English
TheextensionprovidedforbytheagentofThomson&French,atthemomentwhenMorrelexpecteditleast,wastothepoorshipownersodecidedastrokeofgoodfortunethathealmostdaredtobelievethatfatewasatlengthgrownwearyofwastingherspiteuponhim.
Thesamedayhetoldhiswife,Emmanuel,andhisdaughterallthathadoccurred;andarayofhope,ifnotoftranquillity,returnedtothefamily.
Unfortunately,however,MorrelhadnotonlyengagementswiththehouseofThomson&French,whohadshownthemselvessoconsideratetowardshim;and,ashehadsaid,inbusinesshehadcorrespondents,andnotfriends.
Whenhethoughtthematterover,hecouldbynomeansaccountforthisgenerousconductonthepartofThomson&Frenchtowardshim;andcouldonlyattributeittosomesuchselfishargumentasthis:—”Wehadbetterhelpamanwhoowesusnearly300,000francs,andhavethose300,000francsattheendofthreemonthsthanhastenhisruin,andgetonlysixoreightpercentofourmoneybackagain.”
Unfortunately,whetherthroughenvyorstupidity,allMorrel’scorrespondentsdidnottakethisview;andsomeevencametoacontrarydecision.
ThebillssignedbyMorrelwerepresentedathisofficewithscrupulousexactitude,and,thankstothedelaygrantedbytheEnglishman,werepaidbyCocleswithequalpunctuality.
Coclesthusremainedinhisaccustomedtranquillity.
ItwasMorrelalonewhorememberedwithalarm,thatifhehadtorepayonthe15ththe50,000francsofM.deBoville,andonthe30ththe32,500francsofbills,forwhich,aswellasthedebtduetotheinspectorofprisons,hehadtimegranted,hemustbearuinedman.
Theopinionofallthecommercialmenwasthat,underthereverseswhichhadsuccessivelyweigheddownMorrel,itwasimpossibleforhimtoremainsolvent.
Great,therefore,wastheastonishmentwhenattheendofthemonth,hecancelledallhisobligationswithhisusualpunctuality.
Stillconfidencewasnotrestoredtoallminds,andthegeneralopinionwasthatthecompleteruinoftheunfortunateshipownerhadbeenpostponedonlyuntiltheendofthemonth.
Themonthpassed,andMorrelmadeextraordinaryeffortstogetinallhisresources.
Formerlyhispaper,atanydate,wastakenwithconfidence,andwaseveninrequest.
Morrelnowtriedtonegotiatebillsatninetydaysonly,andnoneofthebankswouldgivehimcredit.
Fortunately,Morrelhadsomefundscominginonwhichhecouldrely;and,astheyreachedhim,hefoundhimselfinaconditiontomeethisengagementswhentheendofJulycame.
TheagentofThomson&FrenchhadnotbeenagainseenatMarseilles;thedayafter,ortwodaysafterhisvisittoMorrel,hehaddisappeared;andasinthatcityhehadhadnointercoursebutwiththemayor,theinspectorofprisons,andM.Morrel,hisdepartureleftnotraceexceptinthememoriesofthesethreepersons.
AstothesailorsofthePharaon,theymusthavefoundsnugberthselsewhere,fortheyalsohaddisappeared.
CaptainGaumard,recoveredfromhisillness,hadreturnedfromPalma.
HedelayedpresentinghimselfatMorrel’s,buttheowner,hearingofhisarrival,wenttoseehim.
Theworthyshipownerknew,fromPenelon’srecital,ofthecaptain’sbraveconductduringthestorm,andtriedtoconsolehim.
Hebroughthimalsotheamountofhiswages,whichCaptainGaumardhadnotdaredtoapplyfor.
Ashedescendedthestaircase,MorrelmetPenelon,whowasgoingup.
Penelonhad,itwouldseem,madegooduseofhismoney,forhewasnewlyclad.
Whenhesawhisemployer,theworthytarseemedmuchembarrassed,drewononesideintothecornerofthelanding–place,passedhisquidfromonecheektotheother,staredstupidlywithhisgreateyes,andonlyacknowledgedthesqueezeofthehandwhichMorrelasusualgavehimbyaslightpressureinreturn.
MorrelattributedPenelon’sembarrassmenttotheeleganceofhisattire;itwasevidentthegoodfellowhadnotgonetosuchanexpenseonhisownaccount;hewas,nodoubt,engagedonboardsomeothervessel,andthushisbashfulnessarosefromthefactofhisnothaving,ifwemaysoexpressourselves,wornmourningforthePharaonlonger.
PerhapshehadcometotellCaptainGaumardofhisgoodluck,andtoofferhimemploymentfromhisnewmaster.“Worthyfellows!”
saidMorrel,ashewentaway,“mayyournewmasterloveyouasIlovedyou,andbemorefortunatethanIhavebeen!”
AugustrolledbyinunceasingeffortsonthepartofMorreltorenewhiscreditorrevivetheold.
Onthe20thofAugustitwasknownatMarseillesthathehadlefttowninthemailcoach,andthenitwassaidthatthebillswouldgotoprotestattheendofthemonth,andthatMorrelhadgoneawayandlefthischiefclerkEmmanuel,andhiscashierCocles,tomeetthecreditors.
But,contrarytoallexpectation,whenthe31stofAugustcame,thehouseopenedasusual,andCoclesappearedbehindthegratingofthecounter,examinedallbillspresentedwiththeusualscrutiny,and,fromfirsttolast,paidallwiththeusualprecision.
Therecamein,moreover,twodraftswhichM.Morrelhadfullyanticipated,andwhichCoclespaidaspunctuallyasthebillswhichtheshipownerhadaccepted.
Allthiswasincomprehensible,andthen,withthetenacitypeculiartoprophetsofbadnews,thefailurewasputoffuntiltheendofSeptember.
Onthe1st,Morrelreturned;hewasawaitedbyhisfamilywithextremeanxiety,forfromthisjourneytoParistheyhopedgreatthings.
MorrelhadthoughtofDanglars,whowasnowimmenselyrich,andhadlainundergreatobligationstoMorrelinformerdays,sincetohimitwasowingthatDanglarsenteredtheserviceoftheSpanishbanker,withwhomhehadlaidthefoundationsofhisvastwealth.
ItwassaidatthismomentthatDanglarswasworthfromsixtoeightmillionsoffrancs,andhadunlimitedcredit.
Danglars,then,withouttakingacrownfromhispocket,couldsaveMorrel;hehadbuttopasshiswordforaloan,andMorrelwassaved.
MorrelhadlongthoughtofDanglars,buthadkeptawayfromsomeinstinctivemotive,andhaddelayedaslongaspossibleavailinghimselfofthislastresource.
AndMorrelwasright,forhereturnedhomecrushedbythehumiliationofarefusal.
Yet,onhisarrival,Morreldidnotutteracomplaint,orsayoneharshword.
Heembracedhisweepingwifeanddaughter,pressedEmmanuel’shandwithfriendlywarmth,andthengoingtohisprivateroomonthesecondfloorhadsentforCocles.
“Then,”saidthetwowomentoEmmanuel,“weareindeedruined.”
Itwasagreedinabriefcouncilheldamongthem,thatJulieshouldwritetoherbrother,whowasingarrisonatNimes,tocometothemasspeedilyaspossible.
Thepoorwomenfeltinstinctivelythattheyrequiredalltheirstrengthtosupporttheblowthatimpended.
Besides,MaximilianMorrel,thoughhardlytwoandtwenty,hadgreatinfluenceoverhisfather.
Hewasastrong–minded,uprightyoungman.
Atthetimewhenhedecidedonhisprofessionhisfatherhadnodesiretochooseforhim,buthadconsultedyoungMaximilian’staste.
Hehadatoncedeclaredforamilitarylife,andhadinconsequencestudiedhard,passedbrilliantlythroughthePolytechnicSchool,andleftitassub–lieutenantofthe53doftheline.
Forayearhehadheldthisrank,andexpectedpromotiononthefirstvacancy.
InhisregimentMaximilianMorrelwasnotedforhisrigidobservance,notonlyoftheobligationsimposedonasoldier,butalsoofthedutiesofaman;andhethusgainedthenameof“thestoic.”
Weneedhardlysaythatmanyofthosewhogavehimthisepithetrepeateditbecausetheyhadheardit,anddidnotevenknowwhatitmeant.
Thiswastheyoungmanwhomhismotherandsistercalledtotheiraidtosustainthemundertheserioustrialwhichtheyfelttheywouldsoonhavetoendure.
Theyhadnotmistakenthegravityofthisevent,forthemomentafterMorrelhadenteredhisprivateofficewithCocles,Juliesawthelatterleaveitpale,trembling,andhisfeaturesbetrayingtheutmostconsternation.
Shewouldhavequestionedhimashepassedbyher,buttheworthycreaturehasteneddownthestaircasewithunusualprecipitation,andonlyraisedhishandstoheavenandexclaimed,“Oh,mademoiselle,mademoiselle,whatadreadfulmisfortune!Whocouldeverhavebelievedit!”
AmomentafterwardsJuliesawhimgoup–stairscarryingtwoorthreeheavyledgers,aportfolio,andabagofmoney.
Morrelexaminedtheledgers,openedtheportfolio,andcountedthemoney.
Allhisfundsamountedto6,000,or8,000.
francs,hisbillsreceivableuptothe5thto4,000or5,000,which,makingthebestofeverything,gavehim14,000.
francstomeetdebtsamountingto287,500francs.
Hehadnoteventhemeansformakingapossiblesettlementonaccount.
However,whenMorrelwentdowntohisdinner,heappearedverycalm.
Thiscalmnesswasmorealarmingtothetwowomenthanthedeepestdejectionwouldhavebeen.
AfterdinnerMorrelusuallywentoutandusedtotakehiscoffeeatthePhocaeanclub,andreadtheSemaphore;thisdayhedidnotleavethehouse,butreturnedtohisoffice.
AstoCocles,heseemedcompletelybewildered.
Forpartofthedayhewentintothecourt–yard,seatedhimselfonastonewithhisheadbareandexposedtotheblazingsun.
Emmanueltriedtocomfortthewomen,buthiseloquencefaltered.
Theyoungmanwastoowellacquaintedwiththebusinessofthehouse,nottofeelthatagreatcatastrophehungovertheMorrelfamily.
Nightcame,thetwowomenhadwatched,hopingthatwhenhelefthisroomMorrelwouldcometothem,buttheyheardhimpassbeforetheirdoor,andtryingtoconcealthenoiseofhisfootsteps.
Theylistened;hewentintohissleeping–room,andfastenedthedoorinside.
MadameMorrelsentherdaughtertobed,andhalfanhourafterJuliehadretired,sherose,tookoffhershoes,andwentstealthilyalongthepassage,toseethroughthekeyholewhatherhusbandwasdoing.
Inthepassageshesawaretreatingshadow;itwasJulie,who,uneasyherself,hadanticipatedhermother.
TheyoungladywenttowardsMadameMorrel.
“Heiswriting,”shesaid.Theyhadunderstoodeachotherwithoutspeaking.
MadameMorrellookedagainthroughthekeyhole,Morrelwaswriting;butMadameMorrelremarked,whatherdaughterhadnotobserved,thatherhusbandwaswritingonstampedpaper.
Theterribleideathathewaswritinghiswillflashedacrossher;sheshuddered,andyethadnotstrengthtoutteraword.
NextdayM.Morrelseemedascalmasever,wentintohisofficeasusual,cametohisbreakfastpunctually,andthen,afterdinner,heplacedhisdaughterbesidehim,tookherheadinhisarms,andheldherforalongtimeagainsthisbosom.
Intheevening,Julietoldhermother,thatalthoughhewasapparentlysocalm,shehadnoticedthatherfather’sheartbeatviolently.
Thenexttwodayspassedinmuchthesameway.
Ontheeveningofthe4thofSeptember,M.Morrelaskedhisdaughterforthekeyofhisstudy.
Julietrembledatthisrequest,whichseemedtoherofbadomen.
Whydidherfatheraskforthiskeywhichshealwayskept,andwhichwasonlytakenfromherinchildhoodasapunishment?TheyounggirllookedatMorrel.
“WhathaveIdonewrong,father,”shesaid,“thatyoushouldtakethiskeyfromme?”
“Nothing,mydear,”repliedtheunhappyman,thetearsstartingtohiseyesatthissimplequestion,—”nothing,onlyIwantit.”
Juliemadeapretencetofeelforthekey.
“Imusthaveleftitinmyroom,”shesaid.
Andshewentout,butinsteadofgoingtoherapartmentshehastenedtoconsultEmmanuel.
“Donotgivethiskeytoyourfather,”saidhe,“andto–morrowmorning,ifpossible,donotquithimforamoment.”
ShequestionedEmmanuel,butheknewnothing,orwouldnotsaywhatheknew.
Duringthenight,betweenthe4thand5thofSeptember,MadameMorrelremainedlisteningforeverysound,and,untilthreeo’clockinthemorning,sheheardherhusbandpacingtheroomingreatagitation.
Itwasthreeo’clockwhenhethrewhimselfonthebed.
Themotheranddaughterpassedthenighttogether.
TheyhadexpectedMaximiliansincethepreviousevening.
Ateighto’clockinthemorningMorrelenteredtheirchamber.
Hewascalm;buttheagitationofthenightwaslegibleinhispaleandcarewornvisage.
Theydidnotdaretoaskhimhowhehadslept.
Morrelwaskindertohiswife,moreaffectionatetohisdaughter,thanhehadeverbeen.
Hecouldnotceasegazingatandkissingthesweetgirl.
Julie,mindfulofEmmanuel’srequest,wasfollowingherfatherwhenhequittedtheroom,buthesaidtoherquickly,—”Remainwithyourmother,dearest.”Juliewishedtoaccompanyhim.“Iwishyoutodoso,”saidhe.
ThiswasthefirsttimeMorrelhadeversospoken,buthesaiditinatoneofpaternalkindness,andJuliedidnotdaretodisobey.
Sheremainedatthesamespotstandingmuteandmotionless.
Aninstantafterwardsthedooropened,shefelttwoarmsencircleher,andamouthpressedherforehead.
Shelookedupandutteredanexclamationofjoy.
“Maximilian,mydearestbrother!”shecried.
AtthesewordsMadameMorrelrose,andthrewherselfintoherson’sarms.
“Mother,”saidtheyoungman,lookingalternatelyatMadameMorrelandherdaughter,“whathasoccurred—whathashappened?
Yourletterhasfrightenedme,andIhavecomehitherwithallspeed.”
“Julie,”saidMadameMorrel,makingasigntotheyoungman,“goandtellyourfatherthatMaximilianhasjustarrived.”
Theyoungladyrushedoutoftheapartment,butonthefirststepofthestaircaseshefoundamanholdingaletterinhishand.
“AreyounotMademoiselleJulieMorrel?”inquiredtheman,withastrongItalianaccent.
“Yes,sir,”repliedJuliewithhesitation;“whatisyourpleasure?Idonotknowyou.”
“Readthisletter,”hesaid,handingittoher.Juliehesitated.“Itconcernsthebestinterestsofyourfather,”saidthemessenger.
Theyounggirlhastilytooktheletterfromhim.Sheopeneditquicklyandread:—
“GothismomenttotheAlleesdeMeillan,enterthehouseNo.15,asktheporterforthekeyoftheroomonthefifthfloor,entertheapartment,takefromthecornerofthemantelpieceapursenettedinredsilk,andgiveittoyourfather.
Itisimportantthatheshouldreceiveitbeforeeleveno’clock.Youpromisedtoobeymeimplicitly.Rememberyouroath.
“SinbadtheSailor.”
Theyounggirlutteredajoyfulcry,raisedhereyes,lookedroundtoquestionthemessenger,buthehaddisappeared.
Shecasthereyesagainoverthenotetoperuseitasecondtime,andsawtherewasapostscript.Sheread:—
“Itisimportantthatyoushouldfulfilthismissioninpersonandalone.
Ifyougoaccompaniedbyanyotherperson,orshouldanyoneelsegoinyourplace,theporterwillreplythathedoesnotknowanythingaboutit.”
Thispostscriptdecreasedgreatlytheyounggirl’shappiness.Wastherenothingtofear?wastherenotsomesnarelaidforher?
Herinnocencehadkeptherinignoranceofthedangersthatmightassailayounggirlofherage.
Butthereisnoneedtoknowdangerinordertofearit;indeed,itmaybeobserved,thatitisusuallyunknownperilsthatinspirethegreatestterror.
Juliehesitated,andresolvedtotakecounsel.
Yet,throughasingularimpulse,itwasneithertohermothernorherbrotherthatsheapplied,buttoEmmanuel.
ShehasteneddownandtoldhimwhathadoccurredonthedaywhentheagentofThomson&Frenchhadcometoherfather’s,relatedthesceneonthestaircase,repeatedthepromiseshehadmade,andshowedhimtheletter.
“Youmustgo,then,mademoiselle,”saidEmmanuel.
“Gothere?”murmuredJulie.
“Yes;Iwillaccompanyyou.”
“ButdidyounotreadthatImustbealone?”saidJulie.
“Andyoushallbealone,”repliedtheyoungman.
“IwillawaityouatthecorneroftheRuedeMusee,andifyouaresolongabsentastomakemeuneasy,Iwillhastentorejoinyou,andwoetohimofwhomyoushallhavecausetocomplaintome!”
“Then,Emmanuel?”saidtheyounggirlwithhesitation,“itisyouropinionthatIshouldobeythisinvitation?”
“Yes.Didnotthemessengersayyourfather’ssafetydependeduponit?”
“Butwhatdangerthreatenshim,then,Emmanuel?”sheasked.
Emmanuelhesitatedamoment,buthisdesiretomakeJuliedecideimmediatelymadehimreply.
“Listen,”hesaid;“to–dayisthe5thofSeptember,isitnot?”
“Yes.”
“To–day,then,ateleveno’clock,yourfatherhasnearlythreehundredthousandfrancstopay?”
“Yes,weknowthat.”
“Well,then,”continuedEmmanuel,“wehavenotfifteenthousandfrancsinthehouse.”
“Whatwillhappenthen?”
“Why,ifto–daybeforeeleveno’clockyourfatherhasnotfoundsomeonewhowillcometohisaid,hewillbecompelledattwelveo’clocktodeclarehimselfabankrupt.”
“Oh,come,then,come!”criedshe,hasteningawaywiththeyoungman.
Duringthistime,MadameMorrelhadtoldhersoneverything.
Theyoungmanknewquitewellthat,afterthesuccessionofmisfortuneswhichhadbefallenhisfather,greatchangeshadtakenplaceinthestyleoflivingandhousekeeping;buthedidnotknowthatmattershadreachedsuchapoint.Hewasthunderstruck.
Then,rushinghastilyoutoftheapartment,heranup–stairs,expectingtofindhisfatherinhisstudy,butherappedthereinvain.
Whilehewasyetatthedoorofthestudyheheardthebedroomdooropen,turned,andsawhisfather.
Insteadofgoingdirecttohisstudy,M.Morrelhadreturnedtohisbed–chamber,whichhewasonlythismomentquitting.
Morrelutteredacryofsurpriseatthesightofhisson,ofwhosearrivalhewasignorant.
Heremainedmotionlessonthespot,pressingwithhislefthandsomethinghehadconcealedunderhiscoat.
Maximiliansprangdownthestaircase,andthrewhisarmsroundhisfather’sneck;butsuddenlyherecoiled,andplacedhisrighthandonMorrel’sbreast.
“Father,”heexclaimed,turningpaleasdeath,“whatareyougoingtodowiththatbraceofpistolsunderyourcoat?”
“Oh,thisiswhatIfeared!”saidMorrel.
“Father,father,inheaven’sname,”exclaimedtheyoungman,“whataretheseweaponsfor?”
“Maximilian,”repliedMorrel,lookingfixedlyathisson,“youareaman,andamanofhonor.Come,andIwillexplaintoyou.”
AndwithafirmstepMorrelwentuptohisstudy,whileMaximilianfollowedhim,tremblingashewent.
Morrelopenedthedoor,andcloseditbehindhisson;then,crossingtheanteroom,wenttohisdeskonwhichheplacedthepistols,andpointedwithhisfingertoanopenledger.
Inthisledgerwasmadeoutanexactbalance–sheetofhisaffair’s.
Morrelhadtopay,withinhalfanhour,287,500francs.Allhepossessedwas15,257francs.“Read!”saidMorrel.
Theyoungmanwasoverwhelmedasheread.Morrelsaidnotaword.Whatcouldhesay?
Whatneedheaddtosuchadesperateproofinfigures?”
Andhaveyoudoneallthatispossible,father,tomeetthisdisastrousresult?”
askedtheyoungman,afteramoment’spause.“Ihave,”repliedMorrel.
“Youhavenomoneycominginonwhichyoucanrely?”
“None.”
“Youhaveexhaustedeveryresource?”
“All.”
“Andinhalfanhour,”saidMaximilianinagloomyvoice,“ournameisdishonored!”
“Bloodwashesoutdishonor,”saidMorrel.
“Youareright,father;Iunderstandyou.”
Thenextendinghishandtowardsoneofthepistols,hesaid,“Thereisoneforyouandoneforme—thanks!”Morrelcaughthishand.“Yourmother—yoursister!Whowillsupportthem?”
Ashudderranthroughtheyoungman’sframe.
“Father,”hesaid,“doyoureflectthatyouarebiddingmetolive?”
“Yes,Idosobidyou,”answeredMorrel,“itisyourduty.
Youhaveacalm,strongmind,Maximilian.Maximilian,youarenoordinaryman.
Imakenorequestsorcommands;Ionlyaskyoutoexaminemypositionasifitwereyourown,andthenjudgeforyourself.”
Theyoungmanreflectedforamoment,thenanexpressionofsublimeresignationappearedinhiseyes,andwithaslowandsadgesturehetookoffhistwoepaulets,theinsigniaofhisrank.
“Beitso,then,myfather,”hesaid,extendinghishandtoMorrel,“dieinpeace,myfather;Iwilllive.”
Morrelwasabouttocasthimselfonhiskneesbeforehisson,butMaximiliancaughthiminhisarms,andthosetwonobleheartswerepressedagainsteachotherforamoment.
“Youknowitisnotmyfault,”saidMorrel.Maximiliansmiled.
“Iknow,father,youarethemosthonorablemanIhaveeverknown.”
“Good,myson.Andnowthereisnomoretobesaid;goandrejoinyourmotherandsister.”
“Myfather,”saidtheyoungman,bendinghisknee,“blessme!”
Morreltooktheheadofhissonbetweenhistwohands,drewhimforward,andkissinghisforeheadseveraltimessaid,“Oh,yes,yes,Iblessyouinmyownname,andinthenameofthreegenerationsofirreproachablemen,whosaythroughme,‘Theedificewhichmisfortunehasdestroyed,providencemaybuildupagain.’
Onseeingmediesuchadeath,themostinexorablewillhavepityonyou.
Toyou,perhaps,theywillaccordthetimetheyhaverefusedtome.
Thendoyourbesttokeepournamefreefromdishonor.
Gotowork,labor,youngman,struggleardentlyandcourageously;live,yourself,yourmotherandsister,withthemostrigideconomy,sothatfromdaytodaythepropertyofthosewhomIleaveinyourhandsmayaugmentandfructify.
Reflecthowgloriousadayitwillbe,howgrand,howsolemn,thatdayofcompleterestoration,onwhichyouwillsayinthisveryoffice,‘MyfatherdiedbecausehecouldnotdowhatIhavethisdaydone;buthediedcalmlyandpeaceably,becauseindyingheknewwhatIshoulddo.’”
“Myfather,myfather!”criedtheyoungman,“whyshouldyounotlive?”
“IfIlive,allwouldbechanged;ifIlive,interestwouldbeconvertedintodoubt,pityintohostility;ifIliveIamonlyamanwhohisbrokenhisword,failedinhisengagements—infact,onlyabankrupt.
If,onthecontrary,Idie,remember,Maximilian,mycorpseisthatofanhonestbutunfortunateman.
Living,mybestfriendswouldavoidmyhouse;dead,allMarseilleswillfollowmeintearstomylasthome.
Living,youwouldfeelshameatmyname;dead,youmayraiseyourheadandsay,‘Iamthesonofhimyoukilled,because,forthefirsttime,hehasbeencompelledtobreakhisword.’”
Theyoungmanutteredagroan,butappearedresigned.
“Andnow,”saidMorrel,“leavemealone,andendeavortokeepyourmotherandsisteraway.”
“Willyounotseemysisteroncemore?”askedMaximilian.
Alastbutfinalhopewasconcealedbytheyoungmanintheeffectofthisinterview,andthereforehehadsuggestedit.Morrelshookhishead.
“Isawherthismorning,andbadeheradieu.”
“Haveyounoparticularcommandstoleavewithme,myfather?”inquiredMaximilianinafalteringvoice.
“Yes;myson,andasacredcommand.”
“Sayit,myfather.”
“ThehouseofThomson&Frenchistheonlyonewho,fromhumanity,or,itmaybe,selfishness—itisnotformetoreadmen’shearts—hashadanypityforme.
Itsagent,whowillintenminutespresenthimselftoreceivetheamountofabillof287,500francs,Iwillnotsaygranted,butofferedmethreemonths.
Letthishousebethefirstrepaid,myson,andrespectthisman.”
“Father,Iwill,”saidMaximilian.
“Andnow,oncemore,adieu,”saidMorrel.“Go,leaveme;Iwouldbealone.Youwillfindmywillinthesecretaryinmybedroom.”
Theyoungmanremainedstandingandmotionless,havingbuttheforceofwillandnotthepowerofexecution.
“Hearme,Maximilian,”saidhisfather.“SupposeIwasasoldierlikeyou,andorderedtocarryacertainredoubt,andyouknewImustbekilledintheassault,wouldyounotsaytome,asyousaidjustnow,‘Go,father;foryouaredishonoredbydelay,anddeathispreferabletoshame!’”
“Yes,yes,”saidtheyoungman,“yes;”andonceagainembracinghisfatherwithconvulsivepressure,hesaid,“Beitso,myfather.”
Andherushedoutofthestudy.Whenhissonhadlefthim,Morrelremainedaninstantstandingwithhiseyesfixedonthedoor;thenputtingforthhisarm,hepulledthebell.
Afteramoment’sinterval,Coclesappeared.
Itwasnolongerthesameman—thefearfulrevelationsofthethreelastdayshadcrushedhim.
Thisthought—thehouseofMorrelisabouttostoppayment—benthimtotheearthmorethantwentyyearswouldotherwisehavedone.
“MyworthyCocles,”saidMorrelinatoneimpossibletodescribe,“doyouremainintheante–chamber.
Whenthegentlemanwhocamethreemonthsago—theagentofThomson&French—arrives,announcehisarrivaltome.”
Coclesmadenoreply;hemadeasignwithhishead,wentintotheanteroom,andseatedhimself.
Morrelfellbackinhischair,hiseyesfixedontheclock;thereweresevenminutesleft,thatwasall.
Thehandmovedonwithincrediblerapidity,heseemedtoseeitsmotion.
Whatpassedinthemindofthismanatthesuprememomentofhisagonycannotbetoldinwords.
Hewasstillcomparativelyyoung,hewassurroundedbythelovingcareofadevotedfamily,buthehadconvincedhimselfbyacourseofreasoning,illogicalperhaps,yetcertainlyplausible,thathemustseparatehimselffromallhehelddearintheworld,evenlifeitself.
Toformtheslightestideaofhisfeelings,onemusthaveseenhisfacewithitsexpressionofenforcedresignationanditstear–moistenedeyesraisedtoheaven.Theminutehandmovedon.
Thepistolswereloaded;hestretchedforthhishand,tookoneup,andmurmuredhisdaughter’sname.
Thenhelaiditdownseizedhispen,andwroteafewwords.
Itseemedtohimasifhehadnottakenasufficientfarewellofhisbeloveddaughter.
Thenheturnedagaintotheclock,countingtimenownotbyminutes,butbyseconds.
Hetookupthedeadlyweaponagain,hislipspartedandhiseyesfixedontheclock,andthenshudderedattheclickofthetriggerashecockedthepistol.
Atthismomentofmortalanguishthecoldsweatcameforthuponhisbrow,apangstrongerthandeathclutchedathisheart–strings.
Heheardthedoorofthestaircasecreakonitshinges—theclockgaveitswarningtostrikeeleven—thedoorofhisstudyopened;Morreldidnotturnround—heexpectedthesewordsofCocles,“TheagentofThomson&French.”
Heplacedthemuzzleofthepistolbetweenhisteeth.
Suddenlyheheardacry—itwashisdaughter’svoice.HeturnedandsawJulie.Thepistolfellfromhishands.“Myfather!”
criedtheyounggirl,outofbreath,andhalfdeadwithjoy—”saved,youaresaved!”
Andshethrewherselfintohisarms,holdinginherextendedhandared,nettedsilkpurse.
“Saved,mychild!”saidMorrel;“whatdoyoumean?”
“Yes,saved—saved!See,see!”saidtheyounggirl.
Morreltookthepurse,andstartedashedidso,foravagueremembranceremindedhimthatitoncebelongedtohimself.
Atoneendwasthereceiptedbillforthe287,000francs,andattheotherwasadiamondaslargeasahazel–nut,withthesewordsonasmallslipofparchment:—Julie’sDowry.
Morrelpassedhishandoverhisbrow;itseemedtohimadream.Atthismomenttheclockstruckeleven.
Hefeltasifeachstrokeofthehammerfelluponhisheart.
“Explain,mychild,”hesaid,“Explain,mychild,”hesaid,“explain—wheredidyoufindthispurse?”
“InahouseintheAlleesdeMeillan,No.15,onthecornerofamantelpieceinasmallroomonthefifthfloor.”
“But,”criedMorrel,“thispurseisnotyours!”Juliehandedtoherfatherthelettershehadreceivedinthemorning.
“Anddidyougoalone?”askedMorrel,afterhehadreadit.
“Emmanuelaccompaniedme,father.HewastohavewaitedformeatthecorneroftheRuedeMusee,but,strangetosay,hewasnottherewhenIreturned.”
“MonsieurMorrel!”exclaimedavoiceonthestairs.—”MonsieurMorrel!”
“Itishisvoice!”saidJulie.AtthismomentEmmanuelentered,hiscountenancefullofanimationandjoy.“ThePharaon!”hecried;“thePharaon!”
“What—what—thePharaon!Areyoumad,Emmanuel?Youknowthevesselislost.”
“ThePharaon,sir—theysignalthePharaon!ThePharaonisenteringtheharbor!”
Morrelfellbackinhischair,hisstrengthwasfailinghim;hisunderstandingweakenedbysuchevents,refusedtocomprehendsuchincredible,unheard–of,fabulousfacts.Buthissoncamein.
“Father,”criedMaximilian,“howcouldyousaythePharaonwaslost?
Thelookouthassignalledher,andtheysaysheisnowcomingintoport.”
“Mydearfriends,”saidMorrel,“ifthisbeso,itmustbeamiracleofheaven!Impossible,impossible!”
Butwhatwasrealandnotlessincrediblewasthepurseheheldinhishand,theacceptancereceipted—thesplendiddiamond.
“Ah,sir,”exclaimedCocles,“whatcanitmean?—thePharaon?”
“Come,dearones,”saidMorrel,risingfromhisseat,“letusgoandsee,andheavenhavepityuponusifitbefalseintelligence!”
Theyallwentout,andonthestairsmetMadameMorrel,whohadbeenafraidtogoupintothestudy.
InamomenttheywereattheCannebiere.Therewasacrowdonthepier.AllthecrowdgavewaybeforeMorrel.“ThePharaon,thePharaon!”saideveryvoice.
And,wonderfultosee,infrontofthetowerofSaint–Jean,wasashipbearingonhersternthesewords,printedinwhiteletters,“ThePharaon,Morrel&Son,ofMarseilles.”
ShewastheexactduplicateoftheotherPharaon,andloaded,asthathadbeen,withcochinealandindigo.
Shecastanchor,cluedupsails,andonthedeckwasCaptainGaumardgivingorders,andgoodoldPenelonmakingsignalstoM.Morrel.
Todoubtanylongerwasimpossible;therewastheevidenceofthesenses,andtenthousandpersonswhocametocorroboratethetestimony.
AsMorrelandhissonembracedonthepier–head,inthepresenceandamidtheapplauseofthewholecitywitnessingthisevent,aman,withhisfacehalf–coveredbyablackbeard,andwho,concealedbehindthesentry–box,watchedthescenewithdelight,utteredthesewordsinalowtone:“Behappy,nobleheart,beblessedforallthegoodthouhastdoneandwiltdohereafter,andletmygratituderemaininobscuritylikeyourgooddeeds.”
Andwithasmileexpressiveofsupremecontent,helefthishiding–place,andwithoutbeingobserved,descendedoneoftheflightsofstepsprovidedfordebarkation,andhailingthreetimes,shouted“Jacopo,Jacopo,Jacopo!”
Thenalaunchcametoshore,tookhimonboard,andconveyedhimtoayachtsplendidlyfittedup,onwhosedeckhesprungwiththeactivityofasailor;thenceheonceagainlookedtowardsMorrel,who,weepingwithjoy,wasshakinghandsmostcordiallywithallthecrowdaroundhim,andthankingwithalooktheunknownbenefactorwhomheseemedtobeseekingintheskies.
“Andnow,”saidtheunknown,“farewellkindness,humanity,andgratitude!
Farewelltoallthefeelingsthatexpandtheheart!
Ihavebeenheaven’ssubstitutetorecompensethegood—nowthegodofvengeanceyieldstomehispowertopunishthewicked!”
Atthesewordshegaveasignal,and,asifonlyawaitingthissignal,theyachtinstantlyputouttosea.
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