English
WhenFranzrecoveredhissenses,hesawAlbertdrinkingaglassofwater,ofwhich,tojudgefromhispallor,hestoodingreatneed;andthecount,whowasassuminghismasqueradecostume.
Heglancedmechanicallytowardsthesquare—thescenewaswhollychanged;scaffold,executioners,victims,allhaddisappeared;onlythepeopleremained,fullofnoiseandexcitement.
ThebellofMonteCitorio,whichonlysoundsonthepope’sdeceaseandtheopeningoftheCarnival,wasringingajoyouspeal.
“Well,”askedheofthecount,“whathas,then,happened?”
“Nothing,”repliedthecount;“only,asyousee,theCarnivalhiscommenced.Makehasteanddressyourself.”
“Infact,”saidFranz,“thishorriblescenehaspassedawaylikeadream.”
“Itisbutadream,anightmare,thathasdisturbedyou.”
“Yes,thatIhavesuffered;buttheculprit?”
“Thatisadreamalso;onlyhehasremainedasleep,whileyouhaveawakened;andwhoknowswhichofyouisthemostfortunate?”
“ButPeppino—whathasbecomeofhim?”
“Peppinoisaladofsense,who,unlikemostmen,whoarehappyinproportionastheyarenoticed,wasdelightedtoseethatthegeneralattentionwasdirectedtowardshiscompanion.
Heprofitedbythisdistractiontoslipawayamongthecrowd,withouteventhankingtheworthypriestswhoaccompaniedhim.
Decidedlymanisanungratefulandegotisticalanimal.
Butdressyourself;see,M.deMorcerfsetsyoutheexample.”
Albertwasdrawingonthesatinpantaloonoverhisblacktrousersandvarnishedboots.
“Well,Albert,”saidFranz,“doyoufeelmuchinclinedtojointherevels?Come,answerfrankly.”
“Mafoi,no,”returnedAlbert.“ButIamreallygladtohaveseensuchasight;andIunderstandwhatthecountsaid—thatwhenyouhaveoncehabituatedyourselftoasimilarspectacle,itistheonlyonethatcausesyouanyemotion.”
“Withoutreflectingthatthisistheonlymomentinwhichyoucanstudycharacter,”saidthecount;“onthestepsofthescaffolddeathtearsoffthemaskthathasbeenwornthroughlife,andtherealvisageisdisclosed.
ItmustbeallowedthatAndreawasnotveryhandsome,thehideousscoundrel!
Come,dressyourselves,gentlemen,dressyourselves.”
Franzfeltitwouldberidiculousnottofollowhistwocompanions’example.
Heassumedhiscostume,andfastenedonthemaskthatscarcelyequalledthepallorofhisownface.
Theirtoiletfinished,theydescended;thecarriageawaitedthematthedoor,filledwithsweetmeatsandbouquets.Theyfellintothelineofcarriages.
Itisdifficulttoformanideaoftheperfectchangethathadtakenplace.
Insteadofthespectacleofgloomyandsilentdeath,thePiazzadelPopolopresentedaspectacleofgayandnoisymirthandrevelry.
Acrowdofmasksflowedinfromallsides,emergingfromthedoors,descendingfromthewindows.
Fromeverystreetandeverycornerdrovecarriagesfilledwithclowns,harlequins,dominoes,mummers,pantomimists,Transteverins,knights,andpeasants,screaming,fighting,gesticulating,throwingeggsfilledwithflour,confetti,nosegays,attacking,withtheirsarcasmsandtheirmissiles,friendsandfoes,companionsandstrangers,indiscriminately,andnoonetookoffence,ordidanythingbutlaugh.
FranzandAlbertwerelikemenwho,todriveawayaviolentsorrow,haverecoursetowine,andwho,astheydrinkandbecomeintoxicated,feelathickveildrawnbetweenthepastandthepresent.
Theysaw,orrathercontinuedtosee,theimageofwhattheyhadwitnessed;butlittlebylittlethegeneralvertigoseizedthem,andtheyfeltthemselvesobligedtotakepartinthenoiseandconfusion.
Ahandfulofconfettithatcamefromaneighboringcarriage,andwhich,whileitcoveredMorcerfandhistwocompanionswithdust,prickedhisneckandthatportionofhisfaceuncoveredbyhismasklikeahundredpins,incitedhimtojoininthegeneralcombat,inwhichallthemasksaroundhimwereengaged.
Heroseinhisturn,andseizinghandfulsofconfettiandsweetmeats,withwhichthecarriagewasfilled,castthemwithalltheforceandskillhewasmasterof.
Thestrifehadfairlybegun,andtherecollectionofwhattheyhadseenhalfanhourbeforewasgraduallyeffacedfromtheyoungmen’sminds,somuchweretheyoccupiedbythegayandglitteringprocessiontheynowbeheld.
AsfortheCountofMonteCristo,hehadneverforaninstantshownanyappearanceofhavingbeenmoved.
ImaginethelargeandsplendidCorso,borderedfromoneendtotheotherwithloftypalaces,withtheirbalconieshungwithcarpets,andtheirwindowswithflags.
Atthesebalconiesarethreehundredthousandspectators—Romans,Italians,strangersfromallpartsoftheworld,theunitedaristocracyofbirth,wealth,andgenius.
Lovelywomen,yieldingtotheinfluenceofthescene,bendovertheirbalconies,orleanfromtheirwindows,andshowerdownconfetti,whicharereturnedbybouquets;theairseemsdarkenedwiththefallingconfettiandflyingflowers.
Inthestreetsthelivelycrowdisdressedinthemostfantasticcostumes—giganticcabbageswalkgravelyabout,buffaloes’headsbellowfrommen’sshoulders,dogswalkontheirhindlegs;inthemidstofallthisamaskislifted,and,asinCallot’sTemptationofSt.Anthony,alovelyfaceisexhibited,whichwewouldfainfollow,butfromwhichweareseparatedbytroopsoffiends.
ThiswillgiveafaintideaoftheCarnivalatRome.
AtthesecondturntheCountstoppedthecarriage,andrequestedpermissiontowithdraw,leavingthevehicleattheirdisposal.
Franzlookedup—theywereoppositetheRospoliPalace.
Atthecentrewindow,theonehungwithwhitedamaskwitharedcross,wasabluedomino,beneathwhichFranz’simaginationeasilypicturedthebeautifulGreekoftheArgentina.
“Gentlemen,”saidthecount,springingout,“whenyouaretiredofbeingactors,andwishtobecomespectatorsofthisscene,youknowyouhaveplacesatmywindows.
Inthemeantime,disposeofmycoachman,mycarriage,andmyservants.”
Wehaveforgottentomention,thatthecount’scoachmanwasattiredinabear–skin,exactlyresemblingOdry’sin“TheBearandthePasha;”andthetwofootmenbehindweredressedupasgreenmonkeys,withspringmasks,withwhichtheymadegrimacesateveryonewhopassed.
Franzthankedthecountforhisattention.
AsforAlbert,hewasbusilyoccupiedthrowingbouquetsatacarriagefullofRomanpeasantsthatwaspassingnearhim.
Unfortunatelyforhim,thelineofcarriagesmovedonagain,andwhilehedescendedthePiazzadelPopolo,theotherascendedtowardsthePalazzodiVenezia.
“Ah,mydearfellow,”saidhetoFranz;“youdidnotsee?”
“What?”
“There,—thatcalashfilledwithRomanpeasants.”
“No.”
“Well,Iamconvincedtheyareallcharmingwomen.”
“Howunfortunatethatyouweremasked,Albert,”saidFranz;“herewasanopportunityofmakingupforpastdisappointments.”
“Oh,”repliedhe,halflaughing,halfserious;“IhopetheCarnivalwillnotpasswithoutsomeamendsinoneshapeortheother.”
But,inspiteofAlbert’shope,thedaypassedunmarkedbyanyincident,exceptingtwoorthreeencounterswiththecarriagefullofRomanpeasants.
Atoneoftheseencounters,accidentallyorpurposely,Albert’smaskfelloff.
Heinstantlyroseandcasttheremainderofthebouquetsintothecarriage.
DoubtlessoneofthecharmingfemalesAlberthaddetectedbeneaththeircoquettishdisguisewastouchedbyhisgallantry;for,asthecarriageofthetwofriendspassedher,shethrewabunchofviolets.
Albertseizedit,andasFranzhadnoreasontosupposeitwasmeantforhim,hesufferedAlberttoretainit.
Albertplaceditinhisbutton–hole,andthecarriagewenttriumphantlyon.
“Well,”saidFranztohim;“thereisthebeginningofanadventure.”
“Laughifyouplease—Ireallythinkso.SoIwillnotabandonthisbouquet.”
“Pardieu,”returnedFranz,laughing,“intokenofyouringratitude.”
Thejest,however,soonappearedtobecomeearnest;forwhenAlbertandFranzagainencounteredthecarriagewiththecontadini,theonewhohadthrownthevioletstoAlbert,clappedherhandswhenshebeheldtheminhisbutton–hole.
“Bravo,bravo,”saidFranz;“thingsgowonderfully.ShallIleaveyou?Perhapsyouwouldpreferbeingalone?”
“No,”repliedhe;“Iwillnotbecaughtlikeafoolatafirstdisclosurebyarendezvousundertheclock,astheysayattheopera–balls.
Ifthefairpeasantwishestocarrymattersanyfurther,weshallfindher,orrather,shewillfindusto–morrow;thenshewillgivemesomesignorother,andIshallknowwhatIhavetodo.”
“Onmyword,”saidFranz,“youarewiseasNestorandprudentasUlysses,andyourfairCircemustbeveryskilfulorverypowerfulifshesucceedinchangingyouintoabeastofanykind.”
Albertwasright;thefairunknownhadresolved,doubtless,tocarrytheintriguenofarther;foralthoughtheyoungmenmadeseveralmoreturns,theydidnotagainseethecalash,whichhadturneduponeoftheneighboringstreets.
ThentheyreturnedtotheRospoliPalace;butthecountandthebluedominohadalsodisappeared;thetwowindows,hungwithyellowdamask,werestilloccupiedbythepersonswhomthecounthadinvited.
Atthismomentthesamebellthathadproclaimedthebeginningofthemascheratasoundedtheretreat.
ThefileontheCorsobroketheline,andinasecondallthecarriageshaddisappeared.
FranzandAlbertwereoppositetheViadelleMaratte;thecoachman,withoutsayingaword,droveupit,passedalongthePiazzadiSpagniandtheRospoliPalaceandstoppedatthedoorofthehotel.
SignorPastrinicametothedoortoreceivehisguests.
Franzhastenedtoinquireafterthecount,andtoexpressregretthathehadnotreturnedinsufficienttime;butPastrinireassuredhimbysayingthattheCountofMonteCristohadorderedasecondcarriageforhimself,andthatithadgoneatfouro’clocktofetchhimfromtheRospoliPalace.
Thecounthad,moreover,chargedhimtoofferthetwofriendsthekeyofhisboxattheArgentina.
FranzquestionedAlbertastohisintentions;butAlberthadgreatprojectstoputintoexecutionbeforegoingtothetheatre;andinsteadofmakinganyanswer,heinquiredifSignorPastrinicouldprocurehimatailor.
“Atailor,”saidthehost;“andforwhat?”
“Tomakeusbetweennowandto–morrowtwoRomanpeasantcostumes,”returnedAlbert.Thehostshookhishead.
“Tomakeyoutwocostumesbetweennowandto–morrow?
Iaskyourexcellencies’pardon,butthisisquiteaFrenchdemand;forthenextweekyouwillnotfindasingletailorwhowouldconsenttosewsixbuttonsonawaistcoatifyoupaidhimacrownapieceforeachbutton.”
“ThenImustgiveuptheidea?”
“No;wehavethemready–made.Leavealltome;andto–morrow,whenyouawake,youshallfindacollectionofcostumeswithwhichyouwillbesatisfied.”
“MydearAlbert,”saidFranz,“leavealltoourhost;hehasalreadyprovedhimselffullofresources;letusdinequietly,andafterwardsgoandsee‘TheAlgerianCaptive.’”
“Agreed,”returnedAlbert;“butremember,SignorPastrini,thatbothmyfriendandmyselfattachthegreatestimportancetohavingto–morrowthecostumeswehaveaskedfor.”
Thehostagainassuredthemtheymightrelyonhim,andthattheirwishesshouldbeattendedto;uponwhichFranzandAlbertmountedtotheirapartments,andproceededtodisencumberthemselvesoftheircostumes.
Albert,ashetookoffhisdress,carefullypreservedthebunchofviolets;itwashistokenreservedforthemorrow.
Thetwofriendssatdowntotable;buttheycouldnotrefrainfromremarkingthedifferencebetweentheCountofMonteCristo’stableandthatofSignorPastrini.
TruthcompelledFranz,inspiteofthedislikeheseemedtohavetakentothecount,toconfessthattheadvantagewasnotonPastrini’sside.
Duringdessert,theservantinquiredatwhattimetheywishedforthecarriage.
AlbertandFranzlookedateachother,fearingreallytoabusethecount’skindness.Theservantunderstoodthem.
“HisexcellencytheCountofMonteCristohad,”hesaid,“givenpositiveordersthatthecarriagewastoremainattheirlordships’ordersallday,andtheycouldthereforedisposeofitwithoutfearofindiscretion.”
Theyresolvedtoprofitbythecount’scourtesy,andorderedthehorsestobeharnessed,whiletheysubstitutedeveningdressforthatwhichtheyhadon,andwhichwassomewhattheworseforthenumerouscombatstheyhadsustained.
Thisprecautiontaken,theywenttothetheatre,andinstalledthemselvesinthecount’sbox.
Duringthefirstact,theCountessG——entered.
Herfirstlookwasattheboxwhereshehadseenthecountthepreviousevening,sothatsheperceivedFranzandAlbertintheplaceoftheverypersonconcerningwhomshehadexpressedsostrangeanopiniontoFranz.
Heropera–glasswassofixedlydirectedtowardsthem,thatFranzsawitwouldbecruelnottosatisfyhercuriosity;and,availinghimselfofoneoftheprivilegesofthespectatorsoftheItaliantheatres,whousetheirboxestoholdreceptions,thetwofriendswenttopaytheirrespectstothecountess.
Scarcelyhadtheyentered,whenshemotionedtoFranztoassumetheseatofhonor.Albert,inhisturn,satbehind.
“Well,”saidshe,hardlygivingFranztimetositdown,“itseemsyouhavenothingbettertodothantomaketheacquaintanceofthisnewLordRuthven,andyouarealreadythebestfriendsintheworld.”
“Withoutbeingsofaradvancedasthat,mydearcountess,”returnedFranz,“Icannotdenythatwehaveabusedhisgoodnatureallday.”
“Allday?”
“Yes;thismorningwebreakfastedwithhim;werodeinhiscarriageallday,andnowwehavetakenpossessionofhisbox.”
“Youknowhim,then?”
“Yes,andno.”
“Howso?”
“Itisalongstory.”
“Tellittome.”
“Itwouldfrightenyoutoomuch.”
“Somuchthemorereason.”
“Atleastwaituntilthestoryhasaconclusion.”
“Verywell;Iprefercompletehistories;buttellmehowyoumadehisacquaintance?Didanyoneintroduceyoutohim?”
“No;itwashewhointroducedhimselftous.”
“When?”
“Lastnight,afterweleftyou.”
“Throughwhatmedium?”
“Theveryprosaiconeofourlandlord.”
“Heisstaying,then,attheHoteldeLondreswithyou?”
“Notonlyinthesamehotel,butonthesamefloor.”
“Whatishisname—for,ofcourse,youknow?”
“TheCountofMonteCristo.”
“Thatisnotafamilyname?”
“No,itisthenameoftheislandhehaspurchased.”
“Andheisacount?”
“ATuscancount.”
“Well,wemustputupwiththat,”saidthecountess,whowasherselffromoneoftheoldestVenetianfamilies.“Whatsortofamanishe?”
“AsktheVicomtedeMorcerf.”
“Youhear,M.deMorcerf,Iamreferredtoyou,”saidthecountess.
“Weshouldbeveryhardtoplease,madam,”returnedAlbert,“didwenotthinkhimdelightful.Afriendoftenyears’standingcouldnothavedonemoreforus,orwithamoreperfectcourtesy.”
“Come,”observedthecountess,smiling,“Iseemyvampireisonlysomemillionaire,whohastakentheappearanceofLarainordertoavoidbeingconfoundedwithM.deRothschild;andyouhaveseenher?”
“Her?”
“ThebeautifulGreekofyesterday.”
“No;weheard,Ithink,thesoundofherguzla,butsheremainedperfectlyinvisible.”
“Whenyousayinvisible,”interruptedAlbert,“itisonlytokeepupthemystery;forwhomdoyoutakethebluedominoatthewindowwiththewhitecurtains?”
“Wherewasthiswindowwithwhitehangings?”askedthecountess.
“AttheRospoliPalace.”
“ThecounthadthreewindowsattheRospoliPalace?”
“Yes.DidyoupassthroughtheCorso?”
“Yes.”
“Well,didyounoticetwowindowshungwithyellowdamask,andonewithwhitedamaskwitharedcross?Thosewerethecount’swindows.”
“Why,hemustbeanabob.Doyouknowwhatthosethreewindowswereworth?”
“TwoorthreehundredRomancrowns?”
“Twoorthreethousand.”
“Thedeuce.”
“Doeshisislandproducehimsucharevenue?”
“Itdoesnotbringhimabaiocco.”
“Thenwhydidhepurchaseit?”
“Forawhim.”
“Heisanoriginal,then?”
“Inreality,”observedAlbert,“heseemedtomesomewhateccentric;wereheatParis,andafrequenterofthetheatres,Ishouldsayhewasapoordevilliterallymad.
ThismorninghemadetwoorthreeexitsworthyofDidierorAnthony.”
Atthismomentafreshvisitorentered,and,accordingtocustom,Franzgaveuphisseattohim.
Thiscircumstancehad,moreover,theeffectofchangingtheconversation;anhourafterwardsthetwofriendsreturnedtotheirhotel.
SignorPastrinihadalreadysetaboutprocuringtheirdisguisesforthemorrow;andheassuredthemthattheywouldbeperfectlysatisfied.
Thenextmorning,atnineo’clock,heenteredFranz’sroom,followedbyatailor,whohadeightortenRomanpeasantcostumesonhisarm;theyselectedtwoexactlyalike,andchargedthetailortosewoneachoftheirhatsabouttwentyyardsofribbon,andtoprocurethemtwoofthelongsilksashesofdifferentcolorswithwhichthelowerordersdecoratethemselvesonfete–days.
Albertwasimpatienttoseehowhelookedinhisnewdress—ajacketandbreechesofbluevelvet,silkstockingswithclocks,shoeswithbuckles,andasilkwaistcoat.
Thispicturesqueattiresethimofftogreatadvantage;andwhenhehadboundthescarfaroundhiswaist,andwhenhishat,placedcoquettishlyononeside,letfallonhisshoulderastreamofribbons,Franzwasforcedtoconfessthatcostumehasmuchtodowiththephysicalsuperiorityweaccordtocertainnations.
TheTurksusedtobesopicturesquewiththeirlongandflowingrobes,butaretheynotnowhideouswiththeirbluefrocksbuttoneduptothechin,andtheirredcaps,whichmakethemlooklikeabottleofwinewitharedseal?
FranzcomplimentedAlbert,wholookedathimselfintheglasswithanunequivocalsmileofsatisfaction.
TheywerethusengagedwhentheCountofMonteCristoentered.
“Gentlemen,”saidhe,“althoughacompanionisagreeable,perfectfreedomissometimesstillmoreagreeable.
Icometosaythatto–day,andfortheremainderoftheCarnival,Ileavethecarriageentirelyatyourdisposal.
ThehostwilltellyouIhavethreeorfourmore,sothatyouwillnotinconveniencemeinanyway.
Makeuseofit,Iprayyou,foryourpleasureoryourbusiness.”
Theyoungmenwishedtodecline,buttheycouldfindnogoodreasonforrefusinganofferwhichwassoagreeabletothem.
TheCountofMonteCristoremainedaquarterofanhourwiththem,conversingonallsubjectswiththegreatestease.
Hewas,aswehavealreadysaid,perfectlywellacquaintedwiththeliteratureofallcountries.
AglanceatthewallsofhissalonprovedtoFranzandAlbertthathewasaconnoisseurofpictures.
Afewwordsheletfallshowedthemthathewasnostrangertothesciences,andheseemedmuchoccupiedwithchemistry.
Thetwofriendsdidnotventuretoreturnthecountthebreakfasthehadgiventhem;itwouldhavebeentooabsurdtoofferhiminexchangeforhisexcellenttabletheveryinferioroneofSignorPastrini.
Theytoldhimsofrankly,andhereceivedtheirexcuseswiththeairofamanwhoappreciatedtheirdelicacy.
Albertwascharmedwiththecount’smanners,andhewasonlypreventedfromrecognizinghimforaperfectgentlemanbyreasonofhisvariedknowledge.
Thepermissiontodowhathelikedwiththecarriagepleasedhimaboveall,forthefairpeasantshadappearedinamostelegantcarriagetheprecedingevening,andAlbertwasnotsorrytobeuponanequalfootingwiththem.
Athalf–pastonetheydescended,thecoachmanandfootmanhadputontheirliveryovertheirdisguises,whichgavethemamoreridiculousappearancethanever,andwhichgainedthemtheapplauseofFranzandAlbert.
Alberthadfastenedthefadedbunchofvioletstohisbutton–hole.
AtthefirstsoundofthebelltheyhastenedintotheCorsobytheViaVittoria.
Atthesecondturn,abunchoffreshviolets,thrownfromacarriagefilledwithharlequins,indicatedtoAlbertthat,likehimselfandhisfriend,thepeasantshadchangedtheircostume,also;andwhetheritwastheresultofchance,orwhetherasimilarfeelinghadpossessedthemboth,whilehehadchangedhiscostumetheyhadassumedhis.
Albertplacedthefreshbouquetinhisbutton–hole,buthekeptthefadedoneinhishand;andwhenheagainmetthecalash,heraisedittohislips,anactionwhichseemedgreatlytoamusenotonlythefairladywhohadthrownit,butherjoyouscompanionsalso.
Thedaywasasgayastheprecedingone,perhapsevenmoreanimatedandnoisy;thecountappearedforaninstantathiswindow,butwhentheyagainpassedhehaddisappeared.
ItisalmostneedlesstosaythattheflirtationbetweenAlbertandthefairpeasantcontinuedallday.
Intheevening,onhisreturn,Franzfoundaletterfromtheembassy,informinghimthathewouldhavethehonorofbeingreceivedbyhisholinessthenextday.
AteachpreviousvisithehadmadetoRome,hehadsolicitedandobtainedthesamefavor;andincitedasmuchbyareligiousfeelingasbygratitude,hewasunwillingtoquitthecapitaloftheChristianworldwithoutlayinghisrespectfulhomageatthefeetofoneofSt.Peter’ssuccessorswhohassettherareexampleofallthevirtues.
HedidnotthenthinkoftheCarnival,forinspiteofhiscondescensionandtouchingkindness,onecannotinclineone’sselfwithoutawebeforethevenerableandnobleoldmancalledGregoryXVI.
OnhisreturnfromtheVatican,FranzcarefullyavoidedtheCorso;hebroughtawaywithhimatreasureofpiousthoughts,towhichthemadgayetyofthemaskerswouldhavebeenprofanation.
AttenminutespastfiveAlbertenteredoverjoyed.
Theharlequinhadreassumedherpeasant’scostume,andasshepassedsheraisedhermask.Shewascharming.
FranzcongratulatedAlbert,whoreceivedhiscongratulationswiththeairofamanconsciousthattheyaremerited.
Hehadrecognizedbycertainunmistakablesigns,thathisfairincognitabelongedtothearistocracy.
Hehadmadeuphismindtowritetoherthenextday.
Franzremarked,whilehegavethesedetails,thatAlbertseemedtohavesomethingtoaskofhim,butthathewasunwillingtoaskit.
Heinsisteduponit,declaringbeforehandthathewaswillingtomakeanysacrificetheotherwished.
Albertlethimselfbepressedjustaslongasfriendshiprequired,andthenavowedtoFranzthathewoulddohimagreatfavorbyallowinghimtooccupythecarriagealonethenextday.
AlbertattributedtoFranz’sabsencetheextremekindnessofthefairpeasantinraisinghermask.
FranzwasnotsufficientlyegotisticaltostopAlbertinthemiddleofanadventurethatpromisedtoprovesoagreeabletohiscuriosityandsoflatteringtohisvanity.
Hefeltassuredthattheperfectindiscretionofhisfriendwoulddulyinformhimofallthathappened;andas,duringthreeyearsthathehadtravelledalloverItaly,asimilarpieceofgoodfortunehadneverfallentohisshare,Franzwasbynomeanssorrytolearnhowtoactonsuchanoccasion.
HethereforepromisedAlbertthathewouldcontenthimselfthemorrowwithwitnessingtheCarnivalfromthewindowsoftheRospoliPalace.
ThenextmorninghesawAlbertpassandrepass,holdinganenormousbouquet,whichhedoubtlessmeanttomakethebearerofhisamorousepistle.
ThisbeliefwaschangedintocertaintywhenFranzsawthebouquet(conspicuousbyacircleofwhitecamellias)inthehandofacharmingharlequindressedinrose–coloredsatin.
Theeveningwasnolongerjoy,butdelirium.
Albertnothingdoubtedbutthatthefairunknownwouldreplyinthesamemanner.
Franzanticipatedhiswishesbysayingthatthenoisefatiguedhim,andthatheshouldpassthenextdayinwritingandlookingoverhisjournal.
Albertwasnotdeceived,forthenexteveningFranzsawhimentertriumphantlyshakingafoldedpaperwhichheheldbyonecorner.“Well,”saidhe,“wasImistaken?”
“Shehasansweredyou!”criedFranz.
“Read.”Thiswordwaspronouncedinamannerimpossibletodescribe.Franztooktheletter,andread:—
Tuesdayevening,atseveno’clock,descendfromyourcarriageoppositetheViadeiPontefici,andfollowtheRomanpeasantwhosnatchesyourtorchfromyou.
WhenyouarriveatthefirststepofthechurchofSanGiacomo,besuretofastenaknotofrose–coloredribbonstotheshoulderofyourharlequincostume,inorderthatyoumayberecognized.Untilthenyouwillnotseeme.
ConstancyandDiscretion.
“Well,”askedhe,whenFranzhadfinished,“whatdoyouthinkofthat?”
“Ithinkthattheadventureisassumingaveryagreeableappearance.”
“Ithinkso,also,”repliedAlbert;“andIverymuchfearyouwillgoalonetotheDukeofBracciano’sball.”
FranzandAlberthadreceivedthatmorninganinvitationfromthecelebratedRomanbanker.“Takecare,Albert,”saidFranz.
“AllthenobilityofRomewillbepresent,andifyourfairincognitabelongtothehigherclassofsociety,shemustgothere.”
“Whethershegoesthereornot,myopinionisstillthesame,”returnedAlbert.“Youhavereadtheletter?”
“Yes.”
“YouknowhowimperfectlythewomenofthemezzocitoareeducatedinItaly?”(Thisisthenameofthelowerclass.)
“Yes.”
“Well,readtheletteragain.Lookatthewriting,andfindifyoucan,anyblemishinthelanguageororthography.”
(Thewritingwas,inreality,charming,andtheorthographyirreproachable.)
“Youareborntogoodfortune,”saidFranz,ashereturnedtheletter.
“Laughasmuchasyouwill,”repliedAlbert,“Iaminlove.”
“Youalarmme,”criedFranz.“IseethatIshallnotonlygoalonetotheDukeofBracciano’s,butalsoreturntoFlorencealone.”
“Ifmyunknownbeasamiableassheisbeautiful,”saidAlbert,“IshallfixmyselfatRomeforsixweeks,atleast.IadoreRome,andIhavealwayshadagreattasteforarchaeology.”
“Come,twoorthreemoresuchadventures,andIdonotdespairofseeingyouamemberoftheAcademy.”
DoubtlessAlbertwasabouttodiscussseriouslyhisrighttotheacademicchairwhentheywereinformedthatdinnerwasready.
Albert’slovehadnottakenawayhisappetite.
HehastenedwithFranztoseathimself,freetorecommencethediscussionafterdinner.
Afterdinner,theCountofMonteCristowasannounced.Theyhadnotseenhimfortwodays.
SignorPastriniinformedthemthatbusinesshadcalledhimtoCivitaVecchia.
Hehadstartedthepreviousevening,andhadonlyreturnedanhoursince.Hewascharming.
Whetherhekeptawatchoverhimself,orwhetherbyaccidenthedidnotsoundtheacrimoniouschordsthatinothercircumstanceshadbeentouched,hewasto–nightlikeeverybodyelse.ThemanwasanenigmatoFranz.
ThecountmustfeelsurethatFranzrecognizedhim;andyethehadnotletfallasinglewordindicatinganypreviousacquaintancebetweenthem.
Onhisside,howevergreatFranz’sdesirewastoalludetotheirformerinterview,thefearofbeingdisagreeabletothemanwhohadloadedhimandhisfriendwithkindnesspreventedhimfrommentioningit.
ThecounthadlearnedthatthetwofriendshadsenttosecureaboxattheArgentinaTheatre,andweretoldtheywerealllet.
Inconsequence,hebroughtthemthekeyofhisown—atleastsuchwastheapparentmotiveofhisvisit.
FranzandAlbertmadesomedifficulty,allegingtheirfearofdeprivinghimofit;butthecountrepliedthat,ashewasgoingtothePalliTheatre,theboxattheArgentinaTheatrewouldbelostiftheydidnotprofitbyit.
Thisassurancedeterminedthetwofriendstoacceptit.
Franzhadbydegreesbecomeaccustomedtothecount’spallor,whichhadsoforciblystruckhimattheirfirstmeeting.
Hecouldnotrefrainfromadmiringtheseverebeautyofhisfeatures,theonlydefect,orrathertheprincipalqualityofwhichwasthepallor.Truly,aByronichero!
Franzcouldnot,wewillnotsayseehim,buteventhinkofhimwithoutimagininghissternheaduponManfred’sshoulders,orbeneathLara’shelmet.
Hisforeheadwasmarkedwiththelinethatindicatestheconstantpresenceofbitterthoughts;hehadthefieryeyesthatseemtopenetratetotheverysoul,andthehaughtyanddisdainfulupperlipthatgivestothewordsituttersapeculiarcharacterthatimpressesthemonthemindsofthosetowhomtheyareaddressed.Thecountwasnolongeryoung.
Hewasatleastforty;andyetitwaseasytounderstandthathewasformedtoruletheyoungmenwithwhomheassociatedatpresent.
And,tocompletehisresemblancewiththefantasticheroesoftheEnglishpoet,thecountseemedtohavethepoweroffascination.
Albertwasconstantlyexpatiatingontheirgoodfortuneinmeetingsuchaman.
Franzwaslessenthusiastic;butthecountexercisedoverhimalsotheascendencyastrongmindalwaysacquiresoveramindlessdomineering.
HethoughtseveraltimesoftheprojectthecounthadofvisitingParis;andhehadnodoubtbutthat,withhiseccentriccharacter,hischaracteristicface,andhiscolossalfortune,hewouldproduceagreateffectthere.
AndyethedidnotwishtobeatPariswhenthecountwasthere.
TheeveningpassedaseveningsmostlypassatItaliantheatres;thatis,notinlisteningtothemusic,butinpayingvisitsandconversing.
TheCountessG——wishedtorevivethesubjectofthecount,butFranzannouncedhehadsomethingfarnewertotellher,and,inspiteofAlbert’sdemonstrationsoffalsemodesty,heinformedthecountessofthegreateventwhichhadpreoccupiedthemforthelastthreedays.
AssimilarintriguesarenotuncommoninItaly,ifwemaycredittravellers,thecomtessdidnotmanifesttheleastincredulity,butcongratulatedAlbertonhissuccess.
Theypromised,uponseparating,tomeetattheDukeofBracciano’sball,towhichallRomewasinvited.
Theheroineofthebouquetkeptherword;shegaveAlbertnosignofherexistencethemorroworthedayafter.
AtlengthTuesdaycame,thelastandmosttumultuousdayoftheCarnival.
OnTuesday,thetheatresopenatteno’clockinthemorning,asLentbeginsaftereightatnight.
OnTuesday,allthosewhothroughwantofmoney,time,orenthusiasm,havenotbeentoseetheCarnivalbefore,mingleinthegayety,andcontributetothenoiseandexcitement.
Fromtwoo’clocktillfiveFranzandAlbertfollowedinthefete,exchanginghandfulsofconfettiwiththeothercarriagesandthepedestrians,whocrowdedamongstthehorses’feetandthecarriagewheelswithoutasingleaccident,asingledispute,orasinglefight.
ThefetesareveritablepleasuredaystotheItalians.
Theauthorofthishistory,whohasresidedfiveorsixyearsinItaly,doesnotrecollecttohaveeverseenaceremonyinterruptedbyoneofthoseeventssocommoninothercountries.
Albertwastriumphantinhisharlequincostume.
Aknotofrose–coloredribbonsfellfromhisshoulderalmosttotheground.
Inorderthattheremightbenoconfusion,Franzworehispeasant’scostume.
Asthedayadvanced,thetumultbecamegreater.
Therewasnotonthepavement,inthecarriages,atthewindows,asingletonguethatwassilent,asinglearmthatdidnotmove.
Itwasahumanstorm,madeupofathunderofcries,andahailofsweetmeats,flowers,eggs,oranges,andnosegays.
Atthreeo’clockthesoundoffireworks,letoffonthePiazzadelPopoloandthePiazzadiVenezia(heardwithdifficultyamidthedinandconfusion)announcedthattheraceswereabouttobegin.
Theraces,likethemoccoli,areoneoftheepisodespeculiartothelastdaysoftheCarnival.
Atthesoundofthefireworksthecarriagesinstantlybrokeranks,andretiredbytheadjacentstreets.
Alltheseevolutionsareexecutedwithaninconceivableaddressandmarvellousrapidity,withoutthepoliceinterferinginthematter.
Thepedestriansrangedthemselvesagainstthewalls;thenthetramplingofhorsesandtheclashingofsteelwereheard.
Adetachmentofcarbineers,fifteenabreast,gallopeduptheCorsoinordertoclearitforthebarberi.
WhenthedetachmentarrivedatthePiazzadiVenezia,asecondvolleyoffireworkswasdischarged,toannouncethatthestreetwasclear.
Almostinstantly,inthemidstofatremendousandgeneraloutcry,sevenoreighthorses,excitedbytheshoutsofthreehundredthousandspectators,passedbylikelightning.
ThentheCastleofSaintAngelofiredthreecannontoindicatethatnumberthreehadwon.
Immediately,withoutanyothersignal,thecarriagesmovedon,flowingontowardstheCorso,downallthestreets,liketorrentspentupforawhile,whichagainflowintotheparentriver;andtheimmensestreamagaincontinueditscoursebetweenitstwogranitebanks.
Anewsourceofnoiseandmovementwasaddedtothecrowd.
Thesellersofmoccolettienteredonthescene.
Themoccoli,ormoccoletti,arecandleswhichvaryinsizefromthepascaltapertotherushlight,andwhichgivetoeachactorinthegreatfinalsceneoftheCarnivaltwoveryseriousproblemstograpplewith,—first,howtokeephisownmoccolettoalight;andsecondly,howtoextinguishthemoccolettiofothers.
Themoccolettoislikelife:manhasfoundbutonemeansoftransmittingit,andthatonecomesfromGod.
Buthehasdiscoveredathousandmeansoftakingitaway,andthedevilhassomewhataidedhim.
Themoccolettoiskindledbyapproachingittoalight.
Butwhocandescribethethousandmeansofextinguishingthemoccoletto?
—thegiganticbellows,themonstrousextinguishers,thesuperhumanfans.
Everyonehastenedtopurchasemoccoletti—FranzandAlbertamongtherest.
Thenightwasrapidlyapproaching;andalready,atthecryof“Moccoletti!”
repeatedbytheshrillvoicesofathousandvendors,twoorthreestarsbegantoburnamongthecrowd.Itwasasignal.
Attheendoftenminutesfiftythousandlightsglittered,descendingfromthePalazzodiVeneziatothePiazzadelPopolo,andmountingfromthePiazzodelPopolotothePalazzodiVenezia.
Itseemedlikethefeteofjack–o’–lanterns.
Itisimpossibletoformanyideaofitwithouthavingseenit.
Supposethatallthestarshaddescendedfromtheskyandmingledinawilddanceonthefaceoftheearth;thewholeaccompaniedbycriesthatwereneverheardinanyotherpartoftheworld.
Thefacchinofollowstheprince,theTransteverinthecitizen,everyoneblowing,extinguishing,relighting.
HadoldAEolusappearedatthismoment,hewouldhavebeenproclaimedkingofthemoccoli,andAquilotheheir–presumptivetothethrone.
Thisbattleoffollyandflamecontinuedfortwohours;theCorsowaslightasday;thefeaturesofthespectatorsonthethirdandfourthstorieswerevisible.
EveryfiveminutesAlberttookouthiswatch;atlengthitpointedtoseven.
ThetwofriendswereintheViadeiPontefici.
Albertsprangout,bearinghismoccolettoinhishand.
Twoorthreemasksstrovetoknockhismoccolettooutofhishand;butAlbert,afirst–ratepugilist,sentthemrollinginthestreet,oneaftertheother,andcontinuedhiscoursetowardsthechurchofSanGiacomo.
Thestepswerecrowdedwithmasks,whostrovetosnatcheachother’storches.
FranzfollowedAlbertwithhiseyes,andsawhimmountthefirststep.
Instantlyamask,wearingthewell–knowncostumeofapeasantwoman,snatchedhismoccolettofromhimwithouthisofferinganyresistance.
Franzwastoofarofftohearwhattheysaid;but,withoutdoubt,nothinghostilepassed,forhesawAlbertdisappeararm–in–armwiththepeasantgirl.
Hewatchedthempassthroughthecrowdforsometime,butatlengthhelostsightofthemintheViaMacello.
Suddenlythebellthatgivesthesignalfortheendofthecarnivalsounded,andatthesameinstantallthemoccolettiwereextinguishedasifbyenchantment.
Itseemedasthoughoneimmenseblastofthewindhadextinguishedeveryone.Franzfoundhimselfinutterdarkness.
Nosoundwasaudiblesavethatofthecarriagesthatwerecarryingthemaskershome;nothingwasvisiblesaveafewlightsthatburntbehindthewindows.TheCarnivalwasover.
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