Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
contrast between that happy moment and the painful ceremony `
` he was now undergoing; so great was the contrast between the `
` sombre aspect of M. de Villefort and the radiant face of `
` Mercedes. `
` `
` "You were at the festival of your marriage?" said the `
` deputy, shuddering in spite of himself. `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur; I am on the point of marrying a young girl I `
` have been attached to for three years." Villefort, impassive `
` as he was, was struck with this coincidence; and the `
` tremulous voice of Dantes, surprised in the midst of his `
` happiness, struck a sympathetic chord in his own bosom -- he `
` also was on the point of being married, and he was summoned `
` from his own happiness to destroy that of another. "This `
` philosophic reflection," thought he, "will make a great `
` sensation at M. de Saint-Meran's;" and he arranged mentally, `
` while Dantes awaited further questions, the antithesis by `
` which orators often create a reputation for eloquence. When `
` this speech was arranged, Villefort turned to Dantes. `
` `
` "Go on, sir," said he. `
` `
` "What would you have me say?" `
` `
` "Give all the information in your power." `
` `
` "Tell me on which point you desire information, and I will `
` tell all I know; only," added he, with a smile, "I warn you `
` I know very little." `
` `
` "Have you served under the usurper?" `
` `
` "I was about to be mustered into the Royal Marines when he `
` fell." `
` `
` "It is reported your political opinions are extreme," said `
` Villefort, who had never heard anything of the kind, but was `
` not sorry to make this inquiry, as if it were an accusation. `
` `
` "My political opinions!" replied Dantes. "Alas, sir, I never `
` had any opinions. I am hardly nineteen; I know nothing; I `
` have no part to play. If I obtain the situation I desire, I `
` shall owe it to M. Morrel. Thus all my opinions -- I will `
` not say public, but private -- are confined to these three `
` sentiment, -- I love my father, I respect M. Morrel, and I `
` adore Mercedes. This, sir, is all I can tell you, and you `
` see how uninteresting it is." As Dantes spoke, Villefort `
` gazed at his ingenuous and open countenance, and recollected `
` the words of Renee, who, without knowing who the culprit `
` was, had besought his indulgence for him. With the deputy's `
` knowledge of crime and criminals, every word the young man `
` uttered convinced him more and more of his innocence. This `
` lad, for he was scarcely a man, -- simple, natural, eloquent `
` with that eloquence of the heart never found when sought `
` for; full of affection for everybody, because he was happy, `
` and because happiness renders even the wicked good -- `
` extended his affection even to his judge, spite of `
` Villefort's severe look and stern accent. Dantes seemed full `
` of kindness. `
` `
` "Pardieu," said Villefort, "he is a noble fellow. I hope I `
` shall gain Renee's favor easily by obeying the first command `
` she ever imposed on me. I shall have at least a pressure of `
` the hand in public, and a sweet kiss in private." Full of `
` this idea, Villefort's face became so joyous, that when he `
` turned to Dantes, the latter, who had watched the change on `
` his physiognomy, was smiling also. `
` `
` "Sir," said Villefort, "have you any enemies, at least, that `
` you know." `
` `
` "I have enemies?" replied Dantes; "my position is not `
` sufficiently elevated for that. As for my disposition, that `
` is, perhaps, somewhat too hasty; but I have striven to `
` repress it. I have had ten or twelve sailors under me, and `
` if you question them, they will tell you that they love and `
` respect me, not as a father, for I am too young, but as an `
` elder brother." `
` `
` "But you may have excited jealousy. You are about to become `
` captain at nineteen -- an elevated post; you are about to `
` marry a pretty girl, who loves you; and these two pieces of `
` good fortune may have excited the envy of some one." `
` `
` "You are right; you know men better than I do, and what you `
` say may possibly be the case, I confess; but if such persons `
` are among my acquaintances I prefer not to know it, because `
` then I should be forced to hate them." `
` `
` "You are wrong; you should always strive to see clearly `
` around you. You seem a worthy young man; I will depart from `
` the strict line of my duty to aid you in discovering the `
` author of this accusation. Here is the paper; do you know `
` the writing?" As he spoke, Villefort drew the letter from `
` his pocket, and presented it to Dantes. Dantes read it. A `
` cloud passed over his brow as he said, -- `
` `
` "No, monsieur, I do not know the writing, and yet it is `
` tolerably plain. Whoever did it writes well. I am very `
` fortunate," added he, looking gratefully at Villefort, "to `
` be examined by such a man as you; for this envious person is `
` a real enemy." And by the rapid glance that the young man's `
` eyes shot forth, Villefort saw how much energy lay hid `
` beneath this mildness. `
` `
` "Now," said the deputy, "answer me frankly, not as a `
` prisoner to a judge, but as one man to another who takes an `
` interest in him, what truth is there in the accusation `
` contained in this anonymous letter?" And Villefort threw `
` disdainfully on his desk the letter Dantes had just given `
` back to him. `
` `
` "None at all. I will tell you the real facts. I swear by my `
` honor as a sailor, by my love for Mercedes, by the life of `
` my father" -- `
` `
` "Speak, monsieur," said Villefort. Then, internally, "If `
` Renee could see me, I hope she would be satisfied, and would `
` no longer call me a decapitator." `
` `
` "Well, when we quitted Naples, Captain Leclere was attacked `
` with a brain fever. As we had no doctor on board, and he was `
` so anxious to arrive at Elba, that he would not touch at any `
` other port, his disorder rose to such a height, that at the `
` end of the third day, feeling he was dying, he called me to `
` him. `My dear Dantes,' said he, `swear to perform what I am `
` going to tell you, for it is a matter of the deepest `
` importance.' `
` `
` "`I swear, captain,' replied I. `
` `
` "`Well, as after my death the command devolves on you as `
` mate, assume the command, and bear up for the Island of `
` Elba, disembark at Porto-Ferrajo, ask for the grand-marshal, `
` give him this letter -- perhaps they will give you another `
` letter, and charge you with a commission. You will `
` accomplish what I was to have done, and derive all the honor `
` and profit from it.' `
` `
` "`I will do it, captain; but perhaps I shall not be admitted `
` to the grand marshal's presence as easily as you expect?' `
` `
` "`Here is a ring that will obtain audience of him, and `
` remove every difficulty,' said the captain. At these words `
` he gave me a ring. It was time -- two hours after he was `
` delirious; the next day he died." `
` `
` "And what did you do then?" `
` `
` "What I ought to have done, and what every one would have `
` done in my place. Everywhere the last requests of a dying `
` man are sacred; but with a sailor the last requests of his `
` superior are commands. I sailed for the Island of Elba, `
` where I arrived the next day; I ordered everybody to remain `
` on board, and went on shore alone. As I had expected, I `
` found some difficulty in obtaining access to the `
` grand-marshal; but I sent the ring I had received from the `
` captain to him, and was instantly admitted. He questioned me `
` concerning Captain Leclere's death; and, as the latter had `
` told me, gave me a letter to carry on to a person in Paris. `
` I undertook it because it was what my captain had bade me `
` do. I landed here, regulated the affairs of the vessel, and `
` hastened to visit my affianced bride, whom I found more `
` lovely than ever. Thanks to M. Morrel, all the forms were `
` got over; in a word I was, as I told you, at my `
` marriage-feast; and I should have been married in an hour, `
` and to-morrow I intended to start for Paris, had I not been `
` arrested on this charge which you as well as I now see to be `
` unjust." `
` `
` "Ah," said Villefort, "this seems to me the truth. If you `
` have been culpable, it was imprudence, and this imprudence `
` was in obedience to the orders of your captain. Give up this `
` letter you have brought from Elba, and pass your word you `
` will appear should you be required, and go and rejoin your `
` friends. `
` `
` "I am free, then, sir?" cried Dantes joyfully. `
` `
` "Yes; but first give me this letter." `
` `
` "You have it already, for it was taken from me with some `
` others which I see in that packet." `
` `
` "Stop a moment," said the deputy, as Dantes took his hat and `
` gloves. "To whom is it addressed?" `
` `
` "To Monsieur Noirtier, Rue Coq-Heron, Paris." Had a `
` thunderbolt fallen into the room, Villefort could not have `
` been more stupefied. He sank into his seat, and hastily `
` turning over the packet, drew forth the fatal letter, at `
` which he glanced with an expression of terror. `
` `
` "M. Noirtier, Rue Coq-Heron, No. 13," murmured he, growing `
` still paler. `
` `
` "Yes," said Dantes; "do you know him?" `
` `
` "No," replied Villefort; "a faithful servant of the king `
` does not know conspirators." `
`
` he was now undergoing; so great was the contrast between the `
` sombre aspect of M. de Villefort and the radiant face of `
` Mercedes. `
` `
` "You were at the festival of your marriage?" said the `
` deputy, shuddering in spite of himself. `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur; I am on the point of marrying a young girl I `
` have been attached to for three years." Villefort, impassive `
` as he was, was struck with this coincidence; and the `
` tremulous voice of Dantes, surprised in the midst of his `
` happiness, struck a sympathetic chord in his own bosom -- he `
` also was on the point of being married, and he was summoned `
` from his own happiness to destroy that of another. "This `
` philosophic reflection," thought he, "will make a great `
` sensation at M. de Saint-Meran's;" and he arranged mentally, `
` while Dantes awaited further questions, the antithesis by `
` which orators often create a reputation for eloquence. When `
` this speech was arranged, Villefort turned to Dantes. `
` `
` "Go on, sir," said he. `
` `
` "What would you have me say?" `
` `
` "Give all the information in your power." `
` `
` "Tell me on which point you desire information, and I will `
` tell all I know; only," added he, with a smile, "I warn you `
` I know very little." `
` `
` "Have you served under the usurper?" `
` `
` "I was about to be mustered into the Royal Marines when he `
` fell." `
` `
` "It is reported your political opinions are extreme," said `
` Villefort, who had never heard anything of the kind, but was `
` not sorry to make this inquiry, as if it were an accusation. `
` `
` "My political opinions!" replied Dantes. "Alas, sir, I never `
` had any opinions. I am hardly nineteen; I know nothing; I `
` have no part to play. If I obtain the situation I desire, I `
` shall owe it to M. Morrel. Thus all my opinions -- I will `
` not say public, but private -- are confined to these three `
` sentiment, -- I love my father, I respect M. Morrel, and I `
` adore Mercedes. This, sir, is all I can tell you, and you `
` see how uninteresting it is." As Dantes spoke, Villefort `
` gazed at his ingenuous and open countenance, and recollected `
` the words of Renee, who, without knowing who the culprit `
` was, had besought his indulgence for him. With the deputy's `
` knowledge of crime and criminals, every word the young man `
` uttered convinced him more and more of his innocence. This `
` lad, for he was scarcely a man, -- simple, natural, eloquent `
` with that eloquence of the heart never found when sought `
` for; full of affection for everybody, because he was happy, `
` and because happiness renders even the wicked good -- `
` extended his affection even to his judge, spite of `
` Villefort's severe look and stern accent. Dantes seemed full `
` of kindness. `
` `
` "Pardieu," said Villefort, "he is a noble fellow. I hope I `
` shall gain Renee's favor easily by obeying the first command `
` she ever imposed on me. I shall have at least a pressure of `
` the hand in public, and a sweet kiss in private." Full of `
` this idea, Villefort's face became so joyous, that when he `
` turned to Dantes, the latter, who had watched the change on `
` his physiognomy, was smiling also. `
` `
` "Sir," said Villefort, "have you any enemies, at least, that `
` you know." `
` `
` "I have enemies?" replied Dantes; "my position is not `
` sufficiently elevated for that. As for my disposition, that `
` is, perhaps, somewhat too hasty; but I have striven to `
` repress it. I have had ten or twelve sailors under me, and `
` if you question them, they will tell you that they love and `
` respect me, not as a father, for I am too young, but as an `
` elder brother." `
` `
` "But you may have excited jealousy. You are about to become `
` captain at nineteen -- an elevated post; you are about to `
` marry a pretty girl, who loves you; and these two pieces of `
` good fortune may have excited the envy of some one." `
` `
` "You are right; you know men better than I do, and what you `
` say may possibly be the case, I confess; but if such persons `
` are among my acquaintances I prefer not to know it, because `
` then I should be forced to hate them." `
` `
` "You are wrong; you should always strive to see clearly `
` around you. You seem a worthy young man; I will depart from `
` the strict line of my duty to aid you in discovering the `
` author of this accusation. Here is the paper; do you know `
` the writing?" As he spoke, Villefort drew the letter from `
` his pocket, and presented it to Dantes. Dantes read it. A `
` cloud passed over his brow as he said, -- `
` `
` "No, monsieur, I do not know the writing, and yet it is `
` tolerably plain. Whoever did it writes well. I am very `
` fortunate," added he, looking gratefully at Villefort, "to `
` be examined by such a man as you; for this envious person is `
` a real enemy." And by the rapid glance that the young man's `
` eyes shot forth, Villefort saw how much energy lay hid `
` beneath this mildness. `
` `
` "Now," said the deputy, "answer me frankly, not as a `
` prisoner to a judge, but as one man to another who takes an `
` interest in him, what truth is there in the accusation `
` contained in this anonymous letter?" And Villefort threw `
` disdainfully on his desk the letter Dantes had just given `
` back to him. `
` `
` "None at all. I will tell you the real facts. I swear by my `
` honor as a sailor, by my love for Mercedes, by the life of `
` my father" -- `
` `
` "Speak, monsieur," said Villefort. Then, internally, "If `
` Renee could see me, I hope she would be satisfied, and would `
` no longer call me a decapitator." `
` `
` "Well, when we quitted Naples, Captain Leclere was attacked `
` with a brain fever. As we had no doctor on board, and he was `
` so anxious to arrive at Elba, that he would not touch at any `
` other port, his disorder rose to such a height, that at the `
` end of the third day, feeling he was dying, he called me to `
` him. `My dear Dantes,' said he, `swear to perform what I am `
` going to tell you, for it is a matter of the deepest `
` importance.' `
` `
` "`I swear, captain,' replied I. `
` `
` "`Well, as after my death the command devolves on you as `
` mate, assume the command, and bear up for the Island of `
` Elba, disembark at Porto-Ferrajo, ask for the grand-marshal, `
` give him this letter -- perhaps they will give you another `
` letter, and charge you with a commission. You will `
` accomplish what I was to have done, and derive all the honor `
` and profit from it.' `
` `
` "`I will do it, captain; but perhaps I shall not be admitted `
` to the grand marshal's presence as easily as you expect?' `
` `
` "`Here is a ring that will obtain audience of him, and `
` remove every difficulty,' said the captain. At these words `
` he gave me a ring. It was time -- two hours after he was `
` delirious; the next day he died." `
` `
` "And what did you do then?" `
` `
` "What I ought to have done, and what every one would have `
` done in my place. Everywhere the last requests of a dying `
` man are sacred; but with a sailor the last requests of his `
` superior are commands. I sailed for the Island of Elba, `
` where I arrived the next day; I ordered everybody to remain `
` on board, and went on shore alone. As I had expected, I `
` found some difficulty in obtaining access to the `
` grand-marshal; but I sent the ring I had received from the `
` captain to him, and was instantly admitted. He questioned me `
` concerning Captain Leclere's death; and, as the latter had `
` told me, gave me a letter to carry on to a person in Paris. `
` I undertook it because it was what my captain had bade me `
` do. I landed here, regulated the affairs of the vessel, and `
` hastened to visit my affianced bride, whom I found more `
` lovely than ever. Thanks to M. Morrel, all the forms were `
` got over; in a word I was, as I told you, at my `
` marriage-feast; and I should have been married in an hour, `
` and to-morrow I intended to start for Paris, had I not been `
` arrested on this charge which you as well as I now see to be `
` unjust." `
` `
` "Ah," said Villefort, "this seems to me the truth. If you `
` have been culpable, it was imprudence, and this imprudence `
` was in obedience to the orders of your captain. Give up this `
` letter you have brought from Elba, and pass your word you `
` will appear should you be required, and go and rejoin your `
` friends. `
` `
` "I am free, then, sir?" cried Dantes joyfully. `
` `
` "Yes; but first give me this letter." `
` `
` "You have it already, for it was taken from me with some `
` others which I see in that packet." `
` `
` "Stop a moment," said the deputy, as Dantes took his hat and `
` gloves. "To whom is it addressed?" `
` `
` "To Monsieur Noirtier, Rue Coq-Heron, Paris." Had a `
` thunderbolt fallen into the room, Villefort could not have `
` been more stupefied. He sank into his seat, and hastily `
` turning over the packet, drew forth the fatal letter, at `
` which he glanced with an expression of terror. `
` `
` "M. Noirtier, Rue Coq-Heron, No. 13," murmured he, growing `
` still paler. `
` `
` "Yes," said Dantes; "do you know him?" `
` `
` "No," replied Villefort; "a faithful servant of the king `
` does not know conspirators." `
`