English
Afterhavingpassedwithtolerableeasethroughthesubterraneanpassage,which,however,didnotadmitoftheirholdingthemselveserect,thetwofriendsreachedthefurtherendofthecorridor,intowhichtheabbe’scellopened;fromthatpointthepassagebecamemuchnarrower,andbarelypermittedonetocreepthroughonhandsandknees.
Theflooroftheabbe’scellwaspaved,andithadbeenbyraisingoneofthestonesinthemostobscurecornerthatFariahadtobeenabletocommencethelaborioustaskofwhichDanteshadwitnessedthecompletion.
Asheenteredthechamberofhisfriend,Dantescastaroundoneeagerandsearchingglanceinquestoftheexpectedmarvels,butnothingmorethancommonmethisview.
“Itiswell,”saidtheabbe;“wehavesomehoursbeforeus—itisnowjustaquarterpasttwelveo’clock.”
InstinctivelyDantesturnedroundtoobservebywhatwatchorclocktheabbehadbeenablesoaccuratelytospecifythehour.
“Lookatthisrayoflightwhichentersbymywindow,”saidtheabbe,“andthenobservethelinestracedonthewall.
Well,bymeansoftheselines,whichareinaccordancewiththedoublemotionoftheearth,andtheellipseitdescribesroundthesun,IamenabledtoascertaintheprecisehourwithmoreminutenessthanifIpossessedawatch;forthatmightbebrokenorderangedinitsmovements,whilethesunandearthnevervaryintheirappointedpaths.”
ThislastexplanationwaswhollylostuponDantes,whohadalwaysimagined,fromseeingthesunrisefrombehindthemountainsandsetintheMediterranean,thatitmoved,andnottheearth.
Adoublemovementoftheglobeheinhabited,andofwhichhecouldfeelnothing,appearedtohimperfectlyimpossible.
Eachwordthatfellfromhiscompanion’slipsseemedfraughtwiththemysteriesofscience,asworthyofdiggingoutasthegoldanddiamondsintheminesofGuzeratandGolconda,whichhecouldjustrecollecthavingvisitedduringavoyagemadeinhisearliestyouth.
“Come,”saidhetotheabbe,“Iamanxioustoseeyourtreasures.”
Theabbesmiled,and,proceedingtothedisusedfireplace,raised,bythehelpofhischisel,alongstone,whichhaddoubtlessbeenthehearth,beneathwhichwasacavityofconsiderabledepth,servingasasafedepositoryofthearticlesmentionedtoDantes.
“Whatdoyouwishtoseefirst?”askedtheabbe.
“Oh,yourgreatworkonthemonarchyofItaly!”
Fariathendrewforthfromhishiding–placethreeorfourrollsoflinen,laidoneovertheother,likefoldsofpapyrus.
Theserollsconsistedofslipsofclothaboutfourincheswideandeighteenlong;theywereallcarefullynumberedandcloselycoveredwithwriting,solegiblethatDantescouldeasilyreadit,aswellasmakeoutthesense—itbeinginItalian,alanguagehe,asaProvencal,perfectlyunderstood.
“There,”saidhe,“thereistheworkcomplete.
Iwrotethewordfinisattheendofthesixty–eighthstripaboutaweekago.
Ihavetornuptwoofmyshirts,andasmanyhandkerchiefsasIwasmasterof,tocompletethepreciouspages.
ShouldIevergetoutofprisonandfindinallItalyaprintercourageousenoughtopublishwhatIhavecomposed,myliteraryreputationisforeversecured.”
“Isee,”answeredDantes.“Nowletmebeholdthecuriouspenswithwhichyouhavewrittenyourwork.”
“Look!”saidFaria,showingtotheyoungmanaslenderstickaboutsixincheslong,andmuchresemblingthesizeofthehandleofafinepainting–brush,totheendofwhichwastied,byapieceofthread,oneofthosecartilagesofwhichtheabbehadbeforespokentoDantes;itwaspointed,anddividedattheniblikeanordinarypen.
Dantesexamineditwithintenseadmiration,thenlookedaroundtoseetheinstrumentwithwhichithadbeenshapedsocorrectlyintoform.
“Ah,yes,”saidFaria;“thepenknife.That’smymasterpiece.
Imadeit,aswellasthislargerknife,outofanoldironcandlestick.”
Thepenknifewassharpandkeenasarazor;asfortheotherknife,itwouldserveadoublepurpose,andwithitonecouldcutandthrust.
DantesexaminedthevariousarticlesshowntohimwiththesameattentionthathehadbestowedonthecuriositiesandstrangetoolsexhibitedintheshopsatMarseillesastheworksofthesavagesintheSouthSeasfromwhencetheyhadbeenbroughtbythedifferenttradingvessels.
“Asfortheink,”saidFaria,“ItoldyouhowImanagedtoobtainthat—andIonlyjustmakeitfromtimetotime,asIrequireit.”
“Onethingstillpuzzlesme,”observedDantes,“andthatishowyoumanagedtodoallthisbydaylight?”
“Iworkedatnightalso,”repliedFaria.
“Night!—why,forheaven’ssake,areyoureyeslikecats’,thatyoucanseetoworkinthedark?”
“Indeedtheyarenot;butGodhissuppliedmanwiththeintelligencethatenableshimtoovercomethelimitationsofnaturalconditions.Ifurnishedmyselfwithalight.”
“Youdid?Praytellmehow.”
“Iseparatedthefatfromthemeatservedtome,meltedit,andsomadeoil—hereismylamp.”Sosaying,theabbeexhibitedasortoftorchverysimilartothoseusedinpublicilluminations.
“Butlight?”
“Herearetwoflintsandapieceofburntlinen.”
“Andmatches?”
“IpretendedthatIhadadisorderoftheskin,andaskedforalittlesulphur,whichwasreadilysupplied.”
Danteslaidthedifferentthingshehadbeenlookingatonthetable,andstoodwithhisheaddroopingonhisbreast,asthoughoverwhelmedbytheperseveranceandstrengthofFaria’smind.
“Youhavenotseenallyet,”continuedFaria,“forIdidnotthinkitwisetotrustallmytreasuresinthesamehiding–place.Letusshutthisoneup.”
Theyputthestonebackinitsplace;theabbesprinkledalittledustoverittoconcealthetracesofitshavingbeenremoved,rubbedhisfootwellonittomakeitassumethesameappearanceastheother,andthen,goingtowardshisbed,heremoveditfromthespotitstoodin.
Behindtheheadofthebed,andconcealedbyastonefittinginsocloselyastodefyallsuspicion,wasahollowspace,andinthisspacealadderofcordsbetweentwenty–fiveandthirtyfeetinlength.
Dantescloselyandeagerlyexaminedit;hefounditfirm,solid,andcompactenoughtobearanyweight.
“Whosuppliedyouwiththematerialsformakingthiswonderfulwork?”
“Itoreupseveralofmyshirts,andrippedouttheseamsinthesheetsofmybed,duringmythreeyears’imprisonmentatFenestrelle;andwhenIwasremovedtotheChateaud’If,Imanagedtobringtheravellingswithme,sothatIhavebeenabletofinishmyworkhere.”
“Andwasitnotdiscoveredthatyoursheetswereunhemmed?”
“Oh,no,forwhenIhadtakenoutthethreadIrequired,Ihemmedtheedgesoveragain.”
“Withwhat?”
“Withthisneedle,”saidtheabbe,as,openinghisraggedvestments,heshowedDantesalong,sharpfish–bone,withasmallperforatedeyeforthethread,asmallportionofwhichstillremainedinit.
“Ioncethought,”continuedFaria,“ofremovingtheseironbars,andlettingmyselfdownfromthewindow,which,asyousee,issomewhatwiderthanyours,althoughIshouldhaveenlargeditstillmorepreparatorytomyflight;however,IdiscoveredthatIshouldmerelyhavedroppedintoasortofinnercourt,andIthereforerenouncedtheprojectaltogetherastoofullofriskanddanger.
Nevertheless,IcarefullypreservedmyladderagainstoneofthoseunforeseenopportunitiesofwhichIspokejustnow,andwhichsuddenchancefrequentlybringsabout.”
Whileaffectingtobedeeplyengagedinexaminingtheladder,themindofDanteswas,infact,busilyoccupiedbytheideathatapersonsointelligent,ingenious,andclear–sightedastheabbemightprobablybeabletosolvethedarkmysteryofhisownmisfortunes,wherehehimselfcouldseenothing.
“Whatareyouthinkingof?”askedtheabbesmilingly,imputingthedeepabstractioninwhichhisvisitorwasplungedtotheexcessofhisaweandwonder.
“Iwasreflecting,inthefirstplace,”repliedDantes,“upontheenormousdegreeofintelligenceandabilityyoumusthaveemployedtoreachthehighperfectiontowhichyouhaveattained.
Whatwouldyounothaveaccomplishedifyouhadbeenfree?”
“Possiblynothingatall;theoverflowofmybrainwouldprobably,inastateoffreedom,haveevaporatedinathousandfollies;misfortuneisneededtobringtolightthetreasuresofthehumanintellect.
Compressionisneededtoexplodegunpowder.
Captivityhasbroughtmymentalfacultiestoafocus;andyouarewellawarethatfromthecollisionofcloudselectricityisproduced—fromelectricity,lightning,fromlightning,illumination.”
“No,”repliedDantes.“Iknownothing.Someofyourwordsaretomequiteemptyofmeaning.Youmustbeblessedindeedtopossesstheknowledgeyouhave.”
Theabbesmiled.“Well,”saidhe,“butyouhadanothersubjectforyourthoughts;didyounotsaysojustnow?”
“Idid!”
“Youhavetoldmeasyetbutoneofthem—letmeheartheother.”
“Itwasthis,—thatwhileyouhadrelatedtomealltheparticularsofyourpastlife,youwereperfectlyunacquaintedwithmine.”
“Yourlife,myyoungfriend,hasnotbeenofsufficientlengthtoadmitofyourhavingpassedthroughanyveryimportantevents.”
“Ithasbeenlongenoughtoinflictonmeagreatandundeservedmisfortune.IwouldfainfixthesourceofitonmanthatImaynolongerventreproachesuponheaven.”
“Thenyouprofessignoranceofthecrimewithwhichyouarecharged?”
“Ido,indeed;andthisIswearbythetwobeingsmostdeartomeuponearth,—myfatherandMercedes.”
“Come,”saidtheabbe,closinghishiding–place,andpushingthebedbacktoitsoriginalsituation,“letmehearyourstory.”
Dantesobeyed,andcommencedwhathecalledhishistory,butwhichconsistedonlyoftheaccountofavoyagetoIndia,andtwoorthreevoyagestotheLevantuntilhearrivedattherecitalofhislastcruise,withthedeathofCaptainLeclere,andthereceiptofapackettobedeliveredbyhimselftothegrandmarshal;hisinterviewwiththatpersonage,andhisreceiving,inplaceofthepacketbrought,aletteraddressedtoaMonsieurNoirtier—hisarrivalatMarseilles,andinterviewwithhisfather—hisaffectionforMercedes,andtheirnuptualfeast—hisarrestandsubsequentexamination,histemporarydetentionatthePalaisdeJustice,andhisfinalimprisonmentintheChateaud’If.
FromthispointeverythingwasablanktoDantes—heknewnothingmore,noteventhelengthoftimehehadbeenimprisoned.
Hisrecitalfinished,theabbereflectedlongandearnestly.
“Thereis,”saidhe,attheendofhismeditations,“aclevermaxim,whichbearsuponwhatIwassayingtoyousomelittlewhileago,andthatis,thatunlesswickedideastakerootinanaturallydepravedmind,humannature,inarightandwholesomestate,revoltsatcrime.
Still,fromanartificialcivilizationhaveoriginatedwants,vices,andfalsetastes,whichoccasionallybecomesopowerfulastostiflewithinusallgoodfeelings,andultimatelytoleadusintoguiltandwickedness.
Fromthisviewofthings,then,comestheaxiomthatifyouvisittodiscovertheauthorofanybadaction,seekfirsttodiscoverthepersontowhomtheperpetrationofthatbadactioncouldbeinanywayadvantageous.
Now,toapplyitinyourcase,—towhomcouldyourdisappearancehavebeenserviceable?”
“Tonoone,byheaven!Iwasaveryinsignificantperson.”
“Donotspeakthus,foryourreplyevincesneitherlogicnorphilosophy;everythingisrelative,mydearyoungfriend,fromthekingwhostandsinthewayofhissuccessor,totheemployeewhokeepshisrivaloutofaplace.
Now,intheeventoftheking’sdeath,hissuccessorinheritsacrown,—whentheemployeedies,thesupernumerarystepsintohisshoes,andreceiveshissalaryoftwelvethousandlivres.
Well,thesetwelvethousandlivresarehiscivillist,andareasessentialtohimasthetwelvemillionsofaking.
Everyone,fromthehighesttothelowestdegree,hashisplaceonthesocialladder,andisbesetbystormypassionsandconflictinginterests,asinDescartes’theoryofpressureandimpulsion.
Buttheseforcesincreaseaswegohigher,sothatwehaveaspiralwhichindefianceofreasonrestsupontheapexandnotonthebase.
Nowletusreturntoyourparticularworld.
YousayyouwereonthepointofbeingmadecaptainofthePharaon?”
“Yes.”
“Andabouttobecomethehusbandofayoungandlovelygirl?”
“Yes.”
“Now,couldanyonehavehadanyinterestinpreventingtheaccomplishmentofthesetwothings?
ButletusfirstsettlethequestionastoitsbeingtheinterestofanyonetohinderyoufrombeingcaptainofthePharaon.Whatsayyou?”
“Icannotbelievesuchwasthecase.Iwasgenerallylikedonboard,andhadthesailorspossessedtherightofselectingacaptainthemselves,Ifeelconvincedtheirchoicewouldhavefallenonme.
Therewasonlyonepersonamongthecrewwhohadanyfeelingofill–willtowardsme.
Ihadquarelledwithhimsometimepreviously,andhadevenchallengedhimtofightme;butherefused.”
“Nowwearegettingon.Andwhatwasthisman’sname?”
“Danglars.”
“Whatrankdidheholdonboard?”
“Hewassupercargo.”
“Andhadyoubeencaptain,shouldyouhaveretainedhiminhisemployment?”
“Notifthechoicehadremainedwithme,forIhadfrequentlyobservedinaccuraciesinhisaccounts.”
“Goodagain!Nowthen,tellme,wasanypersonpresentduringyourlastconversationwithCaptainLeclere?”
“No;wewerequitealone.”
“Couldyourconversationhavebeenoverheardbyanyone?”
“Itmight,forthecabindoorwasopen—and—stay;nowIrecollect,—DanglarshimselfpassedbyjustasCaptainLeclerewasgivingmethepacketforthegrandmarshal.”
“That’sbetter,”criedtheabbe;“nowweareontherightscent.DidyoutakeanybodywithyouwhenyouputintotheportofElba?”
“Nobody.”
“Somebodytherereceivedyourpacket,andgaveyoualetterinplaceofit,Ithink?”
“Yes;thegrandmarshaldid.”
“Andwhatdidyoudowiththatletter?”
“Putitintomyportfolio.”
“Youhadyourportfoliowithyou,then?Now,howcouldasailorfindroominhispocketforaportfoliolargeenoughtocontainanofficialletter?”
“Youareright;itwasleftonboard.”
“Thenitwasnottillyourreturntotheshipthatyouputtheletterintheportfolio?”
“No.”
“AndwhatdidyoudowiththissameletterwhilereturningfromPorto–Ferrajotothevessel?”
“Icarrieditinmyhand.”
“SothatwhenyouwentonboardthePharaon,everybodycouldseethatyouheldaletterinyourhand?”
“Yes.”
“Danglars,aswellastherest?”
“Danglars,aswellasothers.”
“Now,listentome,andtrytorecalleverycircumstanceattendingyourarrest.Doyourecollectthewordsinwhichtheinformationagainstyouwasformulated?”
“Ohyes,Ireaditoverthreetimes,andthewordssankdeeplyintomymemory.”
“Repeatittome.”
Dantespausedamoment,thensaid,“Thisisit,wordforword:‘Theking’sattorneyisinformedbyafriendtothethroneandreligion,thatoneEdmondDantes,mateonboardthePharaon,thisdayarrivedfromSmyrna,afterhavingtouchedatNaplesandPorto–Ferrajo,hasbeenintrustedbyMuratwithapacketfortheusurper;again,bytheusurper,withaletterfortheBonapartistClubinParis.
Thisproofofhisguiltmaybeprocuredbyhisimmediatearrest,astheletterwillbefoundeitherabouthisperson,athisfather’sresidence,orinhiscabinonboardthePharaon.’”Theabbeshruggedhisshoulders.
“Thethingisclearasday,”saidhe;“andyoumusthavehadaveryconfidingnature,aswellasagoodheart,nottohavesuspectedtheoriginofthewholeaffair.”
“Doyoureallythinkso?Ah,thatwouldindeedbeinfamous.”
“HowdidDanglarsusuallywrite?”
“Inahandsome,runninghand.”
“Andhowwastheanonymousletterwritten?”
“Backhanded.”Againtheabbesmiled.“Disguised.”
“Itwasveryboldlywritten,ifdisguised.”
“Stopabit,”saidtheabbe,takingupwhathecalledhispen,and,afterdippingitintotheink,hewroteonapieceofpreparedlinen,withhislefthand,thefirsttwoorthreewordsoftheaccusation.
Dantesdrewback,andgazedontheabbewithasensationalmostamountingtoterror.
“Howveryastonishing!”criedheatlength.“Whyyourwritingexactlyresemblesthatoftheaccusation.”
“Simplybecausethataccusationhadbeenwrittenwiththelefthand;andIhavenoticedthat”—
“What?”
“Thatwhilethewritingofdifferentpersonsdonewiththerighthandvaries,thatperformedwiththelefthandisinvariablyuniform.”
“Youhaveevidentlyseenandobservedeverything.”
“Letusproceed.”
“Oh,yes,yes!”
“Nowasregardsthesecondquestion.”
“Iamlistening.”
“WasthereanypersonwhoseinterestitwastopreventyourmarriagewithMercedes?”
“Yes;ayoungmanwholovedher.”
“Andhisnamewas”—
“Fernand.”
“ThatisaSpanishname,Ithink?”
“HewasaCatalan.”
“Youimaginehimcapableofwritingtheletter?”
“Oh,no;hewouldmorelikelyhavegotridofmebystickingaknifeintome.”
“ThatisinstrictaccordancewiththeSpanishcharacter;anassassinationtheywillunhesitatinglycommit,butanactofcowardice,never.”
“Besides,”saidDantes,“thevariouscircumstancesmentionedintheletterwerewhollyunknowntohim.”
“Youhadneverspokenofthemyourselftoanyone?”
“Tonoone.”
“Noteventoyourmistress?”
“No,noteventomybetrothed.”
“ThenitisDanglars.”
“Ifeelquitesureofitnow.”
“Waitalittle.Pray,wasDanglarsacquaintedwithFernand?”
“No—yes,hewas.NowIrecollect”—
“What?”
“TohaveseenthembothsittingattabletogetherunderanarboratPerePamphile’stheeveningbeforethedayfixedformywedding.Theywereinearnestconversation.
Danglarswasjokinginafriendlyway,butFernandlookedpaleandagitated.”
“Weretheyalone?”
“TherewasathirdpersonwiththemwhomIknewperfectlywell,andwhohad,inallprobabilitymadetheiracquaintance;hewasatailornamedCaderousse,buthewasverydrunk.
Stay—Howstrangethatitshouldnothaveoccurredtomebefore!
NowIrememberquitewell,thatonthetableroundwhichtheyweresittingwerepens,ink,andpaper.
Oh,theheartless,treacherousscoundrels!”
exclaimedDantes,pressinghishandtohisthrobbingbrows.
“IsthereanythingelseIcanassistyouindiscovering,besidesthevillanyofyourfriends?”inquiredtheabbewithalaugh.
“Yes,yes,”repliedDanteseagerly;“Iwouldbegofyou,whoseesocompletelytothedepthsofthings,andtowhomthegreatestmysteryseemsbutaneasyriddle,toexplaintomehowitwasthatIunderwentnosecondexamination,wasneverbroughttotrial,and,aboveall,wascondemnedwithouteverhavinghadsentencepassedonme?”
“Thatisaltogetheradifferentandmoreseriousmatter,”respondedtheabbe.
“Thewaysofjusticearefrequentlytoodarkandmysterioustobeeasilypenetrated.
Allwehavehithertodoneinthematterhasbeenchild’splay.
Ifyouwishmetoenteruponthemoredifficultpartofthebusiness,youmustassistmebythemostminuteinformationoneverypoint.”
“Prayaskmewhateverquestionsyouplease;for,ingoodtruth,youseemoreclearlyintomylifethanIdomyself.”
“Inthefirstplace,then,whoexaminedyou,—theking’sattorney,hisdeputy,oramagistrate?”
“Thedeputy.”
“Washeyoungorold?”
“Aboutsixorsevenandtwentyyearsofage,Ishouldsay.”
“So,”answeredtheabbe.“Oldenoughtobeambitions,buttooyoungtobecorrupt.Andhowdidhetreatyou?”
“Withmoreofmildnessthanseverity.”
“Didyoutellhimyourwholestory?”
“Idid.”
“Anddidhisconductchangeatallinthecourseofyourexamination?”
“Hedidappearmuchdisturbedwhenhereadtheletterthathadbroughtmeintothisscrape.Heseemedquiteovercomebymymisfortune.”
“Byyourmisfortune?”
“Yes.”
“Thenyoufeelquitesurethatitwasyourmisfortunehedeplored?”
“Hegavemeonegreatproofofhissympathy,atanyrate.”
“Andthat?”
“Heburntthesoleevidencethatcouldatallhavecriminatedme.”
“What?theaccusation?”
“No;theletter.”
“Areyousure?”
“Isawitdone.”
“Thataltersthecase.Thismanmight,afterall,beagreaterscoundrelthanyouhavethoughtpossible.”
“Uponmyword,”saidDantes,“youmakemeshudder.Istheworldfilledwithtigersandcrocodiles?”
“Yes;andrememberthattwo–leggedtigersandcrocodilesaremoredangerousthantheothers.”
“Nevermind;letusgoon.”
“Withallmyheart!Youtellmeheburnedtheletter?”
“Hedid;sayingatthesametime,‘YouseeIthusdestroytheonlyproofexistingagainstyou.’”
“Thisactionissomewhattoosublimetobenatural.”
“Youthinkso?”
“Iamsureofit.Towhomwasthisletteraddressed?”
“ToM.Noirtier,No.13Coq–Heron,Paris.”
“Nowcanyouconceiveofanyinterestthatyourheroicdeputycouldpossiblyhavehadinthedestructionofthatletter?”
“Why,itisnotaltogetherimpossiblehemighthavehad,forhemademepromiseseveraltimesnevertospeakofthatlettertoanyone,assuringmehesoadvisedmeformyowninterest;and,morethanthis,heinsistedonmytakingasolemnoathnevertoutterthenamementionedintheaddress.”
“Noirtier!”repeatedtheabbe;“Noirtier!—IknewapersonofthatnameatthecourtoftheQueenofEtruria,—aNoirtier,whohadbeenaGirondinduringtheRevolution!Whatwasyourdeputycalled?”
“DeVillefort!”Theabbeburstintoafitoflaughter,whileDantesgazedonhiminutterastonishment.
“Whatailsyou?”saidheatlength.
“Doyouseethatrayofsunlight?”
“Ido.”
“Well,thewholethingismorecleartomethanthatsunbeamistoyou.Poorfellow!pooryoungman!Andyoutellmethismagistrateexpressedgreatsympathyandcommiserationforyou?”
“Hedid.”
“Andtheworthymandestroyedyourcompromisingletter?”
“Yes.”
“AndthenmadeyouswearnevertoutterthenameofNoirtier?”
“Yes.”
“Why,youpoorshort–sightedsimpleton,canyounotguesswhothisNoirtierwas,whoseverynamehewassocarefultokeepconcealed?Noirtierwashisfather.”
HadathunderboltfallenatthefeetofDantes,orhellopeneditsyawninggulfbeforehim,hecouldnothavebeenmorecompletelytransfixedwithhorrorthanhewasatthesoundoftheseunexpectedwords.
Startingup,heclaspedhishandsaroundhisheadasthoughtopreventhisverybrainfrombursting,andexclaimed,“Hisfather!hisfather!”
“Yes,hisfather,”repliedtheabbe;“hisrightnamewasNoirtierdeVillefort.”
AtthisinstantabrightlightshotthroughthemindofDantes,andclearedupallthathadbeendarkandobscurebefore.
ThechangethathadcomeoverVillefortduringtheexamination,thedestructionoftheletter,theexactedpromise,thealmostsupplicatingtonesofthemagistrate,whoseemedrathertoimploremercythantopronouncepunishment,—allreturnedwithastunningforcetohismemory.
Hecriedout,andstaggeredagainstthewalllikeadrunkenman,thenhehurriedtotheopeningthatledfromtheabbe’scelltohisown,andsaid,“Imustbealone,tothinkoverallthis.”
Whenheregainedhisdungeon,hethrewhimselfonhisbed,wheretheturnkeyfoundhimintheeveningvisit,sittingwithfixedgazeandcontractedfeatures,dumbandmotionlessasastatue.
Duringthesehoursofprofoundmeditation,whichtohimhadseemedonlyminutes,hehadformedafearfulresolution,andboundhimselftoitsfulfilmentbyasolemnoath.
DanteswasatlengthrousedfromhisreverybythevoiceofFaria,who,havingalsobeenvisitedbyhisjailer,hadcometoinvitehisfellow–sufferertosharehissupper.
Thereputationofbeingoutofhismind,thoughharmlesslyandevenamusinglyso,hadprocuredfortheabbeunusualprivileges.
Hewassuppliedwithbreadofafiner,whiterqualitythantheusualprisonfare,andevenregaledeachSundaywithasmallquantityofwine.
NowthiswasaSunday,andtheabbehadcometoaskhisyoungcompaniontosharetheluxurieswithhim.
Dantesfollowed;hisfeatureswerenolongercontracted,andnowworetheirusualexpression,buttherewasthatinhiswholeappearancethatbespokeonewhohadcometoafixedanddesperateresolve.
Fariabentonhimhispenetratingeye:“Iregretnow,”saidhe,“havinghelpedyouinyourlateinquiries,orhavinggivenyoutheinformationIdid.”
“Whyso?”inquiredDantes.
“Becauseithasinstilledanewpassioninyourheart—thatofvengeance.”
Dantessmiled.“Letustalkofsomethingelse,”saidhe.
Againtheabbelookedathim,thenmournfullyshookhishead;butinaccordancewithDantes’request,hebegantospeakofothermatters.
Theelderprisonerwasoneofthosepersonswhoseconversation,likethatofallwhohaveexperiencedmanytrials,containedmanyusefulandimportanthintsaswellassoundinformation;butitwasneveregotistical,fortheunfortunatemanneveralludedtohisownsorrows.
Danteslistenedwithadmiringattentiontoallhesaid;someofhisremarkscorrespondedwithwhathealreadyknew,orappliedtothesortofknowledgehisnauticallifehadenabledhimtoacquire.
Apartofthegoodabbe’swords,however,werewhollyincomprehensibletohim;but,liketheaurorawhichguidesthenavigatorinnorthernlatitudes,openednewvistastotheinquiringmindofthelistener,andgavefantasticglimpsesofnewhorizons,enablinghimjustlytoestimatethedelightanintellectualmindwouldhaveinfollowingonesorichlygiftedasFariaalongtheheightsoftruth,wherehewassomuchathome.
“Youmustteachmeasmallpartofwhatyouknow,”saidDantes,“ifonlytopreventyourgrowingwearyofme.
Icanwellbelievethatsolearnedapersonasyourselfwouldpreferabsolutesolitudetobeingtormentedwiththecompanyofoneasignorantanduninformedasmyself.
Ifyouwillonlyagreetomyrequest,Ipromiseyounevertomentionanotherwordaboutescaping.”Theabbesmiled.
“Alas,myboy,”saidhe,“humanknowledgeisconfinedwithinverynarrowlimits;andwhenIhavetaughtyoumathematics,physics,history,andthethreeorfourmodernlanguageswithwhichIamacquainted,youwillknowasmuchasIdomyself.
Now,itwillscarcelyrequiretwoyearsformetocommunicatetoyouthestockoflearningIpossess.”
“Twoyears!”exclaimedDantes;“doyoureallybelieveIcanacquireallthesethingsinsoshortatime?”
“Nottheirapplication,certainly,buttheirprinciplesyoumay;tolearnisnottoknow;therearethelearnersandthelearned.Memorymakestheone,philosophytheother.”
“Butcannotonelearnphilosophy?”
“Philosophycannotbetaught;itistheapplicationofthesciencestotruth;itislikethegoldencloudinwhichtheMessiahwentupintoheaven.”
“Well,then,”saidDantes,“Whatshallyouteachmefirst?Iaminahurrytobegin.Iwanttolearn.”
“Everything,”saidtheabbe.Andthatveryeveningtheprisonerssketchedaplanofeducation,tobeentereduponthefollowingday.
Dantespossessedaprodigiousmemory,combinedwithanastonishingquicknessandreadinessofconception;themathematicalturnofhismindrenderedhimaptatallkindsofcalculation,whilehisnaturallypoeticalfeelingsthrewalightandpleasingveiloverthedryrealityofarithmeticalcomputation,ortherigidseverityofgeometry.
HealreadyknewItalian,andhadalsopickedupalittleoftheRomaicdialectduringvoyagestotheEast;andbytheaidofthesetwolanguagesheeasilycomprehendedtheconstructionofalltheothers,sothatattheendofsixmonthshebegantospeakSpanish,English,andGerman.
Instrictaccordancewiththepromisemadetotheabbe,Dantesspokenomoreofescape.
Perhapsthedelighthisstudiesaffordedhimleftnoroomforsuchthoughts;perhapstherecollectionthathehadpledgedhisword(onwhichhissenseofhonorwaskeen)kepthimfromreferringinanywaytothepossibilitiesofflight.
Days,evenmonths,passedbyunheededinonerapidandinstructivecourse.
AttheendofayearDanteswasanewman.
Dantesobserved,however,thatFaria,inspiteofthereliefhissocietyafforded,dailygrewsadder;onethoughtseemedincessantlytoharassanddistracthismind.
Sometimeshewouldfallintolongreveries,sighheavilyandinvoluntarily,thensuddenlyrise,and,withfoldedarms,beginpacingtheconfinedspaceofhisdungeon.
Onedayhestoppedallatonce,andexclaimed,“Ah,iftherewerenosentinel!”
“Thereshallnotbeoneaminutelongerthanyouplease,”saidDantes,whohadfollowedtheworkingofhisthoughtsasaccuratelyasthoughhisbrainwereenclosedincrystalsoclearastodisplayitsminutestoperations.
“Ihavealreadytoldyou,”answeredtheabbe,“thatIloathetheideaofsheddingblood.”
“Andyetthemurder,ifyouchoosetocallitso,wouldbesimplyameasureofself–preservation.”
“Nomatter!Icouldneveragreetoit.”
“Still,youhavethoughtofit?”
“Incessantly,alas!”criedtheabbe.
“Andyouhavediscoveredameansofregainingourfreedom,haveyounot?”askedDanteseagerly.
“Ihave;ifitwereonlypossibletoplaceadeafandblindsentinelinthegallerybeyondus.”
“Heshallbebothblindanddeaf,”repliedtheyoungman,withanairofdeterminationthatmadehiscompanionshudder.
“No,no,”criedtheabbe;“impossible!”Dantesendeavoredtorenewthesubject;theabbeshookhisheadintokenofdisapproval,andrefusedtomakeanyfurtherresponse.Threemonthspassedaway.
“Areyoustrong?”theabbeaskedonedayofDantes.Theyoungman,inreply,tookupthechisel,bentitintotheformofahorseshoe,andthenasreadilystraightenedit.
“Andwillyouengagenottodoanyharmtothesentry,exceptasalastresort?”
“Ipromiseonmyhonor.”
“Then,”saidtheabbe,“wemayhopetoputourdesignintoexecution.”
“Andhowlongshallwebeinaccomplishingthenecessarywork?”
“Atleastayear.”
“Andshallwebeginatonce?”
“Atonce.”
“Wehavelostayeartonopurpose!”criedDantes.
“Doyouconsiderthelasttwelvemonthstohavebeenwasted?”askedtheabbe.
“Forgiveme!”criedEdmond,blushingdeeply.
“Tut,tut!”answeredtheabbe,“manisbutmanafterall,andyouareaboutthebestspecimenofthegenusIhaveeverknown.Come,letmeshowyoumyplan.”
TheabbethenshowedDantesthesketchhehadmadefortheirescape.
ItconsistedofaplanofhisowncellandthatofDantes,withthepassagewhichunitedthem.
Inthispassageheproposedtodrivealevelastheydoinmines;thislevelwouldbringthetwoprisonersimmediatelybeneaththegallerywherethesentrykeptwatch;oncethere,alargeexcavationwouldbemade,andoneoftheflag–stoneswithwhichthegallerywaspavedbesocompletelyloosenedthatatthedesiredmomentitwouldgivewaybeneaththefeetofthesoldier,who,stunnedbyhisfall,wouldbeimmediatelyboundandgaggedbyDantesbeforehehadpowertoofferanyresistance.
Theprisonerswerethentomaketheirwaythroughoneofthegallerywindows,andtoletthemselvesdownfromtheouterwallsbymeansoftheabbe’sladderofcords.
Dantes’eyessparkledwithjoy,andherubbedhishandswithdelightattheideaofaplansosimple,yetapparentlysocertaintosucceed.
Thatverydaytheminersbegantheirlabors,withavigorandalacrityproportionatetotheirlongrestfromfatigueandtheirhopesofultimatesuccess.
Nothinginterruptedtheprogressoftheworkexceptthenecessitythateachwasunderofreturningtohiscellinanticipationoftheturnkey’svisits.
Theyhadlearnedtodistinguishthealmostimperceptiblesoundofhisfootstepsashedescendedtowardstheirdungeons,andhappily,neverfailedofbeingpreparedforhiscoming.
Thefreshearthexcavatedduringtheirpresentwork,andwhichwouldhaveentirelyblockeduptheoldpassage,wasthrown,bydegreesandwiththeutmostprecaution,outofthewindowineitherFaria’sorDantes’cell,therubbishbeingfirstpulverizedsofinelythatthenightwindcarrieditfarawaywithoutpermittingthesmallesttracetoremain.
Morethanayearhadbeenconsumedinthisundertaking,theonlytoolsforwhichhadbeenachisel,aknife,andawoodenlever;FariastillcontinuingtoinstructDantesbyconversingwithhim,sometimesinonelanguage,sometimesinanother;atothers,relatingtohimthehistoryofnationsandgreatmenwhofromtimetotimehaverisentofameandtroddenthepathofglory.
Theabbewasamanoftheworld,andhad,moreover,mixedinthefirstsocietyoftheday;heworeanairofmelancholydignitywhichDantes,thankstotheimitativepowersbestowedonhimbynature,easilyacquired,aswellasthatoutwardpolishandpolitenesshehadbeforebeenwantingin,andwhichisseldompossessedexceptbythosewhohavebeenplacedinconstantintercoursewithpersonsofhighbirthandbreeding.
Attheendoffifteenmonthsthelevelwasfinished,andtheexcavationcompletedbeneaththegallery,andthetwoworkmencoulddistinctlyhearthemeasuredtreadofthesentinelashepacedtoandfroovertheirheads.
Compelled,astheywere,toawaitanightsufficientlydarktofavortheirflight,theywereobligedtodefertheirfinalattempttillthatauspiciousmomentshouldarrive;theirgreatestdreadnowwaslestthestonethroughwhichthesentrywasdoomedtofallshouldgivewaybeforeitsrighttime,andthistheyhadinsomemeasureprovidedagainstbyproppingitupwithasmallbeamwhichtheyhaddiscoveredinthewallsthroughwhichtheyhadworkedtheirway.
DanteswasoccupiedinarrangingthispieceofwoodwhenheheardFaria,whohadremainedinEdmond’scellforthepurposeofcuttingapegtosecuretheirrope–ladder,calltohiminatoneindicativeofgreatsuffering.
Danteshastenedtohisdungeon,wherehefoundhimstandinginthemiddleoftheroom,paleasdeath,hisforeheadstreamingwithperspiration,andhishandsclinchedtightlytogether.
“Graciousheavens!”exclaimedDantes,“whatisthematter?whathashappened?”
“Quick!quick!”
returnedtheabbe,“listentowhatIhavetosay.”
DanteslookedinfearandwonderatthelividcountenanceofFaria,whoseeyes,alreadydullandsunken,weresurroundedbypurplecircles,whilehislipswerewhiteasthoseofacorpse,andhisveryhairseemedtostandonend.
“Tellme,Ibeseechyou,whatailsyou?”criedDantes,lettinghischiselfalltothefloor.
“Alas,”falteredouttheabbe,“allisoverwithme.
Iamseizedwithaterrible,perhapsmortalillness;Icanfeelthattheparoxysmisfastapproaching.
Ihadasimilarattacktheyearprevioustomyimprisonment.
Thismaladyadmitsbutofoneremedy;Iwilltellyouwhatthatis.
Gointomycellasquicklyasyoucan;drawoutoneofthefeetthatsupportthebed;youwillfindithasbeenhollowedoutforthepurposeofcontainingasmallphialyouwillseetherehalf–filledwithared–lookingfluid.Bringittome—orrather—no,no!
—Imaybefoundhere,thereforehelpmebacktomyroomwhileIhavethestrengthtodragmyselfalong.
Whoknowswhatmayhappen,orhowlongtheattackmaylast?”
Inspiteofthemagnitudeofthemisfortunewhichthussuddenlyfrustratedhishopes,Dantesdidnotlosehispresenceofmind,butdescendedintothepassage,dragginghisunfortunatecompanionwithhim;then,half–carrying,half–supportinghim,hemanagedtoreachtheabbe’schamber,whenheimmediatelylaidthesuffereronhisbed.
“Thanks,”saidthepoorabbe,shiveringasthoughhisveinswerefilledwithice.
“Iamabouttobeseizedwithafitofcatalepsy;whenitcomestoitsheightIshallprobablyliestillandmotionlessasthoughdead,utteringneithersighnorgroan.
Ontheotherhand,thesymptomsmaybemuchmoreviolent,andcausemetofallintofearfulconvulsions,foamatthemouth,andcryoutloudly.
Takecaremycriesarenotheard,foriftheyareitismorethanprobableIshouldberemovedtoanotherpartoftheprison,andwebeseparatedforever.
WhenIbecomequitemotionless,cold,andrigidasacorpse,then,andnotbefore,—becarefulaboutthis,—forceopenmyteethwiththeknife,pourfromeighttotendropsoftheliquorcontainedinthephialdownmythroat,andImayperhapsrevive.”
“Perhaps!”exclaimedDantesingrief–strickentones.
“Help!help!”criedtheabbe,“I—I—die—I”—
Sosuddenandviolentwasthefitthattheunfortunateprisonerwasunabletocompletethesentence;aviolentconvulsionshookhiswholeframe,hiseyesstartedfromtheirsockets,hismouthwasdrawnononeside,hischeeksbecamepurple,hestruggled,foamed,dashedhimselfabout,andutteredthemostdreadfulcries,which,however,Dantespreventedfrombeingheardbycoveringhisheadwiththeblanket.
Thefitlastedtwohours;then,morehelplessthananinfant,andcolderandpalerthanmarble,morecrushedandbrokenthanareedtrampledunderfoot,hefellback,doubledupinonelastconvulsion,andbecameasrigidasacorpse.
Edmondwaitedtilllifeseemedextinctinthebodyofhisfriend,then,takinguptheknife,hewithdifficultyforcedopenthecloselyfixedjaws,carefullyadministeredtheappointednumberofdrops,andanxiouslyawaitedtheresult.
Anhourpassedawayandtheoldmangavenosignofreturninganimation.
Dantesbegantofearhehaddelayedtoolongereheadministeredtheremedy,and,thrustinghishandsintohishair,continuedgazingonthelifelessfeaturesofhisfriend.
Atlengthaslightcolortingedthelividcheeks,consciousnessreturnedtothedull,openeyeballs,afaintsighissuedfromthelips,andthesufferermadeafeebleefforttomove.
“Heissaved!heissaved!”criedDantesinaparoxysmofdelight.
Thesickmanwasnotyetabletospeak,buthepointedwithevidentanxietytowardsthedoor.
Danteslistened,andplainlydistinguishedtheapproachingstepsofthejailer.
Itwasthereforenearseveno’clock;butEdmond’sanxietyhadputallthoughtsoftimeoutofhishead.
Theyoungmansprangtotheentrance,dartedthroughit,carefullydrawingthestoneovertheopening,andhurriedtohiscell.
Hehadscarcelydonesobeforethedooropened,andthejailersawtheprisonerseatedasusualonthesideofhisbed.
Almostbeforethekeyhadturnedinthelock,andbeforethedepartingstepsofthejailerhaddiedawayinthelongcorridorhehadtotraverse,Dantes,whoserestlessanxietyconcerninghisfriendlefthimnodesiretotouchthefoodbroughthim,hurriedbacktotheabbe’schamber,andraisingthestonebypressinghisheadagainstit,wassoonbesidethesickman’scouch.
Fariahadnowfullyregainedhisconsciousness,buthestilllayhelplessandexhausted.
“Ididnotexpecttoseeyouagain,”saidhefeebly,toDantes.
“Andwhynot?”askedtheyoungman.“Didyoufancyyourselfdying?”
“No,Ihadnosuchidea;but,knowingthatallwasreadyforflight,Ithoughtyoumighthavemadeyourescape.”ThedeepglowofindignationsuffusedthecheeksofDantes.
“Withoutyou?Didyoureallythinkmecapableofthat?”
“Atleast,”saidtheabbe,“Inowseehowwrongsuchanopinionwouldhavebeen.Alas,alas!Iamfearfullyexhaustedanddebilitatedbythisattack.”
“Beofgoodcheer,”repliedDantes;“yourstrengthwillreturn.”AndashespokeheseatedhimselfnearthebedbesideFaria,andtookhishands.Theabbeshookhishead.
“ThelastattackIhad,”saidhe,“lastedbuthalfanhour,andafteritIwashungry,andgotupwithouthelp;nowIcanmoveneithermyrightarmnorleg,andmyheadseemsuncomfortable,whichshowsthattherehasbeenasuffusionofbloodonthebrain.
Thethirdattackwilleithercarrymeoff,orleavemeparalyzedforlife.”
“No,no,”criedDantes;“youaremistaken—youwillnotdie!
Andyourthirdattack(if,indeed,youshouldhaveanother)willfindyouatliberty.
Weshallsaveyouanothertime,aswehavedonethis,onlywithabetterchanceofsuccess,becauseweshallbeabletocommandeveryrequisiteassistance.”
“MygoodEdmond,”answeredtheabbe,“benotdeceived.Theattackwhichhasjustpassedaway,condemnsmeforevertothewallsofaprison.Nonecanflyfromadungeonwhocannotwalk.”
“Well,wewillwait,—aweek,amonth,twomonths,ifneedbe,—andmeanwhileyourstrengthwillreturn.
Everythingisinreadinessforourflight,andwecanselectanytimewechoose.
Assoonasyoufeelabletoswimwewillgo.”
“Ishallneverswimagain,”repliedFaria.
“Thisarmisparalyzed;notforatime,butforever.Liftit,andjudgeifIammistaken.”
Theyoungmanraisedthearm,whichfellbackbyitsownweight,perfectlyinanimateandhelpless.Asighescapedhim.
“Youareconvincednow,Edmond,areyounot?”askedtheabbe.“Dependuponit,IknowwhatIsay.
SincethefirstattackIexperiencedofthismalady,Ihavecontinuallyreflectedonit.
Indeed,Iexpectedit,foritisafamilyinheritance;bothmyfatherandgrandfatherdiedofitinathirdattack.
ThephysicianwhopreparedformetheremedyIhavetwicesuccessfullytaken,wasnootherthanthecelebratedCabanis,andhepredictedasimilarendforme.”
“Thephysicianmaybemistaken!”exclaimedDantes.“Andasforyourpoorarm,whatdifferencewillthatmake?Icantakeyouonmyshoulders,andswimforbothofus.”
“Myson,”saidtheabbe,“you,whoareasailorandaswimmer,mustknowaswellasIdothatamansoloadedwouldsinkbeforehehaddonefiftystrokes.
Cease,then,toallowyourselftobedupedbyvainhopes,thatevenyourownexcellentheartrefusestobelievein.
HereIshallremaintillthehourofmydeliverancearrives,andthat,inallhumanprobability,willbethehourofmydeath.
Asforyou,whoareyoungandactive,delaynotonmyaccount,butfly—go–Igiveyoubackyourpromise.”
“Itiswell,”saidDantes.“ThenIshallalsoremain.”
Then,risingandextendinghishandwithanairofsolemnityovertheoldman’shead,heslowlyadded,“BythebloodofChristIswearnevertoleaveyouwhileyoulive.”
Fariagazedfondlyonhisnoble–minded,single–hearted,high–principledyoungfriend,andreadinhiscountenanceampleconfirmationofthesincerityofhisdevotionandtheloyaltyofhispurpose.
“Thanks,”murmuredtheinvalid,extendingonehand.“Iaccept.
Youmayoneofthesedaysreaptherewardofyourdisinteresteddevotion.
ButasIcannot,andyouwillnot,quitthisplace,itbecomesnecessarytofilluptheexcavationbeneaththesoldier’sgallery;hemight,bychance,hearthehollowsoundofhisfootsteps,andcalltheattentionofhisofficertothecircumstance.
Thatwouldbringaboutadiscoverywhichwouldinevitablyleadtoourbeingseparated.
Go,then,andsetaboutthiswork,inwhich,unhappily,Icanofferyounoassistance;keepatitallnight,ifnecessary,anddonotreturnhereto–morrowtillafterthejailerhisvisitedme.
Ishallhavesomethingofthegreatestimportancetocommunicatetoyou.”
Dantestookthehandoftheabbeinhis,andaffectionatelypressedit.
Fariasmiledencouraginglyonhim,andtheyoungmanretiredtohistask,inthespiritofobedienceandrespectwhichhehadsworntoshowtowardshisagedfriend.
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