Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
himself by promising Mercedes to spare her son, the count at `
` last exclaimed, "Folly, folly, folly! -- to carry generosity `
` so far as to put myself up as a mark for that young man to `
` aim at. He will never believe that my death was suicide; and `
` yet it is important for the honor of my memory, -- and this `
` surely is not vanity, but a justifiable pride, -- it is `
` important the world should know that I have consented, by my `
` free will, to stop my arm, already raised to strike, and `
` that with the arm which has been so powerful against others `
` I have struck myself. It must be; it shall be." `
` `
` Seizing a pen, he drew a paper from a secret drawer in his `
` desk, and wrote at the bottom of the document (which was no `
` other than his will, made since his arrival in Paris) a sort `
` of codicil, clearly explaining the nature of his death. "I `
` do this, O my God," said he, with his eyes raised to heaven, `
` "as much for thy honor as for mine. I have during ten years `
` considered myself the agent of thy vengeance, and other `
` wretches, like Morcerf, Danglars, Villefort, even Morcerf `
` himself, must not imagine that chance has freed them from `
` their enemy. Let them know, on the contrary, that their `
` punishment, which had been decreed by providence, is only `
` delayed by my present determination, and although they `
` escape it in this world, it awaits them in another, and that `
` they are only exchanging time for eternity." `
` `
` While he was thus agitated by gloomy uncertainties, -- `
` wretched waking dreams of grief, -- the first rays of `
` morning pierced his windows, and shone upon the pale blue `
` paper on which he had just inscribed his justification of `
` providence. It was just five o'clock in the morning when a `
` slight noise like a stifled sigh reached his ear. He turned `
` his head, looked around him, and saw no one; but the sound `
` was repeated distinctly enough to convince him of its `
` reality. `
` `
` He arose, and quietly opening the door of the drawing-room, `
` saw Haidee, who had fallen on a chair, with her arms hanging `
` down and her beautiful head thrown back. She had been `
` standing at the door, to prevent his going out without `
` seeing her, until sleep, which the young cannot resist, had `
` overpowered her frame, wearied as she was with watching. The `
` noise of the door did not awaken her, and Monte Cristo gazed `
` at her with affectionate regret. "She remembered that she `
` had a son," said he; "and I forgot I had a daughter." Then, `
` shaking his head sorrowfully, "Poor Haidee," said he; "she `
` wished to see me, to speak to me; she has feared or guessed `
` something. Oh, I cannot go without taking leave of her; I `
` cannot die without confiding her to some one." He quietly `
` regained his seat, and wrote under the other lines: -- `
` `
` "I bequeath to Maximilian Morrel, captain of Spahis, -- and `
` son of my former patron, Pierre Morrel, shipowner at `
` Marseilles, -- the sum of twenty millions, a part of which `
` may be offered to his sister Julia and brother-in-law `
` Emmanuel, if he does not fear this increase of fortune may `
` mar their happiness. These twenty millions are concealed in `
` my grotto at Monte Cristo, of which Bertuccio knows the `
` secret. If his heart is free, and he will marry Haidee, the `
` daughter of Ali Pasha of Yanina, whom I have brought up with `
` the love of a father, and who has shown the love and `
` tenderness of a daughter for me, he will thus accomplish my `
` last wish. This will has already constituted Haidee heiress `
` of the rest of my fortune, consisting of lands, funds in `
` England, Austria, and Holland, furniture in my different `
` palaces and houses, and which without the twenty millions `
` and the legacies to my servants, may still amount to sixty `
` millions." `
` `
` He was finishing the last line when a cry behind him made `
` him start, and the pen fell from his hand. "Haidee," said `
` he, "did you read it?" `
` `
` "Oh, my lord," said she, "why are you writing thus at such `
` an hour? Why are you bequeathing all your fortune to me? Are `
` you going to leave me?" `
` `
` "I am going on a journey, dear child," said Monte Cristo, `
` with an expression of infinite tenderness and melancholy; `
` "and if any misfortune should happen to me" `
` `
` The count stopped. "Well?" asked the young girl, with an `
` authoritative tone the count had never observed before, and `
` which startled him. "Well, if any misfortune happen to me," `
` replied Monte Cristo, "I wish my daughter to be happy." `
` Haidee smiled sorrowfully, and shook her head. "Do you think `
` of dying, my lord?" said she. `
` `
` "The wise man, my child, has said, `It is good to think of `
` death.'" `
` `
` "Well, if you die," said she, "bequeath your fortune to `
` others, for if you die I shall require nothing;" and, taking `
` the paper, she tore it in four pieces, and threw it into the `
` middle of the room. Then, the effort having exhausted her `
` strength, she fell not asleep this time, but fainting on the `
` floor. The count leaned over her and raised her in his arms; `
` and seeing that sweet pale face, those lovely eyes closed, `
` that beautiful form motionless and to all appearance `
` lifeless, the idea occurred to him for the first time, that `
` perhaps she loved him otherwise than as a daughter loves a `
` father. `
` `
` "Alas," murmured he, with intense suffering, "I might, then, `
` have been happy yet." Then he carried Haidee to her room, `
` resigned her to the care of her attendants, and returning to `
` his study, which he shut quickly this time, he again copied `
` the destroyed will. As he was finishing, the sound of a `
` cabriolet entering the yard was heard. Monte Cristo `
` approached the window, and saw Maximilian and Emmanuel `
` alight. "Good," said he; "it was time," -- and he sealed his `
` will with three seals. A moment afterwards he heard a noise `
` in the drawing-room, and went to open the door himself. `
` Morrel was there; he had come twenty minutes before the time `
` appointed. "I am perhaps come too soon, count," said he, `
` "but I frankly acknowledge that I have not closed my eyes `
` all night, nor has any one in my house. I need to see you `
` strong in your courageous assurance, to recover myself." `
` Monte Cristo could not resist this proof of affection; he `
` not only extended his hand to the young man, but flew to him `
` with open arms. "Morrel," said he, "it is a happy day for `
` me, to feel that I am beloved by such a man as you. `
` Good-morning, Emmanuel; you will come with me then, `
` Maximilian?" `
` `
` "Did you doubt it?" said the young captain. `
` `
` "But if I were wrong" -- `
` `
` "I watched you during the whole scene of that challenge `
` yesterday; I have been thinking of your firmness all night, `
` and I said to myself that justice must be on your side, or `
` man's countenance is no longer to be relied on." `
` `
` "But, Morrel, Albert is your friend?" `
` `
` "Simply an acquaintance, sir." `
` `
` "You met on the same day you first saw me?" `
` `
` "Yes, that is true; but I should not have recollected it if `
` you had not reminded me." `
` `
` "Thank you, Morrel." Then ringing the bell once, "Look." `
` said he to Ali, who came immediately, "take that to my `
` solicitor. It is my will, Morrel. When I am dead, you will `
` go and examine it." `
` `
` "What?" said Morrel, "you dead?" `
` `
` "Yes; must I not be prepared for everything, dear friend? `
` But what did you do yesterday after you left me?" `
` `
` "I went to Tortoni's, where, as I expected, I found `
` Beauchamp and Chateau-Renaud. I own I was seeking them." `
` `
` "Why, when all was arranged?" `
` `
` "Listen, count; the affair is serious and unavoidable." `
` `
` "Did you doubt it!" `
` `
` "No; the offence was public, and every one is already `
` talking of it." `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Well, I hoped to get an exchange of arms, -- to substitute `
` the sword for the pistol; the pistol is blind." `
` `
` "Have you succeeded?" asked Monte Cristo quickly, with an `
` imperceptible gleam of hope. `
` `
` "No; for your skill with the sword is so well known." `
` `
` "Ah? -- who has betrayed me?" `
` `
` "The skilful swordsman whom you have conquered." `
` `
` "And you failed?" `
` `
` "They positively refused." `
` `
` "Morrel," said the count, "have you ever seen me fire a `
` pistol?" `
` `
` "Never." `
` `
` "Well, we have time; look." Monte Cristo took the pistols he `
` held in his hand when Mercedes entered, and fixing an ace of `
` clubs against the iron plate, with four shots he `
` successively shot off the four sides of the club. At each `
` shot Morrel turned pale. He examined the bullets with which `
` Monte Cristo performed this dexterous feat, and saw that `
` they were no larger than buckshot. "It is astonishing," said `
` he. "Look, Emmanuel." Then turning towards Monte Cristo, `
` "Count," said he, "in the name of all that is dear to you, I `
` entreat you not to kill Albert! -- the unhappy youth has a `
` mother." `
` `
` "You are right," said Monte Cristo; "and I have none." These `
`
` last exclaimed, "Folly, folly, folly! -- to carry generosity `
` so far as to put myself up as a mark for that young man to `
` aim at. He will never believe that my death was suicide; and `
` yet it is important for the honor of my memory, -- and this `
` surely is not vanity, but a justifiable pride, -- it is `
` important the world should know that I have consented, by my `
` free will, to stop my arm, already raised to strike, and `
` that with the arm which has been so powerful against others `
` I have struck myself. It must be; it shall be." `
` `
` Seizing a pen, he drew a paper from a secret drawer in his `
` desk, and wrote at the bottom of the document (which was no `
` other than his will, made since his arrival in Paris) a sort `
` of codicil, clearly explaining the nature of his death. "I `
` do this, O my God," said he, with his eyes raised to heaven, `
` "as much for thy honor as for mine. I have during ten years `
` considered myself the agent of thy vengeance, and other `
` wretches, like Morcerf, Danglars, Villefort, even Morcerf `
` himself, must not imagine that chance has freed them from `
` their enemy. Let them know, on the contrary, that their `
` punishment, which had been decreed by providence, is only `
` delayed by my present determination, and although they `
` escape it in this world, it awaits them in another, and that `
` they are only exchanging time for eternity." `
` `
` While he was thus agitated by gloomy uncertainties, -- `
` wretched waking dreams of grief, -- the first rays of `
` morning pierced his windows, and shone upon the pale blue `
` paper on which he had just inscribed his justification of `
` providence. It was just five o'clock in the morning when a `
` slight noise like a stifled sigh reached his ear. He turned `
` his head, looked around him, and saw no one; but the sound `
` was repeated distinctly enough to convince him of its `
` reality. `
` `
` He arose, and quietly opening the door of the drawing-room, `
` saw Haidee, who had fallen on a chair, with her arms hanging `
` down and her beautiful head thrown back. She had been `
` standing at the door, to prevent his going out without `
` seeing her, until sleep, which the young cannot resist, had `
` overpowered her frame, wearied as she was with watching. The `
` noise of the door did not awaken her, and Monte Cristo gazed `
` at her with affectionate regret. "She remembered that she `
` had a son," said he; "and I forgot I had a daughter." Then, `
` shaking his head sorrowfully, "Poor Haidee," said he; "she `
` wished to see me, to speak to me; she has feared or guessed `
` something. Oh, I cannot go without taking leave of her; I `
` cannot die without confiding her to some one." He quietly `
` regained his seat, and wrote under the other lines: -- `
` `
` "I bequeath to Maximilian Morrel, captain of Spahis, -- and `
` son of my former patron, Pierre Morrel, shipowner at `
` Marseilles, -- the sum of twenty millions, a part of which `
` may be offered to his sister Julia and brother-in-law `
` Emmanuel, if he does not fear this increase of fortune may `
` mar their happiness. These twenty millions are concealed in `
` my grotto at Monte Cristo, of which Bertuccio knows the `
` secret. If his heart is free, and he will marry Haidee, the `
` daughter of Ali Pasha of Yanina, whom I have brought up with `
` the love of a father, and who has shown the love and `
` tenderness of a daughter for me, he will thus accomplish my `
` last wish. This will has already constituted Haidee heiress `
` of the rest of my fortune, consisting of lands, funds in `
` England, Austria, and Holland, furniture in my different `
` palaces and houses, and which without the twenty millions `
` and the legacies to my servants, may still amount to sixty `
` millions." `
` `
` He was finishing the last line when a cry behind him made `
` him start, and the pen fell from his hand. "Haidee," said `
` he, "did you read it?" `
` `
` "Oh, my lord," said she, "why are you writing thus at such `
` an hour? Why are you bequeathing all your fortune to me? Are `
` you going to leave me?" `
` `
` "I am going on a journey, dear child," said Monte Cristo, `
` with an expression of infinite tenderness and melancholy; `
` "and if any misfortune should happen to me" `
` `
` The count stopped. "Well?" asked the young girl, with an `
` authoritative tone the count had never observed before, and `
` which startled him. "Well, if any misfortune happen to me," `
` replied Monte Cristo, "I wish my daughter to be happy." `
` Haidee smiled sorrowfully, and shook her head. "Do you think `
` of dying, my lord?" said she. `
` `
` "The wise man, my child, has said, `It is good to think of `
` death.'" `
` `
` "Well, if you die," said she, "bequeath your fortune to `
` others, for if you die I shall require nothing;" and, taking `
` the paper, she tore it in four pieces, and threw it into the `
` middle of the room. Then, the effort having exhausted her `
` strength, she fell not asleep this time, but fainting on the `
` floor. The count leaned over her and raised her in his arms; `
` and seeing that sweet pale face, those lovely eyes closed, `
` that beautiful form motionless and to all appearance `
` lifeless, the idea occurred to him for the first time, that `
` perhaps she loved him otherwise than as a daughter loves a `
` father. `
` `
` "Alas," murmured he, with intense suffering, "I might, then, `
` have been happy yet." Then he carried Haidee to her room, `
` resigned her to the care of her attendants, and returning to `
` his study, which he shut quickly this time, he again copied `
` the destroyed will. As he was finishing, the sound of a `
` cabriolet entering the yard was heard. Monte Cristo `
` approached the window, and saw Maximilian and Emmanuel `
` alight. "Good," said he; "it was time," -- and he sealed his `
` will with three seals. A moment afterwards he heard a noise `
` in the drawing-room, and went to open the door himself. `
` Morrel was there; he had come twenty minutes before the time `
` appointed. "I am perhaps come too soon, count," said he, `
` "but I frankly acknowledge that I have not closed my eyes `
` all night, nor has any one in my house. I need to see you `
` strong in your courageous assurance, to recover myself." `
` Monte Cristo could not resist this proof of affection; he `
` not only extended his hand to the young man, but flew to him `
` with open arms. "Morrel," said he, "it is a happy day for `
` me, to feel that I am beloved by such a man as you. `
` Good-morning, Emmanuel; you will come with me then, `
` Maximilian?" `
` `
` "Did you doubt it?" said the young captain. `
` `
` "But if I were wrong" -- `
` `
` "I watched you during the whole scene of that challenge `
` yesterday; I have been thinking of your firmness all night, `
` and I said to myself that justice must be on your side, or `
` man's countenance is no longer to be relied on." `
` `
` "But, Morrel, Albert is your friend?" `
` `
` "Simply an acquaintance, sir." `
` `
` "You met on the same day you first saw me?" `
` `
` "Yes, that is true; but I should not have recollected it if `
` you had not reminded me." `
` `
` "Thank you, Morrel." Then ringing the bell once, "Look." `
` said he to Ali, who came immediately, "take that to my `
` solicitor. It is my will, Morrel. When I am dead, you will `
` go and examine it." `
` `
` "What?" said Morrel, "you dead?" `
` `
` "Yes; must I not be prepared for everything, dear friend? `
` But what did you do yesterday after you left me?" `
` `
` "I went to Tortoni's, where, as I expected, I found `
` Beauchamp and Chateau-Renaud. I own I was seeking them." `
` `
` "Why, when all was arranged?" `
` `
` "Listen, count; the affair is serious and unavoidable." `
` `
` "Did you doubt it!" `
` `
` "No; the offence was public, and every one is already `
` talking of it." `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Well, I hoped to get an exchange of arms, -- to substitute `
` the sword for the pistol; the pistol is blind." `
` `
` "Have you succeeded?" asked Monte Cristo quickly, with an `
` imperceptible gleam of hope. `
` `
` "No; for your skill with the sword is so well known." `
` `
` "Ah? -- who has betrayed me?" `
` `
` "The skilful swordsman whom you have conquered." `
` `
` "And you failed?" `
` `
` "They positively refused." `
` `
` "Morrel," said the count, "have you ever seen me fire a `
` pistol?" `
` `
` "Never." `
` `
` "Well, we have time; look." Monte Cristo took the pistols he `
` held in his hand when Mercedes entered, and fixing an ace of `
` clubs against the iron plate, with four shots he `
` successively shot off the four sides of the club. At each `
` shot Morrel turned pale. He examined the bullets with which `
` Monte Cristo performed this dexterous feat, and saw that `
` they were no larger than buckshot. "It is astonishing," said `
` he. "Look, Emmanuel." Then turning towards Monte Cristo, `
` "Count," said he, "in the name of all that is dear to you, I `
` entreat you not to kill Albert! -- the unhappy youth has a `
` mother." `
` `
` "You are right," said Monte Cristo; "and I have none." These `
`