Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
you wrapped around a bullet. Now leave me or I will summon `
` my servants to throw you out at the door." `
` `
` Wild, almost unconscious, and with eyes inflamed, Albert `
` stepped back, and Morrel closed the door. Monte Cristo took `
` up his glass again as if nothing had happened; his face was `
` like marble, and his heart was like bronze. Morrel `
` whispered, "What have you done to him?" `
` `
` "I? Nothing -- at least personally," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "But there must be some cause for this strange scene." `
` `
` "The Count of Morcerf's adventure exasperates the young `
` man." `
` `
` "Have you anything to do with it?" `
` `
` "It was through Haidee that the Chamber was informed of his `
` father's treason." `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Morrel. "I had been told, but would not `
` credit it, that the Grecian slave I have seen with you here `
` in this very box was the daughter of Ali Pasha." `
` `
` "It is true, nevertheless." `
` `
` "Then," said Morrel, "I understand it all, and this scene `
` was premeditated." `
` `
` "How so?" `
` `
` "Yes. Albert wrote to request me to come to the opera, `
` doubtless that I might be a witness to the insult he meant `
` to offer you." `
` `
` "Probably," said Monte Cristo with his imperturbable `
` tranquillity. `
` `
` "But what shall you do with him?" `
` `
` "With whom?" `
` `
` "With Albert." `
` `
` "What shall I do with Albert? As certainly, Maximilian, as I `
` now press your hand, I shall kill him before ten o'clock `
` to-morrow morning." Morrel, in his turn, took Monte Cristo's `
` hand in both of his, and he shuddered to feel how cold and `
` steady it was. `
` `
` "Ah, Count," said he, "his father loves him so much!" `
` `
` "Do not speak to me of that," said Monte Cristo, with the `
` first movement of anger he had betrayed; "I will make him `
` suffer." Morrel, amazed, let fall Monte Cristo's hand. `
` "Count, count!" said he. `
` `
` "Dear Maximilian," interrupted the count, "listen how `
` adorably Duprez is singing that line, -- `
` `
` `O Mathilde! idole de mon ame!' `
` `
` "I was the first to discover Duprez at Naples, and the first `
` to applaud him. Bravo, bravo!" Morrel saw it was useless to `
` say more, and refrained. The curtain, which had risen at the `
` close of the scene with Albert, again fell, and a rap was `
` heard at the door. `
` `
` "Come in," said Monte Cristo with a voice that betrayed not `
` the least emotion; and immediately Beauchamp appeared. `
` "Good-evening, M. Beauchamp," said Monte Cristo, as if this `
` was the first time he had seen the journalist that evening; `
` "be seated." `
` `
` Beauchamp bowed, and, sitting down, "Sir," said he, "I just `
` now accompanied M. de Morcerf, as you saw." `
` `
` "And that means," replied Monte Cristo, laughing, "that you `
` had, probably, just dined together. I am happy to see, M. `
` Beauchamp, that you are more sober than he was." `
` `
` "Sir," said M. Beauchamp, "Albert was wrong, I acknowledge, `
` to betray so much anger, and I come, on my own account, to `
` apologize for him. And having done so, entirely on my own `
` account, be it understood, I would add that I believe you `
` too gentlemanly to refuse giving him some explanation `
` concerning your connection with Yanina. Then I will add two `
` words about the young Greek girl." Monte Cristo motioned him `
` to be silent. "Come," said he, laughing, "there are all my `
` hopes about to be destroyed." `
` `
` "How so?" asked Beauchamp. `
` `
` "Doubtless you wish to make me appear a very eccentric `
` character. I am, in your opinion, a Lara, a Manfred, a Lord `
` Ruthven; then, just as I am arriving at the climax, you `
` defeat your own end, and seek to make an ordinary man of me. `
` You bring me down to your own level, and demand `
` explanations! Indeed, M. Beauchamp, it is quite laughable." `
` `
` "Yet," replied Beauchamp haughtily, "there are occasions `
` when probity commands" -- `
` `
` "M. Beauchamp," interposed this strange man, "the Count of `
` Monte Cristo bows to none but the Count of Monte Cristo `
` himself. Say no more, I entreat you. I do what I please, M. `
` Beauchamp, and it is always well done." `
` `
` "Sir," replied the young man, "honest men are not to be paid `
` with such coin. I require honorable guaranties." `
` `
` "I am, sir, a living guaranty," replied Monte Cristo, `
` motionless, but with a threatening look; "we have both blood `
` in our veins which we wish to shed -- that is our mutual `
` guaranty. Tell the viscount so, and that to-morrow, before `
` ten o'clock, I shall see what color his is." `
` `
` "Then I have only to make arrangements for the duel," said `
` Beauchamp. `
` `
` "It is quite immaterial to me," said Monte Cristo, "and it `
` was very unnecessary to disturb me at the opera for such a `
` trifle. In France people fight with the sword or pistol, in `
` the colonies with the carbine, in Arabia with the dagger. `
` Tell your client that, although I am the insulted party, in `
` order to carry out my eccentricity, I leave him the choice `
` of arms, and will accept without discussion, without `
` dispute, anything, even combat by drawing lots, which is `
` always stupid, but with me different from other people, as I `
` am sure to gain." `
` `
` "Sure to gain!" repeated Beauchamp, looking with amazement `
` at the count. `
` `
` "Certainly," said Monte Cristo, slightly shrugging his `
` shoulders; "otherwise I would not fight with M. de Morcerf. `
` I shall kill him -- I cannot help it. Only by a single line `
` this evening at my house let me know the arms and the hour; `
` I do not like to be kept waiting." `
` `
` "Pistols, then, at eight o'clock, in the Bois de Vincennes," `
` said Beauchamp, quite disconcerted, not knowing if he was `
` dealing with an arrogant braggadocio or a supernatural `
` being. `
` `
` "Very well, sir," said Monte Cristo. "Now all that is `
` settled, do let me see the performance, and tell your friend `
` Albert not to come any more this evening; he will hurt `
` himself with all his ill-chosen barbarisms: let him go home `
` and go to sleep." Beauchamp left the box, perfectly amazed. `
` "Now," said Monte Cristo, turning towards Morrel, "I may `
` depend upon you, may I not?" `
` `
` "Certainly," said Morrel, "I am at your service, count; `
` still" -- `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "It is desirable I should know the real cause." `
` `
` "That is to say, you would rather not?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "The young man himself is acting blindfolded, and knows not `
` the true cause, which is known only to God and to me; but I `
` give you my word, Morrel, that God, who does know it, will `
` be on our side." `
` `
` "Enough," said Morrel; "who is your second witness?" `
` `
` "I know no one in Paris, Morrel, on whom I could confer that `
` honor besides you and your brother Emmanuel. Do you think `
` Emmanuel would oblige me?" `
` `
` "I will answer for him, count." `
` `
` "Well? that is all I require. To-morrow morning, at seven `
` o'clock, you will be with me, will you not?" `
` `
` "We will." `
` `
` "Hush, the curtain is rising. Listen! I never lose a note of `
` this opera if I can avoid it; the music of William Tell is `
` so sweet." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 89 `
` A Nocturnal Interview. `
` `
` Monte Cristo waited, according to his usual custom, until `
` Duprez had sung his famous "Suivez-moi;" then he rose and `
` went out. Morrel took leave of him at the door, renewing his `
` promise to be with him the next morning at seven o'clock, `
` and to bring Emmanuel. Then he stepped into his coupe, calm `
` and smiling, and was at home in five minutes. No one who `
` knew the count could mistake his expression when, on `
` entering, he said, "Ali, bring me my pistols with the ivory `
` cross." `
`
` my servants to throw you out at the door." `
` `
` Wild, almost unconscious, and with eyes inflamed, Albert `
` stepped back, and Morrel closed the door. Monte Cristo took `
` up his glass again as if nothing had happened; his face was `
` like marble, and his heart was like bronze. Morrel `
` whispered, "What have you done to him?" `
` `
` "I? Nothing -- at least personally," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "But there must be some cause for this strange scene." `
` `
` "The Count of Morcerf's adventure exasperates the young `
` man." `
` `
` "Have you anything to do with it?" `
` `
` "It was through Haidee that the Chamber was informed of his `
` father's treason." `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Morrel. "I had been told, but would not `
` credit it, that the Grecian slave I have seen with you here `
` in this very box was the daughter of Ali Pasha." `
` `
` "It is true, nevertheless." `
` `
` "Then," said Morrel, "I understand it all, and this scene `
` was premeditated." `
` `
` "How so?" `
` `
` "Yes. Albert wrote to request me to come to the opera, `
` doubtless that I might be a witness to the insult he meant `
` to offer you." `
` `
` "Probably," said Monte Cristo with his imperturbable `
` tranquillity. `
` `
` "But what shall you do with him?" `
` `
` "With whom?" `
` `
` "With Albert." `
` `
` "What shall I do with Albert? As certainly, Maximilian, as I `
` now press your hand, I shall kill him before ten o'clock `
` to-morrow morning." Morrel, in his turn, took Monte Cristo's `
` hand in both of his, and he shuddered to feel how cold and `
` steady it was. `
` `
` "Ah, Count," said he, "his father loves him so much!" `
` `
` "Do not speak to me of that," said Monte Cristo, with the `
` first movement of anger he had betrayed; "I will make him `
` suffer." Morrel, amazed, let fall Monte Cristo's hand. `
` "Count, count!" said he. `
` `
` "Dear Maximilian," interrupted the count, "listen how `
` adorably Duprez is singing that line, -- `
` `
` `O Mathilde! idole de mon ame!' `
` `
` "I was the first to discover Duprez at Naples, and the first `
` to applaud him. Bravo, bravo!" Morrel saw it was useless to `
` say more, and refrained. The curtain, which had risen at the `
` close of the scene with Albert, again fell, and a rap was `
` heard at the door. `
` `
` "Come in," said Monte Cristo with a voice that betrayed not `
` the least emotion; and immediately Beauchamp appeared. `
` "Good-evening, M. Beauchamp," said Monte Cristo, as if this `
` was the first time he had seen the journalist that evening; `
` "be seated." `
` `
` Beauchamp bowed, and, sitting down, "Sir," said he, "I just `
` now accompanied M. de Morcerf, as you saw." `
` `
` "And that means," replied Monte Cristo, laughing, "that you `
` had, probably, just dined together. I am happy to see, M. `
` Beauchamp, that you are more sober than he was." `
` `
` "Sir," said M. Beauchamp, "Albert was wrong, I acknowledge, `
` to betray so much anger, and I come, on my own account, to `
` apologize for him. And having done so, entirely on my own `
` account, be it understood, I would add that I believe you `
` too gentlemanly to refuse giving him some explanation `
` concerning your connection with Yanina. Then I will add two `
` words about the young Greek girl." Monte Cristo motioned him `
` to be silent. "Come," said he, laughing, "there are all my `
` hopes about to be destroyed." `
` `
` "How so?" asked Beauchamp. `
` `
` "Doubtless you wish to make me appear a very eccentric `
` character. I am, in your opinion, a Lara, a Manfred, a Lord `
` Ruthven; then, just as I am arriving at the climax, you `
` defeat your own end, and seek to make an ordinary man of me. `
` You bring me down to your own level, and demand `
` explanations! Indeed, M. Beauchamp, it is quite laughable." `
` `
` "Yet," replied Beauchamp haughtily, "there are occasions `
` when probity commands" -- `
` `
` "M. Beauchamp," interposed this strange man, "the Count of `
` Monte Cristo bows to none but the Count of Monte Cristo `
` himself. Say no more, I entreat you. I do what I please, M. `
` Beauchamp, and it is always well done." `
` `
` "Sir," replied the young man, "honest men are not to be paid `
` with such coin. I require honorable guaranties." `
` `
` "I am, sir, a living guaranty," replied Monte Cristo, `
` motionless, but with a threatening look; "we have both blood `
` in our veins which we wish to shed -- that is our mutual `
` guaranty. Tell the viscount so, and that to-morrow, before `
` ten o'clock, I shall see what color his is." `
` `
` "Then I have only to make arrangements for the duel," said `
` Beauchamp. `
` `
` "It is quite immaterial to me," said Monte Cristo, "and it `
` was very unnecessary to disturb me at the opera for such a `
` trifle. In France people fight with the sword or pistol, in `
` the colonies with the carbine, in Arabia with the dagger. `
` Tell your client that, although I am the insulted party, in `
` order to carry out my eccentricity, I leave him the choice `
` of arms, and will accept without discussion, without `
` dispute, anything, even combat by drawing lots, which is `
` always stupid, but with me different from other people, as I `
` am sure to gain." `
` `
` "Sure to gain!" repeated Beauchamp, looking with amazement `
` at the count. `
` `
` "Certainly," said Monte Cristo, slightly shrugging his `
` shoulders; "otherwise I would not fight with M. de Morcerf. `
` I shall kill him -- I cannot help it. Only by a single line `
` this evening at my house let me know the arms and the hour; `
` I do not like to be kept waiting." `
` `
` "Pistols, then, at eight o'clock, in the Bois de Vincennes," `
` said Beauchamp, quite disconcerted, not knowing if he was `
` dealing with an arrogant braggadocio or a supernatural `
` being. `
` `
` "Very well, sir," said Monte Cristo. "Now all that is `
` settled, do let me see the performance, and tell your friend `
` Albert not to come any more this evening; he will hurt `
` himself with all his ill-chosen barbarisms: let him go home `
` and go to sleep." Beauchamp left the box, perfectly amazed. `
` "Now," said Monte Cristo, turning towards Morrel, "I may `
` depend upon you, may I not?" `
` `
` "Certainly," said Morrel, "I am at your service, count; `
` still" -- `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "It is desirable I should know the real cause." `
` `
` "That is to say, you would rather not?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "The young man himself is acting blindfolded, and knows not `
` the true cause, which is known only to God and to me; but I `
` give you my word, Morrel, that God, who does know it, will `
` be on our side." `
` `
` "Enough," said Morrel; "who is your second witness?" `
` `
` "I know no one in Paris, Morrel, on whom I could confer that `
` honor besides you and your brother Emmanuel. Do you think `
` Emmanuel would oblige me?" `
` `
` "I will answer for him, count." `
` `
` "Well? that is all I require. To-morrow morning, at seven `
` o'clock, you will be with me, will you not?" `
` `
` "We will." `
` `
` "Hush, the curtain is rising. Listen! I never lose a note of `
` this opera if I can avoid it; the music of William Tell is `
` so sweet." `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 89 `
` A Nocturnal Interview. `
` `
` Monte Cristo waited, according to his usual custom, until `
` Duprez had sung his famous "Suivez-moi;" then he rose and `
` went out. Morrel took leave of him at the door, renewing his `
` promise to be with him the next morning at seven o'clock, `
` and to bring Emmanuel. Then he stepped into his coupe, calm `
` and smiling, and was at home in five minutes. No one who `
` knew the count could mistake his expression when, on `
` entering, he said, "Ali, bring me my pistols with the ivory `
` cross." `
`