Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
the commencement of the repast, had commented upon the `
` silence that prevailed, now found it difficult, amid the `
` general din of voices, to obtain a moment's tranquillity in `
` which to drink to the health and prosperity of the bride and `
` bride-groom. `
` `
` Dantes, perceiving the affectionate eagerness of his father, `
` responded by a look of grateful pleasure; while Mercedes `
` glanced at the clock and made an expressive gesture to `
` Edmond. `
` `
` Around the table reigned that noisy hilarity which usually `
` prevails at such a time among people sufficiently free from `
` the demands of social position not to feel the trammels of `
` etiquette. Such as at the commencement of the repast had not `
` been able to seat themselves according to their inclination `
` rose unceremoniously, and sought out more agreeable `
` companions. Everybody talked at once, without waiting for a `
` reply and each one seemed to be contented with expressing `
` his or her own thoughts. `
` `
` Fernand's paleness appeared to have communicated itself to `
` Danglars. As for Fernand himself, he seemed to be enduring `
` the tortures of the damned; unable to rest, he was among the `
` first to quit the table, and, as though seeking to avoid the `
` hilarious mirth that rose in such deafening sounds, he `
` continued, in utter silence, to pace the farther end of the `
` salon. `
` `
` Caderousse approached him just as Danglars, whom Fernand `
` seemed most anxious to avoid, had joined him in a corner of `
` the room. `
` `
` "Upon my word," said Caderousse, from whose mind the `
` friendly treatment of Dantes, united with the effect of the `
` excellent wine he had partaken of, had effaced every feeling `
` of envy or jealousy at Dantes' good fortune, -- "upon my `
` word, Dantes is a downright good fellow, and when I see him `
` sitting there beside his pretty wife that is so soon to be. `
` I cannot help thinking it would have been a great pity to `
` have served him that trick you were planning yesterday." `
` `
` "Oh, there was no harm meant," answered Danglars; "at first `
` I certainly did feel somewhat uneasy as to what Fernand `
` might be tempted to do; but when I saw how completely he had `
` mastered his feelings, even so far as to become one of his `
` rival's attendants, I knew there was no further cause for `
` apprehension." Caderousse looked full at Fernand -- he was `
` ghastly pale. `
` `
` "Certainly," continued Danglars, "the sacrifice was no `
` trifling one, when the beauty of the bride is concerned. `
` Upon my soul, that future captain of mine is a lucky dog! `
` Gad, I only wish he would let me take his place." `
` `
` "Shall we not set forth?" asked the sweet, silvery voice of `
` Mercedes; "two o'clock has just struck, and you know we are `
` expected in a quarter of an hour." `
` `
` "To be sure! -- to be sure!" cried Dantes, eagerly quitting `
` the table; "let us go directly!" `
` `
` His words were re-echoed by the whole party, with vociferous `
` cheers. `
` `
` At this moment Danglars, who had been incessantly observing `
` every change in Fernand's look and manner, saw him stagger `
` and fall back, with an almost convulsive spasm, against a `
` seat placed near one of the open windows. At the same `
` instant his ear caught a sort of indistinct sound on the `
` stairs, followed by the measured tread of soldiery, with the `
` clanking of swords and military accoutrements; then came a `
` hum and buzz as of many voices, so as to deaden even the `
` noisy mirth of the bridal party, among whom a vague feeling `
` of curiosity and apprehension quelled every disposition to `
` talk, and almost instantaneously the most deathlike `
` stillness prevailed. `
` `
` The sounds drew nearer. Three blows were struck upon the `
` panel of the door. The company looked at each other in `
` consternation. `
` `
` "I demand admittance," said a loud voice outside the room, `
` "in the name of the law!" As no attempt was made to prevent `
` it, the door was opened, and a magistrate, wearing his `
` official scarf, presented himself, followed by four soldiers `
` and a corporal. Uneasiness now yielded to the most extreme `
` dread on the part of those present. `
` `
` "May I venture to inquire the reason of this unexpected `
` visit?" said M. Morrel, addressing the magistrate, whom he `
` evidently knew; "there is doubtless some mistake easily `
` explained." `
` `
` "If it be so," replied the magistrate, "rely upon every `
` reparation being made; meanwhile, I am the bearer of an `
` order of arrest, and although I most reluctantly perform the `
` task assigned me, it must, nevertheless, be fulfilled. Who `
` among the persons here assembled answers to the name of `
` Edmond Dantes?" Every eye was turned towards the young man `
` who, spite of the agitation he could not but feel, advanced `
` with dignity, and said, in a firm voice, "I am he; what is `
` your pleasure with me?" `
` `
` "Edmond Dantes," replied the magistrate, "I arrest you in `
` the name of the law!" `
` `
` "Me!" repeated Edmond, slightly changing color, "and `
` wherefore, I pray?" `
` `
` "I cannot inform you, but you will be duly acquainted with `
` the reasons that have rendered such a step necessary at the `
` preliminary examination." `
` `
` M. Morrel felt that further resistance or remonstrance was `
` useless. He saw before him an officer delegated to enforce `
` the law, and perfectly well knew that it would be as `
` unavailing to seek pity from a magistrate decked with his `
` official scarf, as to address a petition to some cold marble `
` effigy. Old Dantes, however, sprang forward. There are `
` situations which the heart of a father or a mother cannot be `
` made to understand. He prayed and supplicated in terms so `
` moving, that even the officer was touched, and, although `
` firm in his duty, he kindly said, "My worthy friend, let me `
` beg of you to calm your apprehensions. Your son has probably `
` neglected some prescribed form or attention in registering `
` his cargo, and it is more than probable he will be set at `
` liberty directly he has given the information required, `
` whether touching the health of his crew, or the value of his `
` freight." `
` `
` "What is the meaning of all this?" inquired Caderousse, `
` frowningly, of Danglars, who had assumed an air of utter `
` surprise. `
` `
` "How can I tell you?" replied he; "I am, like yourself, `
` utterly bewildered at all that is going on, and cannot in `
` the least make out what it is about." Caderousse then looked `
` around for Fernand, but he had disappeared. `
` `
` The scene of the previous night now came back to his mind `
` with startling clearness. The painful catastrophe he had `
` just witnessed appeared effectually to have rent away the `
` veil which the intoxication of the evening before had raised `
` between himself and his memory. `
` `
` "So, so," said he, in a hoarse and choking voice, to `
` Danglars, "this, then, I suppose, is a part of the trick you `
` were concerting yesterday? All I can say is, that if it be `
` so, 'tis an ill turn, and well deserves to bring double evil `
` on those who have projected it." `
` `
` "Nonsense," returned Danglars, "I tell you again I have `
` nothing whatever to do with it; besides, you know very well `
` that I tore the paper to pieces." `
` `
` "No, you did not!" answered Caderousse, "you merely threw it `
` by -- I saw it lying in a corner." `
` `
` "Hold your tongue, you fool! -- what should you know about `
` it? -- why, you were drunk!" `
` `
` "Where is Fernand?" inquired Caderousse. `
` `
` "How do I know?" replied Danglars; "gone, as every prudent `
` man ought to be, to look after his own affairs, most likely. `
` Never mind where he is, let you and I go and see what is to `
` be done for our poor friends." `
` `
` During this conversation, Dantes, after having exchanged a `
` cheerful shake of the hand with all his sympathizing `
` friends, had surrendered himself to the officer sent to `
` arrest him, merely saying, "Make yourselves quite easy, my `
` good fellows, there is some little mistake to clear up, `
` that's all, depend upon it; and very likely I may not have `
` to go so far as the prison to effect that." `
` `
` "Oh, to be sure!" responded Danglars, who had now approached `
` the group, "nothing more than a mistake, I feel quite `
` certain." `
` `
` Dantes descended the staircase, preceded by the magistrate, `
` and followed by the soldiers. A carriage awaited him at the `
` door; he got in, followed by two soldiers and the `
` magistrate, and the vehicle drove off towards Marseilles. `
` `
` "Adieu, adieu, dearest Edmond!" cried Mercedes, stretching `
` out her arms to him from the balcony. `
` `
` The prisoner heard the cry, which sounded like the sob of a `
` broken heart, and leaning from the coach he called out, `
` "Good-by, Mercedes -- we shall soon meet again!" Then the `
` vehicle disappeared round one of the turnings of Fort Saint `
` Nicholas. `
` `
` "Wait for me here, all of you!" cried M. Morrel; "I will `
` take the first conveyance I find, and hurry to Marseilles, `
` whence I will bring you word how all is going on." `
` `
` "That's right!" exclaimed a multitude of voices, "go, and `
` return as quickly as you can!" `
`
` silence that prevailed, now found it difficult, amid the `
` general din of voices, to obtain a moment's tranquillity in `
` which to drink to the health and prosperity of the bride and `
` bride-groom. `
` `
` Dantes, perceiving the affectionate eagerness of his father, `
` responded by a look of grateful pleasure; while Mercedes `
` glanced at the clock and made an expressive gesture to `
` Edmond. `
` `
` Around the table reigned that noisy hilarity which usually `
` prevails at such a time among people sufficiently free from `
` the demands of social position not to feel the trammels of `
` etiquette. Such as at the commencement of the repast had not `
` been able to seat themselves according to their inclination `
` rose unceremoniously, and sought out more agreeable `
` companions. Everybody talked at once, without waiting for a `
` reply and each one seemed to be contented with expressing `
` his or her own thoughts. `
` `
` Fernand's paleness appeared to have communicated itself to `
` Danglars. As for Fernand himself, he seemed to be enduring `
` the tortures of the damned; unable to rest, he was among the `
` first to quit the table, and, as though seeking to avoid the `
` hilarious mirth that rose in such deafening sounds, he `
` continued, in utter silence, to pace the farther end of the `
` salon. `
` `
` Caderousse approached him just as Danglars, whom Fernand `
` seemed most anxious to avoid, had joined him in a corner of `
` the room. `
` `
` "Upon my word," said Caderousse, from whose mind the `
` friendly treatment of Dantes, united with the effect of the `
` excellent wine he had partaken of, had effaced every feeling `
` of envy or jealousy at Dantes' good fortune, -- "upon my `
` word, Dantes is a downright good fellow, and when I see him `
` sitting there beside his pretty wife that is so soon to be. `
` I cannot help thinking it would have been a great pity to `
` have served him that trick you were planning yesterday." `
` `
` "Oh, there was no harm meant," answered Danglars; "at first `
` I certainly did feel somewhat uneasy as to what Fernand `
` might be tempted to do; but when I saw how completely he had `
` mastered his feelings, even so far as to become one of his `
` rival's attendants, I knew there was no further cause for `
` apprehension." Caderousse looked full at Fernand -- he was `
` ghastly pale. `
` `
` "Certainly," continued Danglars, "the sacrifice was no `
` trifling one, when the beauty of the bride is concerned. `
` Upon my soul, that future captain of mine is a lucky dog! `
` Gad, I only wish he would let me take his place." `
` `
` "Shall we not set forth?" asked the sweet, silvery voice of `
` Mercedes; "two o'clock has just struck, and you know we are `
` expected in a quarter of an hour." `
` `
` "To be sure! -- to be sure!" cried Dantes, eagerly quitting `
` the table; "let us go directly!" `
` `
` His words were re-echoed by the whole party, with vociferous `
` cheers. `
` `
` At this moment Danglars, who had been incessantly observing `
` every change in Fernand's look and manner, saw him stagger `
` and fall back, with an almost convulsive spasm, against a `
` seat placed near one of the open windows. At the same `
` instant his ear caught a sort of indistinct sound on the `
` stairs, followed by the measured tread of soldiery, with the `
` clanking of swords and military accoutrements; then came a `
` hum and buzz as of many voices, so as to deaden even the `
` noisy mirth of the bridal party, among whom a vague feeling `
` of curiosity and apprehension quelled every disposition to `
` talk, and almost instantaneously the most deathlike `
` stillness prevailed. `
` `
` The sounds drew nearer. Three blows were struck upon the `
` panel of the door. The company looked at each other in `
` consternation. `
` `
` "I demand admittance," said a loud voice outside the room, `
` "in the name of the law!" As no attempt was made to prevent `
` it, the door was opened, and a magistrate, wearing his `
` official scarf, presented himself, followed by four soldiers `
` and a corporal. Uneasiness now yielded to the most extreme `
` dread on the part of those present. `
` `
` "May I venture to inquire the reason of this unexpected `
` visit?" said M. Morrel, addressing the magistrate, whom he `
` evidently knew; "there is doubtless some mistake easily `
` explained." `
` `
` "If it be so," replied the magistrate, "rely upon every `
` reparation being made; meanwhile, I am the bearer of an `
` order of arrest, and although I most reluctantly perform the `
` task assigned me, it must, nevertheless, be fulfilled. Who `
` among the persons here assembled answers to the name of `
` Edmond Dantes?" Every eye was turned towards the young man `
` who, spite of the agitation he could not but feel, advanced `
` with dignity, and said, in a firm voice, "I am he; what is `
` your pleasure with me?" `
` `
` "Edmond Dantes," replied the magistrate, "I arrest you in `
` the name of the law!" `
` `
` "Me!" repeated Edmond, slightly changing color, "and `
` wherefore, I pray?" `
` `
` "I cannot inform you, but you will be duly acquainted with `
` the reasons that have rendered such a step necessary at the `
` preliminary examination." `
` `
` M. Morrel felt that further resistance or remonstrance was `
` useless. He saw before him an officer delegated to enforce `
` the law, and perfectly well knew that it would be as `
` unavailing to seek pity from a magistrate decked with his `
` official scarf, as to address a petition to some cold marble `
` effigy. Old Dantes, however, sprang forward. There are `
` situations which the heart of a father or a mother cannot be `
` made to understand. He prayed and supplicated in terms so `
` moving, that even the officer was touched, and, although `
` firm in his duty, he kindly said, "My worthy friend, let me `
` beg of you to calm your apprehensions. Your son has probably `
` neglected some prescribed form or attention in registering `
` his cargo, and it is more than probable he will be set at `
` liberty directly he has given the information required, `
` whether touching the health of his crew, or the value of his `
` freight." `
` `
` "What is the meaning of all this?" inquired Caderousse, `
` frowningly, of Danglars, who had assumed an air of utter `
` surprise. `
` `
` "How can I tell you?" replied he; "I am, like yourself, `
` utterly bewildered at all that is going on, and cannot in `
` the least make out what it is about." Caderousse then looked `
` around for Fernand, but he had disappeared. `
` `
` The scene of the previous night now came back to his mind `
` with startling clearness. The painful catastrophe he had `
` just witnessed appeared effectually to have rent away the `
` veil which the intoxication of the evening before had raised `
` between himself and his memory. `
` `
` "So, so," said he, in a hoarse and choking voice, to `
` Danglars, "this, then, I suppose, is a part of the trick you `
` were concerting yesterday? All I can say is, that if it be `
` so, 'tis an ill turn, and well deserves to bring double evil `
` on those who have projected it." `
` `
` "Nonsense," returned Danglars, "I tell you again I have `
` nothing whatever to do with it; besides, you know very well `
` that I tore the paper to pieces." `
` `
` "No, you did not!" answered Caderousse, "you merely threw it `
` by -- I saw it lying in a corner." `
` `
` "Hold your tongue, you fool! -- what should you know about `
` it? -- why, you were drunk!" `
` `
` "Where is Fernand?" inquired Caderousse. `
` `
` "How do I know?" replied Danglars; "gone, as every prudent `
` man ought to be, to look after his own affairs, most likely. `
` Never mind where he is, let you and I go and see what is to `
` be done for our poor friends." `
` `
` During this conversation, Dantes, after having exchanged a `
` cheerful shake of the hand with all his sympathizing `
` friends, had surrendered himself to the officer sent to `
` arrest him, merely saying, "Make yourselves quite easy, my `
` good fellows, there is some little mistake to clear up, `
` that's all, depend upon it; and very likely I may not have `
` to go so far as the prison to effect that." `
` `
` "Oh, to be sure!" responded Danglars, who had now approached `
` the group, "nothing more than a mistake, I feel quite `
` certain." `
` `
` Dantes descended the staircase, preceded by the magistrate, `
` and followed by the soldiers. A carriage awaited him at the `
` door; he got in, followed by two soldiers and the `
` magistrate, and the vehicle drove off towards Marseilles. `
` `
` "Adieu, adieu, dearest Edmond!" cried Mercedes, stretching `
` out her arms to him from the balcony. `
` `
` The prisoner heard the cry, which sounded like the sob of a `
` broken heart, and leaning from the coach he called out, `
` "Good-by, Mercedes -- we shall soon meet again!" Then the `
` vehicle disappeared round one of the turnings of Fort Saint `
` Nicholas. `
` `
` "Wait for me here, all of you!" cried M. Morrel; "I will `
` take the first conveyance I find, and hurry to Marseilles, `
` whence I will bring you word how all is going on." `
` `
` "That's right!" exclaimed a multitude of voices, "go, and `
` return as quickly as you can!" `
`