Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.1-10
"Yes, first, and then to go to Paris." `
` `
` "Very good; have what time you require, Dantes. It will take `
` quite six weeks to unload the cargo, and we cannot get you `
` ready for sea until three months after that; only be back `
` again in three months, for the Pharaon," added the owner, `
` patting the young sailor on the back, "cannot sail without `
` her captain." `
` `
` "Without her captain!" cried Dantes, his eyes sparkling with `
` animation; "pray mind what you say, for you are touching on `
` the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your `
` intention to make me captain of the Pharaon?" `
` `
` "If I were sole owner we'd shake hands on it now, my dear `
` Dantes, and call it settled; but I have a partner, and you `
` know the Italian proverb -- Chi ha compagno ha padrone -- `
` `He who has a partner has a master.' But the thing is at `
` least half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely on `
` me to procure you the other; I will do my best." `
` `
` "Ah, M. Morrel," exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in `
` his eyes, and grasping the owner's hand, "M. Morrel, I thank `
` you in the name of my father and of Mercedes." `
` `
` "That's all right, Edmond. There's a providence that watches `
` over the deserving. Go to your father: go and see Mercedes, `
` and afterwards come to me." `
` `
` "Shall I row you ashore?" `
` `
` "No, thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts `
` with Danglars. Have you been satisfied with him this `
` voyage?" `
` `
` "That is according to the sense you attach to the question, `
` sir. Do you mean is he a good comrade? No, for I think he `
` never liked me since the day when I was silly enough, after `
` a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop for ten `
` minutes at the island of Monte Cristo to settle the dispute `
` -- a proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite `
` right to refuse. If you mean as responsible agent when you `
` ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say `
` against him, and that you will be content with the way in `
` which he has performed his duty." `
` `
` "But tell me, Dantes, if you had command of the Pharaon `
` should you be glad to see Danglars remain?" `
` `
` "Captain or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the `
` greatest respect for those who possess the owners' `
` confidence." `
` `
` "That's right, that's right, Dantes! I see you are a `
` thoroughly good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go, `
` for I see how impatient you are." `
` `
` "Then I have leave?" `
` `
` "Go, I tell you." `
` `
` "May I have the use of your skiff?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "Then, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand `
` thanks!" `
` `
` "I hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to `
` you." `
` `
` The young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the `
` stern sheets, with the order that he be put ashore at La `
` Canebiere. The two oarsmen bent to their work, and the `
` little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the midst `
` of the thousand vessels which choke up the narrow way which `
` leads between the two rows of ships from the mouth of the `
` harbor to the Quai d'Orleans. `
` `
` The shipowner, smiling, followed him with his eyes until he `
` saw him spring out on the quay and disappear in the midst of `
` the throng, which from five o'clock in the morning until `
` nine o'clock at night, swarms in the famous street of La `
` Canebiere, -- a street of which the modern Phocaeans are so `
` proud that they say with all the gravity in the world, and `
` with that accent which gives so much character to what is `
` said, "If Paris had La Canebiere, Paris would be a second `
` Marseilles." On turning round the owner saw Danglars behind `
` him, apparently awaiting orders, but in reality also `
` watching the young sailor, -- but there was a great `
` difference in the expression of the two men who thus `
` followed the movements of Edmond Dantes. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 2 `
` Father and Son. `
` `
` We will leave Danglars struggling with the demon of hatred, `
` and endeavoring to insinuate in the ear of the shipowner `
` some evil suspicions against his comrade, and follow Dantes, `
` who, after having traversed La Canebiere, took the Rue de `
` Noailles, and entering a small house, on the left of the `
` Allees de Meillan, rapidly ascended four flights of a dark `
` staircase, holding the baluster with one hand, while with `
` the other he repressed the beatings of his heart, and paused `
` before a half-open door, from which he could see the whole `
` of a small room. `
` `
` This room was occupied by Dantes' father. The news of the `
` arrival of the Pharaon had not yet reached the old man, who, `
` mounted on a chair, was amusing himself by training with `
` trembling hand the nasturtiums and sprays of clematis that `
` clambered over the trellis at his window. Suddenly, he felt `
` an arm thrown around his body, and a well-known voice behind `
` him exclaimed, "Father -- dear father!" `
` `
` The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing `
` his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling. `
` `
` "What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?" inquired `
` the young man, much alarmed. `
` `
` "No, no, my dear Edmond -- my boy -- my son! -- no; but I `
` did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so `
` suddenly -- Ah, I feel as if I were going to die." `
` `
` "Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! 'Tis I -- really I! `
` They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any `
` warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so `
` solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be `
` happy." `
` `
` "Yes, yes, my boy, so we will -- so we will," replied the `
` old man; "but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave `
` me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has `
` befallen you." `
` `
` "God forgive me," said the young man, "for rejoicing at `
` happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven `
` knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, `
` and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain `
` Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the `
` aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, `
` father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred `
` louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than `
` a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?" `
` `
` "Yes, my dear boy," replied the old man, "it is very `
` fortunate." `
` `
` "Well, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to `
` have a small house, with a garden in which to plant `
` clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle. But what ails you, `
` father? Are you not well?" `
` `
` "'Tis nothing, nothing; it will soon pass away" -- and as he `
` said so the old man's strength failed him, and he fell `
` backwards. `
` `
` "Come, come," said the young man, "a glass of wine, father, `
` will revive you. Where do you keep your wine?" `
` `
` "No, no; thanks. You need not look for it; I do not want `
` it," said the old man. `
` `
` "Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is," and he opened two `
` or three cupboards. `
` `
` "It is no use," said the old man, "there is no wine." `
` `
` "What, no wine?" said Dantes, turning pale, and looking `
` alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the `
` empty cupboards. "What, no wine? Have you wanted money, `
` father?" `
` `
` "I want nothing now that I have you," said the old man. `
` `
` "Yet," stammered Dantes, wiping the perspiration from his `
` brow, -- "yet I gave you two hundred francs when I left, `
` three months ago." `
` `
` "Yes, yes, Edmond, that is true, but you forgot at that time `
` a little debt to our neighbor, Caderousse. He reminded me of `
` it, telling me if I did not pay for you, he would be paid by `
` M. Morrel; and so, you see, lest he might do you an injury" `
` -- `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Why, I paid him." `
` `
` "But," cried Dantes, "it was a hundred and forty francs I `
` owed Caderousse." `
` `
` "Yes," stammered the old man. `
` `
` "And you paid him out of the two hundred francs I left you?" `
` `
` The old man nodded. `
` `
`
` `
` "Very good; have what time you require, Dantes. It will take `
` quite six weeks to unload the cargo, and we cannot get you `
` ready for sea until three months after that; only be back `
` again in three months, for the Pharaon," added the owner, `
` patting the young sailor on the back, "cannot sail without `
` her captain." `
` `
` "Without her captain!" cried Dantes, his eyes sparkling with `
` animation; "pray mind what you say, for you are touching on `
` the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your `
` intention to make me captain of the Pharaon?" `
` `
` "If I were sole owner we'd shake hands on it now, my dear `
` Dantes, and call it settled; but I have a partner, and you `
` know the Italian proverb -- Chi ha compagno ha padrone -- `
` `He who has a partner has a master.' But the thing is at `
` least half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely on `
` me to procure you the other; I will do my best." `
` `
` "Ah, M. Morrel," exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in `
` his eyes, and grasping the owner's hand, "M. Morrel, I thank `
` you in the name of my father and of Mercedes." `
` `
` "That's all right, Edmond. There's a providence that watches `
` over the deserving. Go to your father: go and see Mercedes, `
` and afterwards come to me." `
` `
` "Shall I row you ashore?" `
` `
` "No, thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts `
` with Danglars. Have you been satisfied with him this `
` voyage?" `
` `
` "That is according to the sense you attach to the question, `
` sir. Do you mean is he a good comrade? No, for I think he `
` never liked me since the day when I was silly enough, after `
` a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop for ten `
` minutes at the island of Monte Cristo to settle the dispute `
` -- a proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite `
` right to refuse. If you mean as responsible agent when you `
` ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say `
` against him, and that you will be content with the way in `
` which he has performed his duty." `
` `
` "But tell me, Dantes, if you had command of the Pharaon `
` should you be glad to see Danglars remain?" `
` `
` "Captain or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the `
` greatest respect for those who possess the owners' `
` confidence." `
` `
` "That's right, that's right, Dantes! I see you are a `
` thoroughly good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go, `
` for I see how impatient you are." `
` `
` "Then I have leave?" `
` `
` "Go, I tell you." `
` `
` "May I have the use of your skiff?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "Then, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand `
` thanks!" `
` `
` "I hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to `
` you." `
` `
` The young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the `
` stern sheets, with the order that he be put ashore at La `
` Canebiere. The two oarsmen bent to their work, and the `
` little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the midst `
` of the thousand vessels which choke up the narrow way which `
` leads between the two rows of ships from the mouth of the `
` harbor to the Quai d'Orleans. `
` `
` The shipowner, smiling, followed him with his eyes until he `
` saw him spring out on the quay and disappear in the midst of `
` the throng, which from five o'clock in the morning until `
` nine o'clock at night, swarms in the famous street of La `
` Canebiere, -- a street of which the modern Phocaeans are so `
` proud that they say with all the gravity in the world, and `
` with that accent which gives so much character to what is `
` said, "If Paris had La Canebiere, Paris would be a second `
` Marseilles." On turning round the owner saw Danglars behind `
` him, apparently awaiting orders, but in reality also `
` watching the young sailor, -- but there was a great `
` difference in the expression of the two men who thus `
` followed the movements of Edmond Dantes. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 2 `
` Father and Son. `
` `
` We will leave Danglars struggling with the demon of hatred, `
` and endeavoring to insinuate in the ear of the shipowner `
` some evil suspicions against his comrade, and follow Dantes, `
` who, after having traversed La Canebiere, took the Rue de `
` Noailles, and entering a small house, on the left of the `
` Allees de Meillan, rapidly ascended four flights of a dark `
` staircase, holding the baluster with one hand, while with `
` the other he repressed the beatings of his heart, and paused `
` before a half-open door, from which he could see the whole `
` of a small room. `
` `
` This room was occupied by Dantes' father. The news of the `
` arrival of the Pharaon had not yet reached the old man, who, `
` mounted on a chair, was amusing himself by training with `
` trembling hand the nasturtiums and sprays of clematis that `
` clambered over the trellis at his window. Suddenly, he felt `
` an arm thrown around his body, and a well-known voice behind `
` him exclaimed, "Father -- dear father!" `
` `
` The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing `
` his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling. `
` `
` "What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?" inquired `
` the young man, much alarmed. `
` `
` "No, no, my dear Edmond -- my boy -- my son! -- no; but I `
` did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so `
` suddenly -- Ah, I feel as if I were going to die." `
` `
` "Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! 'Tis I -- really I! `
` They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any `
` warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so `
` solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be `
` happy." `
` `
` "Yes, yes, my boy, so we will -- so we will," replied the `
` old man; "but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave `
` me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has `
` befallen you." `
` `
` "God forgive me," said the young man, "for rejoicing at `
` happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven `
` knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, `
` and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain `
` Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the `
` aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, `
` father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred `
` louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than `
` a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?" `
` `
` "Yes, my dear boy," replied the old man, "it is very `
` fortunate." `
` `
` "Well, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to `
` have a small house, with a garden in which to plant `
` clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle. But what ails you, `
` father? Are you not well?" `
` `
` "'Tis nothing, nothing; it will soon pass away" -- and as he `
` said so the old man's strength failed him, and he fell `
` backwards. `
` `
` "Come, come," said the young man, "a glass of wine, father, `
` will revive you. Where do you keep your wine?" `
` `
` "No, no; thanks. You need not look for it; I do not want `
` it," said the old man. `
` `
` "Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is," and he opened two `
` or three cupboards. `
` `
` "It is no use," said the old man, "there is no wine." `
` `
` "What, no wine?" said Dantes, turning pale, and looking `
` alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the `
` empty cupboards. "What, no wine? Have you wanted money, `
` father?" `
` `
` "I want nothing now that I have you," said the old man. `
` `
` "Yet," stammered Dantes, wiping the perspiration from his `
` brow, -- "yet I gave you two hundred francs when I left, `
` three months ago." `
` `
` "Yes, yes, Edmond, that is true, but you forgot at that time `
` a little debt to our neighbor, Caderousse. He reminded me of `
` it, telling me if I did not pay for you, he would be paid by `
` M. Morrel; and so, you see, lest he might do you an injury" `
` -- `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Why, I paid him." `
` `
` "But," cried Dantes, "it was a hundred and forty francs I `
` owed Caderousse." `
` `
` "Yes," stammered the old man. `
` `
` "And you paid him out of the two hundred francs I left you?" `
` `
` The old man nodded. `
` `
`