Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
speed; but ere they had gone many steps they perceived a `
` group advancing towards them, composed of the betrothed `
` pair, a party of young girls in attendance on the bride, by `
` whose side walked Dantes' father; the whole brought up by `
` Fernand, whose lips wore their usual sinister smile. `
` `
` Neither Mercedes nor Edmond observed the strange expression `
` of his countenance; they were so happy that they were `
` conscious only of the sunshine and the presence of each `
` other. `
` `
` Having acquitted themselves of their errand, and exchanged a `
` hearty shake of the hand with Edmond, Danglars and `
` Caderousse took their places beside Fernand and old Dantes, `
` -- the latter of whom attracted universal notice. The old `
` man was attired in a suit of glistening watered silk, `
` trimmed with steel buttons, beautifully cut and polished. `
` His thin but wiry legs were arrayed in a pair of richly `
` embroidered clocked stockings, evidently of English `
` manufacture, while from his three-cornered hat depended a `
` long streaming knot of white and blue ribbons. Thus he came `
` along, supporting himself on a curiously carved stick, his `
` aged countenance lit up with happiness, looking for all the `
` world like one of the aged dandies of 1796, parading the `
` newly opened gardens of the Tuileries and Luxembourg. Beside `
` him glided Caderousse, whose desire to partake of the good `
` things provided for the wedding-party had induced him to `
` become reconciled to the Dantes, father and son, although `
` there still lingered in his mind a faint and unperfect `
` recollection of the events of the preceding night; just as `
` the brain retains on waking in the morning the dim and misty `
` outline of a dream. `
` `
` As Danglars approached the disappointed lover, he cast on `
` him a look of deep meaning, while Fernand, as he slowly `
` paced behind the happy pair, who seemed, in their own `
` unmixed content, to have entirely forgotten that such a `
` being as himself existed, was pale and abstracted; `
` occasionally, however, a deep flush would overspread his `
` countenance, and a nervous contraction distort his features, `
` while, with an agitated and restless gaze, he would glance `
` in the direction of Marseilles, like one who either `
` anticipated or foresaw some great and important event. `
` `
` Dantes himself was simply, but becomingly, clad in the dress `
` peculiar to the merchant service -- a costume somewhat `
` between a military and a civil garb; and with his fine `
` countenance, radiant with joy and happiness, a more perfect `
` specimen of manly beauty could scarcely be imagined. `
` `
` Lovely as the Greek girls of Cyprus or Chios, Mercedes `
` boasted the same bright flashing eyes of jet, and ripe, `
` round, coral lips. She moved with the light, free step of an `
` Arlesienne or an Andalusian. One more practiced in the arts `
` of great cities would have hid her blushes beneath a veil, `
` or, at least, have cast down her thickly fringed lashes, so `
` as to have concealed the liquid lustre of her animated eyes; `
` but, on the contrary, the delighted girl looked around her `
` with a smile that seemed to say: "If you are my friends, `
` rejoice with me, for I am very happy." `
` `
` As soon as the bridal party came in sight of La Reserve, M. `
` Morrel descended and came forth to meet it, followed by the `
` soldiers and sailors there assembled, to whom he had `
` repeated the promise already given, that Dantes should be `
` the successor to the late Captain Leclere. Edmond, at the `
` approach of his patron, respectfully placed the arm of his `
` affianced bride within that of M. Morrel, who, forthwith `
` conducting her up the flight of wooden steps leading to the `
` chamber in which the feast was prepared, was gayly followed `
` by the guests, beneath whose heavy tread the slight `
` structure creaked and groaned for the space of several `
` minutes. `
` `
` "Father," said Mercedes, stopping when she had reached the `
` centre of the table, "sit, I pray you, on my right hand; on `
` my left I will place him who has ever been as a brother to `
` me," pointing with a soft and gentle smile to Fernand; but `
` her words and look seemed to inflict the direst torture on `
` him, for his lips became ghastly pale, and even beneath the `
` dark hue of his complexion the blood might be seen `
` retreating as though some sudden pang drove it back to the `
` heart. `
` `
` During this time, Dantes, at the opposite side of the table, `
` had been occupied in similarly placing his most honored `
` guests. M. Morrel was seated at his right hand, Danglars at `
` his left; while, at a sign from Edmond, the rest of the `
` company ranged themselves as they found it most agreeable. `
` `
` Then they began to pass around the dusky, piquant, Arlesian `
` sausages, and lobsters in their dazzling red cuirasses, `
` prawns of large size and brilliant color, the echinus with `
` its prickly outside and dainty morsel within, the clovis, `
` esteemed by the epicures of the South as more than rivalling `
` the exquisite flavor of the oyster, -- all the delicacies, `
` in fact, that are cast up by the wash of waters on the sandy `
` beach, and styled by the grateful fishermen "fruits of the `
` sea." `
` `
` "A pretty silence truly!" said the old father of the `
` bride-groom, as he carried to his lips a glass of wine of `
` the hue and brightness of the topaz, and which had just been `
` placed before Mercedes herself. "Now, would anybody think `
` that this room contained a happy, merry party, who desire `
` nothing better than to laugh and dance the hours away?" `
` `
` "Ah," sighed Caderousse, "a man cannot always feel happy `
` because he is about to be married." `
` `
` "The truth is," replied Dantes, "that I am too happy for `
` noisy mirth; if that is what you meant by your observation, `
` my worthy friend, you are right; joy takes a strange effect `
` at times, it seems to oppress us almost the same as sorrow." `
` `
` Danglars looked towards Fernand, whose excitable nature `
` received and betrayed each fresh impression. `
` `
` "Why, what ails you?" asked he of Edmond. "Do you fear any `
` approaching evil? I should say that you were the happiest `
` man alive at this instant." `
` `
` "And that is the very thing that alarms me," returned `
` Dantes. "Man does not appear to me to be intended to enjoy `
` felicity so unmixed; happiness is like the enchanted palaces `
` we read of in our childhood, where fierce, fiery dragons `
` defend the entrance and approach; and monsters of all shapes `
` and kinds, requiring to be overcome ere victory is ours. I `
` own that I am lost in wonder to find myself promoted to an `
` honor of which I feel myself unworthy -- that of being the `
` husband of Mercedes." `
` `
` "Nay, nay!" cried Caderousse, smiling, "you have not `
` attained that honor yet. Mercedes is not yet your wife. Just `
` assume the tone and manner of a husband, and see how she `
` will remind you that your hour is not yet come!" `
` `
` The bride blushed, while Fernand, restless and uneasy, `
` seemed to start at every fresh sound, and from time to time `
` wiped away the large drops of perspiration that gathered on `
` his brow. `
` `
` "Well, never mind that, neighbor Caderousse; it is not worth `
` while to contradict me for such a trifle as that. 'Tis true `
` that Mercedes is not actually my wife; but," added he, `
` drawing out his watch, "in an hour and a half she will be." `
` `
` A general exclamation of surprise ran round the table, with `
` the exception of the elder Dantes, whose laugh displayed the `
` still perfect beauty of his large white teeth. Mercedes `
` looked pleased and gratified, while Fernand grasped the `
` handle of his knife with a convulsive clutch. `
` `
` "In an hour?" inquired Danglars, turning pale. "How is that, `
` my friend?" `
` `
` "Why, thus it is," replied Dantes. "Thanks to the influence `
` of M. Morrel, to whom, next to my father, I owe every `
` blessing I enjoy, every difficulty his been removed. We have `
` purchased permission to waive the usual delay; and at `
` half-past two o'clock the mayor of Marseilles will be `
` waiting for us at the city hall. Now, as a quarter-past one `
` has already struck, I do not consider I have asserted too `
` much in saying, that, in another hour and thirty minutes `
` Mercedes will have become Madame Dantes." `
` `
` Fernand closed his eyes, a burning sensation passed across `
` his brow, and he was compelled to support himself by the `
` table to prevent his falling from his chair; but in spite of `
` all his efforts, he could not refrain from uttering a deep `
` groan, which, however, was lost amid the noisy felicitations `
` of the company. `
` `
` "Upon my word," cried the old man, "you make short work of `
` this kind of affair. Arrived here only yesterday morning, `
` and married to-day at three o'clock! Commend me to a sailor `
` for going the quick way to work!" `
` `
` "But," asked Danglars, in a timid tone, "how did you manage `
` about the other formalities -- the contract -- the `
` settlement?" `
` `
` "The contract," answered Dantes, laughingly, "it didn't take `
` long to fix that. Mercedes has no fortune; I have none to `
` settle on her. So, you see, our papers were quickly written `
` out, and certainly do not come very expensive." This joke `
` elicited a fresh burst of applause. `
` `
` "So that what we presumed to be merely the betrothal feast `
` turns out to be the actual wedding dinner!" said Danglars. `
` `
` "No, no," answered Dantes; "don't imagine I am going to put `
` you off in that shabby manner. To-morrow morning I start for `
` Paris; four days to go, and the same to return, with one day `
` to discharge the commission intrusted to me, is all the time `
` I shall be absent. I shall be back here by the first of `
` March, and on the second I give my real marriage feast." `
` `
` This prospect of fresh festivity redoubled the hilarity of `
` the guests to such a degree, that the elder Dantes, who, at `
` the commencement of the repast, had commented upon the `
`
` group advancing towards them, composed of the betrothed `
` pair, a party of young girls in attendance on the bride, by `
` whose side walked Dantes' father; the whole brought up by `
` Fernand, whose lips wore their usual sinister smile. `
` `
` Neither Mercedes nor Edmond observed the strange expression `
` of his countenance; they were so happy that they were `
` conscious only of the sunshine and the presence of each `
` other. `
` `
` Having acquitted themselves of their errand, and exchanged a `
` hearty shake of the hand with Edmond, Danglars and `
` Caderousse took their places beside Fernand and old Dantes, `
` -- the latter of whom attracted universal notice. The old `
` man was attired in a suit of glistening watered silk, `
` trimmed with steel buttons, beautifully cut and polished. `
` His thin but wiry legs were arrayed in a pair of richly `
` embroidered clocked stockings, evidently of English `
` manufacture, while from his three-cornered hat depended a `
` long streaming knot of white and blue ribbons. Thus he came `
` along, supporting himself on a curiously carved stick, his `
` aged countenance lit up with happiness, looking for all the `
` world like one of the aged dandies of 1796, parading the `
` newly opened gardens of the Tuileries and Luxembourg. Beside `
` him glided Caderousse, whose desire to partake of the good `
` things provided for the wedding-party had induced him to `
` become reconciled to the Dantes, father and son, although `
` there still lingered in his mind a faint and unperfect `
` recollection of the events of the preceding night; just as `
` the brain retains on waking in the morning the dim and misty `
` outline of a dream. `
` `
` As Danglars approached the disappointed lover, he cast on `
` him a look of deep meaning, while Fernand, as he slowly `
` paced behind the happy pair, who seemed, in their own `
` unmixed content, to have entirely forgotten that such a `
` being as himself existed, was pale and abstracted; `
` occasionally, however, a deep flush would overspread his `
` countenance, and a nervous contraction distort his features, `
` while, with an agitated and restless gaze, he would glance `
` in the direction of Marseilles, like one who either `
` anticipated or foresaw some great and important event. `
` `
` Dantes himself was simply, but becomingly, clad in the dress `
` peculiar to the merchant service -- a costume somewhat `
` between a military and a civil garb; and with his fine `
` countenance, radiant with joy and happiness, a more perfect `
` specimen of manly beauty could scarcely be imagined. `
` `
` Lovely as the Greek girls of Cyprus or Chios, Mercedes `
` boasted the same bright flashing eyes of jet, and ripe, `
` round, coral lips. She moved with the light, free step of an `
` Arlesienne or an Andalusian. One more practiced in the arts `
` of great cities would have hid her blushes beneath a veil, `
` or, at least, have cast down her thickly fringed lashes, so `
` as to have concealed the liquid lustre of her animated eyes; `
` but, on the contrary, the delighted girl looked around her `
` with a smile that seemed to say: "If you are my friends, `
` rejoice with me, for I am very happy." `
` `
` As soon as the bridal party came in sight of La Reserve, M. `
` Morrel descended and came forth to meet it, followed by the `
` soldiers and sailors there assembled, to whom he had `
` repeated the promise already given, that Dantes should be `
` the successor to the late Captain Leclere. Edmond, at the `
` approach of his patron, respectfully placed the arm of his `
` affianced bride within that of M. Morrel, who, forthwith `
` conducting her up the flight of wooden steps leading to the `
` chamber in which the feast was prepared, was gayly followed `
` by the guests, beneath whose heavy tread the slight `
` structure creaked and groaned for the space of several `
` minutes. `
` `
` "Father," said Mercedes, stopping when she had reached the `
` centre of the table, "sit, I pray you, on my right hand; on `
` my left I will place him who has ever been as a brother to `
` me," pointing with a soft and gentle smile to Fernand; but `
` her words and look seemed to inflict the direst torture on `
` him, for his lips became ghastly pale, and even beneath the `
` dark hue of his complexion the blood might be seen `
` retreating as though some sudden pang drove it back to the `
` heart. `
` `
` During this time, Dantes, at the opposite side of the table, `
` had been occupied in similarly placing his most honored `
` guests. M. Morrel was seated at his right hand, Danglars at `
` his left; while, at a sign from Edmond, the rest of the `
` company ranged themselves as they found it most agreeable. `
` `
` Then they began to pass around the dusky, piquant, Arlesian `
` sausages, and lobsters in their dazzling red cuirasses, `
` prawns of large size and brilliant color, the echinus with `
` its prickly outside and dainty morsel within, the clovis, `
` esteemed by the epicures of the South as more than rivalling `
` the exquisite flavor of the oyster, -- all the delicacies, `
` in fact, that are cast up by the wash of waters on the sandy `
` beach, and styled by the grateful fishermen "fruits of the `
` sea." `
` `
` "A pretty silence truly!" said the old father of the `
` bride-groom, as he carried to his lips a glass of wine of `
` the hue and brightness of the topaz, and which had just been `
` placed before Mercedes herself. "Now, would anybody think `
` that this room contained a happy, merry party, who desire `
` nothing better than to laugh and dance the hours away?" `
` `
` "Ah," sighed Caderousse, "a man cannot always feel happy `
` because he is about to be married." `
` `
` "The truth is," replied Dantes, "that I am too happy for `
` noisy mirth; if that is what you meant by your observation, `
` my worthy friend, you are right; joy takes a strange effect `
` at times, it seems to oppress us almost the same as sorrow." `
` `
` Danglars looked towards Fernand, whose excitable nature `
` received and betrayed each fresh impression. `
` `
` "Why, what ails you?" asked he of Edmond. "Do you fear any `
` approaching evil? I should say that you were the happiest `
` man alive at this instant." `
` `
` "And that is the very thing that alarms me," returned `
` Dantes. "Man does not appear to me to be intended to enjoy `
` felicity so unmixed; happiness is like the enchanted palaces `
` we read of in our childhood, where fierce, fiery dragons `
` defend the entrance and approach; and monsters of all shapes `
` and kinds, requiring to be overcome ere victory is ours. I `
` own that I am lost in wonder to find myself promoted to an `
` honor of which I feel myself unworthy -- that of being the `
` husband of Mercedes." `
` `
` "Nay, nay!" cried Caderousse, smiling, "you have not `
` attained that honor yet. Mercedes is not yet your wife. Just `
` assume the tone and manner of a husband, and see how she `
` will remind you that your hour is not yet come!" `
` `
` The bride blushed, while Fernand, restless and uneasy, `
` seemed to start at every fresh sound, and from time to time `
` wiped away the large drops of perspiration that gathered on `
` his brow. `
` `
` "Well, never mind that, neighbor Caderousse; it is not worth `
` while to contradict me for such a trifle as that. 'Tis true `
` that Mercedes is not actually my wife; but," added he, `
` drawing out his watch, "in an hour and a half she will be." `
` `
` A general exclamation of surprise ran round the table, with `
` the exception of the elder Dantes, whose laugh displayed the `
` still perfect beauty of his large white teeth. Mercedes `
` looked pleased and gratified, while Fernand grasped the `
` handle of his knife with a convulsive clutch. `
` `
` "In an hour?" inquired Danglars, turning pale. "How is that, `
` my friend?" `
` `
` "Why, thus it is," replied Dantes. "Thanks to the influence `
` of M. Morrel, to whom, next to my father, I owe every `
` blessing I enjoy, every difficulty his been removed. We have `
` purchased permission to waive the usual delay; and at `
` half-past two o'clock the mayor of Marseilles will be `
` waiting for us at the city hall. Now, as a quarter-past one `
` has already struck, I do not consider I have asserted too `
` much in saying, that, in another hour and thirty minutes `
` Mercedes will have become Madame Dantes." `
` `
` Fernand closed his eyes, a burning sensation passed across `
` his brow, and he was compelled to support himself by the `
` table to prevent his falling from his chair; but in spite of `
` all his efforts, he could not refrain from uttering a deep `
` groan, which, however, was lost amid the noisy felicitations `
` of the company. `
` `
` "Upon my word," cried the old man, "you make short work of `
` this kind of affair. Arrived here only yesterday morning, `
` and married to-day at three o'clock! Commend me to a sailor `
` for going the quick way to work!" `
` `
` "But," asked Danglars, in a timid tone, "how did you manage `
` about the other formalities -- the contract -- the `
` settlement?" `
` `
` "The contract," answered Dantes, laughingly, "it didn't take `
` long to fix that. Mercedes has no fortune; I have none to `
` settle on her. So, you see, our papers were quickly written `
` out, and certainly do not come very expensive." This joke `
` elicited a fresh burst of applause. `
` `
` "So that what we presumed to be merely the betrothal feast `
` turns out to be the actual wedding dinner!" said Danglars. `
` `
` "No, no," answered Dantes; "don't imagine I am going to put `
` you off in that shabby manner. To-morrow morning I start for `
` Paris; four days to go, and the same to return, with one day `
` to discharge the commission intrusted to me, is all the time `
` I shall be absent. I shall be back here by the first of `
` March, and on the second I give my real marriage feast." `
` `
` This prospect of fresh festivity redoubled the hilarity of `
` the guests to such a degree, that the elder Dantes, who, at `
` the commencement of the repast, had commented upon the `
`