English
Themorning’ssunroseclearandresplendent,touchingthefoamywavesintoanetworkofruby–tintedlight.
ThefeasthadbeenmadereadyonthesecondflooratLaReserve,withwhosearborthereaderisalreadyfamiliar.
Theapartmentdestinedforthepurposewasspaciousandlightedbyanumberofwindows,overeachofwhichwaswritteningoldenlettersforsomeinexplicablereasonthenameofoneoftheprincipalcitiesofFrance;beneaththesewindowsawoodenbalconyextendedtheentirelengthofthehouse.
Andalthoughtheentertainmentwasfixedfortwelveo’clock,anhourprevioustothattimethebalconywasfilledwithimpatientandexpectantguests,consistingofthefavoredpartofthecrewofthePharaon,andotherpersonalfriendsofthebride–groom,thewholeofwhomhadarrayedthemselvesintheirchoicestcostumes,inordertodogreaterhonortotheoccasion.
VariousrumorswereafloattotheeffectthattheownersofthePharaonhadpromisedtoattendthenuptialfeast;butallseemedunanimousindoubtingthatanactofsuchrareandexceedingcondescensioncouldpossiblybeintended.
Danglars,however,whonowmadehisappearance,accompaniedbyCaderousse,effectuallyconfirmedthereport,statingthathehadrecentlyconversedwithM.Morrel,whohadhimselfassuredhimofhisintentiontodineatLaReserve.
Infact,amomentlaterM.MorrelappearedandwassalutedwithanenthusiasticburstofapplausefromthecrewofthePharaon,whohailedthevisitoftheshipownerasasureindicationthatthemanwhoseweddingfeasthethusdelightedtohonorwoulderelongbefirstincommandoftheship;andasDanteswasuniversallybelovedonboardhisvessel,thesailorsputnorestraintontheirtumultuousjoyatfindingthattheopinionandchoiceoftheirsuperiorssoexactlycoincidedwiththeirown.
WiththeentranceofM.Morrel,DanglarsandCaderousseweredespatchedinsearchofthebride–groomtoconveytohimtheintelligenceofthearrivaloftheimportantpersonagewhosecominghadcreatedsuchalivelysensation,andtobeseechhimtomakehaste.
DanglarsandCaderoussesetoffupontheirerrandatfullspeed;buteretheyhadgonemanystepstheyperceivedagroupadvancingtowardsthem,composedofthebetrothedpair,apartyofyounggirlsinattendanceonthebride,bywhosesidewalkedDantes’father;thewholebroughtupbyFernand,whoselipsworetheirusualsinistersmile.
NeitherMercedesnorEdmondobservedthestrangeexpressionofhiscountenance;theyweresohappythattheywereconsciousonlyofthesunshineandthepresenceofeachother.
Havingacquittedthemselvesoftheirerrand,andexchangedaheartyshakeofthehandwithEdmond,DanglarsandCaderoussetooktheirplacesbesideFernandandoldDantes,—thelatterofwhomattracteduniversalnotice.
Theoldmanwasattiredinasuitofglisteningwateredsilk,trimmedwithsteelbuttons,beautifullycutandpolished.
Histhinbutwirylegswerearrayedinapairofrichlyembroideredclockedstockings,evidentlyofEnglishmanufacture,whilefromhisthree–corneredhatdependedalongstreamingknotofwhiteandblueribbons.
Thushecamealong,supportinghimselfonacuriouslycarvedstick,hisagedcountenancelitupwithhappiness,lookingforalltheworldlikeoneoftheageddandiesof1796,paradingthenewlyopenedgardensoftheTuileriesandLuxembourg.
BesidehimglidedCaderousse,whosedesiretopartakeofthegoodthingsprovidedforthewedding–partyhadinducedhimtobecomereconciledtotheDantes,fatherandson,althoughtherestilllingeredinhismindafaintandunperfectrecollectionoftheeventsoftheprecedingnight;justasthebrainretainsonwakinginthemorningthedimandmistyoutlineofadream.
AsDanglarsapproachedthedisappointedlover,hecastonhimalookofdeepmeaning,whileFernand,asheslowlypacedbehindthehappypair,whoseemed,intheirownunmixedcontent,tohaveentirelyforgottenthatsuchabeingashimselfexisted,waspaleandabstracted;occasionally,however,adeepflushwouldoverspreadhiscountenance,andanervouscontractiondistorthisfeatures,while,withanagitatedandrestlessgaze,hewouldglanceinthedirectionofMarseilles,likeonewhoeitheranticipatedorforesawsomegreatandimportantevent.
Danteshimselfwassimply,butbecomingly,cladinthedresspeculiartothemerchantservice—acostumesomewhatbetweenamilitaryandacivilgarb;andwithhisfinecountenance,radiantwithjoyandhappiness,amoreperfectspecimenofmanlybeautycouldscarcelybeimagined.
LovelyastheGreekgirlsofCyprusorChios,Mercedesboastedthesamebrightflashingeyesofjet,andripe,round,corallips.
Shemovedwiththelight,freestepofanArlesienneoranAndalusian.
Onemorepracticedintheartsofgreatcitieswouldhavehidherblushesbeneathaveil,or,atleast,havecastdownherthicklyfringedlashes,soastohaveconcealedtheliquidlustreofheranimatedeyes;but,onthecontrary,thedelightedgirllookedaroundherwithasmilethatseemedtosay:“Ifyouaremyfriends,rejoicewithme,forIamveryhappy.”
AssoonasthebridalpartycameinsightofLaReserve,M.Morreldescendedandcameforthtomeetit,followedbythesoldiersandsailorsthereassembled,towhomhehadrepeatedthepromisealreadygiven,thatDantesshouldbethesuccessortothelateCaptainLeclere.
Edmond,attheapproachofhispatron,respectfullyplacedthearmofhisaffiancedbridewithinthatofM.Morrel,who,forthwithconductingheruptheflightofwoodenstepsleadingtothechamberinwhichthefeastwasprepared,wasgaylyfollowedbytheguests,beneathwhoseheavytreadtheslightstructurecreakedandgroanedforthespaceofseveralminutes.
“Father,”saidMercedes,stoppingwhenshehadreachedthecentreofthetable,“sit,Iprayyou,onmyrighthand;onmyleftIwillplacehimwhohaseverbeenasabrothertome,”pointingwithasoftandgentlesmiletoFernand;butherwordsandlookseemedtoinflictthediresttortureonhim,forhislipsbecameghastlypale,andevenbeneaththedarkhueofhiscomplexionthebloodmightbeseenretreatingasthoughsomesuddenpangdroveitbacktotheheart.
Duringthistime,Dantes,attheoppositesideofthetable,hadbeenoccupiedinsimilarlyplacinghismosthonoredguests.
M.Morrelwasseatedathisrighthand,Danglarsathisleft;while,atasignfromEdmond,therestofthecompanyrangedthemselvesastheyfounditmostagreeable.
Thentheybegantopassaroundthedusky,piquant,Arlesiansausages,andlobstersintheirdazzlingredcuirasses,prawnsoflargesizeandbrilliantcolor,theechinuswithitspricklyoutsideanddaintymorselwithin,theclovis,esteemedbytheepicuresoftheSouthasmorethanrivallingtheexquisiteflavoroftheoyster,—allthedelicacies,infact,thatarecastupbythewashofwatersonthesandybeach,andstyledbythegratefulfishermen“fruitsofthesea.”
“Aprettysilencetruly!”saidtheoldfatherofthebride–groom,ashecarriedtohislipsaglassofwineofthehueandbrightnessofthetopaz,andwhichhadjustbeenplacedbeforeMercedesherself.
“Now,wouldanybodythinkthatthisroomcontainedahappy,merryparty,whodesirenothingbetterthantolaughanddancethehoursaway?”
“Ah,”sighedCaderousse,“amancannotalwaysfeelhappybecauseheisabouttobemarried.”
“Thetruthis,”repliedDantes,“thatIamtoohappyfornoisymirth;ifthatiswhatyoumeantbyyourobservation,myworthyfriend,youareright;joytakesastrangeeffectattimes,itseemstooppressusalmostthesameassorrow.”
DanglarslookedtowardsFernand,whoseexcitablenaturereceivedandbetrayedeachfreshimpression.
“Why,whatailsyou?”askedheofEdmond.“Doyoufearanyapproachingevil?Ishouldsaythatyouwerethehappiestmanaliveatthisinstant.”
“Andthatistheverythingthatalarmsme,”returnedDantes.
“Mandoesnotappeartometobeintendedtoenjoyfelicitysounmixed;happinessisliketheenchantedpalaceswereadofinourchildhood,wherefierce,fierydragonsdefendtheentranceandapproach;andmonstersofallshapesandkinds,requiringtobeovercomeerevictoryisours.
IownthatIamlostinwondertofindmyselfpromotedtoanhonorofwhichIfeelmyselfunworthy—thatofbeingthehusbandofMercedes.”
“Nay,nay!”criedCaderousse,smiling,“youhavenotattainedthathonoryet.Mercedesisnotyetyourwife.
Justassumethetoneandmannerofahusband,andseehowshewillremindyouthatyourhourisnotyetcome!”
Thebrideblushed,whileFernand,restlessanduneasy,seemedtostartateveryfreshsound,andfromtimetotimewipedawaythelargedropsofperspirationthatgatheredonhisbrow.
“Well,nevermindthat,neighborCaderousse;itisnotworthwhiletocontradictmeforsuchatrifleasthat.
‘TistruethatMercedesisnotactuallymywife;but,”addedhe,drawingouthiswatch,“inanhourandahalfshewillbe.”
Ageneralexclamationofsurpriseranroundthetable,withtheexceptionoftheelderDantes,whoselaughdisplayedthestillperfectbeautyofhislargewhiteteeth.
Mercedeslookedpleasedandgratified,whileFernandgraspedthehandleofhisknifewithaconvulsiveclutch.
“Inanhour?”inquiredDanglars,turningpale.“Howisthat,myfriend?”
“Why,thusitis,”repliedDantes.“ThankstotheinfluenceofM.Morrel,towhom,nexttomyfather,IoweeveryblessingIenjoy,everydifficultyhisbeenremoved.
Wehavepurchasedpermissiontowaivetheusualdelay;andathalf–pasttwoo’clockthemayorofMarseilleswillbewaitingforusatthecityhall.
Now,asaquarter–pastonehasalreadystruck,IdonotconsiderIhaveassertedtoomuchinsaying,that,inanotherhourandthirtyminutesMercedeswillhavebecomeMadameDantes.”
Fernandclosedhiseyes,aburningsensationpassedacrosshisbrow,andhewascompelledtosupporthimselfbythetabletopreventhisfallingfromhischair;butinspiteofallhisefforts,hecouldnotrefrainfromutteringadeepgroan,which,however,waslostamidthenoisyfelicitationsofthecompany.
“Uponmyword,”criedtheoldman,“youmakeshortworkofthiskindofaffair.
Arrivedhereonlyyesterdaymorning,andmarriedto–dayatthreeo’clock!
Commendmetoasailorforgoingthequickwaytowork!”
“But,”askedDanglars,inatimidtone,“howdidyoumanageabouttheotherformalities—thecontract—thesettlement?”
“Thecontract,”answeredDantes,laughingly,“itdidn’ttakelongtofixthat.
Mercedeshasnofortune;Ihavenonetosettleonher.
So,yousee,ourpaperswerequicklywrittenout,andcertainlydonotcomeveryexpensive.”
Thisjokeelicitedafreshburstofapplause.
“Sothatwhatwepresumedtobemerelythebetrothalfeastturnsouttobetheactualweddingdinner!”saidDanglars.
“No,no,”answeredDantes;“don’timagineIamgoingtoputyouoffinthatshabbymanner.
To–morrowmorningIstartforParis;fourdaystogo,andthesametoreturn,withonedaytodischargethecommissionintrustedtome,isallthetimeIshallbeabsent.
IshallbebackherebythefirstofMarch,andonthesecondIgivemyrealmarriagefeast.”
Thisprospectoffreshfestivityredoubledthehilarityofthegueststosuchadegree,thattheelderDantes,who,atthecommencementoftherepast,hadcommenteduponthesilencethatprevailed,nowfounditdifficult,amidthegeneraldinofvoices,toobtainamoment’stranquillityinwhichtodrinktothehealthandprosperityofthebrideandbride–groom.
Dantes,perceivingtheaffectionateeagernessofhisfather,respondedbyalookofgratefulpleasure;whileMercedesglancedattheclockandmadeanexpressivegesturetoEdmond.
Aroundthetablereignedthatnoisyhilaritywhichusuallyprevailsatsuchatimeamongpeoplesufficientlyfreefromthedemandsofsocialpositionnottofeelthetrammelsofetiquette.
Suchasatthecommencementoftherepasthadnotbeenabletoseatthemselvesaccordingtotheirinclinationroseunceremoniously,andsoughtoutmoreagreeablecompanions.
Everybodytalkedatonce,withoutwaitingforareplyandeachoneseemedtobecontentedwithexpressinghisorherownthoughts.
Fernand’spalenessappearedtohavecommunicateditselftoDanglars.
AsforFernandhimself,heseemedtobeenduringthetorturesofthedamned;unabletorest,hewasamongthefirsttoquitthetable,and,asthoughseekingtoavoidthehilariousmirththatroseinsuchdeafeningsounds,hecontinued,inuttersilence,topacethefartherendofthesalon.
CaderousseapproachedhimjustasDanglars,whomFernandseemedmostanxioustoavoid,hadjoinedhiminacorneroftheroom.
“Uponmyword,”saidCaderousse,fromwhosemindthefriendlytreatmentofDantes,unitedwiththeeffectoftheexcellentwinehehadpartakenof,hadeffacedeveryfeelingofenvyorjealousyatDantes’goodfortune,—”uponmyword,Dantesisadownrightgoodfellow,andwhenIseehimsittingtherebesidehisprettywifethatissosoontobe.
Icannothelpthinkingitwouldhavebeenagreatpitytohaveservedhimthattrickyouwereplanningyesterday.”
“Oh,therewasnoharmmeant,”answeredDanglars;“atfirstIcertainlydidfeelsomewhatuneasyastowhatFernandmightbetemptedtodo;butwhenIsawhowcompletelyhehadmasteredhisfeelings,evensofarastobecomeoneofhisrival’sattendants,Iknewtherewasnofurthercauseforapprehension.”
CaderousselookedfullatFernand—hewasghastlypale.
“Certainly,”continuedDanglars,“thesacrificewasnotriflingone,whenthebeautyofthebrideisconcerned.
Uponmysoul,thatfuturecaptainofmineisaluckydog!
Gad,Ionlywishhewouldletmetakehisplace.”
“Shallwenotsetforth?”askedthesweet,silveryvoiceofMercedes;“twoo’clockhasjuststruck,andyouknowweareexpectedinaquarterofanhour.”
“Tobesure!—tobesure!”criedDantes,eagerlyquittingthetable;“letusgodirectly!”
Hiswordswerere–echoedbythewholeparty,withvociferouscheers.
AtthismomentDanglars,whohadbeenincessantlyobservingeverychangeinFernand’slookandmanner,sawhimstaggerandfallback,withanalmostconvulsivespasm,againstaseatplacednearoneoftheopenwindows.
Atthesameinstanthisearcaughtasortofindistinctsoundonthestairs,followedbythemeasuredtreadofsoldiery,withtheclankingofswordsandmilitaryaccoutrements;thencameahumandbuzzasofmanyvoices,soastodeadeneventhenoisymirthofthebridalparty,amongwhomavaguefeelingofcuriosityandapprehensionquelledeverydispositiontotalk,andalmostinstantaneouslythemostdeathlikestillnessprevailed.
Thesoundsdrewnearer.Threeblowswerestruckuponthepanelofthedoor.Thecompanylookedateachotherinconsternation.
“Idemandadmittance,”saidaloudvoiceoutsidetheroom,“inthenameofthelaw!”
Asnoattemptwasmadetopreventit,thedoorwasopened,andamagistrate,wearinghisofficialscarf,presentedhimself,followedbyfoursoldiersandacorporal.
Uneasinessnowyieldedtothemostextremedreadonthepartofthosepresent.
“MayIventuretoinquirethereasonofthisunexpectedvisit?”saidM.Morrel,addressingthemagistrate,whomheevidentlyknew;“thereisdoubtlesssomemistakeeasilyexplained.”
“Ifitbeso,”repliedthemagistrate,“relyuponeveryreparationbeingmade;meanwhile,Iamthebearerofanorderofarrest,andalthoughImostreluctantlyperformthetaskassignedme,itmust,nevertheless,befulfilled.
WhoamongthepersonshereassembledanswerstothenameofEdmondDantes?”
Everyeyewasturnedtowardstheyoungmanwho,spiteoftheagitationhecouldnotbutfeel,advancedwithdignity,andsaid,inafirmvoice,“Iamhe;whatisyourpleasurewithme?”
“EdmondDantes,”repliedthemagistrate,“Iarrestyouinthenameofthelaw!”
“Me!”repeatedEdmond,slightlychangingcolor,“andwherefore,Ipray?”
“Icannotinformyou,butyouwillbedulyacquaintedwiththereasonsthathaverenderedsuchastepnecessaryatthepreliminaryexamination.”
M.Morrelfeltthatfurtherresistanceorremonstrancewasuseless.
Hesawbeforehimanofficerdelegatedtoenforcethelaw,andperfectlywellknewthatitwouldbeasunavailingtoseekpityfromamagistratedeckedwithhisofficialscarf,astoaddressapetitiontosomecoldmarbleeffigy.OldDantes,however,sprangforward.
Therearesituationswhichtheheartofafatheroramothercannotbemadetounderstand.
Heprayedandsupplicatedintermssomoving,thateventheofficerwastouched,and,althoughfirminhisduty,hekindlysaid,“Myworthyfriend,letmebegofyoutocalmyourapprehensions.
Yoursonhasprobablyneglectedsomeprescribedformorattentioninregisteringhiscargo,anditismorethanprobablehewillbesetatlibertydirectlyhehasgiventheinformationrequired,whethertouchingthehealthofhiscrew,orthevalueofhisfreight.”
“Whatisthemeaningofallthis?”inquiredCaderousse,frowningly,ofDanglars,whohadassumedanairofuttersurprise.
“HowcanItellyou?”repliedhe;“Iam,likeyourself,utterlybewilderedatallthatisgoingon,andcannotintheleastmakeoutwhatitisabout.”
CaderoussethenlookedaroundforFernand,buthehaddisappeared.
Thesceneofthepreviousnightnowcamebacktohismindwithstartlingclearness.
Thepainfulcatastrophehehadjustwitnessedappearedeffectuallytohaverentawaytheveilwhichtheintoxicationoftheeveningbeforehadraisedbetweenhimselfandhismemory.
“So,so,”saidhe,inahoarseandchokingvoice,toDanglars,“this,then,Isuppose,isapartofthetrickyouwereconcertingyesterday?
AllIcansayis,thatifitbeso,‘tisanillturn,andwelldeservestobringdoubleevilonthosewhohaveprojectedit.”
“Nonsense,”returnedDanglars,“ItellyouagainIhavenothingwhatevertodowithit;besides,youknowverywellthatItorethepapertopieces.”
“No,youdidnot!”answeredCaderousse,“youmerelythrewitby—Isawitlyinginacorner.”
“Holdyourtongue,youfool!—whatshouldyouknowaboutit?—why,youweredrunk!”
“WhereisFernand?”inquiredCaderousse.
“HowdoIknow?”repliedDanglars;“gone,aseveryprudentmanoughttobe,tolookafterhisownaffairs,mostlikely.
Nevermindwhereheis,letyouandIgoandseewhatistobedoneforourpoorfriends.”
Duringthisconversation,Dantes,afterhavingexchangedacheerfulshakeofthehandwithallhissympathizingfriends,hadsurrenderedhimselftotheofficersenttoarresthim,merelysaying,“Makeyourselvesquiteeasy,mygoodfellows,thereissomelittlemistaketoclearup,that’sall,dependuponit;andverylikelyImaynothavetogosofarastheprisontoeffectthat.”
“Oh,tobesure!”respondedDanglars,whohadnowapproachedthegroup,“nothingmorethanamistake,Ifeelquitecertain.”
Dantesdescendedthestaircase,precededbythemagistrate,andfollowedbythesoldiers.
Acarriageawaitedhimatthedoor;hegotin,followedbytwosoldiersandthemagistrate,andthevehicledroveofftowardsMarseilles.
“Adieu,adieu,dearestEdmond!”criedMercedes,stretchingoutherarmstohimfromthebalcony.
Theprisonerheardthecry,whichsoundedlikethesobofabrokenheart,andleaningfromthecoachhecalledout,“Good–by,Mercedes—weshallsoonmeetagain!”
ThenthevehicledisappearedroundoneoftheturningsofFortSaintNicholas.
“Waitformehere,allofyou!”criedM.Morrel;“IwilltakethefirstconveyanceIfind,andhurrytoMarseilles,whenceIwillbringyouwordhowallisgoingon.”
“That’sright!”exclaimedamultitudeofvoices,“go,andreturnasquicklyasyoucan!”
Thisseconddeparturewasfollowedbyalongandfearfulstateofterrifiedsilenceonthepartofthosewhowereleftbehind.
TheoldfatherandMercedesremainedforsometimeapart,eachabsorbedingrief;butatlengththetwopoorvictimsofthesameblowraisedtheireyes,andwithasimultaneousburstoffeelingrushedintoeachother’sarms.
MeanwhileFernandmadehisappearance,pouredoutforhimselfaglassofwaterwithatremblinghand;thenhastilyswallowingit,wenttositdownatthefirstvacantplace,andthiswas,bymerechance,placednexttotheseatonwhichpoorMercedeshadfallenhalffainting,whenreleasedfromthewarmandaffectionateembraceofoldDantes.
InstinctivelyFernanddrewbackhischair.
“Heisthecauseofallthismisery—Iamquitesureofit,”whisperedCaderousse,whohadnevertakenhiseyesoffFernand,toDanglars.
“Idon’tthinkso,”answeredtheother;“he’stoostupidtoimaginesuchascheme.Ionlyhopethemischiefwillfallupontheheadofwhoeverwroughtit.”
“Youdon’tmentionthosewhoaidedandabettedthedeed,”saidCaderousse.
“Surely,”answeredDanglars,“onecannotbeheldresponsibleforeverychancearrowshotintotheair.”
“Youcan,indeed,whenthearrowlightspointdownwardonsomebody’shead.”
Meantimethesubjectofthearrestwasbeingcanvassedineverydifferentform.
“Whatthinkyou,Danglars,”saidoneoftheparty,turningtowardshim,“ofthisevent?”
“Why,”repliedhe,“IthinkitjustpossibleDantesmayhavebeendetectedwithsometriflingarticleonboardshipconsideredhereascontraband.”
“Buthowcouldhehavedonesowithoutyourknowledge,Danglars,sinceyouaretheship’ssupercargo?”
“Why,asforthat,IcouldonlyknowwhatIwastoldrespectingthemerchandisewithwhichthevesselwasladen.
Iknowshewasloadedwithcotton,andthatshetookinherfreightatAlexandriafromPastret’swarehouse,andatSmyrnafromPascal’s;thatisallIwasobligedtoknow,andIbegImaynotbeaskedforanyfurtherparticulars.”
“NowIrecollect,”saidtheafflictedoldfather;“mypoorboytoldmeyesterdayhehadgotasmallcaseofcoffee,andanotheroftobaccoforme!”
“There,yousee,”exclaimedDanglars.“Nowthemischiefisout;dependuponitthecustom–housepeoplewentrummagingabouttheshipinourabsence,anddiscoveredpoorDantes’hiddentreasures.”
Mercedes,however,paidnoheedtothisexplanationofherlover’sarrest.Hergrief,whichshehadhithertotriedtorestrain,nowburstoutinaviolentfitofhystericalsobbing.
“Come,come,”saidtheoldman,“becomforted,mypoorchild;thereisstillhope!”
“Hope!”repeatedDanglars.
“Hope!”faintlymurmuredFernand,butthewordseemedtodieawayonhispaleagitatedlips,andaconvulsivespasmpassedoverhiscountenance.
“Goodnews!goodnews!”shoutedforthoneofthepartystationedinthebalconyonthelookout.“HerecomesM.Morrelback.Nodoubt,now,weshallhearthatourfriendisreleased!”
Mercedesandtheoldmanrushedtomeettheshipownerandgreetedhimatthedoor.Hewasverypale.
“Whatnews?”exclaimedageneralburstofvoices.
“Alas,myfriends,”repliedM.Morrel,withamournfulshakeofhishead,“thethinghasassumedamoreseriousaspectthanIexpected.”
“Oh,indeed—indeed,sir,heisinnocent!”sobbedforthMercedes.
“ThatIbelieve!”answeredM.Morrel;“butstillheischarged”—
“Withwhat?”inquiredtheelderDantes.
“WithbeinganagentoftheBonapartistfaction!”Manyofourreadersmaybeabletorecollecthowformidablesuchanaccusationbecameintheperiodatwhichourstoryisdated.
AdespairingcryescapedthepalelipsofMercedes;theoldmansankintoachair.
“Ah,Danglars!”whisperedCaderousse,“youhavedeceivedme—thetrickyouspokeoflastnighthasbeenplayed;butIcannotsufferapooroldmanoraninnocentgirltodieofgriefthroughyourfault.
Iamdeterminedtotellthemallaboutit.”
“Besilent,yousimpleton!”criedDanglars,graspinghimbythearm,“orIwillnotanswerevenforyourownsafety.
WhocantellwhetherDantesbeinnocentorguilty?
ThevesseldidtouchatElba,wherehequittedit,andpassedawholedayintheisland.
Now,shouldanylettersorotherdocumentsofacompromisingcharacterbefounduponhim,willitnotbetakenforgrantedthatallwhoupholdhimarehisaccomplices?”
Withtherapidinstinctofselfishness,Caderoussereadilyperceivedthesolidityofthismodeofreasoning;hegazed,doubtfully,wistfully,onDanglars,andthencautionsupplantedgenerosity.
“Supposewewaitawhile,andseewhatcomesofit,”saidhe,castingabewilderedlookonhiscompanion.
“Tobesure!”answeredDanglars.“Letuswait,byallmeans.Ifhebeinnocent,ofcoursehewillbesetatliberty;ifguilty,why,itisnouseinvolvingourselvesinaconspiracy.”
“Letusgo,then.Icannotstayhereanylonger.”
“Withallmyheart!”repliedDanglars,pleasedtofindtheothersotractable.“Letustakeourselvesoutoftheway,andleavethingsforthepresenttotaketheircourse.”
Aftertheirdeparture,Fernand,whohadnowagainbecomethefriendandprotectorofMercedes,ledthegirltoherhome,whilethefriendsofDantesconductedthenowhalf–faintingmanbacktohisabode.
TherumorofEdmond’sarrestasaBonapartistagentwasnotslowincirculatingthroughoutthecity.
“Couldyoueverhavecreditedsuchathing,mydearDanglars?”
askedM.Morrel,as,onhisreturntotheportforthepurposeofgleaningfreshtidingsofDantes,fromM.deVillefort,theassistantprocureur,heovertookhissupercargoandCaderousse.
“Couldyouhavebelievedsuchathingpossible?”
“Why,youknowItoldyou,”repliedDanglars,“thatIconsideredthecircumstanceofhishavinganchoredattheIslandofElbaasaverysuspiciouscircumstance.”
“Anddidyoumentionthesesuspicionstoanypersonbesidemyself?”
“Certainlynot!”returnedDanglars.
Thenaddedinalowwhisper,“Youunderstandthat,onaccountofyouruncle,M.PolicarMorrel,whoservedundertheothergovernment,andwhodoesnotaltogetherconcealwhathethinksonthesubject,youarestronglysuspectedofregrettingtheabdicationofNapoleon.
IshouldhavefearedtoinjurebothEdmondandyourself,hadIdivulgedmyownapprehensionstoasoul.
Iamtoowellawarethatthoughasubordinate,likemyself,isboundtoacquainttheshipownerwitheverythingthatoccurs,therearemanythingsheoughtmostcarefullytoconcealfromallelse.”
”’Tiswell,Danglars—’tiswell!”repliedM.Morrel.“Youareaworthyfellow;andIhadalreadythoughtofyourinterestsintheeventofpoorEdmondhavingbecomecaptainofthePharaon.”
“Isitpossibleyouweresokind?”
“Yes,indeed;IhadpreviouslyinquiredofDanteswhatwashisopinionofyou,andifheshouldhaveanyreluctancetocontinueyouinyourpost,forsomehowIhaveperceivedasortofcoolnessbetweenyou.”
“Andwhatwashisreply?”
“Thathecertainlydidthinkhehadgivenyouoffenceinanaffairwhichhemerelyreferredtowithoutenteringintoparticulars,butthatwhoeverpossessedthegoodopinionandconfidenceoftheship’sownerwouldhavehispreferencealso.”
“Thehypocrite!”murmuredDanglars.
“PoorDantes!”saidCaderousse.“Noonecandenyhisbeinganoble–heartedyoungfellow.”
“Butmeanwhile,”continuedM.Morrel,“hereisthePharaonwithoutacaptain.”
“Oh,”repliedDanglars,“sincewecannotleavethisportforthenextthreemonths,letushopethateretheexpirationofthatperiodDanteswillbesetatliberty.”
“Nodoubt;butinthemeantime?”
“Iamentirelyatyourservice,M.Morrel,”answeredDanglars.
“YouknowthatIamascapableofmanagingashipasthemostexperiencedcaptainintheservice;anditwillbesofaradvantageoustoyoutoacceptmyservices,thatuponEdmond’sreleasefromprisonnofurtherchangewillberequisiteonboardthePharaonthanforDantesandmyselfeachtoresumeourrespectiveposts.”
“Thanks,Danglars—thatwillsmoothoveralldifficulties.
IfullyauthorizeyouatoncetoassumethecommandofthePharaon,andlookcarefullytotheunloadingofherfreight.
Privatemisfortunesmustneverbeallowedtointerferewithbusiness.”
“Beeasyonthatscore,M.Morrel;butdoyouthinkweshallbepermittedtoseeourpoorEdmond?”
“IwillletyouknowthatdirectlyIhaveseenM.deVillefort,whomIshallendeavortointerestinEdmond’sfavor.
Iamawareheisafuriousroyalist;but,inspiteofthat,andofhisbeingking’sattorney,heisamanlikeourselves,andIfancynotabadsortofone.”
“Perhapsnot,”repliedDanglars;“butIhearthatheisambitious,andthat’sratheragainsthim.”
“Well,well,”returnedM.Morrel,“weshallsee.
Butnowhastenonboard,Iwilljoinyouthereerelong.”
Sosaying,theworthyshipownerquittedthetwoallies,andproceededinthedirectionofthePalaisdeJustice.
“Yousee,”saidDanglars,addressingCaderousse,“theturnthingshavetaken.Doyoustillfeelanydesiretostandupinhisdefence?”
“Nottheslightest,butyetitseemstomeashockingthingthatamerejokeshouldleadtosuchconsequences.”
“Butwhoperpetratedthatjoke,letmeask?neitheryounormyself,butFernand;youknewverywellthatIthrewthepaperintoacorneroftheroom—indeed,IfanciedIhaddestroyedit.”
“Oh,no,”repliedCaderousse,“thatIcananswerfor,youdidnot.IonlywishIcouldseeitnowasplainlyasIsawitlyingallcrushedandcrumpledinacornerofthearbor.”
“Well,then,ifyoudid,dependuponit,Fernandpickeditup,andeithercopieditorcausedittobecopied;perhaps,even,hedidnottakethetroubleofrecopyingit.
AndnowIthinkofit,byHeavens,hemayhavesenttheletteritself!
Fortunately,forme,thehandwritingwasdisguised.”
“ThenyouwereawareofDantesbeingengagedinaconspiracy?”
“NotI.AsIbeforesaid,Ithoughtthewholethingwasajoke,nothingmore.Itseems,however,thatIhaveunconsciouslystumbleduponthetruth.”
“Still,”arguedCaderousse,“Iwouldgiveagreatdealifnothingofthekindhadhappened;or,atleast,thatIhadhadnohandinit.
Youwillsee,Danglars,thatitwillturnoutanunluckyjobforbothofus.”
“Nonsense!Ifanyharmcomeofit,itshouldfallontheguiltyperson;andthat,youknow,isFernand.Howcanwebeimplicatedinanyway?
Allwehavegottodois,tokeepourowncounsel,andremainperfectlyquiet,notbreathingawordtoanylivingsoul;andyouwillseethatthestormwillpassawaywithoutintheleastaffectingus.”
“Amen!”respondedCaderousse,wavinghishandintokenofadieutoDanglars,andbendinghisstepstowardstheAlleesdeMeillan,movinghisheadtoandfro,andmutteringashewent,afterthemannerofonewhosemindwasoverchargedwithoneabsorbingidea.
“Sofar,then,”saidDanglars,mentally,“allhasgoneasIwouldhaveit.
Iam,temporarily,commanderofthePharaon,withthecertaintyofbeingpermanentlyso,ifthatfoolofaCaderoussecanbepersuadedtoholdhistongue.
MyonlyfearisthechanceofDantesbeingreleased.
But,there,heisinthehandsofJustice;and,”addedhewithasmile,“shewilltakeherown.”
Sosaying,heleapedintoaboat,desiringtoberowedonboardthePharaon,whereM.Morrelhadagreedtomeethim.
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