Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
"Very good," replied Albert; "that is all I wished to know." `
` Then, turning towards Beauchamp, "If you have anything to `
` attend to, Beauchamp, do it directly; if you have any `
` appointment for this evening, defer it till tomorrow. I `
` depend on you to accompany me to the opera; and if you can, `
` bring Chateau-Renaud with you." `
` `
` Beauchamp availed himself of Albert's permission, and left `
` him, promising to call for him at a quarter before eight. On `
` his return home, Albert expressed his wish to Franz Debray, `
` and Morrel, to see them at the opera that evening. Then he `
` went to see his mother, who since the events of the day `
` before had refused to see any one, and had kept her room. He `
` found her in bed, overwhelmed with grief at this public `
` humiliation. The sight of Albert produced the effect which `
` might naturally be expected on Mercedes; she pressed her `
` son's hand and sobbed aloud, but her tears relieved her. `
` Albert stood one moment speechless by the side of his `
` mother's bed. It was evident from his pale face and knit `
` brows that his resolution to revenge himself was growing `
` weaker. "My dear mother," said he, "do you know if M. de `
` Morcerf has any enemy?" Mercedes started; she noticed that `
` the young man did not say "my father." "My son," she said, `
` "persons in the count's situation have many secret enemies. `
` Those who are known are not the most dangerous." `
` `
` "I know it, and appeal to your penetration. You are of so `
` superior a mind, nothing escapes you." `
` `
` "Why do you say so?" `
` `
` "Because, for instance, you noticed on the evening of the `
` ball we gave, that M. de Monte Cristo would eat nothing in `
` our house." Mercedes raised herself on her feverish arm. "M. `
` de Monte Cristo!" she exclaimed; "and how is he connected `
` with the question you asked me?" `
` `
` "You know, mother, M. de Monte Cristo is almost an Oriental, `
` and it is customary with the Orientals to secure full `
` liberty for revenge by not eating or drinking in the houses `
` of their enemies." `
` `
` "Do you say M. de Monte Cristo is our enemy?" replied `
` Mercedes, becoming paler than the sheet which covered her. `
` "Who told you so? Why, you are mad, Albert! M. de Monte `
` Cristo has only shown us kindness. M. de Monte Cristo saved `
` your life; you yourself presented him to us. Oh, I entreat `
` you, my son, if you had entertained such an idea, dispel it; `
` and my counsel to you -- nay, my prayer -- is to retain his `
` friendship." `
` `
` "Mother," replied the young man, "you have especial reasons `
` for telling me to conciliate that man." `
` `
` "I?" said Mercedes, blushing as rapidly as she had turned `
` pale, and again becoming paler than ever. `
` `
` "Yes, doubtless; and is it not that he may never do us any `
` harm?" Mercedes shuddered, and, fixing on her son a `
` scrutinizing gaze, "You speak strangely," said she to `
` Albert, "and you appear to have some singular prejudices. `
` What has the count done? Three days since you were with him `
` in Normandy; only three days since we looked on him as our `
` best friend." `
` `
` An ironical smile passed over Albert's lips. Mercedes saw it `
` and with the double instinct of woman and mother guessed `
` all; but as she was prudent and strong-minded she concealed `
` both her sorrows and her fears. Albert was silent; an `
` instant after, the countess resumed: "You came to inquire `
` after my health; I will candidly acknowledge that I am not `
` well. You should install yourself here, and cheer my `
` solitude. I do not wish to be left alone." `
` `
` "Mother," said the young man, "you know how gladly I would `
` obey your wish, but an urgent and important affair obliges `
` me to leave you for the whole evening." `
` `
` "Well," replied Mercedes, sighing, "go, Albert; I will not `
` make you a slave to your filial piety." Albert pretended he `
` did not hear, bowed to his mother, and quitted her. Scarcely `
` had he shut her door, when Mercedes called a confidential `
` servant, and ordered him to follow Albert wherever he should `
` go that evening, and to come and tell her immediately what `
` he observed. Then she rang for her lady's maid, and, weak as `
` she was, she dressed, in order to be ready for whatever `
` might happen. The footman's mission was an easy one. Albert `
` went to his room, and dressed with unusual care. At ten `
` minutes to eight Beauchamp arrived; he had seen `
` Chateau-Renaud, who had promised to be in the orchestra `
` before the curtain was raised. Both got into Albert's coupe; `
` and, as the young man had no reason to conceal where he was `
` going, he called aloud, "To the opera." In his impatience he `
` arrived before the beginning of the performance. `
` `
` Chateau-Renaud was at his post; apprised by Beauchamp of the `
` circumstances, he required no explanation from Albert. The `
` conduct of the son in seeking to avenge his father was so `
` natural that Chateau-Renaud did not seek to dissuade him, `
` and was content with renewing his assurances of devotion. `
` Debray was not yet come, but Albert knew that he seldom lost `
` a scene at the opera. Albert wandered about the theatre `
` until the curtain was drawn up. He hoped to meet with M. de `
` Monte Cristo either in the lobby or on the stairs. The bell `
` summoned him to his seat, and he entered the orchestra with `
` Chateau-Renaud and Beauchamp. But his eyes scarcely quitted `
` the box between the columns, which remained obstinately `
` closed during the whole of the first act. At last, as Albert `
` was looking at his watch for about the hundredth time, at `
` the beginning of the second act the door opened, and Monte `
` Cristo entered, dressed in black, and, leaning over the `
` front of the box, looked around the pit. Morrel followed `
` him, and looked also for his sister and brother in-law; he `
` soon discovered them in another box, and kissed his hand to `
` them. `
` `
` The count, in his survey of the pit, encountered a pale face `
` and threatening eyes, which evidently sought to gain his `
` attention. He recognized Albert, but thought it better not `
` to notice him, as he looked so angry and discomposed. `
` Without communicating his thoughts to his companion, he sat `
` down, drew out his opera-glass, and looked another way. `
` Although apparently not noticing Albert, he did not, `
` however, lose sight of him, and when the curtain fell at the `
` end of the second act, he saw him leave the orchestra with `
` his two friends. Then his head was seen passing at the back `
` of the boxes, and the count knew that the approaching storm `
` was intended to fall on him. He was at the moment conversing `
` cheerfully with Morrel, but he was well prepared for what `
` might happen. The door opened, and Monte Cristo, turning `
` round, saw Albert, pale and trembling, followed by Beauchamp `
` and Chateau-Renaud. `
` `
` "Well," cried he, with that benevolent politeness which `
` distinguished his salutation from the common civilities of `
` the world, "my cavalier has attained his object. `
` Good-evening, M. de Morcerf." The countenance of this man, `
` who possessed such extraordinary control over his feelings, `
` expressed the most perfect cordiality. Morrel only then `
` recollected the letter he had received from the viscount, in `
` which, without assigning any reason, he begged him to go to `
` the opera, but he understood that something terrible was `
` brooding. `
` `
` "We are not come here, sir, to exchange hypocritical `
` expressions of politeness, or false professions of `
` friendship," said Albert, "but to demand an explanation." `
` The young man's trembling voice was scarcely audible. "An `
` explanation at the opera?" said the count, with that calm `
` tone and penetrating eye which characterize the man who `
` knows his cause is good. "Little acquainted as I am with the `
` habits of Parisians, I should not have thought this the `
` place for such a demand." `
` `
` "Still, if people will shut themselves up," said Albert, `
` "and cannot be seen because they are bathing, dining, or `
` asleep, we must avail ourselves of the opportunity whenever `
` they are to be seen." `
` `
` "I am not difficult of access, sir; for yesterday, if my `
` memory does not deceive me, you were at my house." `
` `
` "Yesterday I was at your house, sir," said the young man; `
` "because then I knew not who you were." In pronouncing these `
` words Albert had raised his voice so as to be heard by those `
` in the adjoining boxes and in the lobby. Thus the attention `
` of many was attracted by this altercation. "Where are you `
` come from, sir? You do not appear to be in the possession of `
` your senses." `
` `
` "Provided I understand your perfidy, sir, and succeed in `
` making you understand that I will be revenged, I shall be `
` reasonable enough," said Albert furiously. `
` `
` "I do not understand you, sir," replied Monte Cristo; "and `
` if I did, your tone is too high. I am at home here, and I `
` alone have a right to raise my voice above another's. Leave `
` the box, sir!" Monte Cristo pointed towards the door with `
` the most commanding dignity. "Ah, I shall know how to make `
` you leave your home!" replied Albert, clasping in his `
` convulsed grasp the glove, which Monte Cristo did not lose `
` sight of. `
` `
` "Well, well," said Monte Cristo quietly, "I see you wish to `
` quarrel with me; but I would give you one piece of advice, `
` which you will do well to keep in mind. It is in poor taste `
` to make a display of a challenge. Display is not becoming to `
` every one, M. de Morcerf." `
` `
` At this name a murmur of astonishment passed around the `
` group of spectators of this scene. They had talked of no one `
` but Morcerf the whole day. Albert understood the allusion in `
` a moment, and was about to throw his glove at the count, `
` when Morrel seized his hand, while Beauchamp and `
` Chateau-Renaud, fearing the scene would surpass the limits `
` of a challenge, held him back. But Monte Cristo, without `
` rising, and leaning forward in his chair, merely stretched `
` out his arm and, taking the damp, crushed glove from the `
` clinched hand of the young man, "Sir," said he in a solemn `
` tone, "I consider your glove thrown, and will return it to `
` you wrapped around a bullet. Now leave me or I will summon `
`
` Then, turning towards Beauchamp, "If you have anything to `
` attend to, Beauchamp, do it directly; if you have any `
` appointment for this evening, defer it till tomorrow. I `
` depend on you to accompany me to the opera; and if you can, `
` bring Chateau-Renaud with you." `
` `
` Beauchamp availed himself of Albert's permission, and left `
` him, promising to call for him at a quarter before eight. On `
` his return home, Albert expressed his wish to Franz Debray, `
` and Morrel, to see them at the opera that evening. Then he `
` went to see his mother, who since the events of the day `
` before had refused to see any one, and had kept her room. He `
` found her in bed, overwhelmed with grief at this public `
` humiliation. The sight of Albert produced the effect which `
` might naturally be expected on Mercedes; she pressed her `
` son's hand and sobbed aloud, but her tears relieved her. `
` Albert stood one moment speechless by the side of his `
` mother's bed. It was evident from his pale face and knit `
` brows that his resolution to revenge himself was growing `
` weaker. "My dear mother," said he, "do you know if M. de `
` Morcerf has any enemy?" Mercedes started; she noticed that `
` the young man did not say "my father." "My son," she said, `
` "persons in the count's situation have many secret enemies. `
` Those who are known are not the most dangerous." `
` `
` "I know it, and appeal to your penetration. You are of so `
` superior a mind, nothing escapes you." `
` `
` "Why do you say so?" `
` `
` "Because, for instance, you noticed on the evening of the `
` ball we gave, that M. de Monte Cristo would eat nothing in `
` our house." Mercedes raised herself on her feverish arm. "M. `
` de Monte Cristo!" she exclaimed; "and how is he connected `
` with the question you asked me?" `
` `
` "You know, mother, M. de Monte Cristo is almost an Oriental, `
` and it is customary with the Orientals to secure full `
` liberty for revenge by not eating or drinking in the houses `
` of their enemies." `
` `
` "Do you say M. de Monte Cristo is our enemy?" replied `
` Mercedes, becoming paler than the sheet which covered her. `
` "Who told you so? Why, you are mad, Albert! M. de Monte `
` Cristo has only shown us kindness. M. de Monte Cristo saved `
` your life; you yourself presented him to us. Oh, I entreat `
` you, my son, if you had entertained such an idea, dispel it; `
` and my counsel to you -- nay, my prayer -- is to retain his `
` friendship." `
` `
` "Mother," replied the young man, "you have especial reasons `
` for telling me to conciliate that man." `
` `
` "I?" said Mercedes, blushing as rapidly as she had turned `
` pale, and again becoming paler than ever. `
` `
` "Yes, doubtless; and is it not that he may never do us any `
` harm?" Mercedes shuddered, and, fixing on her son a `
` scrutinizing gaze, "You speak strangely," said she to `
` Albert, "and you appear to have some singular prejudices. `
` What has the count done? Three days since you were with him `
` in Normandy; only three days since we looked on him as our `
` best friend." `
` `
` An ironical smile passed over Albert's lips. Mercedes saw it `
` and with the double instinct of woman and mother guessed `
` all; but as she was prudent and strong-minded she concealed `
` both her sorrows and her fears. Albert was silent; an `
` instant after, the countess resumed: "You came to inquire `
` after my health; I will candidly acknowledge that I am not `
` well. You should install yourself here, and cheer my `
` solitude. I do not wish to be left alone." `
` `
` "Mother," said the young man, "you know how gladly I would `
` obey your wish, but an urgent and important affair obliges `
` me to leave you for the whole evening." `
` `
` "Well," replied Mercedes, sighing, "go, Albert; I will not `
` make you a slave to your filial piety." Albert pretended he `
` did not hear, bowed to his mother, and quitted her. Scarcely `
` had he shut her door, when Mercedes called a confidential `
` servant, and ordered him to follow Albert wherever he should `
` go that evening, and to come and tell her immediately what `
` he observed. Then she rang for her lady's maid, and, weak as `
` she was, she dressed, in order to be ready for whatever `
` might happen. The footman's mission was an easy one. Albert `
` went to his room, and dressed with unusual care. At ten `
` minutes to eight Beauchamp arrived; he had seen `
` Chateau-Renaud, who had promised to be in the orchestra `
` before the curtain was raised. Both got into Albert's coupe; `
` and, as the young man had no reason to conceal where he was `
` going, he called aloud, "To the opera." In his impatience he `
` arrived before the beginning of the performance. `
` `
` Chateau-Renaud was at his post; apprised by Beauchamp of the `
` circumstances, he required no explanation from Albert. The `
` conduct of the son in seeking to avenge his father was so `
` natural that Chateau-Renaud did not seek to dissuade him, `
` and was content with renewing his assurances of devotion. `
` Debray was not yet come, but Albert knew that he seldom lost `
` a scene at the opera. Albert wandered about the theatre `
` until the curtain was drawn up. He hoped to meet with M. de `
` Monte Cristo either in the lobby or on the stairs. The bell `
` summoned him to his seat, and he entered the orchestra with `
` Chateau-Renaud and Beauchamp. But his eyes scarcely quitted `
` the box between the columns, which remained obstinately `
` closed during the whole of the first act. At last, as Albert `
` was looking at his watch for about the hundredth time, at `
` the beginning of the second act the door opened, and Monte `
` Cristo entered, dressed in black, and, leaning over the `
` front of the box, looked around the pit. Morrel followed `
` him, and looked also for his sister and brother in-law; he `
` soon discovered them in another box, and kissed his hand to `
` them. `
` `
` The count, in his survey of the pit, encountered a pale face `
` and threatening eyes, which evidently sought to gain his `
` attention. He recognized Albert, but thought it better not `
` to notice him, as he looked so angry and discomposed. `
` Without communicating his thoughts to his companion, he sat `
` down, drew out his opera-glass, and looked another way. `
` Although apparently not noticing Albert, he did not, `
` however, lose sight of him, and when the curtain fell at the `
` end of the second act, he saw him leave the orchestra with `
` his two friends. Then his head was seen passing at the back `
` of the boxes, and the count knew that the approaching storm `
` was intended to fall on him. He was at the moment conversing `
` cheerfully with Morrel, but he was well prepared for what `
` might happen. The door opened, and Monte Cristo, turning `
` round, saw Albert, pale and trembling, followed by Beauchamp `
` and Chateau-Renaud. `
` `
` "Well," cried he, with that benevolent politeness which `
` distinguished his salutation from the common civilities of `
` the world, "my cavalier has attained his object. `
` Good-evening, M. de Morcerf." The countenance of this man, `
` who possessed such extraordinary control over his feelings, `
` expressed the most perfect cordiality. Morrel only then `
` recollected the letter he had received from the viscount, in `
` which, without assigning any reason, he begged him to go to `
` the opera, but he understood that something terrible was `
` brooding. `
` `
` "We are not come here, sir, to exchange hypocritical `
` expressions of politeness, or false professions of `
` friendship," said Albert, "but to demand an explanation." `
` The young man's trembling voice was scarcely audible. "An `
` explanation at the opera?" said the count, with that calm `
` tone and penetrating eye which characterize the man who `
` knows his cause is good. "Little acquainted as I am with the `
` habits of Parisians, I should not have thought this the `
` place for such a demand." `
` `
` "Still, if people will shut themselves up," said Albert, `
` "and cannot be seen because they are bathing, dining, or `
` asleep, we must avail ourselves of the opportunity whenever `
` they are to be seen." `
` `
` "I am not difficult of access, sir; for yesterday, if my `
` memory does not deceive me, you were at my house." `
` `
` "Yesterday I was at your house, sir," said the young man; `
` "because then I knew not who you were." In pronouncing these `
` words Albert had raised his voice so as to be heard by those `
` in the adjoining boxes and in the lobby. Thus the attention `
` of many was attracted by this altercation. "Where are you `
` come from, sir? You do not appear to be in the possession of `
` your senses." `
` `
` "Provided I understand your perfidy, sir, and succeed in `
` making you understand that I will be revenged, I shall be `
` reasonable enough," said Albert furiously. `
` `
` "I do not understand you, sir," replied Monte Cristo; "and `
` if I did, your tone is too high. I am at home here, and I `
` alone have a right to raise my voice above another's. Leave `
` the box, sir!" Monte Cristo pointed towards the door with `
` the most commanding dignity. "Ah, I shall know how to make `
` you leave your home!" replied Albert, clasping in his `
` convulsed grasp the glove, which Monte Cristo did not lose `
` sight of. `
` `
` "Well, well," said Monte Cristo quietly, "I see you wish to `
` quarrel with me; but I would give you one piece of advice, `
` which you will do well to keep in mind. It is in poor taste `
` to make a display of a challenge. Display is not becoming to `
` every one, M. de Morcerf." `
` `
` At this name a murmur of astonishment passed around the `
` group of spectators of this scene. They had talked of no one `
` but Morcerf the whole day. Albert understood the allusion in `
` a moment, and was about to throw his glove at the count, `
` when Morrel seized his hand, while Beauchamp and `
` Chateau-Renaud, fearing the scene would surpass the limits `
` of a challenge, held him back. But Monte Cristo, without `
` rising, and leaning forward in his chair, merely stretched `
` out his arm and, taking the damp, crushed glove from the `
` clinched hand of the young man, "Sir," said he in a solemn `
` tone, "I consider your glove thrown, and will return it to `
` you wrapped around a bullet. Now leave me or I will summon `
`