Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
"Well," said he, "I will ask you the same question which `
` Charles IX. put to Catherine de Medicis, after the massacre `
` of Saint Bartholomew, `How have I played my little part?'" `
` `
` "To what do you allude?" asked Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "To the installation of my rival at M. Danglars'." `
` `
` "What rival?" `
` `
` "Ma foi, what rival? Why, your protege, M. Andrea `
` Cavalcanti!" `
` `
` "Ah, no joking, viscount, if you please; I do not patronize `
` M. Andrea -- at least, not as concerns M. Danglars." `
` `
` "And you would be to blame for not assisting him, if the `
` young man really needed your help in that quarter, but, `
` happily for me, he can dispense with it." `
` `
` "What, do you think he is paying his addresses?" `
` `
` "I am certain of it; his languishing looks and modulated `
` tones when addressing Mademoiselle Danglars fully proclaim `
` his intentions. He aspires to the hand of the proud `
` Eugenie." `
` `
` "What does that signify, so long as they favor your suit?" `
` `
` "But it is not the case, my dear count: on the contrary. I `
` am repulsed on all sides." `
` `
` "What!" `
` `
` "It is so indeed; Mademoiselle Eugenie scarcely answers me, `
` and Mademoiselle d'Armilly, her confidant, does not speak to `
` me at all." `
` `
` "But the father has the greatest regard possible for you," `
` said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "He? Oh, no, he has plunged a thousand daggers into my `
` heart, tragedy-weapons, I own, which instead of wounding `
` sheathe their points in their own handles, but daggers which `
` he nevertheless believed to be real and deadly." `
` `
` "Jealousy indicates affection." `
` `
` "True; but I am not jealous." `
` `
` "He is." `
` `
` "Of whom? -- of Debray?" `
` `
` "No, of you." `
` `
` "Of me? I will engage to say that before a week is past the `
` door will be closed against me." `
` `
` "You are mistaken, my dear viscount." `
` `
` "Prove it to me." `
` `
` "Do you wish me to do so?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Well, I am charged with the commission of endeavoring to `
` induce the Comte de Morcerf to make some definite `
` arrangement with the baron." `
` `
` "By whom are you charged?" `
` `
` "By the baron himself." `
` `
` "Oh," said Albert with all the cajolery of which he was `
` capable. "You surely will not do that, my dear count?" `
` `
` "Certainly I shall, Albert, as I have promised to do it." `
` `
` "Well," said Albert, with a sigh, "it seems you are `
` determined to marry me." `
` `
` "I am determined to try and be on good terms with everybody, `
` at all events," said Monte Cristo. "But apropos of Debray, `
` how is it that I have not seen him lately at the baron's `
` house?" `
` `
` "There has been a misunderstanding." `
` `
` "What, with the baroness?" `
` `
` "No, with the baron." `
` `
` "Has he perceived anything?" `
` `
` "Ah, that is a good joke!" `
` `
` "Do you think he suspects?" said Monte Cristo with charming `
` artlessness. `
` `
` "Where have you come from, my dear count?" said Albert. `
` `
` "From Congo, if you will." `
` `
` "It must be farther off than even that." `
` `
` "But what do I know of your Parisian husbands?" `
` `
` "Oh, my dear count, husbands are pretty much the same `
` everywhere; an individual husband of any country is a pretty `
` fair specimen of the whole race." `
` `
` "But then, what can have led to the quarrel between Danglars `
` and Debray? They seemed to understand each other so well," `
` said Monte Cristo with renewed energy. `
` `
` "Ah, now you are trying to penetrate into the mysteries of `
` Isis, in which I am not initiated. When M. Andrea Cavalcanti `
` has become one of the family, you can ask him that `
` question." The carriage stopped. "Here we are," said Monte `
` Cristo; "it is only half-past ten o'clock, come in." `
` `
` "Certainly I will." `
` `
` "My carriage shall take you back." `
` `
` "No, thank you; I gave orders for my coupe to follow me." `
` `
` "There it is, then," said Monte Cristo, as he stepped out of `
` the carriage. They both went into the house; the `
` drawing-room was lighted up -- they went in there. "You will `
` make tea for us, Baptistin," said the count. Baptistin left `
` the room without waiting to answer, and in two seconds `
` reappeared, bringing on a waiter all that his master had `
` ordered, ready prepared, and appearing to have sprung from `
` the ground, like the repasts which we read of in fairy `
` tales. "Really, my dear count," said Morcerf. "what I admire `
` in you is, not so much your riches, for perhaps there are `
` people even wealthier than yourself, nor is it only your `
` wit, for Beaumarchais might have possessed as much, -- but `
` it is your manner of being served, without any questions, in `
` a moment, in a second; it is as if they guessed what you `
` wanted by your manner of ringing, and made a point of `
` keeping everything you can possibly desire in constant `
` readiness." `
` `
` "What you say is perhaps true; they know my habits. For `
` instance, you shall see; how do you wish to occupy yourself `
` during tea-time?" `
` `
` "Ma foi, I should like to smoke." `
` `
` Monte Cristo took the gong and struck it once. In about the `
` space of a second a private door opened, and Ali appeared, `
` bringing two chibouques filled with excellent latakia. "It `
` is quite wonderful," said Albert. `
` `
` "Oh no, it is as simple as possible," replied Monte Cristo. `
` "Ali knows I generally smoke while I am taking my tea or `
` coffee; he has heard that I ordered tea, and he also knows `
` that I brought you home with me; when I summoned him he `
` naturally guessed the reason of my doing so, and as he comes `
` from a country where hospitality is especially manifested `
` through the medium of smoking, he naturally concludes that `
` we shall smoke in company, and therefore brings two `
` chibouques instead of one -- and now the mystery is solved." `
` `
` "Certainly you give a most commonplace air to your `
` explanation, but it is not the less true that you -- Ah, but `
` what do I hear?" and Morcerf inclined his head towards the `
` door, through which sounds seemed to issue resembling those `
` of a guitar. `
` `
` "Ma foi, my dear viscount, you are fated to hear music this `
` evening; you have only escaped from Mademoiselle Danglars' `
` piano, to be attacked by Haidee's guzla." `
` `
` "Haidee -- what an adorable name! Are there, then, really `
` women who bear the name of Haidee anywhere but in Byron's `
` poems?" `
` `
` "Certainly there are. Haidee is a very uncommon name in `
` France, but is common enough in Albania and Epirus; it is as `
` it you said, for example, Chastity, Modesty, Innocence, -- `
` it is a kind of baptismal name, as you Parisians call it." `
` `
` "Oh, that is charming," said Albert, "how I should like to `
` hear my countrywomen called Mademoiselle Goodness, `
` Mademoiselle Silence, Mademoiselle Christian Charity! Only `
` think, then, if Mademoiselle Danglars, instead of being `
` called Claire-Marie-Eugenie, had been named Mademoiselle `
` Chastity-Modesty-Innocence Danglars; what a fine effect that `
` would have produced on the announcement of her marriage!" `
` `
` "Hush," said the count, "do not joke in so loud a tone; `
` Haidee may hear you, perhaps." `
` `
` "And you think she would be angry?" `
` `
` "No, certainly not," said the count with a haughty `
`
` Charles IX. put to Catherine de Medicis, after the massacre `
` of Saint Bartholomew, `How have I played my little part?'" `
` `
` "To what do you allude?" asked Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "To the installation of my rival at M. Danglars'." `
` `
` "What rival?" `
` `
` "Ma foi, what rival? Why, your protege, M. Andrea `
` Cavalcanti!" `
` `
` "Ah, no joking, viscount, if you please; I do not patronize `
` M. Andrea -- at least, not as concerns M. Danglars." `
` `
` "And you would be to blame for not assisting him, if the `
` young man really needed your help in that quarter, but, `
` happily for me, he can dispense with it." `
` `
` "What, do you think he is paying his addresses?" `
` `
` "I am certain of it; his languishing looks and modulated `
` tones when addressing Mademoiselle Danglars fully proclaim `
` his intentions. He aspires to the hand of the proud `
` Eugenie." `
` `
` "What does that signify, so long as they favor your suit?" `
` `
` "But it is not the case, my dear count: on the contrary. I `
` am repulsed on all sides." `
` `
` "What!" `
` `
` "It is so indeed; Mademoiselle Eugenie scarcely answers me, `
` and Mademoiselle d'Armilly, her confidant, does not speak to `
` me at all." `
` `
` "But the father has the greatest regard possible for you," `
` said Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "He? Oh, no, he has plunged a thousand daggers into my `
` heart, tragedy-weapons, I own, which instead of wounding `
` sheathe their points in their own handles, but daggers which `
` he nevertheless believed to be real and deadly." `
` `
` "Jealousy indicates affection." `
` `
` "True; but I am not jealous." `
` `
` "He is." `
` `
` "Of whom? -- of Debray?" `
` `
` "No, of you." `
` `
` "Of me? I will engage to say that before a week is past the `
` door will be closed against me." `
` `
` "You are mistaken, my dear viscount." `
` `
` "Prove it to me." `
` `
` "Do you wish me to do so?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Well, I am charged with the commission of endeavoring to `
` induce the Comte de Morcerf to make some definite `
` arrangement with the baron." `
` `
` "By whom are you charged?" `
` `
` "By the baron himself." `
` `
` "Oh," said Albert with all the cajolery of which he was `
` capable. "You surely will not do that, my dear count?" `
` `
` "Certainly I shall, Albert, as I have promised to do it." `
` `
` "Well," said Albert, with a sigh, "it seems you are `
` determined to marry me." `
` `
` "I am determined to try and be on good terms with everybody, `
` at all events," said Monte Cristo. "But apropos of Debray, `
` how is it that I have not seen him lately at the baron's `
` house?" `
` `
` "There has been a misunderstanding." `
` `
` "What, with the baroness?" `
` `
` "No, with the baron." `
` `
` "Has he perceived anything?" `
` `
` "Ah, that is a good joke!" `
` `
` "Do you think he suspects?" said Monte Cristo with charming `
` artlessness. `
` `
` "Where have you come from, my dear count?" said Albert. `
` `
` "From Congo, if you will." `
` `
` "It must be farther off than even that." `
` `
` "But what do I know of your Parisian husbands?" `
` `
` "Oh, my dear count, husbands are pretty much the same `
` everywhere; an individual husband of any country is a pretty `
` fair specimen of the whole race." `
` `
` "But then, what can have led to the quarrel between Danglars `
` and Debray? They seemed to understand each other so well," `
` said Monte Cristo with renewed energy. `
` `
` "Ah, now you are trying to penetrate into the mysteries of `
` Isis, in which I am not initiated. When M. Andrea Cavalcanti `
` has become one of the family, you can ask him that `
` question." The carriage stopped. "Here we are," said Monte `
` Cristo; "it is only half-past ten o'clock, come in." `
` `
` "Certainly I will." `
` `
` "My carriage shall take you back." `
` `
` "No, thank you; I gave orders for my coupe to follow me." `
` `
` "There it is, then," said Monte Cristo, as he stepped out of `
` the carriage. They both went into the house; the `
` drawing-room was lighted up -- they went in there. "You will `
` make tea for us, Baptistin," said the count. Baptistin left `
` the room without waiting to answer, and in two seconds `
` reappeared, bringing on a waiter all that his master had `
` ordered, ready prepared, and appearing to have sprung from `
` the ground, like the repasts which we read of in fairy `
` tales. "Really, my dear count," said Morcerf. "what I admire `
` in you is, not so much your riches, for perhaps there are `
` people even wealthier than yourself, nor is it only your `
` wit, for Beaumarchais might have possessed as much, -- but `
` it is your manner of being served, without any questions, in `
` a moment, in a second; it is as if they guessed what you `
` wanted by your manner of ringing, and made a point of `
` keeping everything you can possibly desire in constant `
` readiness." `
` `
` "What you say is perhaps true; they know my habits. For `
` instance, you shall see; how do you wish to occupy yourself `
` during tea-time?" `
` `
` "Ma foi, I should like to smoke." `
` `
` Monte Cristo took the gong and struck it once. In about the `
` space of a second a private door opened, and Ali appeared, `
` bringing two chibouques filled with excellent latakia. "It `
` is quite wonderful," said Albert. `
` `
` "Oh no, it is as simple as possible," replied Monte Cristo. `
` "Ali knows I generally smoke while I am taking my tea or `
` coffee; he has heard that I ordered tea, and he also knows `
` that I brought you home with me; when I summoned him he `
` naturally guessed the reason of my doing so, and as he comes `
` from a country where hospitality is especially manifested `
` through the medium of smoking, he naturally concludes that `
` we shall smoke in company, and therefore brings two `
` chibouques instead of one -- and now the mystery is solved." `
` `
` "Certainly you give a most commonplace air to your `
` explanation, but it is not the less true that you -- Ah, but `
` what do I hear?" and Morcerf inclined his head towards the `
` door, through which sounds seemed to issue resembling those `
` of a guitar. `
` `
` "Ma foi, my dear viscount, you are fated to hear music this `
` evening; you have only escaped from Mademoiselle Danglars' `
` piano, to be attacked by Haidee's guzla." `
` `
` "Haidee -- what an adorable name! Are there, then, really `
` women who bear the name of Haidee anywhere but in Byron's `
` poems?" `
` `
` "Certainly there are. Haidee is a very uncommon name in `
` France, but is common enough in Albania and Epirus; it is as `
` it you said, for example, Chastity, Modesty, Innocence, -- `
` it is a kind of baptismal name, as you Parisians call it." `
` `
` "Oh, that is charming," said Albert, "how I should like to `
` hear my countrywomen called Mademoiselle Goodness, `
` Mademoiselle Silence, Mademoiselle Christian Charity! Only `
` think, then, if Mademoiselle Danglars, instead of being `
` called Claire-Marie-Eugenie, had been named Mademoiselle `
` Chastity-Modesty-Innocence Danglars; what a fine effect that `
` would have produced on the announcement of her marriage!" `
` `
` "Hush," said the count, "do not joke in so loud a tone; `
` Haidee may hear you, perhaps." `
` `
` "And you think she would be angry?" `
` `
` "No, certainly not," said the count with a haughty `
`