Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
does not know conspirators." `
` `
` "It is a conspiracy, then?" asked Dantes, who after `
` believing himself free, now began to feel a tenfold alarm. `
` "I have, however, already told you, sir, I was entirely `
` ignorant of the contents of the letter." `
` `
` "Yes; but you knew the name of the person to whom it was `
` addressed," said Villefort. `
` `
` "I was forced to read the address to know to whom to give `
` it." `
` `
` "Have you shown this letter to any one?" asked Villefort, `
` becoming still more pale. `
` `
` "To no one, on my honor." `
` `
` "Everybody is ignorant that you are the bearer of a letter `
` from the Island of Elba, and addressed to M. Noirtier?" `
` `
` "Everybody, except the person who gave it to me." `
` `
` "And that was too much, far too much," murmured Villefort. `
` Villefort's brow darkened more and more, his white lips and `
` clinched teeth filled Dantes with apprehension. After `
` reading the letter, Villefort covered his face with his `
` hands. `
` `
` "Oh," said Dantes timidly, "what is the matter?" Villefort `
` made no answer, but raised his head at the expiration of a `
` few seconds, and again perused the letter. `
` `
` "And you say that you are ignorant of the contents of this `
` letter?" `
` `
` "I give you my word of honor, sir," said Dantes; "but what `
` is the matter? You are ill -- shall I ring for assistance? `
` -- shall I call?" `
` `
` "No," said Villefort, rising hastily; "stay where you are. `
` It is for me to give orders here, and not you." `
` `
` "Monsieur," replied Dantes proudly, "it was only to summon `
` assistance for you." `
` `
` "I want none; it was a temporary indisposition. Attend to `
` yourself; answer me." Dantes waited, expecting a question, `
` but in vain. Villefort fell back on his chair, passed his `
` hand over his brow, moist with perspiration, and, for the `
` third time, read the letter. `
` `
` "Oh, if he knows the contents of this!" murmured he, "and `
` that Noirtier is the father of Villefort, I am lost!" And he `
` fixed his eyes upon Edmond as if he would have penetrated `
` his thoughts. `
` `
` "Oh, it is impossible to doubt it," cried he, suddenly. `
` `
` "In heaven's name!" cried the unhappy young man, "if you `
` doubt me, question me; I will answer you." Villefort made a `
` violent effort, and in a tone he strove to render firm, -- `
` `
` "Sir," said he, "I am no longer able, as I had hoped, to `
` restore you immediately to liberty; before doing so, I must `
` consult the trial justice; what my own feeling is you `
` already know." `
` `
` "Oh, monsieur," cried Dantes, "you have been rather a friend `
` than a judge." `
` `
` "Well, I must detain you some time longer, but I will strive `
` to make it as short as possible. The principal charge `
` against you is this letter, and you see" -- Villefort `
` approached the fire, cast it in, and waited until it was `
` entirely consumed. `
` `
` "You see, I destroy it?" `
` `
` "Oh," exclaimed Dantes, "you are goodness itself." `
` `
` "Listen," continued Villefort; "you can now have confidence `
` in me after what I have done." `
` `
` "Oh, command, and I will obey." `
` `
` "Listen; this is not a command, but advice I give you." `
` `
` "Speak, and I will follow your advice." `
` `
` "I shall detain you until this evening in the Palais de `
` Justice. Should any one else interrogate you, say to him `
` what you have said to me, but do not breathe a word of this `
` letter." `
` `
` "I promise." It was Villefort who seemed to entreat, and the `
` prisoner who reassured him. `
` `
` "You see," continued he, glancing toward the grate, where `
` fragments of burnt paper fluttered in the flames, "the `
` letter is destroyed; you and I alone know of its existence; `
` should you, therefore, be questioned, deny all knowledge of `
` it -- deny it boldly, and you are saved." `
` `
` "Be satisfied; I will deny it." `
` `
` "It was the only letter you had?" `
` `
` "It was." `
` `
` "Swear it." `
` `
` "I swear it." `
` `
` Villefort rang. A police agent entered. Villefort whispered `
` some words in his ear, to which the officer replied by a `
` motion of his head. `
` `
` "Follow him," said Villefort to Dantes. Dantes saluted `
` Villefort and retired. Hardly had the door closed when `
` Villefort threw himself half-fainting into a chair. `
` `
` "Alas, alas," murmured he, "if the procureur himself had `
` been at Marseilles I should have been ruined. This accursed `
` letter would have destroyed all my hopes. Oh, my father, `
` must your past career always interfere with my successes?" `
` Suddenly a light passed over his face, a smile played round `
` his set mouth, and his haggard eyes were fixed in thought. `
` `
` "This will do," said he, "and from this letter, which might `
` have ruined me, I will make my fortune. Now to the work I `
` have in hand." And after having assured himself that the `
` prisoner was gone, the deputy procureur hastened to the `
` house of his betrothed. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 8 `
` The Chateau D'If. `
` `
` The commissary of police, as he traversed the ante-chamber, `
` made a sign to two gendarmes, who placed themselves one on `
` Dantes' right and the other on his left. A door that `
` communicated with the Palais de Justice was opened, and they `
` went through a long range of gloomy corridors, whose `
` appearance might have made even the boldest shudder. The `
` Palais de Justice communicated with the prison, -- a sombre `
` edifice, that from its grated windows looks on the `
` clock-tower of the Accoules. After numberless windings, `
` Dantes saw a door with an iron wicket. The commissary took `
` up an iron mallet and knocked thrice, every blow seeming to `
` Dantes as if struck on his heart. The door opened, the two `
` gendarmes gently pushed him forward, and the door closed `
` with a loud sound behind him. The air he inhaled was no `
` longer pure, but thick and mephitic, -- he was in prison. He `
` was conducted to a tolerably neat chamber, but grated and `
` barred, and its appearance, therefore, did not greatly alarm `
` him; besides, the words of Villefort, who seemed to interest `
` himself so much, resounded still in his ears like a promise `
` of freedom. It was four o'clock when Dantes was placed in `
` this chamber. It was, as we have said, the 1st of March, and `
` the prisoner was soon buried in darkness. The obscurity `
` augmented the acuteness of his hearing; at the slightest `
` sound he rose and hastened to the door, convinced they were `
` about to liberate him, but the sound died away, and Dantes `
` sank again into his seat. At last, about ten o'clock, and `
` just as Dantes began to despair, steps were heard in the `
` corridor, a key turned in the lock, the bolts creaked, the `
` massy oaken door flew open, and a flood of light from two `
` torches pervaded the apartment. By the torchlight Dantes saw `
` the glittering sabres and carbines of four gendarmes. He had `
` advanced at first, but stopped at the sight of this display `
` of force. `
` `
` "Are you come to fetch me?" asked he. `
` `
` "Yes," replied a gendarme. `
` `
` "By the orders of the deputy procureur?" `
` `
` "I believe so." The conviction that they came from M. de `
` Villefort relieved all Dantes' apprehensions; he advanced `
` calmly, and placed himself in the centre of the escort. A `
` carriage waited at the door, the coachman was on the box, `
` and a police officer sat beside him. `
` `
` "Is this carriage for me?" said Dantes. `
` `
` "It is for you," replied a gendarme. `
` `
` Dantes was about to speak; but feeling himself urged `
` forward, and having neither the power nor the intention to `
` resist, he mounted the steps, and was in an instant seated `
` inside between two gendarmes; the two others took their `
` places opposite, and the carriage rolled heavily over the `
` stones. `
` `
` The prisoner glanced at the windows -- they were grated; he `
` had changed his prison for another that was conveying him he `
` knew not whither. Through the grating, however, Dantes saw `
` they were passing through the Rue Caisserie, and by the Rue `
`
` `
` "It is a conspiracy, then?" asked Dantes, who after `
` believing himself free, now began to feel a tenfold alarm. `
` "I have, however, already told you, sir, I was entirely `
` ignorant of the contents of the letter." `
` `
` "Yes; but you knew the name of the person to whom it was `
` addressed," said Villefort. `
` `
` "I was forced to read the address to know to whom to give `
` it." `
` `
` "Have you shown this letter to any one?" asked Villefort, `
` becoming still more pale. `
` `
` "To no one, on my honor." `
` `
` "Everybody is ignorant that you are the bearer of a letter `
` from the Island of Elba, and addressed to M. Noirtier?" `
` `
` "Everybody, except the person who gave it to me." `
` `
` "And that was too much, far too much," murmured Villefort. `
` Villefort's brow darkened more and more, his white lips and `
` clinched teeth filled Dantes with apprehension. After `
` reading the letter, Villefort covered his face with his `
` hands. `
` `
` "Oh," said Dantes timidly, "what is the matter?" Villefort `
` made no answer, but raised his head at the expiration of a `
` few seconds, and again perused the letter. `
` `
` "And you say that you are ignorant of the contents of this `
` letter?" `
` `
` "I give you my word of honor, sir," said Dantes; "but what `
` is the matter? You are ill -- shall I ring for assistance? `
` -- shall I call?" `
` `
` "No," said Villefort, rising hastily; "stay where you are. `
` It is for me to give orders here, and not you." `
` `
` "Monsieur," replied Dantes proudly, "it was only to summon `
` assistance for you." `
` `
` "I want none; it was a temporary indisposition. Attend to `
` yourself; answer me." Dantes waited, expecting a question, `
` but in vain. Villefort fell back on his chair, passed his `
` hand over his brow, moist with perspiration, and, for the `
` third time, read the letter. `
` `
` "Oh, if he knows the contents of this!" murmured he, "and `
` that Noirtier is the father of Villefort, I am lost!" And he `
` fixed his eyes upon Edmond as if he would have penetrated `
` his thoughts. `
` `
` "Oh, it is impossible to doubt it," cried he, suddenly. `
` `
` "In heaven's name!" cried the unhappy young man, "if you `
` doubt me, question me; I will answer you." Villefort made a `
` violent effort, and in a tone he strove to render firm, -- `
` `
` "Sir," said he, "I am no longer able, as I had hoped, to `
` restore you immediately to liberty; before doing so, I must `
` consult the trial justice; what my own feeling is you `
` already know." `
` `
` "Oh, monsieur," cried Dantes, "you have been rather a friend `
` than a judge." `
` `
` "Well, I must detain you some time longer, but I will strive `
` to make it as short as possible. The principal charge `
` against you is this letter, and you see" -- Villefort `
` approached the fire, cast it in, and waited until it was `
` entirely consumed. `
` `
` "You see, I destroy it?" `
` `
` "Oh," exclaimed Dantes, "you are goodness itself." `
` `
` "Listen," continued Villefort; "you can now have confidence `
` in me after what I have done." `
` `
` "Oh, command, and I will obey." `
` `
` "Listen; this is not a command, but advice I give you." `
` `
` "Speak, and I will follow your advice." `
` `
` "I shall detain you until this evening in the Palais de `
` Justice. Should any one else interrogate you, say to him `
` what you have said to me, but do not breathe a word of this `
` letter." `
` `
` "I promise." It was Villefort who seemed to entreat, and the `
` prisoner who reassured him. `
` `
` "You see," continued he, glancing toward the grate, where `
` fragments of burnt paper fluttered in the flames, "the `
` letter is destroyed; you and I alone know of its existence; `
` should you, therefore, be questioned, deny all knowledge of `
` it -- deny it boldly, and you are saved." `
` `
` "Be satisfied; I will deny it." `
` `
` "It was the only letter you had?" `
` `
` "It was." `
` `
` "Swear it." `
` `
` "I swear it." `
` `
` Villefort rang. A police agent entered. Villefort whispered `
` some words in his ear, to which the officer replied by a `
` motion of his head. `
` `
` "Follow him," said Villefort to Dantes. Dantes saluted `
` Villefort and retired. Hardly had the door closed when `
` Villefort threw himself half-fainting into a chair. `
` `
` "Alas, alas," murmured he, "if the procureur himself had `
` been at Marseilles I should have been ruined. This accursed `
` letter would have destroyed all my hopes. Oh, my father, `
` must your past career always interfere with my successes?" `
` Suddenly a light passed over his face, a smile played round `
` his set mouth, and his haggard eyes were fixed in thought. `
` `
` "This will do," said he, "and from this letter, which might `
` have ruined me, I will make my fortune. Now to the work I `
` have in hand." And after having assured himself that the `
` prisoner was gone, the deputy procureur hastened to the `
` house of his betrothed. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 8 `
` The Chateau D'If. `
` `
` The commissary of police, as he traversed the ante-chamber, `
` made a sign to two gendarmes, who placed themselves one on `
` Dantes' right and the other on his left. A door that `
` communicated with the Palais de Justice was opened, and they `
` went through a long range of gloomy corridors, whose `
` appearance might have made even the boldest shudder. The `
` Palais de Justice communicated with the prison, -- a sombre `
` edifice, that from its grated windows looks on the `
` clock-tower of the Accoules. After numberless windings, `
` Dantes saw a door with an iron wicket. The commissary took `
` up an iron mallet and knocked thrice, every blow seeming to `
` Dantes as if struck on his heart. The door opened, the two `
` gendarmes gently pushed him forward, and the door closed `
` with a loud sound behind him. The air he inhaled was no `
` longer pure, but thick and mephitic, -- he was in prison. He `
` was conducted to a tolerably neat chamber, but grated and `
` barred, and its appearance, therefore, did not greatly alarm `
` him; besides, the words of Villefort, who seemed to interest `
` himself so much, resounded still in his ears like a promise `
` of freedom. It was four o'clock when Dantes was placed in `
` this chamber. It was, as we have said, the 1st of March, and `
` the prisoner was soon buried in darkness. The obscurity `
` augmented the acuteness of his hearing; at the slightest `
` sound he rose and hastened to the door, convinced they were `
` about to liberate him, but the sound died away, and Dantes `
` sank again into his seat. At last, about ten o'clock, and `
` just as Dantes began to despair, steps were heard in the `
` corridor, a key turned in the lock, the bolts creaked, the `
` massy oaken door flew open, and a flood of light from two `
` torches pervaded the apartment. By the torchlight Dantes saw `
` the glittering sabres and carbines of four gendarmes. He had `
` advanced at first, but stopped at the sight of this display `
` of force. `
` `
` "Are you come to fetch me?" asked he. `
` `
` "Yes," replied a gendarme. `
` `
` "By the orders of the deputy procureur?" `
` `
` "I believe so." The conviction that they came from M. de `
` Villefort relieved all Dantes' apprehensions; he advanced `
` calmly, and placed himself in the centre of the escort. A `
` carriage waited at the door, the coachman was on the box, `
` and a police officer sat beside him. `
` `
` "Is this carriage for me?" said Dantes. `
` `
` "It is for you," replied a gendarme. `
` `
` Dantes was about to speak; but feeling himself urged `
` forward, and having neither the power nor the intention to `
` resist, he mounted the steps, and was in an instant seated `
` inside between two gendarmes; the two others took their `
` places opposite, and the carriage rolled heavily over the `
` stones. `
` `
` The prisoner glanced at the windows -- they were grated; he `
` had changed his prison for another that was conveying him he `
` knew not whither. Through the grating, however, Dantes saw `
` they were passing through the Rue Caisserie, and by the Rue `
`