Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
so by one he is bound to obey? Besides, one requires the `
` excitement of being hateful in the eyes of the accused, in `
` order to lash one's self into a state of sufficient `
` vehemence and power. I would not choose to see the man `
` against whom I pleaded smile, as though in mockery of my `
` words. No; my pride is to see the accused pale, agitated, `
` and as though beaten out of all composure by the fire of my `
` eloquence." Renee uttered a smothered exclamation. `
` `
` "Bravo!" cried one of the guests; "that is what I call `
` talking to some purpose." `
` `
` "Just the person we require at a time like the present," `
` said a second. `
` `
` "What a splendid business that last case of yours was, my `
` dear Villefort!" remarked a third; "I mean the trial of the `
` man for murdering his father. Upon my word, you killed him `
` ere the executioner had laid his hand upon him." `
` `
` "Oh, as for parricides, and such dreadful people as that," `
` interposed Renee, "it matters very little what is done to `
` them; but as regards poor unfortunate creatures whose only `
` crime consists in having mixed themselves up in political `
` intrigues" -- `
` `
` "Why, that is the very worst offence they could possibly `
` commit; for, don't you see, Renee, the king is the father of `
` his people, and he who shall plot or contrive aught against `
` the life and safety of the parent of thirty-two millions of `
` souls, is a parricide upon a fearfully great scale?" `
` `
` "I don't know anything about that," replied Renee; "but, M. `
` de Villefort, you have promised me -- have you not? -- `
` always to show mercy to those I plead for." `
` `
` "Make yourself quite easy on that point," answered `
` Villefort, with one of his sweetest smiles; "you and I will `
` always consult upon our verdicts." `
` `
` "My love," said the marquise, "attend to your doves, your `
` lap-dogs, and embroidery, but do not meddle with what you do `
` not understand. Nowadays the military profession is in `
` abeyance and the magisterial robe is the badge of honor. `
` There is a wise Latin proverb that is very much in point." `
` `
` "Cedant arma togae," said Villefort with a bow. `
` `
` "I cannot speak Latin," responded the marquise. `
` `
` "Well," said Renee, "I cannot help regretting you had not `
` chosen some other profession than your own -- a physician, `
` for instance. Do you know I always felt a shudder at the `
` idea of even a destroying angel?" `
` `
` "Dear, good Renee," whispered Villefort, as he gazed with `
` unutterable tenderness on the lovely speaker. `
` `
` "Let us hope, my child," cried the marquis, "that M. de `
` Villefort may prove the moral and political physician of `
` this province; if so, he will have achieved a noble work." `
` `
` "And one which will go far to efface the recollection of his `
` father's conduct," added the incorrigible marquise. `
` `
` "Madame," replied Villefort, with a mournful smile, "I have `
` already had the honor to observe that my father has -- at `
` least, I hope so -- abjured his past errors, and that he is, `
` at the present moment, a firm and zealous friend to religion `
` and order -- a better royalist, possibly, than his son; for `
` he has to atone for past dereliction, while I have no other `
` impulse than warm, decided preference and conviction." `
` Having made this well-turned speech, Villefort looked `
` carefully around to mark the effect of his oratory, much as `
` he would have done had he been addressing the bench in open `
` court. `
` `
` "Do you know, my dear Villefort," cried the Comte de `
` Salvieux, "that is exactly what I myself said the other day `
` at the Tuileries, when questioned by his majesty's principal `
` chamberlain touching the singularity of an alliance between `
` the son of a Girondin and the daughter of an officer of the `
` Duc de Conde; and I assure you he seemed fully to comprehend `
` that this mode of reconciling political differences was `
` based upon sound and excellent principles. Then the king, `
` who, without our suspecting it, had overheard our `
` conversation, interrupted us by saying, `Villefort' -- `
` observe that the king did not pronounce the word Noirtier, `
` but, on the contrary, placed considerable emphasis on that `
` of Villefort -- `Villefort,' said his majesty, `is a young `
` man of great judgment and discretion, who will be sure to `
` make a figure in his profession; I like him much, and it `
` gave me great pleasure to hear that he was about to become `
` the son-in-law of the Marquis and Marquise de Saint-Meran. I `
` should myself have recommended the match, had not the noble `
` marquis anticipated my wishes by requesting my consent to `
` it.'" `
` `
` "Is it possible the king could have condescended so far as `
` to express himself so favorably of me?" asked the enraptured `
` Villefort. `
` `
` "I give you his very words; and if the marquis chooses to be `
` candid, he will confess that they perfectly agree with what `
` his majesty said to him, when he went six months ago to `
` consult him upon the subject of your espousing his `
` daughter." `
` `
` "That is true," answered the marquis. `
` `
` "How much do I owe this gracious prince! What is there I `
` would not do to evince my earnest gratitude!" `
` `
` "That is right," cried the marquise. "I love to see you `
` thus. Now, then, were a conspirator to fall into your hands, `
` he would be most welcome." `
` `
` "For my part, dear mother." interposed Renee, "I trust your `
` wishes will not prosper, and that Providence will only `
` permit petty offenders, poor debtors, and miserable cheats `
` to fall into M. de Villefort's hands, -- then I shall be `
` contented." `
` `
` "Just the same as though you prayed that a physician might `
` only be called upon to prescribe for headaches, measles, and `
` the stings of wasps, or any other slight affection of the `
` epidermis. If you wish to see me the king's attorney, you `
` must desire for me some of those violent and dangerous `
` diseases from the cure of which so much honor redounds to `
` the physician." `
` `
` At this moment, and as though the utterance of Villefort's `
` wish had sufficed to effect its accomplishment, a servant `
` entered the room, and whispered a few words in his ear. `
` Villefort immediately rose from table and quitted the room `
` upon the plea of urgent business; he soon, however, `
` returned, his whole face beaming with delight. Renee `
` regarded him with fond affection; and certainly his handsome `
` features, lit up as they then were with more than usual fire `
` and animation, seemed formed to excite the innocent `
` admiration with which she gazed on her graceful and `
` intelligent lover. `
` `
` "You were wishing just now," said Villefort, addressing her, `
` "that I were a doctor instead of a lawyer. Well, I at least `
` resemble the disciples of Esculapius in one thing -- that of `
` not being able to call a day my own, not even that of my `
` betrothal." `
` `
` "And wherefore were you called away just now?" asked `
` Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran, with an air of deep interest. `
` `
` "For a very serious matter, which bids fair to make work for `
` the executioner." `
` `
` "How dreadful!" exclaimed Renee, turning pale. `
` `
` "Is it possible?" burst simultaneously from all who were `
` near enough to the magistrate to hear his words. `
` `
` "Why, if my information prove correct, a sort of Bonaparte `
` conspiracy has just been discovered." `
` `
` "Can I believe my ears?" cried the marquise. `
` `
` "I will read you the letter containing the accusation, at `
` least," said Villefort: -- `
` `
` "`The king's attorney is informed by a friend to the throne `
` and the religions institutions of his country, that one `
` named Edmond Dantes, mate of the ship Pharaon, this day `
` arrived from Smyrna, after having touched at Naples and `
` Porto-Ferrajo, has been the bearer of a letter from Murat to `
` the usurper, and again taken charge of another letter from `
` the usurper to the Bonapartist club in Paris. Ample `
` corroboration of this statement may be obtained by arresting `
` the above-mentioned Edmond Dantes, who either carries the `
` letter for Paris about with him, or has it at his father's `
` abode. Should it not be found in the possession of father or `
` son, then it will assuredly be discovered in the cabin `
` belonging to the said Dantes on board the Pharaon.'" `
` `
` "But," said Renee, "this letter, which, after all, is but an `
` anonymous scrawl, is not even addressed to you, but to the `
` king's attorney." `
` `
` "True; but that gentleman being absent, his secretary, by `
` his orders, opened his letters; thinking this one of `
` importance, he sent for me, but not finding me, took upon `
` himself to give the necessary orders for arresting the `
` accused party." `
` `
` "Then the guilty person is absolutely in custody?" said the `
` marquise. `
` `
` "Nay, dear mother, say the accused person. You know we `
` cannot yet pronounce him guilty." `
` `
` "He is in safe custody," answered Villefort; "and rely upon `
` it, if the letter is found, he will not be likely to be `
` trusted abroad again, unless he goes forth under the `
`
` excitement of being hateful in the eyes of the accused, in `
` order to lash one's self into a state of sufficient `
` vehemence and power. I would not choose to see the man `
` against whom I pleaded smile, as though in mockery of my `
` words. No; my pride is to see the accused pale, agitated, `
` and as though beaten out of all composure by the fire of my `
` eloquence." Renee uttered a smothered exclamation. `
` `
` "Bravo!" cried one of the guests; "that is what I call `
` talking to some purpose." `
` `
` "Just the person we require at a time like the present," `
` said a second. `
` `
` "What a splendid business that last case of yours was, my `
` dear Villefort!" remarked a third; "I mean the trial of the `
` man for murdering his father. Upon my word, you killed him `
` ere the executioner had laid his hand upon him." `
` `
` "Oh, as for parricides, and such dreadful people as that," `
` interposed Renee, "it matters very little what is done to `
` them; but as regards poor unfortunate creatures whose only `
` crime consists in having mixed themselves up in political `
` intrigues" -- `
` `
` "Why, that is the very worst offence they could possibly `
` commit; for, don't you see, Renee, the king is the father of `
` his people, and he who shall plot or contrive aught against `
` the life and safety of the parent of thirty-two millions of `
` souls, is a parricide upon a fearfully great scale?" `
` `
` "I don't know anything about that," replied Renee; "but, M. `
` de Villefort, you have promised me -- have you not? -- `
` always to show mercy to those I plead for." `
` `
` "Make yourself quite easy on that point," answered `
` Villefort, with one of his sweetest smiles; "you and I will `
` always consult upon our verdicts." `
` `
` "My love," said the marquise, "attend to your doves, your `
` lap-dogs, and embroidery, but do not meddle with what you do `
` not understand. Nowadays the military profession is in `
` abeyance and the magisterial robe is the badge of honor. `
` There is a wise Latin proverb that is very much in point." `
` `
` "Cedant arma togae," said Villefort with a bow. `
` `
` "I cannot speak Latin," responded the marquise. `
` `
` "Well," said Renee, "I cannot help regretting you had not `
` chosen some other profession than your own -- a physician, `
` for instance. Do you know I always felt a shudder at the `
` idea of even a destroying angel?" `
` `
` "Dear, good Renee," whispered Villefort, as he gazed with `
` unutterable tenderness on the lovely speaker. `
` `
` "Let us hope, my child," cried the marquis, "that M. de `
` Villefort may prove the moral and political physician of `
` this province; if so, he will have achieved a noble work." `
` `
` "And one which will go far to efface the recollection of his `
` father's conduct," added the incorrigible marquise. `
` `
` "Madame," replied Villefort, with a mournful smile, "I have `
` already had the honor to observe that my father has -- at `
` least, I hope so -- abjured his past errors, and that he is, `
` at the present moment, a firm and zealous friend to religion `
` and order -- a better royalist, possibly, than his son; for `
` he has to atone for past dereliction, while I have no other `
` impulse than warm, decided preference and conviction." `
` Having made this well-turned speech, Villefort looked `
` carefully around to mark the effect of his oratory, much as `
` he would have done had he been addressing the bench in open `
` court. `
` `
` "Do you know, my dear Villefort," cried the Comte de `
` Salvieux, "that is exactly what I myself said the other day `
` at the Tuileries, when questioned by his majesty's principal `
` chamberlain touching the singularity of an alliance between `
` the son of a Girondin and the daughter of an officer of the `
` Duc de Conde; and I assure you he seemed fully to comprehend `
` that this mode of reconciling political differences was `
` based upon sound and excellent principles. Then the king, `
` who, without our suspecting it, had overheard our `
` conversation, interrupted us by saying, `Villefort' -- `
` observe that the king did not pronounce the word Noirtier, `
` but, on the contrary, placed considerable emphasis on that `
` of Villefort -- `Villefort,' said his majesty, `is a young `
` man of great judgment and discretion, who will be sure to `
` make a figure in his profession; I like him much, and it `
` gave me great pleasure to hear that he was about to become `
` the son-in-law of the Marquis and Marquise de Saint-Meran. I `
` should myself have recommended the match, had not the noble `
` marquis anticipated my wishes by requesting my consent to `
` it.'" `
` `
` "Is it possible the king could have condescended so far as `
` to express himself so favorably of me?" asked the enraptured `
` Villefort. `
` `
` "I give you his very words; and if the marquis chooses to be `
` candid, he will confess that they perfectly agree with what `
` his majesty said to him, when he went six months ago to `
` consult him upon the subject of your espousing his `
` daughter." `
` `
` "That is true," answered the marquis. `
` `
` "How much do I owe this gracious prince! What is there I `
` would not do to evince my earnest gratitude!" `
` `
` "That is right," cried the marquise. "I love to see you `
` thus. Now, then, were a conspirator to fall into your hands, `
` he would be most welcome." `
` `
` "For my part, dear mother." interposed Renee, "I trust your `
` wishes will not prosper, and that Providence will only `
` permit petty offenders, poor debtors, and miserable cheats `
` to fall into M. de Villefort's hands, -- then I shall be `
` contented." `
` `
` "Just the same as though you prayed that a physician might `
` only be called upon to prescribe for headaches, measles, and `
` the stings of wasps, or any other slight affection of the `
` epidermis. If you wish to see me the king's attorney, you `
` must desire for me some of those violent and dangerous `
` diseases from the cure of which so much honor redounds to `
` the physician." `
` `
` At this moment, and as though the utterance of Villefort's `
` wish had sufficed to effect its accomplishment, a servant `
` entered the room, and whispered a few words in his ear. `
` Villefort immediately rose from table and quitted the room `
` upon the plea of urgent business; he soon, however, `
` returned, his whole face beaming with delight. Renee `
` regarded him with fond affection; and certainly his handsome `
` features, lit up as they then were with more than usual fire `
` and animation, seemed formed to excite the innocent `
` admiration with which she gazed on her graceful and `
` intelligent lover. `
` `
` "You were wishing just now," said Villefort, addressing her, `
` "that I were a doctor instead of a lawyer. Well, I at least `
` resemble the disciples of Esculapius in one thing -- that of `
` not being able to call a day my own, not even that of my `
` betrothal." `
` `
` "And wherefore were you called away just now?" asked `
` Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran, with an air of deep interest. `
` `
` "For a very serious matter, which bids fair to make work for `
` the executioner." `
` `
` "How dreadful!" exclaimed Renee, turning pale. `
` `
` "Is it possible?" burst simultaneously from all who were `
` near enough to the magistrate to hear his words. `
` `
` "Why, if my information prove correct, a sort of Bonaparte `
` conspiracy has just been discovered." `
` `
` "Can I believe my ears?" cried the marquise. `
` `
` "I will read you the letter containing the accusation, at `
` least," said Villefort: -- `
` `
` "`The king's attorney is informed by a friend to the throne `
` and the religions institutions of his country, that one `
` named Edmond Dantes, mate of the ship Pharaon, this day `
` arrived from Smyrna, after having touched at Naples and `
` Porto-Ferrajo, has been the bearer of a letter from Murat to `
` the usurper, and again taken charge of another letter from `
` the usurper to the Bonapartist club in Paris. Ample `
` corroboration of this statement may be obtained by arresting `
` the above-mentioned Edmond Dantes, who either carries the `
` letter for Paris about with him, or has it at his father's `
` abode. Should it not be found in the possession of father or `
` son, then it will assuredly be discovered in the cabin `
` belonging to the said Dantes on board the Pharaon.'" `
` `
` "But," said Renee, "this letter, which, after all, is but an `
` anonymous scrawl, is not even addressed to you, but to the `
` king's attorney." `
` `
` "True; but that gentleman being absent, his secretary, by `
` his orders, opened his letters; thinking this one of `
` importance, he sent for me, but not finding me, took upon `
` himself to give the necessary orders for arresting the `
` accused party." `
` `
` "Then the guilty person is absolutely in custody?" said the `
` marquise. `
` `
` "Nay, dear mother, say the accused person. You know we `
` cannot yet pronounce him guilty." `
` `
` "He is in safe custody," answered Villefort; "and rely upon `
` it, if the letter is found, he will not be likely to be `
` trusted abroad again, unless he goes forth under the `
`