Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
return as quickly as you can!" `
` `
` This second departure was followed by a long and fearful `
` state of terrified silence on the part of those who were `
` left behind. The old father and Mercedes remained for some `
` time apart, each absorbed in grief; but at length the two `
` poor victims of the same blow raised their eyes, and with a `
` simultaneous burst of feeling rushed into each other's arms. `
` `
` Meanwhile Fernand made his appearance, poured out for `
` himself a glass of water with a trembling hand; then hastily `
` swallowing it, went to sit down at the first vacant place, `
` and this was, by mere chance, placed next to the seat on `
` which poor Mercedes had fallen half fainting, when released `
` from the warm and affectionate embrace of old Dantes. `
` Instinctively Fernand drew back his chair. `
` `
` "He is the cause of all this misery -- I am quite sure of `
` it," whispered Caderousse, who had never taken his eyes off `
` Fernand, to Danglars. `
` `
` "I don't think so," answered the other; he's too stupid to `
` imagine such a scheme. I only hope the mischief will fall `
` upon the head of whoever wrought it." `
` `
` "You don't mention those who aided and abetted the deed," `
` said Caderousse. `
` `
` "Surely," answered Danglars, "one cannot be held responsible `
` for every chance arrow shot into the air." `
` `
` "You can, indeed, when the arrow lights point downward on `
` somebody's head." `
` `
` Meantime the subject of the arrest was being canvassed in `
` every different form. `
` `
` "What think you, Danglars," said one of the party, turning `
` towards him, "of this event?" `
` `
` "Why," replied he, "I think it just possible Dantes may have `
` been detected with some trifling article on board ship `
` considered here as contraband." `
` `
` "But how could he have done so without your knowledge, `
` Danglars, since you are the ship's supercargo?" `
` `
` "Why, as for that, I could only know what I was told `
` respecting the merchandise with which the vessel was laden. `
` I know she was loaded with cotton, and that she took in her `
` freight at Alexandria from Pastret's warehouse, and at `
` Smyrna from Pascal's; that is all I was obliged to know, and `
` I beg I may not be asked for any further particulars." `
` `
` "Now I recollect," said the afflicted old father; "my poor `
` boy told me yesterday he had got a small case of coffee, and `
` another of tobacco for me!" `
` `
` "There, you see," exclaimed Danglars. "Now the mischief is `
` out; depend upon it the custom-house people went rummaging `
` about the ship in our absence, and discovered poor Dantes' `
` hidden treasures." `
` `
` Mercedes, however, paid no heed to this explanation of her `
` lover's arrest. Her grief, which she had hitherto tried to `
` restrain, now burst out in a violent fit of hysterical `
` sobbing. `
` `
` "Come, come," said the old man, "be comforted, my poor `
` child; there is still hope!" `
` `
` "Hope!" repeated Danglars. `
` `
` "Hope!" faintly murmured Fernand, but the word seemed to die `
` away on his pale agitated lips, and a convulsive spasm `
` passed over his countenance. `
` `
` "Good news! good news!" shouted forth one of the party `
` stationed in the balcony on the lookout. "Here comes M. `
` Morrel back. No doubt, now, we shall hear that our friend is `
` released!" `
` `
` Mercedes and the old man rushed to meet the shipowner and `
` greeted him at the door. He was very pale. `
` `
` "What news?" exclaimed a general burst of voices. `
` `
` "Alas, my friends," replied M. Morrel, with a mournful shake `
` of his head, "the thing has assumed a more serious aspect `
` than I expected." `
` `
` "Oh, indeed -- indeed, sir, he is innocent!" sobbed forth `
` Mercedes. `
` `
` "That I believe!" answered M. Morrel; "but still he is `
` charged" -- `
` `
` "With what?" inquired the elder Dantes. `
` `
` "With being an agent of the Bonapartist faction!" Many of `
` our readers may be able to recollect how formidable such an `
` accusation became in the period at which our story is dated. `
` `
` A despairing cry escaped the pale lips of Mercedes; the old `
` man sank into a chair. `
` `
` "Ah, Danglars!" whispered Caderousse, "you have deceived me `
` -- the trick you spoke of last night has been played; but I `
` cannot suffer a poor old man or an innocent girl to die of `
` grief through your fault. I am determined to tell them all `
` about it." `
` `
` "Be silent, you simpleton!" cried Danglars, grasping him by `
` the arm, "or I will not answer even for your own safety. Who `
` can tell whether Dantes be innocent or guilty? The vessel `
` did touch at Elba, where he quitted it, and passed a whole `
` day in the island. Now, should any letters or other `
` documents of a compromising character be found upon him, `
` will it not be taken for granted that all who uphold him are `
` his accomplices?" `
` `
` With the rapid instinct of selfishness, Caderousse readily `
` perceived the solidity of this mode of reasoning; he gazed, `
` doubtfully, wistfully, on Danglars, and then caution `
` supplanted generosity. `
` `
` "Suppose we wait a while, and see what comes of it," said `
` he, casting a bewildered look on his companion. `
` `
` "To be sure!" answered Danglars. "Let us wait, by all means. `
` If he be innocent, of course he will be set at liberty; if `
` guilty, why, it is no use involving ourselves in a `
` conspiracy." `
` `
` "Let us go, then. I cannot stay here any longer." `
` `
` "With all my heart!" replied Danglars, pleased to find the `
` other so tractable. "Let us take ourselves out of the way, `
` and leave things for the present to take their course." `
` `
` After their departure, Fernand, who had now again become the `
` friend and protector of Mercedes, led the girl to her home, `
` while the friends of Dantes conducted the now half-fainting `
` man back to his abode. `
` `
` The rumor of Edmond's arrest as a Bonapartist agent was not `
` slow in circulating throughout the city. `
` `
` "Could you ever have credited such a thing, my dear `
` Danglars?" asked M. Morrel, as, on his return to the port `
` for the purpose of gleaning fresh tidings of Dantes, from M. `
` de Villefort, the assistant procureur, he overtook his `
` supercargo and Caderousse. "Could you have believed such a `
` thing possible?" `
` `
` "Why, you know I told you," replied Danglars, "that I `
` considered the circumstance of his having anchored at the `
` Island of Elba as a very suspicious circumstance." `
` `
` "And did you mention these suspicions to any person beside `
` myself?" `
` `
` "Certainly not!" returned Danglars. Then added in a low `
` whisper, "You understand that, on account of your uncle, M. `
` Policar Morrel, who served under the other government, and `
` who does not altogether conceal what he thinks on the `
` subject, you are strongly suspected of regretting the `
` abdication of Napoleon. I should have feared to injure both `
` Edmond and yourself, had I divulged my own apprehensions to `
` a soul. I am too well aware that though a subordinate, like `
` myself, is bound to acquaint the shipowner with everything `
` that occurs, there are many things he ought most carefully `
` to conceal from all else." `
` `
` "'Tis well, Danglars -- 'tis well!" replied M. Morrel. "You `
` are a worthy fellow; and I had already thought of your `
` interests in the event of poor Edmond having become captain `
` of the Pharaon." `
` `
` "Is it possible you were so kind?" `
` `
` "Yes, indeed; I had previously inquired of Dantes what was `
` his opinion of you, and if he should have any reluctance to `
` continue you in your post, for somehow I have perceived a `
` sort of coolness between you." `
` `
` "And what was his reply?" `
` `
` "That he certainly did think he had given you offence in an `
` affair which he merely referred to without entering into `
` particulars, but that whoever possessed the good opinion and `
` confidence of the ship's owner would have his preference `
` also." `
` `
` "The hypocrite!" murmured Danglars. `
` `
` "Poor Dantes!" said Caderousse. "No one can deny his being a `
` noble-hearted young fellow." `
` `
` "But meanwhile," continued M. Morrel, "here is the Pharaon `
` without a captain." `
`
` `
` This second departure was followed by a long and fearful `
` state of terrified silence on the part of those who were `
` left behind. The old father and Mercedes remained for some `
` time apart, each absorbed in grief; but at length the two `
` poor victims of the same blow raised their eyes, and with a `
` simultaneous burst of feeling rushed into each other's arms. `
` `
` Meanwhile Fernand made his appearance, poured out for `
` himself a glass of water with a trembling hand; then hastily `
` swallowing it, went to sit down at the first vacant place, `
` and this was, by mere chance, placed next to the seat on `
` which poor Mercedes had fallen half fainting, when released `
` from the warm and affectionate embrace of old Dantes. `
` Instinctively Fernand drew back his chair. `
` `
` "He is the cause of all this misery -- I am quite sure of `
` it," whispered Caderousse, who had never taken his eyes off `
` Fernand, to Danglars. `
` `
` "I don't think so," answered the other; he's too stupid to `
` imagine such a scheme. I only hope the mischief will fall `
` upon the head of whoever wrought it." `
` `
` "You don't mention those who aided and abetted the deed," `
` said Caderousse. `
` `
` "Surely," answered Danglars, "one cannot be held responsible `
` for every chance arrow shot into the air." `
` `
` "You can, indeed, when the arrow lights point downward on `
` somebody's head." `
` `
` Meantime the subject of the arrest was being canvassed in `
` every different form. `
` `
` "What think you, Danglars," said one of the party, turning `
` towards him, "of this event?" `
` `
` "Why," replied he, "I think it just possible Dantes may have `
` been detected with some trifling article on board ship `
` considered here as contraband." `
` `
` "But how could he have done so without your knowledge, `
` Danglars, since you are the ship's supercargo?" `
` `
` "Why, as for that, I could only know what I was told `
` respecting the merchandise with which the vessel was laden. `
` I know she was loaded with cotton, and that she took in her `
` freight at Alexandria from Pastret's warehouse, and at `
` Smyrna from Pascal's; that is all I was obliged to know, and `
` I beg I may not be asked for any further particulars." `
` `
` "Now I recollect," said the afflicted old father; "my poor `
` boy told me yesterday he had got a small case of coffee, and `
` another of tobacco for me!" `
` `
` "There, you see," exclaimed Danglars. "Now the mischief is `
` out; depend upon it the custom-house people went rummaging `
` about the ship in our absence, and discovered poor Dantes' `
` hidden treasures." `
` `
` Mercedes, however, paid no heed to this explanation of her `
` lover's arrest. Her grief, which she had hitherto tried to `
` restrain, now burst out in a violent fit of hysterical `
` sobbing. `
` `
` "Come, come," said the old man, "be comforted, my poor `
` child; there is still hope!" `
` `
` "Hope!" repeated Danglars. `
` `
` "Hope!" faintly murmured Fernand, but the word seemed to die `
` away on his pale agitated lips, and a convulsive spasm `
` passed over his countenance. `
` `
` "Good news! good news!" shouted forth one of the party `
` stationed in the balcony on the lookout. "Here comes M. `
` Morrel back. No doubt, now, we shall hear that our friend is `
` released!" `
` `
` Mercedes and the old man rushed to meet the shipowner and `
` greeted him at the door. He was very pale. `
` `
` "What news?" exclaimed a general burst of voices. `
` `
` "Alas, my friends," replied M. Morrel, with a mournful shake `
` of his head, "the thing has assumed a more serious aspect `
` than I expected." `
` `
` "Oh, indeed -- indeed, sir, he is innocent!" sobbed forth `
` Mercedes. `
` `
` "That I believe!" answered M. Morrel; "but still he is `
` charged" -- `
` `
` "With what?" inquired the elder Dantes. `
` `
` "With being an agent of the Bonapartist faction!" Many of `
` our readers may be able to recollect how formidable such an `
` accusation became in the period at which our story is dated. `
` `
` A despairing cry escaped the pale lips of Mercedes; the old `
` man sank into a chair. `
` `
` "Ah, Danglars!" whispered Caderousse, "you have deceived me `
` -- the trick you spoke of last night has been played; but I `
` cannot suffer a poor old man or an innocent girl to die of `
` grief through your fault. I am determined to tell them all `
` about it." `
` `
` "Be silent, you simpleton!" cried Danglars, grasping him by `
` the arm, "or I will not answer even for your own safety. Who `
` can tell whether Dantes be innocent or guilty? The vessel `
` did touch at Elba, where he quitted it, and passed a whole `
` day in the island. Now, should any letters or other `
` documents of a compromising character be found upon him, `
` will it not be taken for granted that all who uphold him are `
` his accomplices?" `
` `
` With the rapid instinct of selfishness, Caderousse readily `
` perceived the solidity of this mode of reasoning; he gazed, `
` doubtfully, wistfully, on Danglars, and then caution `
` supplanted generosity. `
` `
` "Suppose we wait a while, and see what comes of it," said `
` he, casting a bewildered look on his companion. `
` `
` "To be sure!" answered Danglars. "Let us wait, by all means. `
` If he be innocent, of course he will be set at liberty; if `
` guilty, why, it is no use involving ourselves in a `
` conspiracy." `
` `
` "Let us go, then. I cannot stay here any longer." `
` `
` "With all my heart!" replied Danglars, pleased to find the `
` other so tractable. "Let us take ourselves out of the way, `
` and leave things for the present to take their course." `
` `
` After their departure, Fernand, who had now again become the `
` friend and protector of Mercedes, led the girl to her home, `
` while the friends of Dantes conducted the now half-fainting `
` man back to his abode. `
` `
` The rumor of Edmond's arrest as a Bonapartist agent was not `
` slow in circulating throughout the city. `
` `
` "Could you ever have credited such a thing, my dear `
` Danglars?" asked M. Morrel, as, on his return to the port `
` for the purpose of gleaning fresh tidings of Dantes, from M. `
` de Villefort, the assistant procureur, he overtook his `
` supercargo and Caderousse. "Could you have believed such a `
` thing possible?" `
` `
` "Why, you know I told you," replied Danglars, "that I `
` considered the circumstance of his having anchored at the `
` Island of Elba as a very suspicious circumstance." `
` `
` "And did you mention these suspicions to any person beside `
` myself?" `
` `
` "Certainly not!" returned Danglars. Then added in a low `
` whisper, "You understand that, on account of your uncle, M. `
` Policar Morrel, who served under the other government, and `
` who does not altogether conceal what he thinks on the `
` subject, you are strongly suspected of regretting the `
` abdication of Napoleon. I should have feared to injure both `
` Edmond and yourself, had I divulged my own apprehensions to `
` a soul. I am too well aware that though a subordinate, like `
` myself, is bound to acquaint the shipowner with everything `
` that occurs, there are many things he ought most carefully `
` to conceal from all else." `
` `
` "'Tis well, Danglars -- 'tis well!" replied M. Morrel. "You `
` are a worthy fellow; and I had already thought of your `
` interests in the event of poor Edmond having become captain `
` of the Pharaon." `
` `
` "Is it possible you were so kind?" `
` `
` "Yes, indeed; I had previously inquired of Dantes what was `
` his opinion of you, and if he should have any reluctance to `
` continue you in your post, for somehow I have perceived a `
` sort of coolness between you." `
` `
` "And what was his reply?" `
` `
` "That he certainly did think he had given you offence in an `
` affair which he merely referred to without entering into `
` particulars, but that whoever possessed the good opinion and `
` confidence of the ship's owner would have his preference `
` also." `
` `
` "The hypocrite!" murmured Danglars. `
` `
` "Poor Dantes!" said Caderousse. "No one can deny his being a `
` noble-hearted young fellow." `
` `
` "But meanwhile," continued M. Morrel, "here is the Pharaon `
` without a captain." `
`