Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
He took Monte Cristo aside. "What do you think of our `
` lover?" said he. `
` `
` "He appears cool. But, then your word is given." `
` `
` "Yes, doubtless I have promised to give my daughter to a man `
` who loves her, but not to one who does not. See him there, `
` cold as marble and proud like his father. If he were rich, `
` if he had Cavalcanti's fortune, that might be pardoned. Ma `
` foi, I haven't consulted my daughter; but if she has good `
` taste" -- `
` `
` "Oh," said Monte Cristo, "my fondness may blind me, but I `
` assure you I consider Morcerf a charming young man who will `
` render your daughter happy and will sooner or later attain a `
` certain amount of distinction, and his father's position is `
` good." `
` `
` "Hem," said Danglars. `
` `
` "Why do you doubt?" `
` `
` "The past -- that obscurity on the past." `
` `
` "But that does not affect the son." `
` `
` "Very true." `
` `
` "Now, I beg of you, don't go off your head. It's a month now `
` that you have been thinking of this marriage, and you must `
` see that it throws some responsibility on me, for it was at `
` my house you met this young Cavalcanti, whom I do not really `
` know at all." `
` `
` "But I do." `
` `
` "Have you made inquiry?" `
` `
` "Is there any need of that! Does not his appearance speak `
` for him? And he is very rich." `
` `
` "I am not so sure of that." `
` `
` "And yet you said he had money." `
` `
` "Fifty thousand livres -- a mere trifle." `
` `
` "He is well educated." `
` `
` "Hem," said Monte Cristo in his turn. `
` `
` "He is a musician." `
` `
` "So are all Italians." `
` `
` "Come, count, you do not do that young man justice." `
` `
` "Well, I acknowledge it annoys me, knowing your connection `
` with the Morcerf family, to see him throw himself in the `
` way." Danglars burst out laughing. "What a Puritan you are!" `
` said he; "that happens every day." `
` `
` "But you cannot break it off in this way; the Morcerfs are `
` depending on this union." `
` `
` "Indeed." `
` `
` "Positively." `
` `
` "Then let them explain themselves; you should give the `
` father a hint, you are so intimate with the family." `
` `
` "I? -- where the devil did you find out that?" `
` `
` "At their ball; it was apparent enough. Why, did not the `
` countess, the proud Mercedes, the disdainful Catalane, who `
` will scarcely open her lips to her oldest acquaintances, `
` take your arm, lead you into the garden, into the private `
` walks, and remain there for half an hour?" `
` `
` "Ah, baron, baron," said Albert, "you are not listening -- `
` what barbarism in a megalomaniac like you!" `
` `
` "Oh, don't worry about me, Sir Mocker," said Danglars; then `
` turning to the count he said, "but will you undertake to `
` speak to the father?" `
` `
` "Willingly, if you wish it." `
` `
` "But let it be done explicitly and positively. If he demands `
` my daughter let him fix the day -- declare his conditions; `
` in short, let us either understand each other, or quarrel. `
` You understand -- no more delay." `
` `
` "Yes. sir, I will give my attention to the subject." `
` `
` "I do not say that I await with pleasure his decision, but I `
` do await it. A banker must, you know, be a slave to his `
` promise." And Danglars sighed as M. Cavalcanti had done half `
` an hour before. "Bravi, bravo, brava!" cried Morcerf, `
` parodying the banker, as the selection came to an end. `
` Danglars began to look suspiciously at Morcerf, when some `
` one came and whispered a few words to him. "I shall soon `
` return," said the banker to Monte Cristo; "wait for me. I `
` shall, perhaps, have something to say to you." And he went `
` out. `
` `
` The baroness took advantage of her husband's absence to push `
` open the door of her daughter's study, and M. Andrea, who `
` was sitting before the piano with Mademoiselle Eugenie, `
` started up like a jack-in-the-box. Albert bowed with a smile `
` to Mademoiselle Danglars, who did not appear in the least `
` disturbed, and returned his bow with her usual coolness. `
` Cavalcanti was evidently embarrassed; he bowed to Morcerf, `
` who replied with the most impertinent look possible. Then `
` Albert launched out in praise of Mademoiselle Danglars' `
` voice, and on his regret, after what he had just heard, that `
` he had been unable to be present the previous evening. `
` Cavalcanti, being left alone, turned to Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Come," said Madame Danglars, "leave music and compliments, `
` and let us go and take tea." `
` `
` "Come, Louise," said Mademoiselle Danglars to her friend. `
` They passed into the next drawing-room, where tea was `
` prepared. Just as they were beginning, in the English `
` fashion, to leave the spoons in their cups, the door again `
` opened and Danglars entered, visibly agitated. Monte Cristo `
` observed it particularly, and by a look asked the banker for `
` an explanation. "I have just received my courier from `
` Greece," said Danglars. `
` `
` "Ah, yes," said the count; "that was the reason of your `
` running away from us." `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "How is King Otho getting on?" asked Albert in the most `
` sprightly tone. Danglars cast another suspicious look `
` towards him without answering, and Monte Cristo turned away `
` to conceal the expression of pity which passed over his `
` features, but which was gone in a moment. "We shall go `
` together, shall we not?" said Albert to the count. `
` `
` "If you like," replied the latter. Albert could not `
` understand the banker's look, and turning to Monte Cristo, `
` who understood it perfectly, -- "Did you see," said he, "how `
` he looked at me?" `
` `
` "Yes," said the count; "but did you think there was anything `
` particular in his look?" `
` `
` "Indeed, I did; and what does he mean by his news from `
` Greece?" `
` `
` "How can I tell you?" `
` `
` "Because I imagine you have correspondents in that country." `
` Monte Cristo smiled significantly. `
` `
` "Stop," said Albert, "here he comes. I shall compliment `
` Mademoiselle Danglars on her cameo, while the father talks `
` to you." `
` `
` "If you compliment her at all, let it be on her voice, at `
` least," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "No, every one would do that." `
` `
` "My dear viscount, you are dreadfully impertinent." Albert `
` advanced towards Eugenie, smiling. Meanwhile, Danglars, `
` stooping to Monte Cristo's ear, "Your advice was excellent," `
` said he; "there is a whole history connected with the names `
` Fernand and Yanina." `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Yes, I will tell you all; but take away the young man; I `
` cannot endure his presence." `
` `
` "He is going with me. Shall I send the father to you?" `
` `
` "Immediately." `
` `
` "Very well." The count made a sign to Albert and they bowed `
` to the ladies, and took their leave, Albert perfectly `
` indifferent to Mademoiselle Danglars' contempt, Monte Cristo `
` reiterating his advice to Madame Danglars on the prudence a `
` banker's wife should exercise in providing for the future. `
` M. Cavalcanti remained master of the field. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 77 `
` Haidee. `
` `
` Scarcely had the count's horses cleared the angle of the `
` boulevard, than Albert, turning towards the count, burst `
` into a loud fit of laughter -- much too loud in fact not to `
` give the idea of its being rather forced and unnatural. `
` "Well," said he, "I will ask you the same question which `
`
` lover?" said he. `
` `
` "He appears cool. But, then your word is given." `
` `
` "Yes, doubtless I have promised to give my daughter to a man `
` who loves her, but not to one who does not. See him there, `
` cold as marble and proud like his father. If he were rich, `
` if he had Cavalcanti's fortune, that might be pardoned. Ma `
` foi, I haven't consulted my daughter; but if she has good `
` taste" -- `
` `
` "Oh," said Monte Cristo, "my fondness may blind me, but I `
` assure you I consider Morcerf a charming young man who will `
` render your daughter happy and will sooner or later attain a `
` certain amount of distinction, and his father's position is `
` good." `
` `
` "Hem," said Danglars. `
` `
` "Why do you doubt?" `
` `
` "The past -- that obscurity on the past." `
` `
` "But that does not affect the son." `
` `
` "Very true." `
` `
` "Now, I beg of you, don't go off your head. It's a month now `
` that you have been thinking of this marriage, and you must `
` see that it throws some responsibility on me, for it was at `
` my house you met this young Cavalcanti, whom I do not really `
` know at all." `
` `
` "But I do." `
` `
` "Have you made inquiry?" `
` `
` "Is there any need of that! Does not his appearance speak `
` for him? And he is very rich." `
` `
` "I am not so sure of that." `
` `
` "And yet you said he had money." `
` `
` "Fifty thousand livres -- a mere trifle." `
` `
` "He is well educated." `
` `
` "Hem," said Monte Cristo in his turn. `
` `
` "He is a musician." `
` `
` "So are all Italians." `
` `
` "Come, count, you do not do that young man justice." `
` `
` "Well, I acknowledge it annoys me, knowing your connection `
` with the Morcerf family, to see him throw himself in the `
` way." Danglars burst out laughing. "What a Puritan you are!" `
` said he; "that happens every day." `
` `
` "But you cannot break it off in this way; the Morcerfs are `
` depending on this union." `
` `
` "Indeed." `
` `
` "Positively." `
` `
` "Then let them explain themselves; you should give the `
` father a hint, you are so intimate with the family." `
` `
` "I? -- where the devil did you find out that?" `
` `
` "At their ball; it was apparent enough. Why, did not the `
` countess, the proud Mercedes, the disdainful Catalane, who `
` will scarcely open her lips to her oldest acquaintances, `
` take your arm, lead you into the garden, into the private `
` walks, and remain there for half an hour?" `
` `
` "Ah, baron, baron," said Albert, "you are not listening -- `
` what barbarism in a megalomaniac like you!" `
` `
` "Oh, don't worry about me, Sir Mocker," said Danglars; then `
` turning to the count he said, "but will you undertake to `
` speak to the father?" `
` `
` "Willingly, if you wish it." `
` `
` "But let it be done explicitly and positively. If he demands `
` my daughter let him fix the day -- declare his conditions; `
` in short, let us either understand each other, or quarrel. `
` You understand -- no more delay." `
` `
` "Yes. sir, I will give my attention to the subject." `
` `
` "I do not say that I await with pleasure his decision, but I `
` do await it. A banker must, you know, be a slave to his `
` promise." And Danglars sighed as M. Cavalcanti had done half `
` an hour before. "Bravi, bravo, brava!" cried Morcerf, `
` parodying the banker, as the selection came to an end. `
` Danglars began to look suspiciously at Morcerf, when some `
` one came and whispered a few words to him. "I shall soon `
` return," said the banker to Monte Cristo; "wait for me. I `
` shall, perhaps, have something to say to you." And he went `
` out. `
` `
` The baroness took advantage of her husband's absence to push `
` open the door of her daughter's study, and M. Andrea, who `
` was sitting before the piano with Mademoiselle Eugenie, `
` started up like a jack-in-the-box. Albert bowed with a smile `
` to Mademoiselle Danglars, who did not appear in the least `
` disturbed, and returned his bow with her usual coolness. `
` Cavalcanti was evidently embarrassed; he bowed to Morcerf, `
` who replied with the most impertinent look possible. Then `
` Albert launched out in praise of Mademoiselle Danglars' `
` voice, and on his regret, after what he had just heard, that `
` he had been unable to be present the previous evening. `
` Cavalcanti, being left alone, turned to Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Come," said Madame Danglars, "leave music and compliments, `
` and let us go and take tea." `
` `
` "Come, Louise," said Mademoiselle Danglars to her friend. `
` They passed into the next drawing-room, where tea was `
` prepared. Just as they were beginning, in the English `
` fashion, to leave the spoons in their cups, the door again `
` opened and Danglars entered, visibly agitated. Monte Cristo `
` observed it particularly, and by a look asked the banker for `
` an explanation. "I have just received my courier from `
` Greece," said Danglars. `
` `
` "Ah, yes," said the count; "that was the reason of your `
` running away from us." `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "How is King Otho getting on?" asked Albert in the most `
` sprightly tone. Danglars cast another suspicious look `
` towards him without answering, and Monte Cristo turned away `
` to conceal the expression of pity which passed over his `
` features, but which was gone in a moment. "We shall go `
` together, shall we not?" said Albert to the count. `
` `
` "If you like," replied the latter. Albert could not `
` understand the banker's look, and turning to Monte Cristo, `
` who understood it perfectly, -- "Did you see," said he, "how `
` he looked at me?" `
` `
` "Yes," said the count; "but did you think there was anything `
` particular in his look?" `
` `
` "Indeed, I did; and what does he mean by his news from `
` Greece?" `
` `
` "How can I tell you?" `
` `
` "Because I imagine you have correspondents in that country." `
` Monte Cristo smiled significantly. `
` `
` "Stop," said Albert, "here he comes. I shall compliment `
` Mademoiselle Danglars on her cameo, while the father talks `
` to you." `
` `
` "If you compliment her at all, let it be on her voice, at `
` least," said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "No, every one would do that." `
` `
` "My dear viscount, you are dreadfully impertinent." Albert `
` advanced towards Eugenie, smiling. Meanwhile, Danglars, `
` stooping to Monte Cristo's ear, "Your advice was excellent," `
` said he; "there is a whole history connected with the names `
` Fernand and Yanina." `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Yes, I will tell you all; but take away the young man; I `
` cannot endure his presence." `
` `
` "He is going with me. Shall I send the father to you?" `
` `
` "Immediately." `
` `
` "Very well." The count made a sign to Albert and they bowed `
` to the ladies, and took their leave, Albert perfectly `
` indifferent to Mademoiselle Danglars' contempt, Monte Cristo `
` reiterating his advice to Madame Danglars on the prudence a `
` banker's wife should exercise in providing for the future. `
` M. Cavalcanti remained master of the field. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 77 `
` Haidee. `
` `
` Scarcely had the count's horses cleared the angle of the `
` boulevard, than Albert, turning towards the count, burst `
` into a loud fit of laughter -- much too loud in fact not to `
` give the idea of its being rather forced and unnatural. `
` "Well," said he, "I will ask you the same question which `
`