Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
the piano, accompanying themselves, each with one hand, a `
` fancy to which they had accustomed themselves, and performed `
` admirably. Mademoiselle d'Armilly, whom they then perceived `
` through the open doorway, formed with Eugenie one of the `
` tableaux vivants of which the Germans are so fond. She was `
` somewhat beautiful, and exquisitely formed -- a little `
` fairy-like figure, with large curls falling on her neck, `
` which was rather too long, as Perugino sometimes makes his `
` Virgins, and her eyes dull from fatigue. She was said to `
` have a weak chest, and like Antonia in the "Cremona Violin," `
` she would die one day while singing. Monte Cristo cast one `
` rapid and curious glance round this sanctum; it was the `
` first time he had ever seen Mademoiselle d'Armilly, of whom `
` he had heard much. "Well," said the banker to his daughter, `
` "are we then all to be excluded?" He then led the young man `
` into the study, and either by chance or manoeuvre the door `
` was partially closed after Andrea, so that from the place `
` where they sat neither the Count nor the baroness could see `
` anything; but as the banker had accompanied Andrea, Madame `
` Danglars appeared to take no notice of it. `
` `
` The count soon heard Andrea's voice, singing a Corsican `
` song, accompanied by the piano. While the count smiled at `
` hearing this song, which made him lose sight of Andrea in `
` the recollection of Benedetto, Madame Danglars was boasting `
` to Monte Cristo of her husband's strength of mind, who that `
` very morning had lost three or four hundred thousand francs `
` by a failure at Milan. The praise was well deserved, for had `
` not the count heard it from the baroness, or by one of those `
` means by which he knew everything, the baron's countenance `
` would not have led him to suspect it. "Hem," thought Monte `
` Cristo, "he begins to conceal his losses; a month since he `
` boasted of them." Then aloud, -- "Oh, madame, M. Danglars is `
` so skilful, he will soon regain at the Bourse what he loses `
` elsewhere." `
` `
` "I see that you participate in a prevalent error," said `
` Madame Danglars. "What is it?" said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "That M. Danglars speculates, whereas he never does." `
` `
` "Truly, madame, I recollect M. Debray told me -- apropos, `
` what is become of him? I have seen nothing of him the last `
` three or four days." `
` `
` "Nor I," said Madame Danglars; "but you began a sentence, `
` sir, and did not finish." `
` `
` "Which?" `
` `
` "M. Debray had told you" -- `
` `
` "Ah, yes; he told me it was you who sacrificed to the demon `
` of speculation." `
` `
` "I was once very fond of it, but I do not indulge now." `
` `
` "Then you are wrong, madame. Fortune is precarious; and if I `
` were a woman and fate had made me a banker's wife, whatever `
` might be my confidence in my husband's good fortune, still `
` in speculation you know there is great risk. Well, I would `
` secure for myself a fortune independent of him, even if I `
` acquired it by placing my interests in hands unknown to `
` him." Madame Danglars blushed, in spite of all her efforts. `
` "Stay," said Monte Cristo, as though he had not observed her `
` confusion, "I have heard of a lucky hit that was made `
` yesterday on the Neapolitan bonds." `
` `
` "I have none -- nor have I ever possessed any; but really we `
` have talked long enough of money, count, we are like two `
` stockbrokers; have you heard how fate is persecuting the `
` poor Villeforts?" `
` `
` "What has happened?" said the count, simulating total `
` ignorance. `
` `
` "You know the Marquis of Saint-Meran died a few days after `
` he had set out on his journey to Paris, and the marchioness `
` a few days after her arrival?" `
` `
` "Yes," said Monte Cristo, "I have heard that; but, as `
` Claudius said to Hamlet, `it is a law of nature; their `
` fathers died before them, and they mourned their loss; they `
` will die before their children, who will, in their turn, `
` grieve for them.'" `
` `
` "But that is not all." `
` `
` "Not all!" `
` `
` "No; they were going to marry their daughter" -- `
` `
` "To M. Franz d'Epinay. Is it broken off?" `
` `
` "Yesterday morning, it appears, Franz declined the honor." `
` `
` "Indeed? And is the reason known?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "How extraordinary! And how does M. de Villefort bear it?" `
` `
` "As usual. Like a philosopher." Danglars returned at this `
` moment alone. "Well," said the baroness, "do you leave M. `
` Cavalcanti with your daughter?" `
` `
` "And Mademoiselle d'Armilly," said the banker; "do you `
` consider her no one?" Then, turning to Monte Cristo, he `
` said, "Prince Cavalcanti is a charming young man, is he not? `
` But is he really a prince?" `
` `
` "I will not answer for it," said Monte Cristo. "His father `
` was introduced to me as a marquis, so he ought to be a `
` count; but I do not think he has much claim to that title." `
` `
` "Why?" said the banker. "If he is a prince, he is wrong not `
` to maintain his rank; I do not like any one to deny his `
` origin." `
` `
` "Oh, you are a thorough democrat," said Monte Cristo, `
` smiling. `
` `
` "But do you see to what you are exposing yourself?" said the `
` baroness. "If, perchance, M. de Morcerf came, he would find `
` M. Cavalcanti in that room, where he, the betrothed of `
` Eugenie, has never been admitted." `
` `
` "You may well say, perchance," replied the banker; "for he `
` comes so seldom, it would seem only chance that brings him." `
` `
` "But should he come and find that young man with your `
` daughter, he might be displeased." `
` `
` "He? You are mistaken. M. Albert would not do us the honor `
` to be jealous; he does not like Eugenie sufficiently. `
` Besides, I care not for his displeasure." `
` `
` "Still, situated as we are" -- `
` `
` "Yes, do you know how we are situated? At his mother's ball `
` he danced once with Eugenie, and M. Cavalcanti three times, `
` and he took no notice of it." The valet announced the `
` Vicomte Albert de Morcerf. The baroness rose hastily, and `
` was going into the study, when Danglars stopped her. "Let `
` her alone," said he. She looked at him in amazement. Monte `
` Cristo appeared to be unconscious of what passed. Albert `
` entered, looking very handsome and in high spirits. He bowed `
` politely to the baroness, familiarly to Danglars, and `
` affectionately to Monte Cristo. Then turning to the `
` baroness: "May I ask how Mademoiselle Danglars is?" said he. `
` `
` "She is quite well," replied Danglars quickly; "she is at `
` the piano with M. Cavalcanti." Albert retained his calm and `
` indifferent manner; he might feel perhaps annoyed, but he `
` knew Monte Cristo's eye was on him. "M. Cavalcanti has a `
` fine tenor voice," said he, "and Mademoiselle Eugenie a `
` splendid soprano, and then she plays the piano like `
` Thalberg. The concert must be a delightful one." `
` `
` "They suit each other remarkably well," said Danglars. `
` Albert appeared not to notice this remark, which was, `
` however, so rude that Madame Danglars blushed. `
` `
` "I, too," said the young man, "am a musician -- at least, my `
` masters used to tell me so; but it is strange that my voice `
` never would suit any other, and a soprano less than any." `
` Danglars smiled, and seemed to say, "It is of no `
` consequence." Then, hoping doubtless to effect his purpose, `
` he said, -- "The prince and my daughter were universally `
` admired yesterday. You were not of the party, M. de `
` Morcerf?" `
` `
` "What prince?" asked Albert. "Prince Cavalcanti," said `
` Danglars, who persisted in giving the young man that title. `
` `
` "Pardon me," said Albert, "I was not aware that he was a `
` prince. And Prince Cavalcanti sang with Mademoiselle Eugenie `
` yesterday? It must have been charming, indeed. I regret not `
` having heard them. But I was unable to accept your `
` invitation, having promised to accompany my mother to a `
` German concert given by the Baroness of Chateau-Renaud." `
` This was followed by rather an awkward silence. "May I also `
` be allowed," said Morcerf, "to pay my respects to `
` Mademoiselle Danglars?" "Wait a moment," said the banker, `
` stopping the young man; "do you hear that delightful `
` cavatina? Ta, ta, ta, ti, ta, ti, ta, ta; it is charming, `
` let them finish -- one moment. Bravo, bravi, brava!" The `
` banker was enthusiastic in his applause. `
` `
` "Indeed," said Albert, "it is exquisite; it is impossible to `
` understand the music of his country better than Prince `
` Cavalcanti does. You said prince, did you not? But he can `
` easily become one, if he is not already; it is no uncommon `
` thing in Italy. But to return to the charming musicians -- `
` you should give us a treat, Danglars, without telling them `
` there is a stranger. Ask them to sing one more song; it is `
` so delightful to hear music in the distance, when the `
` musicians are unrestrained by observation." `
` `
` Danglars was quite annoyed by the young man's indifference. `
` He took Monte Cristo aside. "What do you think of our `
`
` fancy to which they had accustomed themselves, and performed `
` admirably. Mademoiselle d'Armilly, whom they then perceived `
` through the open doorway, formed with Eugenie one of the `
` tableaux vivants of which the Germans are so fond. She was `
` somewhat beautiful, and exquisitely formed -- a little `
` fairy-like figure, with large curls falling on her neck, `
` which was rather too long, as Perugino sometimes makes his `
` Virgins, and her eyes dull from fatigue. She was said to `
` have a weak chest, and like Antonia in the "Cremona Violin," `
` she would die one day while singing. Monte Cristo cast one `
` rapid and curious glance round this sanctum; it was the `
` first time he had ever seen Mademoiselle d'Armilly, of whom `
` he had heard much. "Well," said the banker to his daughter, `
` "are we then all to be excluded?" He then led the young man `
` into the study, and either by chance or manoeuvre the door `
` was partially closed after Andrea, so that from the place `
` where they sat neither the Count nor the baroness could see `
` anything; but as the banker had accompanied Andrea, Madame `
` Danglars appeared to take no notice of it. `
` `
` The count soon heard Andrea's voice, singing a Corsican `
` song, accompanied by the piano. While the count smiled at `
` hearing this song, which made him lose sight of Andrea in `
` the recollection of Benedetto, Madame Danglars was boasting `
` to Monte Cristo of her husband's strength of mind, who that `
` very morning had lost three or four hundred thousand francs `
` by a failure at Milan. The praise was well deserved, for had `
` not the count heard it from the baroness, or by one of those `
` means by which he knew everything, the baron's countenance `
` would not have led him to suspect it. "Hem," thought Monte `
` Cristo, "he begins to conceal his losses; a month since he `
` boasted of them." Then aloud, -- "Oh, madame, M. Danglars is `
` so skilful, he will soon regain at the Bourse what he loses `
` elsewhere." `
` `
` "I see that you participate in a prevalent error," said `
` Madame Danglars. "What is it?" said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "That M. Danglars speculates, whereas he never does." `
` `
` "Truly, madame, I recollect M. Debray told me -- apropos, `
` what is become of him? I have seen nothing of him the last `
` three or four days." `
` `
` "Nor I," said Madame Danglars; "but you began a sentence, `
` sir, and did not finish." `
` `
` "Which?" `
` `
` "M. Debray had told you" -- `
` `
` "Ah, yes; he told me it was you who sacrificed to the demon `
` of speculation." `
` `
` "I was once very fond of it, but I do not indulge now." `
` `
` "Then you are wrong, madame. Fortune is precarious; and if I `
` were a woman and fate had made me a banker's wife, whatever `
` might be my confidence in my husband's good fortune, still `
` in speculation you know there is great risk. Well, I would `
` secure for myself a fortune independent of him, even if I `
` acquired it by placing my interests in hands unknown to `
` him." Madame Danglars blushed, in spite of all her efforts. `
` "Stay," said Monte Cristo, as though he had not observed her `
` confusion, "I have heard of a lucky hit that was made `
` yesterday on the Neapolitan bonds." `
` `
` "I have none -- nor have I ever possessed any; but really we `
` have talked long enough of money, count, we are like two `
` stockbrokers; have you heard how fate is persecuting the `
` poor Villeforts?" `
` `
` "What has happened?" said the count, simulating total `
` ignorance. `
` `
` "You know the Marquis of Saint-Meran died a few days after `
` he had set out on his journey to Paris, and the marchioness `
` a few days after her arrival?" `
` `
` "Yes," said Monte Cristo, "I have heard that; but, as `
` Claudius said to Hamlet, `it is a law of nature; their `
` fathers died before them, and they mourned their loss; they `
` will die before their children, who will, in their turn, `
` grieve for them.'" `
` `
` "But that is not all." `
` `
` "Not all!" `
` `
` "No; they were going to marry their daughter" -- `
` `
` "To M. Franz d'Epinay. Is it broken off?" `
` `
` "Yesterday morning, it appears, Franz declined the honor." `
` `
` "Indeed? And is the reason known?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "How extraordinary! And how does M. de Villefort bear it?" `
` `
` "As usual. Like a philosopher." Danglars returned at this `
` moment alone. "Well," said the baroness, "do you leave M. `
` Cavalcanti with your daughter?" `
` `
` "And Mademoiselle d'Armilly," said the banker; "do you `
` consider her no one?" Then, turning to Monte Cristo, he `
` said, "Prince Cavalcanti is a charming young man, is he not? `
` But is he really a prince?" `
` `
` "I will not answer for it," said Monte Cristo. "His father `
` was introduced to me as a marquis, so he ought to be a `
` count; but I do not think he has much claim to that title." `
` `
` "Why?" said the banker. "If he is a prince, he is wrong not `
` to maintain his rank; I do not like any one to deny his `
` origin." `
` `
` "Oh, you are a thorough democrat," said Monte Cristo, `
` smiling. `
` `
` "But do you see to what you are exposing yourself?" said the `
` baroness. "If, perchance, M. de Morcerf came, he would find `
` M. Cavalcanti in that room, where he, the betrothed of `
` Eugenie, has never been admitted." `
` `
` "You may well say, perchance," replied the banker; "for he `
` comes so seldom, it would seem only chance that brings him." `
` `
` "But should he come and find that young man with your `
` daughter, he might be displeased." `
` `
` "He? You are mistaken. M. Albert would not do us the honor `
` to be jealous; he does not like Eugenie sufficiently. `
` Besides, I care not for his displeasure." `
` `
` "Still, situated as we are" -- `
` `
` "Yes, do you know how we are situated? At his mother's ball `
` he danced once with Eugenie, and M. Cavalcanti three times, `
` and he took no notice of it." The valet announced the `
` Vicomte Albert de Morcerf. The baroness rose hastily, and `
` was going into the study, when Danglars stopped her. "Let `
` her alone," said he. She looked at him in amazement. Monte `
` Cristo appeared to be unconscious of what passed. Albert `
` entered, looking very handsome and in high spirits. He bowed `
` politely to the baroness, familiarly to Danglars, and `
` affectionately to Monte Cristo. Then turning to the `
` baroness: "May I ask how Mademoiselle Danglars is?" said he. `
` `
` "She is quite well," replied Danglars quickly; "she is at `
` the piano with M. Cavalcanti." Albert retained his calm and `
` indifferent manner; he might feel perhaps annoyed, but he `
` knew Monte Cristo's eye was on him. "M. Cavalcanti has a `
` fine tenor voice," said he, "and Mademoiselle Eugenie a `
` splendid soprano, and then she plays the piano like `
` Thalberg. The concert must be a delightful one." `
` `
` "They suit each other remarkably well," said Danglars. `
` Albert appeared not to notice this remark, which was, `
` however, so rude that Madame Danglars blushed. `
` `
` "I, too," said the young man, "am a musician -- at least, my `
` masters used to tell me so; but it is strange that my voice `
` never would suit any other, and a soprano less than any." `
` Danglars smiled, and seemed to say, "It is of no `
` consequence." Then, hoping doubtless to effect his purpose, `
` he said, -- "The prince and my daughter were universally `
` admired yesterday. You were not of the party, M. de `
` Morcerf?" `
` `
` "What prince?" asked Albert. "Prince Cavalcanti," said `
` Danglars, who persisted in giving the young man that title. `
` `
` "Pardon me," said Albert, "I was not aware that he was a `
` prince. And Prince Cavalcanti sang with Mademoiselle Eugenie `
` yesterday? It must have been charming, indeed. I regret not `
` having heard them. But I was unable to accept your `
` invitation, having promised to accompany my mother to a `
` German concert given by the Baroness of Chateau-Renaud." `
` This was followed by rather an awkward silence. "May I also `
` be allowed," said Morcerf, "to pay my respects to `
` Mademoiselle Danglars?" "Wait a moment," said the banker, `
` stopping the young man; "do you hear that delightful `
` cavatina? Ta, ta, ta, ti, ta, ti, ta, ta; it is charming, `
` let them finish -- one moment. Bravo, bravi, brava!" The `
` banker was enthusiastic in his applause. `
` `
` "Indeed," said Albert, "it is exquisite; it is impossible to `
` understand the music of his country better than Prince `
` Cavalcanti does. You said prince, did you not? But he can `
` easily become one, if he is not already; it is no uncommon `
` thing in Italy. But to return to the charming musicians -- `
` you should give us a treat, Danglars, without telling them `
` there is a stranger. Ask them to sing one more song; it is `
` so delightful to hear music in the distance, when the `
` musicians are unrestrained by observation." `
` `
` Danglars was quite annoyed by the young man's indifference. `
` He took Monte Cristo aside. "What do you think of our `
`