I `
` have any more to do with the affair? How did the honor or `
` disgrace of M. de Morcerf affect me? It neither increased `
` nor decreased my income." `
` `
` Albert felt the blood mounting to his brow; there was no `
` doubt upon the subject. Danglars defended himself with the `
` baseness, but at the same time with the assurance, of a man `
` who speaks the truth, at least in part, if not wholly -- not `
` for conscience' sake, but through fear. Besides, what was `
` Morcerf seeking? It was not whether Danglars or Monte Cristo `
` was more or less guilty; it was a man who would answer for `
` the offence, whether trifling or serious; it was a man who `
` would fight, and it was evident Danglars would not fight. `
` And, in addition to this, everything forgotten or `
` unperceived before presented itself now to his recollection. `
` Monte Cristo knew everything, as he had bought the daughter `
` of Ali Pasha; and, knowing everything, he had advised `
` Danglars to write to Yanina. The answer known, he had `
` yielded to Albert's wish to be introduced to Haidee, and `
` allowed the conversation to turn on the death of Ali, and `
` had not opposed Haidee's recital (but having, doubtless, `
` warned the young girl, in the few Romaic words he spoke to `
` her, not to implicate Morcerf's father). Besides, had he not `
` begged of Morcerf not to mention his father's name before `
` Haidee? Lastly, he had taken Albert to Normandy when he knew `
` the final blow was near. There could be no doubt that all `
` had been calculated and previously arranged; Monte Cristo `
` then was in league with his father's enemies. Albert took `
` Beauchamp aside, and communicated these ideas to him. `
` `
` "You are right," said the latter; "M. Danglars has only been `
` a secondary agent in this sad affair, and it is of M. de `
` Monte Cristo that you must demand an explanation." Albert `
` turned. "Sir," said he to Danglars, "understand that I do `
` not take a final leave of you; I must ascertain if your `
` insinuations are just, and am going now to inquire of the `
` Count of Monte Cristo." He bowed to the banker, and went out `
` with Beauchamp, without appearing to notice Cavalcanti. `
` Danglars accompanied him to the door, where he again assured `
` Albert that no motive of personal hatred had influenced him `
` against the Count of Morcerf. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 88 `
` The Insult. `
` `
` At the banker's door Beauchamp stopped Morcerf. "Listen," `
` said he; "just now I told you it was of M. de Monte Cristo `
` you must demand an explanation." `
` `
` "Yes; and we are going to his house." `
` `
` "Reflect, Morcerf, one moment before you go." `
` `
` "On what shall I reflect?" `
` `
` "On the importance of the step you are taking." `
` `
` "Is it more serious than going to M. Danglars?" `
` `
` "Yes; M. Danglars is a money-lover, and those who love `
` money, you know, think too much of what they risk to be `
` easily induced to fight a duel. The other is, on the `
` contrary, to all appearance a true nobleman; but do you not `
` fear to find him a bully?" `
` `
` "I only fear one thing; namely, to find a man who will not `
` fight." `
` `
` "Do not be alarmed," said Beauchamp; "he will meet you. My `
` only fear is that he will be too strong for you." `
` `
` "My friend," said Morcerf, with a sweet smile, "that is what `
` I wish. The happiest thing that could occur to me, would be `
` to die in my father's stead; that would save us all." `
` `
` "Your mother would die of grief." `
` `
` "My poor mother!" said Albert, passing his hand across his `
` eyes, "I know she would; but better so than die of shame." `
` `
` "Are you quite decided, Albert?" `
` `
` "Yes; let us go." `
` `
` "But do you think we shall find the count at home?" `
` `
` "He intended returning some hours after me, and doubtless he `
` is now at home." They ordered the driver to take them to No. `
` 30 Champs-Elysees. Beauchamp wished to go in alone, but `
` Albert observed that as this was an unusual circumstance he `
` might be allowed to deviate from the usual etiquette in `
` affairs of honor. The cause which the young man espoused was `
` one so sacred that Beauchamp had only to comply with all his `
` wishes; he yielded and contented himself with following `
` Morcerf. Albert sprang from the porter's lodge to the steps. `
` He was received by Baptistin. The count had, indeed, just `
` arrived, but he was in his bath, and had forbidden that any `
` one should be admitted. "But after his bath?" asked Morcerf. `
` `
` "My master will go to dinner." `
` `
` "And after dinner?" `
` `
` "He will sleep an hour." `
` `
` "Then?" `
` `
` "He is going to the opera." `
` `
` "Are you sure of it?" asked Albert. `
` `
` "Quite, sir; my master has ordered his horses at eight `
` o'clock precisely." `
` `
` "Very good," replied Albert; "that is all I wished to know." `
`