Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
which all Europe had listened with horror. "Soon," said `
` Haidee, "we halted on our march, and found ourselves on the `
` borders of a lake. My mother pressed me to her throbbing `
` heart, and at the distance of a few paces I saw my father, `
` who was glancing anxiously around. Four marble steps led `
` down to the water's edge, and below them was a boat floating `
` on the tide. `
` `
` "From where we stood I could see in the middle of the lake a `
` large blank mass; it was the kiosk to which we were going. `
` This kiosk appeared to me to be at a considerable distance, `
` perhaps on account of the darkness of the night, which `
` prevented any object from being more than partially `
` discerned. We stepped into the boat. I remember well that `
` the oars made no noise whatever in striking the water, and `
` when I leaned over to ascertain the cause I saw that they `
` were muffled with the sashes of our Palikares.* Besides the `
` rowers, the boat contained only the women, my father, `
` mother, Selim, and myself. The Palikares had remained on the `
` shore of the lake, ready to cover our retreat; they were `
` kneeling on the lowest of the marble steps, and in that `
` manner intended making a rampart of the three others, in `
` case of pursuit. Our bark flew before the wind. `Why does `
` the boat go so fast?' asked I of my mother. `
` `
` * Greek militiamen in the war for independence. -- Ed. `
` `
` "`Silence, child! Hush, we are flying!' I did not `
` understand. Why should my father fly? -- he, the `
` all-powerful -- he, before whom others were accustomed to `
` fly -- he, who had taken for his device, `They hate me; then `
` they fear me!' It was, indeed, a flight which my father was `
` trying to effect. I have been told since that the garrison `
` of the castle of Yanina, fatigued with long service" -- `
` `
` Here Haidee cast a significant glance at Monte Cristo, whose `
` eyes had been riveted on her countenance during the whole `
` course of her narrative. The young girl then continued, `
` speaking slowly, like a person who is either inventing or `
` suppressing some feature of the history which he is `
` relating. "You were saying, signora," said Albert, who was `
` paying the most implicit attention to the recital, "that the `
` garrison of Yanina, fatigued with long service" -- `
` `
` "Had treated with the Serasker* Koorshid, who had been sent `
` by the sultan to gain possession of the person of my father; `
` it was then that Ali Tepelini -- after having sent to the `
` sultan a French officer in whom he reposed great confidence `
` -- resolved to retire to the asylum which he had long before `
` prepared for himself, and which he called kataphygion, or `
` the refuge." `
` `
` "And this officer," asked Albert, "do you remember his name, `
` signora?" Monte Cristo exchanged a rapid glance with the `
` young girl, which was quite unperceived by Albert. "No," `
` said she, "I do not remember it just at this moment; but if `
` it should occur to me presently, I will tell you." Albert `
` was on the point of pronouncing his father's name, when `
` Monte Cristo gently held up his finger in token of reproach; `
` the young man recollected his promise, and was silent. `
` `
` * A Turkish pasha in command of the troops of a province. -- `
` Ed. `
` `
` "It was towards this kiosk that we were rowing. A `
` ground-floor, ornamented with arabesques, bathing its `
` terraces in the water, and another floor, looking on the `
` lake, was all which was visible to the eye. But beneath the `
` ground-floor, stretching out into the island, was a large `
` subterranean cavern, to which my mother, myself, and the `
` women were conducted. In this place were together 60,000 `
` pouches and 200 barrels; the pouches contained 25,000,000 of `
` money in gold, and the barrels were filled with 30,000 `
` pounds of gunpowder. `
` `
` "Near the barrels stood Selim, my father's favorite, whom I `
` mentioned to you just now. He stood watch day and night with `
` a lance provided with a lighted slowmatch in his hand, and `
` he had orders to blow up everything -- kiosk, guards, women, `
` gold, and Ali Tepelini himself -- at the first signal given `
` by my father. I remember well that the slaves, convinced of `
` the precarious tenure on which they held their lives, passed `
` whole days and nights in praying, crying, and groaning. As `
` for me, I can never forget the pale complexion and black `
` eyes of the young soldier, and whenever the angel of death `
` summons me to another world, I am quite sure I shall `
` recognize Selim. I cannot tell you how long we remained in `
` this state; at that period I did not even know what time `
` meant. Sometimes, but very rarely, my father summoned me and `
` my mother to the terrace of the palace; these were hours of `
` recreation for me, as I never saw anything in the dismal `
` cavern but the gloomy countenances of the slaves and Selim's `
` fiery lance. My father was endeavoring to pierce with his `
` eager looks the remotest verge of the horizon, examining `
` attentively every black speck which appeared on the lake, `
` while my mother, reclining by his side, rested her head on `
` his shoulder, and I played at his feet, admiring everything `
` I saw with that unsophisticated innocence of childhood which `
` throws a charm round objects insignificant in themselves, `
` but which in its eyes are invested with the greatest `
` importance. The heights of Pindus towered above us; the `
` castle of Yanina rose white and angular from the blue waters `
` of the lake, and the immense masses of black vegetation `
` which, viewed in the distance, gave the idea of lichens `
` clinging to the rocks, were in reality gigantic fir-trees `
` and myrtles. `
` `
` "One morning my father sent for us; my mother had been `
` crying all the night, and was very wretched; we found the `
` pasha calm, but paler than usual. `Take courage, Vasiliki,' `
` said he; `to-day arrives the firman of the master, and my `
` fate will be decided. If my pardon be complete, we shall `
` return triumphant to Yanina; if the news be inauspicious, we `
` must fly this night.' -- `But supposing our enemy should not `
` allow us to do so?' said my mother. `Oh, make yourself easy `
` on that head,' said Ali, smiling; `Selim and his flaming `
` lance will settle that matter. They would be glad to see me `
` dead, but they would not like themselves to die with me.' `
` `
` "My mother only answered by sighs to consolations which she `
` knew did not come from my father's heart. She prepared the `
` iced water which he was in the habit of constantly drinking, `
` -- for since his sojourn at the kiosk he had been parched by `
` the most violent fever, -- after which she anointed his `
` white beard with perfumed oil, and lighted his chibouque, `
` which he sometimes smoked for hours together, quietly `
` watching the wreaths of vapor that ascended in spiral clouds `
` and gradually melted away in the surrounding atmosphere. `
` Presently he made such a sudden movement that I was `
` paralyzed with fear. Then, without taking his eyes from the `
` object which had first attracted his attention, he asked for `
` his telescope. My mother gave it him, and as she did so, `
` looked whiter than the marble against which she leaned. I `
` saw my father's hand tremble. `A boat! -- two! -- three!' `
` murmured my, father; -- `four!' He then arose, seizing his `
` arms and priming his pistols. `Vasiliki,' said he to my `
` mother, trembling perceptibly, `the instant approaches which `
` will decide everything. In the space of half an hour we `
` shall know the emperor's answer. Go into the cavern with `
` Haidee.' -- `I will not quit you,' said Vasiliki; `if you `
` die, my lord, I will die with you.' -- `Go to Selim!' cried `
` my father. `Adieu, my lord,' murmured my mother, determining `
` quietly to await the approach of death. `Take away `
` Vasiliki!' said my father to his Palikares. `
` `
` "As for me, I had been forgotten in the general confusion; I `
` ran toward Ali Tepelini; he saw me hold out my arms to him, `
` and he stooped down and pressed my forehead with his lips. `
` Oh, how distinctly I remember that kiss! -- it was the last `
` he ever gave me, and I feel as if it were still warm on my `
` forehead. On descending, we saw through the lattice-work `
` several boats which were gradually becoming more distinct to `
` our view. At first they appeared like black specks, and now `
` they looked like birds skimming the surface of the waves. `
` During this time, in the kiosk at my father's feet, were `
` seated twenty Palikares, concealed from view by an angle of `
` the wall and watching with eager eyes the arrival of the `
` boats. They were armed with their long guns inlaid with `
` mother-of-pearl and silver, and cartridges in great numbers `
` were lying scattered on the floor. My father looked at his `
` watch, and paced up and down with a countenance expressive `
` of the greatest anguish. This was the scene which presented `
` itself to my view as I quitted my father after that last `
` kiss. My mother and I traversed the gloomy passage leading `
` to the cavern. Selim was still at his post, and smiled sadly `
` on us as we entered. We fetched our cushions from the other `
` end of the cavern, and sat down by Selim. In great dangers `
` the devoted ones cling to each other; and, young as I was, I `
` quite understood that some imminent danger was hanging over `
` our heads." `
` `
` Albert had often heard -- not from his father, for he never `
` spoke on the subject, but from strangers -- the description `
` of the last moments of the vizier of Yanina; he had read `
` different accounts of his death, but the story seemed to `
` acquire fresh meaning from the voice and expression of the `
` young girl, and her sympathetic accent and the melancholy `
` expression of her countenance at once charmed and horrified `
` him. As to Haidee, these terrible reminiscences seemed to `
` have overpowered her for a moment, for she ceased speaking, `
` her head leaning on her hand like a beautiful flower bowing `
` beneath the violence of the storm; and her eyes gazing on `
` vacancy indicated that she was mentally contemplating the `
` green summit of the Pindus and the blue waters of the lake `
` of Yanina, which, like a magic mirror, seemed to reflect the `
` sombre picture which she sketched. Monte Cristo looked at `
` her with an indescribable expression of interest and pity. `
` `
` "Go on," said the count in the Romaic language. `
` `
` Haidee looked up abruptly, as if the sonorous tones of Monte `
` Cristo's voice had awakened her from a dream; and she `
` resumed her narrative. "It was about four o'clock in the `
` afternoon, and although the day was brilliant out-of-doors, `
` we were enveloped in the gloomy darkness of the cavern. One `
` single, solitary light was burning there, and it appeared `
` like a star set in a heaven of blackness; it was Selim's `
` flaming lance. My mother was a Christian, and she prayed. `
` Selim repeated from time to time the sacred words: `God is `
` great!' However, my mother had still some hope. As she was `
` coming down, she thought she recognized the French officer `
`
` Haidee, "we halted on our march, and found ourselves on the `
` borders of a lake. My mother pressed me to her throbbing `
` heart, and at the distance of a few paces I saw my father, `
` who was glancing anxiously around. Four marble steps led `
` down to the water's edge, and below them was a boat floating `
` on the tide. `
` `
` "From where we stood I could see in the middle of the lake a `
` large blank mass; it was the kiosk to which we were going. `
` This kiosk appeared to me to be at a considerable distance, `
` perhaps on account of the darkness of the night, which `
` prevented any object from being more than partially `
` discerned. We stepped into the boat. I remember well that `
` the oars made no noise whatever in striking the water, and `
` when I leaned over to ascertain the cause I saw that they `
` were muffled with the sashes of our Palikares.* Besides the `
` rowers, the boat contained only the women, my father, `
` mother, Selim, and myself. The Palikares had remained on the `
` shore of the lake, ready to cover our retreat; they were `
` kneeling on the lowest of the marble steps, and in that `
` manner intended making a rampart of the three others, in `
` case of pursuit. Our bark flew before the wind. `Why does `
` the boat go so fast?' asked I of my mother. `
` `
` * Greek militiamen in the war for independence. -- Ed. `
` `
` "`Silence, child! Hush, we are flying!' I did not `
` understand. Why should my father fly? -- he, the `
` all-powerful -- he, before whom others were accustomed to `
` fly -- he, who had taken for his device, `They hate me; then `
` they fear me!' It was, indeed, a flight which my father was `
` trying to effect. I have been told since that the garrison `
` of the castle of Yanina, fatigued with long service" -- `
` `
` Here Haidee cast a significant glance at Monte Cristo, whose `
` eyes had been riveted on her countenance during the whole `
` course of her narrative. The young girl then continued, `
` speaking slowly, like a person who is either inventing or `
` suppressing some feature of the history which he is `
` relating. "You were saying, signora," said Albert, who was `
` paying the most implicit attention to the recital, "that the `
` garrison of Yanina, fatigued with long service" -- `
` `
` "Had treated with the Serasker* Koorshid, who had been sent `
` by the sultan to gain possession of the person of my father; `
` it was then that Ali Tepelini -- after having sent to the `
` sultan a French officer in whom he reposed great confidence `
` -- resolved to retire to the asylum which he had long before `
` prepared for himself, and which he called kataphygion, or `
` the refuge." `
` `
` "And this officer," asked Albert, "do you remember his name, `
` signora?" Monte Cristo exchanged a rapid glance with the `
` young girl, which was quite unperceived by Albert. "No," `
` said she, "I do not remember it just at this moment; but if `
` it should occur to me presently, I will tell you." Albert `
` was on the point of pronouncing his father's name, when `
` Monte Cristo gently held up his finger in token of reproach; `
` the young man recollected his promise, and was silent. `
` `
` * A Turkish pasha in command of the troops of a province. -- `
` Ed. `
` `
` "It was towards this kiosk that we were rowing. A `
` ground-floor, ornamented with arabesques, bathing its `
` terraces in the water, and another floor, looking on the `
` lake, was all which was visible to the eye. But beneath the `
` ground-floor, stretching out into the island, was a large `
` subterranean cavern, to which my mother, myself, and the `
` women were conducted. In this place were together 60,000 `
` pouches and 200 barrels; the pouches contained 25,000,000 of `
` money in gold, and the barrels were filled with 30,000 `
` pounds of gunpowder. `
` `
` "Near the barrels stood Selim, my father's favorite, whom I `
` mentioned to you just now. He stood watch day and night with `
` a lance provided with a lighted slowmatch in his hand, and `
` he had orders to blow up everything -- kiosk, guards, women, `
` gold, and Ali Tepelini himself -- at the first signal given `
` by my father. I remember well that the slaves, convinced of `
` the precarious tenure on which they held their lives, passed `
` whole days and nights in praying, crying, and groaning. As `
` for me, I can never forget the pale complexion and black `
` eyes of the young soldier, and whenever the angel of death `
` summons me to another world, I am quite sure I shall `
` recognize Selim. I cannot tell you how long we remained in `
` this state; at that period I did not even know what time `
` meant. Sometimes, but very rarely, my father summoned me and `
` my mother to the terrace of the palace; these were hours of `
` recreation for me, as I never saw anything in the dismal `
` cavern but the gloomy countenances of the slaves and Selim's `
` fiery lance. My father was endeavoring to pierce with his `
` eager looks the remotest verge of the horizon, examining `
` attentively every black speck which appeared on the lake, `
` while my mother, reclining by his side, rested her head on `
` his shoulder, and I played at his feet, admiring everything `
` I saw with that unsophisticated innocence of childhood which `
` throws a charm round objects insignificant in themselves, `
` but which in its eyes are invested with the greatest `
` importance. The heights of Pindus towered above us; the `
` castle of Yanina rose white and angular from the blue waters `
` of the lake, and the immense masses of black vegetation `
` which, viewed in the distance, gave the idea of lichens `
` clinging to the rocks, were in reality gigantic fir-trees `
` and myrtles. `
` `
` "One morning my father sent for us; my mother had been `
` crying all the night, and was very wretched; we found the `
` pasha calm, but paler than usual. `Take courage, Vasiliki,' `
` said he; `to-day arrives the firman of the master, and my `
` fate will be decided. If my pardon be complete, we shall `
` return triumphant to Yanina; if the news be inauspicious, we `
` must fly this night.' -- `But supposing our enemy should not `
` allow us to do so?' said my mother. `Oh, make yourself easy `
` on that head,' said Ali, smiling; `Selim and his flaming `
` lance will settle that matter. They would be glad to see me `
` dead, but they would not like themselves to die with me.' `
` `
` "My mother only answered by sighs to consolations which she `
` knew did not come from my father's heart. She prepared the `
` iced water which he was in the habit of constantly drinking, `
` -- for since his sojourn at the kiosk he had been parched by `
` the most violent fever, -- after which she anointed his `
` white beard with perfumed oil, and lighted his chibouque, `
` which he sometimes smoked for hours together, quietly `
` watching the wreaths of vapor that ascended in spiral clouds `
` and gradually melted away in the surrounding atmosphere. `
` Presently he made such a sudden movement that I was `
` paralyzed with fear. Then, without taking his eyes from the `
` object which had first attracted his attention, he asked for `
` his telescope. My mother gave it him, and as she did so, `
` looked whiter than the marble against which she leaned. I `
` saw my father's hand tremble. `A boat! -- two! -- three!' `
` murmured my, father; -- `four!' He then arose, seizing his `
` arms and priming his pistols. `Vasiliki,' said he to my `
` mother, trembling perceptibly, `the instant approaches which `
` will decide everything. In the space of half an hour we `
` shall know the emperor's answer. Go into the cavern with `
` Haidee.' -- `I will not quit you,' said Vasiliki; `if you `
` die, my lord, I will die with you.' -- `Go to Selim!' cried `
` my father. `Adieu, my lord,' murmured my mother, determining `
` quietly to await the approach of death. `Take away `
` Vasiliki!' said my father to his Palikares. `
` `
` "As for me, I had been forgotten in the general confusion; I `
` ran toward Ali Tepelini; he saw me hold out my arms to him, `
` and he stooped down and pressed my forehead with his lips. `
` Oh, how distinctly I remember that kiss! -- it was the last `
` he ever gave me, and I feel as if it were still warm on my `
` forehead. On descending, we saw through the lattice-work `
` several boats which were gradually becoming more distinct to `
` our view. At first they appeared like black specks, and now `
` they looked like birds skimming the surface of the waves. `
` During this time, in the kiosk at my father's feet, were `
` seated twenty Palikares, concealed from view by an angle of `
` the wall and watching with eager eyes the arrival of the `
` boats. They were armed with their long guns inlaid with `
` mother-of-pearl and silver, and cartridges in great numbers `
` were lying scattered on the floor. My father looked at his `
` watch, and paced up and down with a countenance expressive `
` of the greatest anguish. This was the scene which presented `
` itself to my view as I quitted my father after that last `
` kiss. My mother and I traversed the gloomy passage leading `
` to the cavern. Selim was still at his post, and smiled sadly `
` on us as we entered. We fetched our cushions from the other `
` end of the cavern, and sat down by Selim. In great dangers `
` the devoted ones cling to each other; and, young as I was, I `
` quite understood that some imminent danger was hanging over `
` our heads." `
` `
` Albert had often heard -- not from his father, for he never `
` spoke on the subject, but from strangers -- the description `
` of the last moments of the vizier of Yanina; he had read `
` different accounts of his death, but the story seemed to `
` acquire fresh meaning from the voice and expression of the `
` young girl, and her sympathetic accent and the melancholy `
` expression of her countenance at once charmed and horrified `
` him. As to Haidee, these terrible reminiscences seemed to `
` have overpowered her for a moment, for she ceased speaking, `
` her head leaning on her hand like a beautiful flower bowing `
` beneath the violence of the storm; and her eyes gazing on `
` vacancy indicated that she was mentally contemplating the `
` green summit of the Pindus and the blue waters of the lake `
` of Yanina, which, like a magic mirror, seemed to reflect the `
` sombre picture which she sketched. Monte Cristo looked at `
` her with an indescribable expression of interest and pity. `
` `
` "Go on," said the count in the Romaic language. `
` `
` Haidee looked up abruptly, as if the sonorous tones of Monte `
` Cristo's voice had awakened her from a dream; and she `
` resumed her narrative. "It was about four o'clock in the `
` afternoon, and although the day was brilliant out-of-doors, `
` we were enveloped in the gloomy darkness of the cavern. One `
` single, solitary light was burning there, and it appeared `
` like a star set in a heaven of blackness; it was Selim's `
` flaming lance. My mother was a Christian, and she prayed. `
` Selim repeated from time to time the sacred words: `God is `
` great!' However, my mother had still some hope. As she was `
` coming down, she thought she recognized the French officer `
`