Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
"You are right," said Monte Cristo; "and I have none." These `
` words were uttered in a tone which made Morrel shudder. "You `
` are the offended party, count." `
` `
` "Doubtless; what does that imply?" `
` `
` "That you will fire first." `
` `
` "I fire first?" `
` `
` "Oh, I obtained, or rather claimed that; we had conceded `
` enough for them to yield us that." `
` `
` "And at what distance?" `
` `
` "Twenty paces." A smile of terrible import passed over the `
` count's lips. "Morrel," said he, "do not forget what you `
` have just seen." `
` `
` "The only chance for Albert's safety, then, will arise from `
` your emotion." `
` `
` "I suffer from emotion?" said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Or from your generosity, my friend; to so good a marksman `
` as you are, I may say what would appear absurd to another." `
` `
` "What is that?" `
` `
` "Break his arm -- wound him -- but do not kill him." `
` `
` "I will tell you, Morrel," said the count, "that I do not `
` need entreating to spare the life of M. de Morcerf; he shall `
` be so well spared, that he will return quietly with his two `
` friends, while I" -- `
` `
` "And you?" `
` `
` "That will be another thing; I shall be brought home." `
` `
` "No, no," cried Maximilian, quite unable to restrain his `
` feelings. `
` `
` "As I told you, my dear Morrel, M. de Morcerf will kill me." `
` Morrel looked at him in utter amazement. "But what has `
` happened, then, since last evening, count?" `
` `
` "The same thing that happened to Brutus the night before the `
` battle of Philippi; I have seen a ghost." `
` `
` "And that ghost" -- `
` `
` "Told me, Morrel, that I had lived long enough." Maximilian `
` and Emmanuel looked at each other. Monte Cristo drew out his `
` watch. "Let us go," said he; "it is five minutes past seven, `
` and the appointment was for eight o'clock." A carriage was `
` in readiness at the door. Monte Cristo stepped into it with `
` his two friends. He had stopped a moment in the passage to `
` listen at a door, and Maximilian and Emmanuel, who had `
` considerately passed forward a few steps, thought they heard `
` him answer by a sigh to a sob from within. As the clock `
` struck eight they drove up to the place of meeting. "We are `
` first," said Morrel, looking out of the window. "Excuse me, `
` sir," said Baptistin, who had followed his master with `
` indescribable terror, "but I think I see a carriage down `
` there under the trees." `
` `
` Monte Cristo sprang lightly from the carriage, and offered `
` his hand to assist Emmanuel and Maximilian. The latter `
` retained the count's hand between his. "I like," said he, `
` "to feel a hand like this, when its owner relies on the `
` goodness of his cause." `
` `
` "It seems to me," said Emmanuel, "that I see two young men `
` down there, who are evidently, waiting." Monte Cristo drew `
` Morrel a step or two behind his brother-in-law. `
` "Maximilian," said he, "are your affections disengaged?" `
` Morrel looked at Monte Cristo with astonishment. "I do not `
` seek your confidence, my dear friend. I only ask you a `
` simple question; answer it; -- that is all I require." `
` `
` "I love a young girl, count." `
` `
` "Do you love her much?" `
` `
` "More than my life." `
` `
` "Another hope defeated!" said the count. Then, with a sigh, `
` "Poor Haidee!" murmured he. `
` `
` "To tell the truth, count, if I knew less of you, I should `
` think that you were less brave than you are." `
` `
` "Because I sigh when thinking of some one I am leaving? `
` Come, Morrel, it is not like a soldier to be so bad a judge `
` of courage. Do I regret life? What is it to me, who have `
` passed twenty years between life and death? Moreover, do not `
` alarm yourself, Morrel; this weakness, if it is such, is `
` betrayed to you alone. I know the world is a drawing-room, `
` from which we must retire politely and honestly; that is, `
` with a bow, and our debts of honor paid." `
` `
` "That is to the purpose. Have you brought your arms?" `
` `
` "I? -- what for? I hope these gentlemen have theirs." `
` `
` "I will inquire," said Morrel. `
` `
` "Do; but make no treaty -- you understand me?" `
` `
` "You need not fear." Morrel advanced towards Beauchamp and `
` Chateau-Renaud, who, seeing his intention, came to meet him. `
` The three young men bowed to each other courteously, if not `
` affably. `
` `
` "Excuse me, gentlemen," said Morrel, "but I do not see M. de `
` Morcerf." `
` `
` "He sent us word this morning," replied Chateau-Renaud, `
` "that he would meet us on the ground." `
` `
` "Ah," said Morrel. Beauchamp pulled out his watch. "It is `
` only five minutes past eight," said he to Morrel; "there is `
` not much time lost yet." `
` `
` "Oh, I made no allusion of that kind," replied Morrel. `
` `
` "There is a carriage coming," said Chateau-Renaud. It `
` advanced rapidly along one of the avenues leading towards `
` the open space where they were assembled. "You are doubtless `
` provided with pistols, gentlemen? M. de Monte Cristo yields `
` his right of using his." `
` `
` "We had anticipated this kindness on the part of the count," `
` said Beauchamp, "and I have brought some weapons which I `
` bought eight or ten days since, thinking to want them on a `
` similar occasion. They are quite new, and have not yet been `
` used. Will you examine them." `
` `
` "Oh, M. Beauchamp, if you assure me that M. de Morcerf does `
` not know these pistols, you may readily believe that your `
` word will be quite sufficient." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Chateau-Renaud, "it is not Morcerf coming `
` in that carriage; -- faith, it is Franz and Debray!" The two `
` young men he announced were indeed approaching. "What chance `
` brings you here, gentlemen?" said Chateau-Renaud, shaking `
` hands with each of them. "Because," said Debray, "Albert `
` sent this morning to request us to come." Beauchamp and `
` Chateau-Renaud exchanged looks of astonishment. "I think I `
` understand his reason," said Morrel. `
` `
` "What is it?" `
` `
` "Yesterday afternoon I received a letter from M. de Morcerf, `
` begging me to attend the opera." `
` `
` "And I," said Debray. `
` `
` "And I also," said Franz. `
` `
` "And we, too," added Beauchamp and Chateau-Renaud. `
` `
` "Having wished you all to witness the challenge, he now `
` wishes you to be present at the combat." `
` `
` "Exactly so," said the young men; "you have probably guessed `
` right." `
` `
` "But, after all these arrangements, he does not come `
` himself," said Chateau-Renaud. "Albert is ten minutes after `
` time." `
` `
` "There he comes," said Beauchamp, "on horseback, at full `
` gallop, followed by a servant." `
` `
` "How imprudent," said Chateau-Renaud, "to come on horseback `
` to fight a duel with pistols, after all the instructions I `
` had given him." `
` `
` "And besides," said Beauchamp, "with a collar above his `
` cravat, an open coat and white waistcoat! Why has he not `
` painted a spot upon his heart? -- it would have been more `
` simple." Meanwhile Albert had arrived within ten paces of `
` the group formed by the five young men. He jumped from his `
` horse, threw the bridle on his servant's arms, and joined `
` them. He was pale, and his eyes were red and swollen; it was `
` evident that he had not slept. A shade of melancholy gravity `
` overspread his countenance, which was not natural to him. "I `
` thank you, gentlemen," said he, "for having complied with my `
` request; I feel extremely grateful for this mark of `
` friendship." Morrel had stepped back as Morcerf approached, `
` and remained at a short distance. "And to you also, M. `
` Morrel, my thanks are due. Come, there cannot be too many." `
` `
` "Sir," said Maximilian, "you are not perhaps aware that I am `
` M. de Monte Cristo's friend?" `
` `
` "I was not sure, but I thought it might be so. So much the `
` better; the more honorable men there are here the better I `
` shall be satisfied." `
`
` words were uttered in a tone which made Morrel shudder. "You `
` are the offended party, count." `
` `
` "Doubtless; what does that imply?" `
` `
` "That you will fire first." `
` `
` "I fire first?" `
` `
` "Oh, I obtained, or rather claimed that; we had conceded `
` enough for them to yield us that." `
` `
` "And at what distance?" `
` `
` "Twenty paces." A smile of terrible import passed over the `
` count's lips. "Morrel," said he, "do not forget what you `
` have just seen." `
` `
` "The only chance for Albert's safety, then, will arise from `
` your emotion." `
` `
` "I suffer from emotion?" said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Or from your generosity, my friend; to so good a marksman `
` as you are, I may say what would appear absurd to another." `
` `
` "What is that?" `
` `
` "Break his arm -- wound him -- but do not kill him." `
` `
` "I will tell you, Morrel," said the count, "that I do not `
` need entreating to spare the life of M. de Morcerf; he shall `
` be so well spared, that he will return quietly with his two `
` friends, while I" -- `
` `
` "And you?" `
` `
` "That will be another thing; I shall be brought home." `
` `
` "No, no," cried Maximilian, quite unable to restrain his `
` feelings. `
` `
` "As I told you, my dear Morrel, M. de Morcerf will kill me." `
` Morrel looked at him in utter amazement. "But what has `
` happened, then, since last evening, count?" `
` `
` "The same thing that happened to Brutus the night before the `
` battle of Philippi; I have seen a ghost." `
` `
` "And that ghost" -- `
` `
` "Told me, Morrel, that I had lived long enough." Maximilian `
` and Emmanuel looked at each other. Monte Cristo drew out his `
` watch. "Let us go," said he; "it is five minutes past seven, `
` and the appointment was for eight o'clock." A carriage was `
` in readiness at the door. Monte Cristo stepped into it with `
` his two friends. He had stopped a moment in the passage to `
` listen at a door, and Maximilian and Emmanuel, who had `
` considerately passed forward a few steps, thought they heard `
` him answer by a sigh to a sob from within. As the clock `
` struck eight they drove up to the place of meeting. "We are `
` first," said Morrel, looking out of the window. "Excuse me, `
` sir," said Baptistin, who had followed his master with `
` indescribable terror, "but I think I see a carriage down `
` there under the trees." `
` `
` Monte Cristo sprang lightly from the carriage, and offered `
` his hand to assist Emmanuel and Maximilian. The latter `
` retained the count's hand between his. "I like," said he, `
` "to feel a hand like this, when its owner relies on the `
` goodness of his cause." `
` `
` "It seems to me," said Emmanuel, "that I see two young men `
` down there, who are evidently, waiting." Monte Cristo drew `
` Morrel a step or two behind his brother-in-law. `
` "Maximilian," said he, "are your affections disengaged?" `
` Morrel looked at Monte Cristo with astonishment. "I do not `
` seek your confidence, my dear friend. I only ask you a `
` simple question; answer it; -- that is all I require." `
` `
` "I love a young girl, count." `
` `
` "Do you love her much?" `
` `
` "More than my life." `
` `
` "Another hope defeated!" said the count. Then, with a sigh, `
` "Poor Haidee!" murmured he. `
` `
` "To tell the truth, count, if I knew less of you, I should `
` think that you were less brave than you are." `
` `
` "Because I sigh when thinking of some one I am leaving? `
` Come, Morrel, it is not like a soldier to be so bad a judge `
` of courage. Do I regret life? What is it to me, who have `
` passed twenty years between life and death? Moreover, do not `
` alarm yourself, Morrel; this weakness, if it is such, is `
` betrayed to you alone. I know the world is a drawing-room, `
` from which we must retire politely and honestly; that is, `
` with a bow, and our debts of honor paid." `
` `
` "That is to the purpose. Have you brought your arms?" `
` `
` "I? -- what for? I hope these gentlemen have theirs." `
` `
` "I will inquire," said Morrel. `
` `
` "Do; but make no treaty -- you understand me?" `
` `
` "You need not fear." Morrel advanced towards Beauchamp and `
` Chateau-Renaud, who, seeing his intention, came to meet him. `
` The three young men bowed to each other courteously, if not `
` affably. `
` `
` "Excuse me, gentlemen," said Morrel, "but I do not see M. de `
` Morcerf." `
` `
` "He sent us word this morning," replied Chateau-Renaud, `
` "that he would meet us on the ground." `
` `
` "Ah," said Morrel. Beauchamp pulled out his watch. "It is `
` only five minutes past eight," said he to Morrel; "there is `
` not much time lost yet." `
` `
` "Oh, I made no allusion of that kind," replied Morrel. `
` `
` "There is a carriage coming," said Chateau-Renaud. It `
` advanced rapidly along one of the avenues leading towards `
` the open space where they were assembled. "You are doubtless `
` provided with pistols, gentlemen? M. de Monte Cristo yields `
` his right of using his." `
` `
` "We had anticipated this kindness on the part of the count," `
` said Beauchamp, "and I have brought some weapons which I `
` bought eight or ten days since, thinking to want them on a `
` similar occasion. They are quite new, and have not yet been `
` used. Will you examine them." `
` `
` "Oh, M. Beauchamp, if you assure me that M. de Morcerf does `
` not know these pistols, you may readily believe that your `
` word will be quite sufficient." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Chateau-Renaud, "it is not Morcerf coming `
` in that carriage; -- faith, it is Franz and Debray!" The two `
` young men he announced were indeed approaching. "What chance `
` brings you here, gentlemen?" said Chateau-Renaud, shaking `
` hands with each of them. "Because," said Debray, "Albert `
` sent this morning to request us to come." Beauchamp and `
` Chateau-Renaud exchanged looks of astonishment. "I think I `
` understand his reason," said Morrel. `
` `
` "What is it?" `
` `
` "Yesterday afternoon I received a letter from M. de Morcerf, `
` begging me to attend the opera." `
` `
` "And I," said Debray. `
` `
` "And I also," said Franz. `
` `
` "And we, too," added Beauchamp and Chateau-Renaud. `
` `
` "Having wished you all to witness the challenge, he now `
` wishes you to be present at the combat." `
` `
` "Exactly so," said the young men; "you have probably guessed `
` right." `
` `
` "But, after all these arrangements, he does not come `
` himself," said Chateau-Renaud. "Albert is ten minutes after `
` time." `
` `
` "There he comes," said Beauchamp, "on horseback, at full `
` gallop, followed by a servant." `
` `
` "How imprudent," said Chateau-Renaud, "to come on horseback `
` to fight a duel with pistols, after all the instructions I `
` had given him." `
` `
` "And besides," said Beauchamp, "with a collar above his `
` cravat, an open coat and white waistcoat! Why has he not `
` painted a spot upon his heart? -- it would have been more `
` simple." Meanwhile Albert had arrived within ten paces of `
` the group formed by the five young men. He jumped from his `
` horse, threw the bridle on his servant's arms, and joined `
` them. He was pale, and his eyes were red and swollen; it was `
` evident that he had not slept. A shade of melancholy gravity `
` overspread his countenance, which was not natural to him. "I `
` thank you, gentlemen," said he, "for having complied with my `
` request; I feel extremely grateful for this mark of `
` friendship." Morrel had stepped back as Morcerf approached, `
` and remained at a short distance. "And to you also, M. `
` Morrel, my thanks are due. Come, there cannot be too many." `
` `
` "Sir," said Maximilian, "you are not perhaps aware that I am `
` M. de Monte Cristo's friend?" `
` `
` "I was not sure, but I thought it might be so. So much the `
` better; the more honorable men there are here the better I `
` shall be satisfied." `
`