Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
without a captain." `
` `
` "Oh," replied Danglars, "since we cannot leave this port for `
` the next three months, let us hope that ere the expiration `
` of that period Dantes will be set at liberty." `
` `
` "No doubt; but in the meantime?" `
` `
` "I am entirely at your service, M. Morrel," answered `
` Danglars. "You know that I am as capable of managing a ship `
` as the most experienced captain in the service; and it will `
` be so far advantageous to you to accept my services, that `
` upon Edmond's release from prison no further change will be `
` requisite on board the Pharaon than for Dantes and myself `
` each to resume our respective posts." `
` `
` "Thanks, Danglars -- that will smooth over all difficulties. `
` I fully authorize you at once to assume the command of the `
` Pharaon, and look carefully to the unloading of her freight. `
` Private misfortunes must never be allowed to interfere with `
` business." `
` `
` "Be easy on that score, M. Morrel; but do you think we shall `
` be permitted to see our poor Edmond?" `
` `
` "I will let you know that directly I have seen M. de `
` Villefort, whom I shall endeavor to interest in Edmond's `
` favor. I am aware he is a furious royalist; but, in spite of `
` that, and of his being king's attorney, he is a man like `
` ourselves, and I fancy not a bad sort of one." `
` `
` "Perhaps not," replied Danglars; "but I hear that he is `
` ambitious, and that's rather against him." `
` `
` "Well, well," returned M. Morrel, "we shall see. But now `
` hasten on board, I will join you there ere long." So saying, `
` the worthy shipowner quitted the two allies, and proceeded `
` in the direction of the Palais de Justice. `
` `
` "You see," said Danglars, addressing Caderousse, "the turn `
` things have taken. Do you still feel any desire to stand up `
` in his defence?" `
` `
` "Not the slightest, but yet it seems to me a shocking thing `
` that a mere joke should lead to such consequences." `
` `
` "But who perpetrated that joke, let me ask? neither you nor `
` myself, but Fernand; you knew very well that I threw the `
` paper into a corner of the room -- indeed, I fancied I had `
` destroyed it." `
` `
` "Oh, no," replied Caderousse, "that I can answer for, you `
` did not. I only wish I could see it now as plainly as I saw `
` it lying all crushed and crumpled in a corner of the arbor." `
` `
` "Well, then, if you did, depend upon it, Fernand picked it `
` up, and either copied it or caused it to be copied; perhaps, `
` even, he did not take the trouble of recopying it. And now I `
` think of it, by Heavens, he may have sent the letter itself! `
` Fortunately, for me, the handwriting was disguised." `
` `
` "Then you were aware of Dantes being engaged in a `
` conspiracy?" `
` `
` "Not I. As I before said, I thought the whole thing was a `
` joke, nothing more. It seems, however, that I have `
` unconsciously stumbled upon the truth." `
` `
` "Still," argued Caderousse, "I would give a great deal if `
` nothing of the kind had happened; or, at least, that I had `
` had no hand in it. You will see, Danglars, that it will turn `
` out an unlucky job for both of us." `
` `
` "Nonsense! If any harm come of it, it should fall on the `
` guilty person; and that, you know, is Fernand. How can we be `
` implicated in any way? All we have got to do is, to keep our `
` own counsel, and remain perfectly quiet, not breathing a `
` word to any living soul; and you will see that the storm `
` will pass away without in the least affecting us." `
` `
` "Amen!" responded Caderousse, waving his hand in token of `
` adieu to Danglars, and bending his steps towards the Allees `
` de Meillan, moving his head to and fro, and muttering as he `
` went, after the manner of one whose mind was overcharged `
` with one absorbing idea. `
` `
` "So far, then," said Danglars, mentally, "all has gone as I `
` would have it. I am, temporarily, commander of the Pharaon, `
` with the certainty of being permanently so, if that fool of `
` a Caderousse can be persuaded to hold his tongue. My only `
` fear is the chance of Dantes being released. But, there, he `
` is in the hands of Justice; and," added he with a smile, `
` "she will take her own." So saying, he leaped into a boat, `
` desiring to be rowed on board the Pharaon, where M. Morrel `
` had agreed to meet him. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 6 `
` The Deputy Procureur du Roi. `
` `
` In one of the aristocratic mansions built by Puget in the `
` Rue du Grand Cours opposite the Medusa fountain, a second `
` marriage feast was being celebrated, almost at the same hour `
` with the nuptial repast given by Dantes. In this case, `
` however, although the occasion of the entertainment was `
` similar, the company was strikingly dissimilar. Instead of a `
` rude mixture of sailors, soldiers, and those belonging to `
` the humblest grade of life, the present assembly was `
` composed of the very flower of Marseilles society, -- `
` magistrates who had resigned their office during the `
` usurper's reign; officers who had deserted from the imperial `
` army and joined forces with Conde; and younger members of `
` families, brought up to hate and execrate the man whom five `
` years of exile would convert into a martyr, and fifteen of `
` restoration elevate to the rank of a god. `
` `
` The guests were still at table, and the heated and energetic `
` conversation that prevailed betrayed the violent and `
` vindictive passions that then agitated each dweller of the `
` South, where unhappily, for five centuries religious strife `
` had long given increased bitterness to the violence of party `
` feeling. `
` `
` The emperor, now king of the petty Island of Elba, after `
` having held sovereign sway over one-half of the world, `
` counting as his subjects a small population of five or six `
` thousand souls, -- after having been accustomed to hear the `
` "Vive Napoleons" of a hundred and twenty millions of human `
` beings, uttered in ten different languages, -- was looked `
` upon here as a ruined man, separated forever from any fresh `
` connection with France or claim to her throne. `
` `
` The magistrates freely discussed their political views; the `
` military part of the company talked unreservedly of Moscow `
` and Leipsic, while the women commented on the divorce of `
` Josephine. It was not over the downfall of the man, but over `
` the defeat of the Napoleonic idea, that they rejoiced, and `
` in this they foresaw for themselves the bright and cheering `
` prospect of a revivified political existence. `
` `
` An old man, decorated with the cross of Saint Louis, now `
` rose and proposed the health of King Louis XVIII. It was the `
` Marquis de Saint-Meran. This toast, recalling at once the `
` patient exile of Hartwell and the peace-loving King of `
` France, excited universal enthusiasm; glasses were elevated `
` in the air a l'Anglais, and the ladies, snatching their `
` bouquets from their fair bosoms, strewed the table with `
` their floral treasures. In a word, an almost poetical fervor `
` prevailed. `
` `
` "Ah," said the Marquise de Saint-Meran, a woman with a `
` stern, forbidding eye, though still noble and distinguished `
` in appearance, despite her fifty years -- "ah, these `
` revolutionists, who have driven us from those very `
` possessions they afterwards purchased for a mere trifle `
` during the Reign of Terror, would be compelled to own, were `
` they here, that all true devotion was on our side, since we `
` were content to follow the fortunes of a falling monarch, `
` while they, on the contrary, made their fortune by `
` worshipping the rising sun; yes, yes, they could not help `
` admitting that the king, for whom we sacrificed rank, `
` wealth, and station was truly our `Louis the well-beloved,' `
` while their wretched usurper his been, and ever will be, to `
` them their evil genius, their `Napoleon the accursed.' Am I `
` not right, Villefort?" `
` `
` "I beg your pardon, madame. I really must pray you to excuse `
` me, but -- in truth -- I was not attending to the `
` conversation." `
` `
` "Marquise, marquise!" interposed the old nobleman who had `
` proposed the toast, "let the young people alone; let me tell `
` you, on one's wedding day there are more agreeable subjects `
` of conversation than dry politics." `
` `
` "Never mind, dearest mother," said a young and lovely girl, `
` with a profusion of light brown hair, and eyes that seemed `
` to float in liquid crystal, "'tis all my fault for seizing `
` upon M. de Villefort, so as to prevent his listening to what `
` you said. But there -- now take him -- he is your own for as `
` long as you like. M. Villefort, I beg to remind you my `
` mother speaks to you." `
` `
` "If the marquise will deign to repeat the words I but `
` imperfectly caught, I shall be delighted to answer," said M. `
` de Villefort. `
` `
` "Never mind, Renee," replied the marquise, with a look of `
` tenderness that seemed out of keeping with her harsh dry `
` features; but, however all other feelings may be withered in `
` a woman's nature, there is always one bright smiling spot in `
` the desert of her heart, and that is the shrine of maternal `
` love. "I forgive you. What I was saying, Villefort, was, `
` that the Bonapartists had not our sincerity, enthusiasm, or `
` devotion." `
` `
` "They had, however, what supplied the place of those fine `
` qualities," replied the young man, "and that was fanaticism. `
` Napoleon is the Mahomet of the West, and is worshipped by `
` his commonplace but ambitions followers, not only as a `
`
` `
` "Oh," replied Danglars, "since we cannot leave this port for `
` the next three months, let us hope that ere the expiration `
` of that period Dantes will be set at liberty." `
` `
` "No doubt; but in the meantime?" `
` `
` "I am entirely at your service, M. Morrel," answered `
` Danglars. "You know that I am as capable of managing a ship `
` as the most experienced captain in the service; and it will `
` be so far advantageous to you to accept my services, that `
` upon Edmond's release from prison no further change will be `
` requisite on board the Pharaon than for Dantes and myself `
` each to resume our respective posts." `
` `
` "Thanks, Danglars -- that will smooth over all difficulties. `
` I fully authorize you at once to assume the command of the `
` Pharaon, and look carefully to the unloading of her freight. `
` Private misfortunes must never be allowed to interfere with `
` business." `
` `
` "Be easy on that score, M. Morrel; but do you think we shall `
` be permitted to see our poor Edmond?" `
` `
` "I will let you know that directly I have seen M. de `
` Villefort, whom I shall endeavor to interest in Edmond's `
` favor. I am aware he is a furious royalist; but, in spite of `
` that, and of his being king's attorney, he is a man like `
` ourselves, and I fancy not a bad sort of one." `
` `
` "Perhaps not," replied Danglars; "but I hear that he is `
` ambitious, and that's rather against him." `
` `
` "Well, well," returned M. Morrel, "we shall see. But now `
` hasten on board, I will join you there ere long." So saying, `
` the worthy shipowner quitted the two allies, and proceeded `
` in the direction of the Palais de Justice. `
` `
` "You see," said Danglars, addressing Caderousse, "the turn `
` things have taken. Do you still feel any desire to stand up `
` in his defence?" `
` `
` "Not the slightest, but yet it seems to me a shocking thing `
` that a mere joke should lead to such consequences." `
` `
` "But who perpetrated that joke, let me ask? neither you nor `
` myself, but Fernand; you knew very well that I threw the `
` paper into a corner of the room -- indeed, I fancied I had `
` destroyed it." `
` `
` "Oh, no," replied Caderousse, "that I can answer for, you `
` did not. I only wish I could see it now as plainly as I saw `
` it lying all crushed and crumpled in a corner of the arbor." `
` `
` "Well, then, if you did, depend upon it, Fernand picked it `
` up, and either copied it or caused it to be copied; perhaps, `
` even, he did not take the trouble of recopying it. And now I `
` think of it, by Heavens, he may have sent the letter itself! `
` Fortunately, for me, the handwriting was disguised." `
` `
` "Then you were aware of Dantes being engaged in a `
` conspiracy?" `
` `
` "Not I. As I before said, I thought the whole thing was a `
` joke, nothing more. It seems, however, that I have `
` unconsciously stumbled upon the truth." `
` `
` "Still," argued Caderousse, "I would give a great deal if `
` nothing of the kind had happened; or, at least, that I had `
` had no hand in it. You will see, Danglars, that it will turn `
` out an unlucky job for both of us." `
` `
` "Nonsense! If any harm come of it, it should fall on the `
` guilty person; and that, you know, is Fernand. How can we be `
` implicated in any way? All we have got to do is, to keep our `
` own counsel, and remain perfectly quiet, not breathing a `
` word to any living soul; and you will see that the storm `
` will pass away without in the least affecting us." `
` `
` "Amen!" responded Caderousse, waving his hand in token of `
` adieu to Danglars, and bending his steps towards the Allees `
` de Meillan, moving his head to and fro, and muttering as he `
` went, after the manner of one whose mind was overcharged `
` with one absorbing idea. `
` `
` "So far, then," said Danglars, mentally, "all has gone as I `
` would have it. I am, temporarily, commander of the Pharaon, `
` with the certainty of being permanently so, if that fool of `
` a Caderousse can be persuaded to hold his tongue. My only `
` fear is the chance of Dantes being released. But, there, he `
` is in the hands of Justice; and," added he with a smile, `
` "she will take her own." So saying, he leaped into a boat, `
` desiring to be rowed on board the Pharaon, where M. Morrel `
` had agreed to meet him. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 6 `
` The Deputy Procureur du Roi. `
` `
` In one of the aristocratic mansions built by Puget in the `
` Rue du Grand Cours opposite the Medusa fountain, a second `
` marriage feast was being celebrated, almost at the same hour `
` with the nuptial repast given by Dantes. In this case, `
` however, although the occasion of the entertainment was `
` similar, the company was strikingly dissimilar. Instead of a `
` rude mixture of sailors, soldiers, and those belonging to `
` the humblest grade of life, the present assembly was `
` composed of the very flower of Marseilles society, -- `
` magistrates who had resigned their office during the `
` usurper's reign; officers who had deserted from the imperial `
` army and joined forces with Conde; and younger members of `
` families, brought up to hate and execrate the man whom five `
` years of exile would convert into a martyr, and fifteen of `
` restoration elevate to the rank of a god. `
` `
` The guests were still at table, and the heated and energetic `
` conversation that prevailed betrayed the violent and `
` vindictive passions that then agitated each dweller of the `
` South, where unhappily, for five centuries religious strife `
` had long given increased bitterness to the violence of party `
` feeling. `
` `
` The emperor, now king of the petty Island of Elba, after `
` having held sovereign sway over one-half of the world, `
` counting as his subjects a small population of five or six `
` thousand souls, -- after having been accustomed to hear the `
` "Vive Napoleons" of a hundred and twenty millions of human `
` beings, uttered in ten different languages, -- was looked `
` upon here as a ruined man, separated forever from any fresh `
` connection with France or claim to her throne. `
` `
` The magistrates freely discussed their political views; the `
` military part of the company talked unreservedly of Moscow `
` and Leipsic, while the women commented on the divorce of `
` Josephine. It was not over the downfall of the man, but over `
` the defeat of the Napoleonic idea, that they rejoiced, and `
` in this they foresaw for themselves the bright and cheering `
` prospect of a revivified political existence. `
` `
` An old man, decorated with the cross of Saint Louis, now `
` rose and proposed the health of King Louis XVIII. It was the `
` Marquis de Saint-Meran. This toast, recalling at once the `
` patient exile of Hartwell and the peace-loving King of `
` France, excited universal enthusiasm; glasses were elevated `
` in the air a l'Anglais, and the ladies, snatching their `
` bouquets from their fair bosoms, strewed the table with `
` their floral treasures. In a word, an almost poetical fervor `
` prevailed. `
` `
` "Ah," said the Marquise de Saint-Meran, a woman with a `
` stern, forbidding eye, though still noble and distinguished `
` in appearance, despite her fifty years -- "ah, these `
` revolutionists, who have driven us from those very `
` possessions they afterwards purchased for a mere trifle `
` during the Reign of Terror, would be compelled to own, were `
` they here, that all true devotion was on our side, since we `
` were content to follow the fortunes of a falling monarch, `
` while they, on the contrary, made their fortune by `
` worshipping the rising sun; yes, yes, they could not help `
` admitting that the king, for whom we sacrificed rank, `
` wealth, and station was truly our `Louis the well-beloved,' `
` while their wretched usurper his been, and ever will be, to `
` them their evil genius, their `Napoleon the accursed.' Am I `
` not right, Villefort?" `
` `
` "I beg your pardon, madame. I really must pray you to excuse `
` me, but -- in truth -- I was not attending to the `
` conversation." `
` `
` "Marquise, marquise!" interposed the old nobleman who had `
` proposed the toast, "let the young people alone; let me tell `
` you, on one's wedding day there are more agreeable subjects `
` of conversation than dry politics." `
` `
` "Never mind, dearest mother," said a young and lovely girl, `
` with a profusion of light brown hair, and eyes that seemed `
` to float in liquid crystal, "'tis all my fault for seizing `
` upon M. de Villefort, so as to prevent his listening to what `
` you said. But there -- now take him -- he is your own for as `
` long as you like. M. Villefort, I beg to remind you my `
` mother speaks to you." `
` `
` "If the marquise will deign to repeat the words I but `
` imperfectly caught, I shall be delighted to answer," said M. `
` de Villefort. `
` `
` "Never mind, Renee," replied the marquise, with a look of `
` tenderness that seemed out of keeping with her harsh dry `
` features; but, however all other feelings may be withered in `
` a woman's nature, there is always one bright smiling spot in `
` the desert of her heart, and that is the shrine of maternal `
` love. "I forgive you. What I was saying, Villefort, was, `
` that the Bonapartists had not our sincerity, enthusiasm, or `
` devotion." `
` `
` "They had, however, what supplied the place of those fine `
` qualities," replied the young man, "and that was fanaticism. `
` Napoleon is the Mahomet of the West, and is worshipped by `
` his commonplace but ambitions followers, not only as a `
`