Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
trusted abroad again, unless he goes forth under the `
` especial protection of the headsman." `
` `
` "And where is the unfortunate being?" asked Renee. `
` `
` "He is at my house." `
` `
` "Come, come, my friend," interrupted the marquise, "do not `
` neglect your duty to linger with us. You are the king's `
` servant, and must go wherever that service calls you." `
` `
` "O Villefort!" cried Renee, clasping her hands, and looking `
` towards her lover with piteous earnestness, "be merciful on `
` this the day of our betrothal." `
` `
` The young man passed round to the side of the table where `
` the fair pleader sat, and leaning over her chair said `
` tenderly, -- `
` `
` "To give you pleasure, my sweet Renee, I promise to show all `
` the lenity in my power; but if the charges brought against `
` this Bonapartist hero prove correct, why, then, you really `
` must give me leave to order his head to be cut off." Renee `
` shuddered. `
` `
` "Never mind that foolish girl, Villefort," said the `
` marquise. "She will soon get over these things." So saying, `
` Madame de Saint-Meran extended her dry bony hand to `
` Villefort, who, while imprinting a son-in-law's respectful `
` salute on it, looked at Renee, as much as to say, "I must `
` try and fancy 'tis your dear hand I kiss, as it should have `
` been." `
` `
` "These are mournful auspices to accompany a betrothal," `
` sighed poor Renee. `
` `
` "Upon my word, child!" exclaimed the angry marquise, "your `
` folly exceeds all bounds. I should be glad to know what `
` connection there can possibly be between your sickly `
` sentimentality and the affairs of the state!" `
` `
` "O mother!" murmured Renee. `
` `
` "Nay, madame, I pray you pardon this little traitor. I `
` promise you that to make up for her want of loyalty, I will `
` be most inflexibly severe;" then casting an expressive `
` glance at his betrothed, which seemed to say, "Fear not, for `
` your dear sake my justice shall be tempered with mercy," and `
` receiving a sweet and approving smile in return, Villefort `
` quitted the room. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 7 `
` The Examination. `
` `
` No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the `
` grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death `
` in his hands. Now, in spite of the mobility of his `
` countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he `
` had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means `
` easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity. Except `
` the recollection of the line of politics his father had `
` adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the `
` greatest prudence, with his own career, Gerard de Villefort `
` was as happy as a man could be. Already rich, he held a high `
` official situation, though only twenty-seven. He was about `
` to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not `
` passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of `
` the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were `
` very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran's family possessed `
` considerable political influence, which they would, of `
` course, exert in his favor. The dowry of his wife amounted `
` to fifty thousand crowns, and he had, besides, the prospect `
` of seeing her fortune increased to half a million at her `
` father's death. These considerations naturally gave `
` Villefort a feeling of such complete felicity that his mind `
` was fairly dazzled in its contemplation. `
` `
` At the door he met the commissary of police, who was waiting `
` for him. The sight of this officer recalled Villefort from `
` the third heaven to earth; he composed his face, as we have `
` before described, and said, "I have read the letter, sir, `
` and you have acted rightly in arresting this man; now inform `
` me what you have discovered concerning him and the `
` conspiracy." `
` `
` "We know nothing as yet of the conspiracy, monsieur; all the `
` papers found have been sealed up and placed on your desk. `
` The prisoner himself is named Edmond Dantes, mate on board `
` the three-master the Pharaon, trading in cotton with `
` Alexandria and Smyrna, and belonging to Morrel Son, of `
` Marseilles." `
` `
` "Before he entered the merchant service, had he ever served `
` in the marines?" `
` `
` "Oh, no, monsieur, he is very young." `
` `
` "How old?" `
` `
` "Nineteen or twenty at the most." `
` `
` At this moment, and as Villefort had arrived at the corner `
` of the Rue des Conseils, a man, who seemed to have been `
` waiting for him, approached; it was M. Morrel. `
` `
` "Ah, M. de Villefort," cried he, "I am delighted to see you. `
` Some of your people have committed the strangest mistake -- `
` they have just arrested Edmond Dantes, mate of my vessel." `
` `
` "I know it, monsieur," replied Villefort, "and I am now `
` going to examine him." `
` `
` "Oh," said Morrel, carried away by his friendship, "you do `
` not know him, and I do. He is the most estimable, the most `
` trustworthy creature in the world, and I will venture to `
` say, there is not a better seaman in all the merchant `
` service. Oh, M. de Villefort, I beseech your indulgence for `
` him." `
` `
` Villefort, as we have seen, belonged to the aristocratic `
` party at Marseilles, Morrel to the plebeian; the first was a `
` royalist, the other suspected of Bonapartism. Villefort `
` looked disdainfully at Morrel, and replied, -- `
` `
` "You are aware, monsieur, that a man may be estimable and `
` trustworthy in private life, and the best seaman in the `
` merchant service, and yet be, politically speaking, a great `
` criminal. Is it not true?" `
` `
` The magistrate laid emphasis on these words, as if he wished `
` to apply them to the owner himself, while his eyes seemed to `
` plunge into the heart of one who, interceding for another, `
` had himself need of indulgence. Morrel reddened, for his own `
` conscience was not quite clear on politics; besides, what `
` Dantes had told him of his interview with the grand-marshal, `
` and what the emperor had said to him, embarrassed him. He `
` replied, however, -- `
` `
` "I entreat you, M. de Villefort, be, as you always are, kind `
` and equitable, and give him back to us soon." This give us `
` sounded revolutionary in the deputy's ears. `
` `
` "Ah, ah," murmured he, "is Dantes then a member of some `
` Carbonari society, that his protector thus employs the `
` collective form? He was, if I recollect, arrested in a `
` tavern, in company with a great many others." Then he added, `
` "Monsieur, you may rest assured I shall perform my duty `
` impartially, and that if he be innocent you shall not have `
` appealed to me in vain; should he, however, be guilty, in `
` this present epoch, impunity would furnish a dangerous `
` example, and I must do my duty." `
` `
` As he had now arrived at the door of his own house, which `
` adjoined the Palais de Justice, he entered, after having, `
` coldly saluted the shipowner, who stood, as if petrified, on `
` the spot where Villefort had left him. The ante-chamber was `
` full of police agents and gendarmes, in the midst of whom, `
` carefully watched, but calm and smiling, stood the prisoner. `
` Villefort traversed the ante-chamber, cast a side glance at `
` Dantes, and taking a packet which a gendarme offered him, `
` disappeared, saying, "Bring in the prisoner." `
` `
` Rapid as had been Villefort's glance, it had served to give `
` him an idea of the man he was about to interrogate. He had `
` recognized intelligence in the high forehead, courage in the `
` dark eye and bent brow, and frankness in the thick lips that `
` showed a set of pearly teeth. Villefort's first impression `
` was favorable; but he had been so often warned to mistrust `
` first impulses, that he applied the maxim to the impression, `
` forgetting the difference between the two words. He stifled, `
` therefore, the feelings of compassion that were rising, `
` composed his features, and sat down, grim and sombre, at his `
` desk. An instant after Dantes entered. He was pale, but calm `
` and collected, and saluting his judge with easy politeness, `
` looked round for a seat, as if he had been in M. Morrel's `
` salon. It was then that he encountered for the first time `
` Villefort's look, -- that look peculiar to the magistrate, `
` who, while seeming to read the thoughts of others, betrays `
` nothing of his own. `
` `
` "Who and what are you?" demanded Villefort, turning over a `
` pile of papers, containing information relative to the `
` prisoner, that a police agent had given to him on his entry, `
` and that, already, in an hour's time, had swelled to `
` voluminous proportions, thanks to the corrupt espionage of `
` which "the accused" is always made the victim. `
` `
` "My name is Edmond Dantes," replied the young man calmly; "I `
` am mate of the Pharaon, belonging to Messrs. Morrel Son." `
` `
` "Your age?" continued Villefort. `
` `
` "Nineteen," returned Dantes. `
` `
` "What were you doing at the moment you were arrested?" `
` `
` "I was at the festival of my marriage, monsieur," said the `
` young man, his voice slightly tremulous, so great was the `
` contrast between that happy moment and the painful ceremony `
`
` especial protection of the headsman." `
` `
` "And where is the unfortunate being?" asked Renee. `
` `
` "He is at my house." `
` `
` "Come, come, my friend," interrupted the marquise, "do not `
` neglect your duty to linger with us. You are the king's `
` servant, and must go wherever that service calls you." `
` `
` "O Villefort!" cried Renee, clasping her hands, and looking `
` towards her lover with piteous earnestness, "be merciful on `
` this the day of our betrothal." `
` `
` The young man passed round to the side of the table where `
` the fair pleader sat, and leaning over her chair said `
` tenderly, -- `
` `
` "To give you pleasure, my sweet Renee, I promise to show all `
` the lenity in my power; but if the charges brought against `
` this Bonapartist hero prove correct, why, then, you really `
` must give me leave to order his head to be cut off." Renee `
` shuddered. `
` `
` "Never mind that foolish girl, Villefort," said the `
` marquise. "She will soon get over these things." So saying, `
` Madame de Saint-Meran extended her dry bony hand to `
` Villefort, who, while imprinting a son-in-law's respectful `
` salute on it, looked at Renee, as much as to say, "I must `
` try and fancy 'tis your dear hand I kiss, as it should have `
` been." `
` `
` "These are mournful auspices to accompany a betrothal," `
` sighed poor Renee. `
` `
` "Upon my word, child!" exclaimed the angry marquise, "your `
` folly exceeds all bounds. I should be glad to know what `
` connection there can possibly be between your sickly `
` sentimentality and the affairs of the state!" `
` `
` "O mother!" murmured Renee. `
` `
` "Nay, madame, I pray you pardon this little traitor. I `
` promise you that to make up for her want of loyalty, I will `
` be most inflexibly severe;" then casting an expressive `
` glance at his betrothed, which seemed to say, "Fear not, for `
` your dear sake my justice shall be tempered with mercy," and `
` receiving a sweet and approving smile in return, Villefort `
` quitted the room. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 7 `
` The Examination. `
` `
` No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the `
` grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death `
` in his hands. Now, in spite of the mobility of his `
` countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he `
` had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means `
` easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity. Except `
` the recollection of the line of politics his father had `
` adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the `
` greatest prudence, with his own career, Gerard de Villefort `
` was as happy as a man could be. Already rich, he held a high `
` official situation, though only twenty-seven. He was about `
` to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not `
` passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of `
` the king; and besides her personal attractions, which were `
` very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Meran's family possessed `
` considerable political influence, which they would, of `
` course, exert in his favor. The dowry of his wife amounted `
` to fifty thousand crowns, and he had, besides, the prospect `
` of seeing her fortune increased to half a million at her `
` father's death. These considerations naturally gave `
` Villefort a feeling of such complete felicity that his mind `
` was fairly dazzled in its contemplation. `
` `
` At the door he met the commissary of police, who was waiting `
` for him. The sight of this officer recalled Villefort from `
` the third heaven to earth; he composed his face, as we have `
` before described, and said, "I have read the letter, sir, `
` and you have acted rightly in arresting this man; now inform `
` me what you have discovered concerning him and the `
` conspiracy." `
` `
` "We know nothing as yet of the conspiracy, monsieur; all the `
` papers found have been sealed up and placed on your desk. `
` The prisoner himself is named Edmond Dantes, mate on board `
` the three-master the Pharaon, trading in cotton with `
` Alexandria and Smyrna, and belonging to Morrel Son, of `
` Marseilles." `
` `
` "Before he entered the merchant service, had he ever served `
` in the marines?" `
` `
` "Oh, no, monsieur, he is very young." `
` `
` "How old?" `
` `
` "Nineteen or twenty at the most." `
` `
` At this moment, and as Villefort had arrived at the corner `
` of the Rue des Conseils, a man, who seemed to have been `
` waiting for him, approached; it was M. Morrel. `
` `
` "Ah, M. de Villefort," cried he, "I am delighted to see you. `
` Some of your people have committed the strangest mistake -- `
` they have just arrested Edmond Dantes, mate of my vessel." `
` `
` "I know it, monsieur," replied Villefort, "and I am now `
` going to examine him." `
` `
` "Oh," said Morrel, carried away by his friendship, "you do `
` not know him, and I do. He is the most estimable, the most `
` trustworthy creature in the world, and I will venture to `
` say, there is not a better seaman in all the merchant `
` service. Oh, M. de Villefort, I beseech your indulgence for `
` him." `
` `
` Villefort, as we have seen, belonged to the aristocratic `
` party at Marseilles, Morrel to the plebeian; the first was a `
` royalist, the other suspected of Bonapartism. Villefort `
` looked disdainfully at Morrel, and replied, -- `
` `
` "You are aware, monsieur, that a man may be estimable and `
` trustworthy in private life, and the best seaman in the `
` merchant service, and yet be, politically speaking, a great `
` criminal. Is it not true?" `
` `
` The magistrate laid emphasis on these words, as if he wished `
` to apply them to the owner himself, while his eyes seemed to `
` plunge into the heart of one who, interceding for another, `
` had himself need of indulgence. Morrel reddened, for his own `
` conscience was not quite clear on politics; besides, what `
` Dantes had told him of his interview with the grand-marshal, `
` and what the emperor had said to him, embarrassed him. He `
` replied, however, -- `
` `
` "I entreat you, M. de Villefort, be, as you always are, kind `
` and equitable, and give him back to us soon." This give us `
` sounded revolutionary in the deputy's ears. `
` `
` "Ah, ah," murmured he, "is Dantes then a member of some `
` Carbonari society, that his protector thus employs the `
` collective form? He was, if I recollect, arrested in a `
` tavern, in company with a great many others." Then he added, `
` "Monsieur, you may rest assured I shall perform my duty `
` impartially, and that if he be innocent you shall not have `
` appealed to me in vain; should he, however, be guilty, in `
` this present epoch, impunity would furnish a dangerous `
` example, and I must do my duty." `
` `
` As he had now arrived at the door of his own house, which `
` adjoined the Palais de Justice, he entered, after having, `
` coldly saluted the shipowner, who stood, as if petrified, on `
` the spot where Villefort had left him. The ante-chamber was `
` full of police agents and gendarmes, in the midst of whom, `
` carefully watched, but calm and smiling, stood the prisoner. `
` Villefort traversed the ante-chamber, cast a side glance at `
` Dantes, and taking a packet which a gendarme offered him, `
` disappeared, saying, "Bring in the prisoner." `
` `
` Rapid as had been Villefort's glance, it had served to give `
` him an idea of the man he was about to interrogate. He had `
` recognized intelligence in the high forehead, courage in the `
` dark eye and bent brow, and frankness in the thick lips that `
` showed a set of pearly teeth. Villefort's first impression `
` was favorable; but he had been so often warned to mistrust `
` first impulses, that he applied the maxim to the impression, `
` forgetting the difference between the two words. He stifled, `
` therefore, the feelings of compassion that were rising, `
` composed his features, and sat down, grim and sombre, at his `
` desk. An instant after Dantes entered. He was pale, but calm `
` and collected, and saluting his judge with easy politeness, `
` looked round for a seat, as if he had been in M. Morrel's `
` salon. It was then that he encountered for the first time `
` Villefort's look, -- that look peculiar to the magistrate, `
` who, while seeming to read the thoughts of others, betrays `
` nothing of his own. `
` `
` "Who and what are you?" demanded Villefort, turning over a `
` pile of papers, containing information relative to the `
` prisoner, that a police agent had given to him on his entry, `
` and that, already, in an hour's time, had swelled to `
` voluminous proportions, thanks to the corrupt espionage of `
` which "the accused" is always made the victim. `
` `
` "My name is Edmond Dantes," replied the young man calmly; "I `
` am mate of the Pharaon, belonging to Messrs. Morrel Son." `
` `
` "Your age?" continued Villefort. `
` `
` "Nineteen," returned Dantes. `
` `
` "What were you doing at the moment you were arrested?" `
` `
` "I was at the festival of my marriage, monsieur," said the `
` young man, his voice slightly tremulous, so great was the `
` contrast between that happy moment and the painful ceremony `
`