English
SuchofmyreadersashavemadeapedestrianexcursiontothesouthofFrancemayperchancehavenoticed,aboutmidwaybetweenthetownofBeaucaireandthevillageofBellegarde,—alittlenearertotheformerthantothelatter,—asmallroadsideinn,fromthefrontofwhichhung,creakingandflappinginthewind,asheetoftincoveredwithagrotesquerepresentationofthePontduGard.
Thismodernplaceofentertainmentstoodontheleft–handsideofthepostroad,andbackedupontheRhone.
ItalsoboastedofwhatinLanguedocisstyledagarden,consistingofasmallplotofground,onthesideoppositetothemainentrancereservedforthereceptionofguests.
Afewdingyolivesandstuntedfig–treesstruggledhardforexistence,buttheirwithereddustyfoliageabundantlyprovedhowunequalwastheconflict.
Betweenthesesicklyshrubsgrewascantysupplyofgarlic,tomatoes,andeschalots;while,loneandsolitary,likeaforgottensentinel,atallpineraiseditsmelancholyheadinoneofthecornersofthisunattractivespot,anddisplayeditsflexiblestemandfan–shapedsummitdriedandcrackedbythefierceheatofthesub–tropicalsun.
Inthesurroundingplain,whichmoreresembledadustylakethansolidground,werescatteredafewmiserablestalksofwheat,theeffect,nodoubt,ofacuriousdesireonthepartoftheagriculturistsofthecountrytoseewhethersuchathingastheraisingofgraininthoseparchedregionswaspracticable.
Eachstalkservedasaperchforagrasshopper,whichregaledthepassersbythroughthisEgyptianscenewithitsstrident,monotonousnote.
Foraboutsevenoreightyearsthelittletavernhadbeenkeptbyamanandhiswife,withtwoservants,—achambermaidnamedTrinette,andahostlercalledPecaud.
Thissmallstaffwasquiteequaltoalltherequirements,foracanalbetweenBeaucaireandAiguemorteshadrevolutionizedtransportationbysubstitutingboatsforthecartandthestagecoach.
And,asthoughtoaddtothedailymiserywhichthisprosperouscanalinflictedontheunfortunateinn–keeper,whoseutterruinitwasfastaccomplishing,itwassituatedbetweentheRhonefromwhichithaditssourceandthepost–roadithaddepleted,notahundredstepsfromtheinn,ofwhichwehavegivenabriefbutfaithfuldescription.
Theinn–keeperhimselfwasamanoffromfortytofifty–fiveyearsofage,tall,strong,andbony,aperfectspecimenofthenativesofthosesouthernlatitudes;hehaddark,sparkling,anddeep–seteyes,hookednose,andteethwhiteasthoseofacarnivorousanimal;hishair,likehisbeard,whichheworeunderhischin,wasthickandcurly,andinspiteofhisagebutslightlyinterspersedwithafewsilverythreads.
Hisnaturallydarkcomplexionhadassumedastillfurthershadeofbrownfromthehabittheunfortunatemanhadacquiredofstationinghimselffrommorningtilleveatthethresholdofhisdoor,onthelookoutforguestswhoseldomcame,yettherehestood,dayafterday,exposedtothemeridionalraysofaburningsun,withnootherprotectionforhisheadthanaredhandkerchieftwistedaroundit,afterthemanneroftheSpanishmuleteers.
Thismanwasouroldacquaintance,GaspardCaderousse.
Hiswife,onthecontrary,whosemaidennamehadbeenMadeleineRadelle,waspale,meagre,andsickly–looking.
BornintheneighborhoodofArles,shehadsharedinthebeautyforwhichitswomenareproverbial;butthatbeautyhadgraduallywitheredbeneaththedevastatinginfluenceoftheslowfeversoprevalentamongdwellersbythepondsofAiguemortesandthemarshesofCamargue.
Sheremainednearlyalwaysinhersecond–floorchamber,shiveringinherchair,orstretchedlanguidandfeebleonherbed,whileherhusbandkepthisdailywatchatthedoor—adutyheperformedwithsomuchthegreaterwillingness,asitsavedhimthenecessityoflisteningtotheendlessplaintsandmurmursofhishelpmate,whoneversawhimwithoutbreakingoutintobitterinvectivesagainstfate;toallofwhichherhusbandwouldcalmlyreturnanunvaryingreply,inthesephilosophicwords:—
“Hush,LaCarconte.ItisGod’spleasurethatthingsshouldbeso.”
ThesobriquetofLaCarcontehadbeenbestowedonMadeleineRadellefromthefactthatshehadbeenborninavillage,socalled,situatedbetweenSalonandLambesc;andasacustomexistedamongtheinhabitantsofthatpartofFrancewhereCaderousselivedofstylingeverypersonbysomeparticularanddistinctiveappellation,herhusbandhadbestowedonherthenameofLaCarconteinplaceofhersweetandeuphoniousnameofMadeleine,which,inallprobability,hisrudegutterallanguagewouldnothaveenabledhimtopronounce.
Still,letitnotbesupposedthatamidthisaffectedresignationtothewillofProvidence,theunfortunateinn–keeperdidnotwritheunderthedoublemiseryofseeingthehatefulcanalcarryoffhiscustomersandhisprofits,andthedailyinflictionofhispeevishpartner’smurmursandlamentations.
Likeotherdwellersinthesouth,hewasamanofsoberhabitsandmoderatedesires,butfondofexternalshow,vain,andaddictedtodisplay.
Duringthedaysofhisprosperity,notafestivitytookplacewithouthimselfandwifebeingamongthespectators.
HedressedinthepicturesquecostumewornupongrandoccasionsbytheinhabitantsofthesouthofFrance,bearingequalresemblancetothestyleadoptedbothbytheCatalansandAndalusians;whileLaCarcontedisplayedthecharmingfashionprevalentamongthewomenofArles,amodeofattireborrowedequallyfromGreeceandArabia.
But,bydegrees,watch–chains,necklaces,parti–coloredscarfs,embroideredbodices,velvetvests,elegantlyworkedstockings,stripedgaiters,andsilverbucklesfortheshoes,alldisappeared;andGaspardCaderousse,unabletoappearabroadinhispristinesplendor,hadgivenupanyfurtherparticipationinthepompsandvanities,bothforhimselfandwife,althoughabitterfeelingofenviousdiscontentfilledhismindasthesoundofmirthandmerrymusicfromthejoyousrevellersreachedeventhemiserablehostelrytowhichhestillclung,morefortheshelterthantheprofititafforded.
Caderousse,then,was,asusual,athisplaceofobservationbeforethedoor,hiseyesglancinglistlesslyfromapieceofcloselyshavengrass—onwhichsomefowlswereindustriously,thoughfruitlessly,endeavoringtoturnupsomegrainorinsectsuitedtotheirpalate—tothedesertedroad,whichledawaytothenorthandsouth,whenhewasarousedbytheshrillvoiceofhiswife,andgrumblingtohimselfashewent,hemountedtoherchamber,firsttakingcare,however,tosettheentrancedoorwideopen,asaninvitationtoanychancetravellerwhomightbepassing.
AtthemomentCaderoussequittedhissentry–likewatchbeforethedoor,theroadonwhichhesoeagerlystrainedhissightwasvoidandlonelyasadesertatmid–day.
Thereitlaystretchingoutintooneinterminablelineofdustandsand,withitssidesborderedbytall,meagretrees,altogetherpresentingsouninvitinganappearance,thatnooneinhissensescouldhaveimaginedthatanytraveller,atlibertytoregulatehishoursforjourneying,wouldchoosetoexposehimselfinsuchaformidableSahara.
Nevertheless,hadCaderoussebutretainedhispostafewminuteslonger,hemighthavecaughtadimoutlineofsomethingapproachingfromthedirectionofBellegarde;asthemovingobjectdrewnearer,hewouldeasilyhaveperceivedthatitconsistedofamanandhorse,betweenwhomthekindestandmostamiableunderstandingappearedtoexist.
ThehorsewasofHungarianbreed,andambledalongataneasypace.
Hisriderwasapriest,dressedinblack,andwearingathree–corneredhat;and,spiteoftheardentraysofanoondaysun,thepaircameonwithafairdegreeofrapidity.
HavingarrivedbeforethePontduGard,thehorsestopped,butwhetherforhisownpleasureorthatofhisriderwouldhavebeendifficulttosay.
Howeverthatmighthavebeen,thepriest,dismounting,ledhissteedbythebridleinsearchofsomeplacetowhichhecouldsecurehim.
Availinghimselfofahandlethatprojectedfromahalf–fallendoor,hetiedtheanimalsafelyandhavingdrawnaredcottonhandkerchief,fromhispocket,wipedawaytheperspirationthatstreamedfromhisbrow,then,advancingtothedoor,struckthricewiththeendofhisiron–shodstick.
Atthisunusualsound,ahugeblackdogcamerushingtomeetthedaringassailantofhisordinarilytranquilabode,snarlinganddisplayinghissharpwhiteteethwithadeterminedhostilitythatabundantlyprovedhowlittlehewasaccustomedtosociety.
Atthatmomentaheavyfootstepwashearddescendingthewoodenstaircasethatledfromtheupperfloor,and,withmanybowsandcourteoussmiles,minehostofthePontduGardbesoughthisguesttoenter.
“Youarewelcome,sir,mostwelcome!”repeatedtheastonishedCaderousse.
“Now,then,Margotin,”criedhe,speakingtothedog,“willyoubequiet?Praydon’theedhim,sir!—heonlybarks,heneverbites.
Imakenodoubtaglassofgoodwinewouldbeacceptablethisdreadfullyhotday.”
Thenperceivingforthefirsttimethegarbofthetravellerhehadtoentertain,Caderoussehastilyexclaimed:“Athousandpardons!
IreallydidnotobservewhomIhadthehonortoreceiveundermypoorroof.Whatwouldtheabbepleasetohave?WhatrefreshmentcanIoffer?AllIhaveisathisservice.”
Thepriestgazedonthepersonaddressinghimwithalongandsearchinggaze—thereevenseemedadispositiononhisparttocourtasimilarscrutinyonthepartoftheinn–keeper;then,observinginthecountenanceofthelatternootherexpressionthanextremesurpriseathisownwantofattentiontoaninquirysocourteouslyworded,hedeemeditaswelltoterminatethisdumbshow,andthereforesaid,speakingwithastrongItalianaccent,“Youare,Ipresume,M.Caderousse?”
“Yes,sir,”answeredthehost,evenmoresurprisedatthequestionthanhehadbeenbythesilencewhichhadprecededit;“IamGaspardCaderousse,atyourservice.”
“GaspardCaderousse,”rejoinedthepriest.“Yes,—Christianandsurnamearethesame.Youformerlylived,IbelieveintheAlleesdeMeillan,onthefourthfloor?”
“Idid.”
“Andyoufollowedthebusinessofatailor?”
“True,Iwasatailor,tillthetradefelloff.
ItissohotatMarseilles,thatreallyIbelievethattherespectableinhabitantswillintimegowithoutanyclothingwhatever.
Buttalkingofheat,istherenothingIcanofferyoubywayofrefreshment?”
“Yes;letmehaveabottleofyourbestwine,andthen,withyourpermission,wewillresumeourconversationfromwhereweleftoff.”
“Asyouplease,sir,”saidCaderousse,who,anxiousnottolosethepresentopportunityoffindingacustomerforoneofthefewbottlesofCahorsstillremaininginhispossession,hastilyraisedatrap–doorintheflooroftheapartmenttheywerein,whichservedbothasparlorandkitchen.
Uponissuingforthfromhissubterraneanretreatattheexpirationoffiveminutes,hefoundtheabbeseateduponawoodenstool,leaninghiselbowonatable,whileMargotin,whoseanimosityseemedappeasedbytheunusualcommandofthetravellerforrefreshments,hadcreptuptohim,andhadestablishedhimselfverycomfortablybetweenhisknees,hislong,skinnyneckrestingonhislap,whilehisdimeyewasfixedearnestlyonthetraveller’sface.
“Areyouquitealone?”inquiredtheguest,asCaderousseplacedbeforehimthebottleofwineandaglass.
“Quite,quitealone,”repliedtheman—”or,atleast,practicallyso,formypoorwife,whoistheonlypersoninthehousebesidesmyself,islaidupwithillness,andunabletorendermetheleastassistance,poorthing!”
“Youaremarried,then?”saidthepriest,withashowofinterest,glancingroundashespokeatthescantyfurnishingsoftheapartment.
“Ah,sir,”saidCaderoussewithasigh,“itiseasytoperceiveIamnotarichman;butinthisworldamandoesnotthrivethebetterforbeinghonest.”
Theabbefixedonhimasearching,penetratingglance.
“Yes,honest—Icancertainlysaythatmuchformyself,”continuedtheinn–keeper,fairlysustainingthescrutinyoftheabbe’sgaze;“Icanboastwithtruthofbeinganhonestman;and,”continuedhesignificantly,withahandonhisbreastandshakinghishead,“thatismorethaneveryonecansaynowadays.”
“Somuchthebetterforyou,ifwhatyouassertbetrue,”saidtheabbe;“forIamfirmlypersuadedthat,soonerorlater,thegoodwillberewarded,andthewickedpunished.”
“Suchwordsasthosebelongtoyourprofession,”answeredCaderousse,“andyoudowelltorepeatthem;but,”addedhe,withabitterexpressionofcountenance,“oneisfreetobelievethemornot,asonepleases.”
“Youarewrongtospeakthus,”saidtheabbe;“andperhapsImay,inmyownperson,beabletoprovetoyouhowcompletelyyouareinerror.”
“Whatmeanyou?”inquiredCaderoussewithalookofsurprise.
“Inthefirstplace,ImustbesatisfiedthatyouarethepersonIaminsearchof.”
“Whatproofsdoyourequire?”
“Didyou,intheyear1814or1815,knowanythingofayoungsailornamedDantes?”
“Dantes?DidIknowpoordearEdmond?
Why,EdmondDantesandmyselfwereintimatefriends!”
exclaimedCaderousse,whosecountenanceflusheddarklyashecaughtthepenetratinggazeoftheabbefixedonhim,whiletheclear,calmeyeofthequestionerseemedtodilatewithfeverishscrutiny.
“Youremindme,”saidthepriest,“thattheyoungmanconcerningwhomIaskedyouwassaidtobearthenameofEdmond.”
“Saidtobearthename!”repeatedCaderousse,becomingexcitedandeager.
“Why,hewassocalledastrulyasImyselfboretheappellationofGaspardCaderousse;buttellme,Ipray,whathasbecomeofpoorEdmond?Didyouknowhim?Ishealiveandatliberty?Isheprosperousandhappy?”
“Hediedamorewretched,hopeless,heart–brokenprisonerthanthefelonswhopaythepenaltyoftheircrimesatthegalleysofToulon.”
AdeadlypallorfollowedtheflushonthecountenanceofCaderousse,whoturnedaway,andthepriestsawhimwipingthetearsfromhiseyeswiththecorneroftheredhandkerchieftwistedroundhishead.
“Poorfellow,poorfellow!”murmuredCaderousse.
“Well,there,sir,isanotherproofthatgoodpeopleareneverrewardedonthisearth,andthatnonebutthewickedprosper.
Ah,”continuedCaderousse,speakinginthehighlycoloredlanguageofthesouth,“theworldgrowsworseandworse.
WhydoesnotGod,ifhereallyhatesthewicked,asheissaidtodo,senddownbrimstoneandfire,andconsumethemaltogether?”
“YouspeakasthoughyouhadlovedthisyoungDantes,”observedtheabbe,withouttakinganynoticeofhiscompanion’svehemence.
“AndsoIdid,”repliedCaderousse;“thoughonce,Iconfess,Ienviedhimhisgoodfortune.
ButIsweartoyou,sir,Isweartoyou,byeverythingamanholdsdear,Ihave,sincethen,deeplyandsincerelylamentedhisunhappyfate.”
Therewasabriefsilence,duringwhichthefixed,searchingeyeoftheabbewasemployedinscrutinizingtheagitatedfeaturesoftheinn–keeper.
“Youknewthepoorlad,then?”continuedCaderousse.
“Iwascalledtoseehimonhisdyingbed,thatImightadministertohimtheconsolationsofreligion.”
“Andofwhatdidhedie?”askedCaderousseinachokingvoice.
“Ofwhat,thinkyou,doyoungandstrongmendieinprison,whentheyhavescarcelynumberedtheirthirtiethyear,unlessitbeofimprisonment?”
Caderoussewipedawaythelargebeadsofperspirationthatgatheredonhisbrow.
“Butthestrangestpartofthestoryis,”resumedtheabbe,“thatDantes,eveninhisdyingmoments,sworebyhiscrucifiedRedeemer,thathewasutterlyignorantofthecauseofhisdetention.”
“Andsohewas,”murmuredCaderousse.“Howshouldhehavebeenotherwise?Ah,sir,thepoorfellowtoldyouthetruth.”
“Andforthatreason,hebesoughtmetotryandclearupamysteryhehadneverbeenabletopenetrate,andtoclearhismemoryshouldanyfoulspotorstainhavefallenonit.”
Andherethelookoftheabbe,becomingmoreandmorefixed,seemedtorestwithill–concealedsatisfactiononthegloomydepressionwhichwasrapidlyspreadingoverthecountenanceofCaderousse.
“ArichEnglishman,”continuedtheabbe,“whohadbeenhiscompanioninmisfortune,buthadbeenreleasedfromprisonduringthesecondrestoration,waspossessedofadiamondofimmensevalue;thisjewelhebestowedonDantesuponhimselfquittingtheprison,asamarkofhisgratitudeforthekindnessandbrotherlycarewithwhichDanteshadnursedhiminasevereillnessheunderwentduringhisconfinement.
Insteadofemployingthisdiamondinattemptingtobribehisjailers,whomightonlyhavetakenitandthenbetrayedhimtothegovernor,Dantescarefullypreservedit,thatintheeventofhisgettingoutofprisonhemighthavewherewithaltolive,forthesaleofsuchadiamondwouldhavequitesufficedtomakehisfortune.”
“Then,Isuppose,”askedCaderousse,witheager,glowinglooks,“thatitwasastoneofimmensevalue?”
“Why,everythingisrelative,”answeredtheabbe.“TooneinEdmond’spositionthediamondcertainlywasofgreatvalue.Itwasestimatedatfiftythousandfrancs.”
“Blessme!”exclaimedCaderousse,“fiftythousandfrancs!Surelythediamondwasaslargeasanuttobeworthallthat.”
“No,”repliedtheabbe,“itwasnotofsuchasizeasthat;butyoushalljudgeforyourself.Ihaveitwithme.”
ThesharpgazeofCaderoussewasinstantlydirectedtowardsthepriest’sgarments,asthoughhopingtodiscoverthelocationofthetreasure.
Calmlydrawingforthfromhispocketasmallboxcoveredwithblackshagreen,theabbeopenedit,anddisplayedtothedazzledeyesofCaderoussethesparklingjewelitcontained,setinaringofadmirableworkmanship.
“Andthatdiamond,”criedCaderousse,almostbreathlesswitheageradmiration,“yousay,isworthfiftythousandfrancs?”
“Itis,withoutthesetting,whichisalsovaluable,”repliedtheabbe,asheclosedthebox,andreturnedittohispocket,whileitsbrillianthuesseemedstilltodancebeforetheeyesofthefascinatedinn–keeper.
“Buthowcomesthediamondinyourpossession,sir?DidEdmondmakeyouhisheir?”
“No,merelyhistestamentaryexecutor.‘Ioncepossessedfourdearandfaithfulfriends,besidesthemaidentowhomIwasbetrothed’hesaid;‘andIfeelconvincedtheyhaveallunfeignedlygrievedovermyloss.
ThenameofoneofthefourfriendsisCaderousse.’”Theinn–keepershivered.
”’Anotherofthenumber,’”continuedtheabbe,withoutseemingtonoticetheemotionofCaderousse,”’iscalledDanglars;andthethird,inspiteofbeingmyrival,entertainedaverysincereaffectionforme.
’”AfiendishsmileplayedoverthefeaturesofCaderousse,whowasabouttobreakinupontheabbe’sspeech,whenthelatter,wavinghishand,said,“Allowmetofinishfirst,andthenifyouhaveanyobservationstomake,youcandosoafterwards.
‘Thethirdofmyfriends,althoughmyrival,wasmuchattachedtome,—hisnamewasFernand;thatofmybetrothedwas’—Stay,stay,”continuedtheabbe,“Ihaveforgottenwhathecalledher.”
“Mercedes,”saidCaderousseeagerly.
“True,”saidtheabbe,withastifledsigh,“Mercedesitwas.”
“Goon,”urgedCaderousse.
“Bringmeacarafeofwater,”saidtheabbe.
Caderoussequicklyperformedthestranger’sbidding;andafterpouringsomeintoaglass,andslowlyswallowingitscontents,theabbe,resuminghisusualplacidityofmanner,said,asheplacedhisemptyglassonthetable,—”Wheredidweleaveoff?”
“ThenameofEdmond’sbetrothedwasMercedes.”
“Tobesure.‘YouwillgotoMarseilles,’saidDantes,—foryouunderstand,Irepeathiswordsjustasheutteredthem.Doyouunderstand?”
“Perfectly.”
”’Youwillsellthisdiamond;youwilldividethemoneyintofiveequalparts,andgiveanequalportiontothesegoodfriends,theonlypersonswhohavelovedmeuponearth.’”
“Butwhyintofiveparts?”askedCaderousse;“youonlymentionedfourpersons.”
“Becausethefifthisdead,asIhear.ThefifthsharerinEdmond’sbequest,washisownfather.”
“Tootrue,tootrue!”ejaculatedCaderousse,almostsuffocatedbythecontendingpassionswhichassailedhim,“thepooroldmandiddie.”
“IlearnedsomuchatMarseilles,”repliedtheabbe,makingastrongefforttoappearindifferent;“butfromthelengthoftimethathaselapsedsincethedeathoftheelderDantes,Iwasunabletoobtainanyparticularsofhisend.Canyouenlightenmeonthatpoint?”
“IdonotknowwhocouldifIcouldnot,”saidCaderousse.
“Why,Ilivedalmostonthesamefloorwiththepooroldman.
Ah,yes,aboutayearafterthedisappearanceofhissonthepooroldmandied.”
“Ofwhatdidhedie?”
“Why,thedoctorscalledhiscomplaintgastro–enteritis,Ibelieve;hisacquaintancessayhediedofgrief;butI,whosawhiminhisdyingmoments,Isayhediedof”—Caderoussepaused.
“Ofwhat?”askedthepriest,anxiouslyandeagerly.
“Why,ofdownrightstarvation.”
“Starvation!”exclaimedtheabbe,springingfromhisseat.
“Why,thevilestanimalsarenotsufferedtodiebysuchadeathasthat.
Theverydogsthatwanderhouselessandhomelessinthestreetsfindsomepityinghandtocastthemamouthfulofbread;andthataman,aChristian,shouldbeallowedtoperishofhungerinthemidstofothermenwhocallthemselvesChristians,istoohorribleforbelief.
Oh,itisimpossible—utterlyimpossible!”
“WhatIhavesaid,Ihavesaid,”answeredCaderousse.
“Andyouareafoolforhavingsaidanythingaboutit,”saidavoicefromthetopofthestairs.“Whyshouldyoumeddlewithwhatdoesnotconcernyou?”
Thetwomenturnedquickly,andsawthesicklycountenanceofLaCarcontepeeringbetweenthebalusterrails;attractedbythesoundofvoices,shehadfeeblydraggedherselfdownthestairs,and,seatedonthelowerstep,headonknees,shehadlistenedtotheforegoingconversation.
“Mindyourownbusiness,wife,”repliedCaderoussesharply.
“Thisgentlemanasksmeforinformation,whichcommonpolitenesswillnotpermitmetorefuse.”
“Politeness,yousimpleton!”retortedLaCarconte.
“Whathaveyoutodowithpoliteness,Ishouldliketoknow?Betterstudyalittlecommonprudence.
Howdoyouknowthemotivesthatpersonmayhavefortryingtoextractallhecanfromyou?”
“Ipledgeyoumyword,madam,”saidtheabbe,“thatmyintentionsaregood;andthatyouhusbandcanincurnorisk,providedheanswersmecandidly.”
“Ah,that’sallveryfine,”retortedthewoman.
“Nothingiseasierthantobeginwithfairpromisesandassurancesofnothingtofear;butwhenpoor,sillyfolks,likemyhusbandthere,havebeenpersuadedtotellalltheyknow,thepromisesandassurancesofsafetyarequicklyforgotten;andatsomemomentwhennobodyisexpectingit,beholdtroubleandmisery,andallsortsofpersecutions,areheapedontheunfortunatewretches,whocannotevenseewhencealltheirafflictionscome.”
“Nay,nay,mygoodwoman,makeyourselfperfectlyeasy,Ibegofyou.Whateverevilsmaybefallyou,theywillnotbeoccasionedbymyinstrumentality,thatIsolemnlypromiseyou.”
LaCarcontemutteredafewinarticulatewords,thenletherheadagaindropuponherknees,andwentintoafitofague,leavingthetwospeakerstoresumetheconversation,butremainingsoastobeabletoheareverywordtheyuttered.
Againtheabbehadbeenobligedtoswallowadraughtofwatertocalmtheemotionsthatthreatenedtooverpowerhim.
Whenhehadsufficientlyrecoveredhimself,hesaid,“Itappears,then,thatthemiserableoldmanyouweretellingmeofwasforsakenbyeveryone.
Surely,hadnotsuchbeenthecase,hewouldnothaveperishedbysodreadfuladeath.”
“Why,hewasnotaltogetherforsaken,”continuedCaderousse,“forMercedestheCatalanandMonsieurMorrelwereverykindtohim;butsomehowthepooroldmanhadcontractedaprofoundhatredforFernand—theveryperson,”addedCaderoussewithabittersmile,“thatyounamedjustnowasbeingoneofDantes’faithfulandattachedfriends.”
“Andwashenotso?”askedtheabbe.
“Gaspard,Gaspard!”murmuredthewoman,fromherseatonthestairs,“mindwhatyouaresaying!”
Caderoussemadenoreplytothesewords,thoughevidentlyirritatedandannoyedbytheinterruption,but,addressingtheabbe,said,“Canamanbefaithfultoanotherwhosewifehecovetsanddesiresforhimself?
ButDanteswassohonorableandtrueinhisownnature,thathebelievedeverybody’sprofessionsoffriendship.
PoorEdmond,hewascruellydeceived;butitwasfortunatethatheneverknew,orhemighthavefounditmoredifficult,whenonhisdeathbed,topardonhisenemies.
And,whateverpeoplemaysay,”continuedCaderousse,inhisnativelanguage,whichwasnotaltogetherdevoidofrudepoetry,“Icannothelpbeingmorefrightenedattheideaofthemaledictionofthedeadthanthehatredoftheliving.”
“Imbecile!”exclaimedLaCarconte.
“Doyou,then,knowinwhatmannerFernandinjuredDantes?”inquiredtheabbeofCaderousse.
“DoI?Noonebetter.”
“Speakoutthen,saywhatitwas!”
“Gaspard!”criedLaCarconte,“doasyouwill;youaremaster—butifyoutakemyadviceyou’llholdyourtongue.”
“Well,wife,”repliedCaderousse,“Idon’tknowbutwhatyou’reright!”
“Soyouwillsaynothing?”askedtheabbe.
“Why,whatgoodwoulditdo?”askedCaderousse.
“Ifthepoorladwereliving,andcametomeandbeggedthatIwouldcandidlytellwhichwerehistrueandwhichhisfalsefriends,why,perhaps,Ishouldnothesitate.
Butyoutellmeheisnomore,andthereforecanhavenothingtodowithhatredorrevenge,soletallsuchfeelingbeburiedwithhim.”
“Youprefer,then,”saidtheabbe,“thatIshouldbestowonmenyousayarefalseandtreacherous,therewardintendedforfaithfulfriendship?”
“Thatistrueenough,”returnedCaderousse.
“Yousaytruly,thegiftofpoorEdmondwasnotmeantforsuchtraitorsasFernandandDanglars;besides,whatwoulditbetothem?
nomorethanadropofwaterintheocean.”
“Remember,”chimedinLaCarconte,“thosetwocouldcrushyouatasingleblow!”
“Howso?”inquiredtheabbe.“Arethesepersons,then,sorichandpowerful?”
“Doyounotknowtheirhistory?”
“Idonot.Prayrelateittome!”Caderousseseemedtoreflectforafewmoments,thensaid,“No,truly,itwouldtakeuptoomuchtime.”
“Well,mygoodfriend,”returnedtheabbe,inatonethatindicatedutterindifferenceonhispart,“youareatliberty,eithertospeakorbesilent,justasyouplease;formyownpart,Irespectyourscruplesandadmireyoursentiments;soletthematterend.
IshalldomydutyasconscientiouslyasIcan,andfulfilmypromisetothedyingman.
Myfirstbusinesswillbetodisposeofthisdiamond.”
Sosaying,theabbeagaindrawthesmallboxfromhispocket,openedit,andcontrivedtoholditinsuchalight,thatabrightflashofbrillianthuespassedbeforethedazzledgazeofCaderousse.
“Wife,wife!”criedheinahoarsevoice,“comehere!”
“Diamond!”exclaimedLaCarconte,risinganddescendingtothechamberwithatolerablyfirmstep;“whatdiamondareyoutalkingabout?”
“Why,didyounothearallwesaid?”inquiredCaderousse.
“ItisabeautifuldiamondleftbypoorEdmondDantes,tobesold,andthemoneydividedbetweenhisfather,Mercedes,hisbetrothedbride,Fernand,Danglars,andmyself.
Thejewelisworthatleastfiftythousandfrancs.”
“Oh,whatamagnificentjewel!”criedtheastonishedwoman.
“Thefifthpartoftheprofitsfromthisstonebelongstousthen,doesitnot?”askedCaderousse.
“Itdoes,”repliedtheabbe;“withtheadditionofanequaldivisionofthatpartintendedfortheelderDantes,whichIbelievemyselfatlibertytodivideequallywiththefoursurvivors.”
“Andwhyamongusfour?”inquiredCaderousse.
“AsbeingthefriendsEdmondesteemedmostfaithfulanddevotedtohim.”
“Idon’tcallthosefriendswhobetrayandruinyou,”murmuredthewifeinherturn,inalow,mutteringvoice.
“Ofcoursenot!”rejoinedCaderoussequickly;“nomoredoI,andthatwaswhatIwasobservingtothisgentlemanjustnow.
IsaidIlookeduponitasasacrilegiousprofanationtorewardtreachery,perhapscrime.”
“Remember,”answeredtheabbecalmly,ashereplacedthejewelanditscaseinthepocketofhiscassock,“itisyourfault,notmine,thatIdoso.
YouwillhavethegoodnesstofurnishmewiththeaddressofbothFernandandDanglars,inorderthatImayexecuteEdmond’slastwishes.”
TheagitationofCaderoussebecameextreme,andlargedropsofperspirationrolledfromhisheatedbrow.
Ashesawtheabberisefromhisseatandgotowardsthedoor,asthoughtoascertainifhishorseweresufficientlyrefreshedtocontinuehisjourney,Caderousseandhiswifeexchangedlooksofdeepmeaning.
“There,yousee,wife,”saidtheformer,“thissplendiddiamondmightallbeours,ifwechose!”
“Doyoubelieveit?”
“Why,surelyamanofhisholyprofessionwouldnotdeceiveus!”
“Well,”repliedLaCarconte,“doasyoulike.
Formypart,Iwashmyhandsoftheaffair.”
Sosaying,sheoncemoreclimbedthestaircaseleadingtoherchamber,herbodyconvulsedwithchills,andherteethrattlinginherhead,inspiteoftheintenseheatoftheweather.
Arrivedatthetopstair,sheturnedround,andcalledout,inawarningtone,toherhusband,“Gaspard,considerwellwhatyouareabouttodo!”
“Ihavebothreflectedanddecided,”answeredhe.
LaCarcontethenenteredherchamber,theflooringofwhichcreakedbeneathherheavy,uncertaintread,assheproceededtowardsherarm–chair,intowhichshefellasthoughexhausted.
“Well,”askedtheabbe,ashereturnedtotheapartmentbelow,“whathaveyoumadeupyourmindtodo?”
“TotellyouallIknow,”wasthereply.
“Icertainlythinkyouactwiselyinsodoing,”saidthepriest.
“NotbecauseIhavetheleastdesiretolearnanythingyoumaypleasetoconcealfromme,butsimplythatif,throughyourassistance,Icoulddistributethelegacyaccordingtothewishesofthetestator,why,somuchthebetter,thatisall.”
“Ihopeitmaybeso,”repliedCaderousse,hisfaceflushedwithcupidity.
“Iamallattention,”saidtheabbe.
“Stopaminute,”answeredCaderousse;“wemightbeinterruptedinthemostinterestingpartofmystory,whichwouldbeapity;anditisaswellthatyourvisithithershouldbemadeknownonlytoourselves.”
Withthesewordshewentstealthilytothedoor,whichheclosed,and,bywayofstillgreaterprecaution,boltedandbarredit,ashewasaccustomedtodoatnight.
Duringthistimetheabbehadchosenhisplaceforlisteningathisease.
Heremovedhisseatintoacorneroftheroom,wherehehimselfwouldbeindeepshadow,whilethelightwouldbefullythrownonthenarrator;then,withheadbentdownandhandsclasped,orratherclinchedtogether,hepreparedtogivehiswholeattentiontoCaderousse,whoseatedhimselfonthelittlestool,exactlyoppositetohim.
“Remember,thisisnoaffairofmine,”saidthetremblingvoiceofLaCarconte,asthoughthroughtheflooringofherchambersheviewedthescenethatwasenactingbelow.
“Enough,enough!”repliedCaderousse;“saynomoreaboutit;Iwilltakealltheconsequencesuponmyself.”Andhebeganhisstory.
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