English
Inhiswholelife,perhaps,Franzhadneverbeforeexperiencedsosuddenanimpression,sorapidatransitionfromgayetytosadness,asinthismoment.
ItseemedasthoughRome,underthemagicbreathofsomedemonofthenight,hadsuddenlychangedintoavasttomb.
Byachance,whichaddedyetmoretotheintensityofthedarkness,themoon,whichwasonthewane,didnotriseuntileleveno’clock,andthestreetswhichtheyoungmantraversedwereplungedinthedeepestobscurity.
Thedistancewasshort,andattheendoftenminuteshiscarriage,orratherthecount’s,stoppedbeforetheHoteldeLondres.
Dinnerwaswaiting,butasAlberthadtoldhimthatheshouldnotreturnsosoon,Franzsatdownwithouthim.
SignorPastrini,whohadbeenaccustomedtoseethemdinetogether,inquiredintothecauseofhisabsence,butFranzmerelyrepliedthatAlberthadreceivedonthepreviouseveninganinvitationwhichhehadaccepted.
Thesuddenextinctionofthemoccoletti,thedarknesswhichhadreplacedthelight,andthesilencewhichhadsucceededtheturmoil,hadleftinFranz’smindacertaindepressionwhichwasnotfreefromuneasiness.
Hethereforedinedverysilently,inspiteoftheofficiousattentionofhishost,whopresentedhimselftwoorthreetimestoinquireifhewantedanything.
FranzresolvedtowaitforAlbertaslateaspossible.
Heorderedthecarriage,therefore,foreleveno’clock,desiringSignorPastrinitoinformhimthemomentthatAlbertreturnedtothehotel.
Ateleveno’clockAlberthadnotcomeback.
Franzdressedhimself,andwentout,tellinghishostthathewasgoingtopassthenightattheDukeofBracciano’s.
ThehouseoftheDukeofBraccianoisoneofthemostdelightfulinRome,theduchess,oneofthelastheiressesoftheColonnas,doesitshonorswiththemostconsummategrace,andthustheirfeteshaveaEuropeancelebrity.
FranzandAlberthadbroughttoRomelettersofintroductiontothem,andtheirfirstquestiononhisarrivalwastoinquirethewhereaboutsofhistravellingcompanion.
Franzrepliedthathehadlefthimatthemomenttheywereabouttoextinguishthemoccoli,andthathehadlostsightofhimintheViaMacello.“Thenhehasnotreturned?”saidtheduke.
“Iwaitedforhimuntilthishour,”repliedFranz.
“Anddoyouknowwhitherhewent?”
“No,notprecisely;however,Ithinkitwassomethingverylikearendezvous.”
“Diavolo!”saidtheduke,“thisisabadday,orratherabadnight,tobeoutlate;isitnot,countess!”
ThesewordswereaddressedtotheCountessG——,whohadjustarrived,andwasleaningonthearmofSignorTorlonia,theduke’sbrother.
“Ithink,onthecontrary,thatitisacharmingnight,”repliedthecountess,“andthosewhoareherewillcomplainofbutonething—itstoorapidflight.”
“Iamnotspeaking,”saidthedukewithasmile,“ofthepersonswhoarehere;themenrunnootherdangerthanthatoffallinginlovewithyou,andthewomenoffallingillofjealousyatseeingyousolovely;ImeantpersonswhowereoutinthestreetsofRome.”
“Ah,”askedthecountess,“whoisoutinthestreetsofRomeatthishour,unlessitbetogotoaball?”
“Ourfriend,AlbertdeMorcerf,countess,whomIleftinpursuitofhisunknownaboutseveno’clockthisevening,”saidFranz,“andwhomIhavenotseensince.”
“Anddon’tyouknowwhereheis?”
“Notatall.”
“Ishearmed?”
“Heisinmasquerade.”
“Youshouldnothaveallowedhimtogo,”saidtheduketoFranz;“you,whoknowRomebetterthanhedoes.”
“Youmightaswellhavetriedtostopnumberthreeofthebarberi,whogainedtheprizeintheraceto–day,”repliedFranz;“andthenmoreover,whatcouldhappentohim?”
“Whocantell?Thenightisgloomy,andtheTiberisveryneartheViaMacello.”
Franzfeltashudderrunthroughhisveinsatobservingthatthefeelingofthedukeandthecountesswassomuchinunisonwithhisownpersonaldisquietude.
“IinformedthematthehotelthatIhadthehonorofpassingthenighthere,duke,”saidFranz,“anddesiredthemtocomeandinformmeofhisreturn.”
“Ah,”repliedtheduke,“hereIthink,isoneofmyservantswhoisseekingyou.”
Thedukewasnotmistaken;whenhesawFranz,theservantcameuptohim.
“Yourexcellency,”hesaid,“themasteroftheHoteldeLondreshassenttoletyouknowthatamaniswaitingforyouwithaletterfromtheViscountofMorcerf.”
“Aletterfromtheviscount!”exclaimedFranz.
“Yes.”
“Andwhoistheman?”
“Idonotknow.”
“Whydidhenotbringittomehere?”
“Themessengerdidnotsay.”
“Andwhereisthemessenger?”
“Hewentawaydirectlyhesawmeentertheball–roomtofindyou.”
“Oh,”saidthecountesstoFranz,“gowithallspeed—pooryoungman!Perhapssomeaccidenthashappenedtohim.”
“Iwillhasten,”repliedFranz.
“Shallweseeyouagaintogiveusanyinformation?”inquiredthecountess.
“Yes,ifitisnotanyseriousaffair,otherwiseIcannotanswerastowhatImaydomyself.”
“Beprudent,inanyevent,”saidthecountess.
“Oh,praybeassuredofthat.”Franztookhishatandwentawayinhaste.
Hehadsentawayhiscarriagewithordersforittofetchhimattwoo’clock;fortunatelythePalazzoBracciano,whichisononesideintheCorso,andontheotherintheSquareoftheHolyApostles,ishardlytenminutes’walkfromtheHoteldeLondres.
Ashecamenearthehotel,Franzsawamaninthemiddleofthestreet.
HehadnodoubtthatitwasthemessengerfromAlbert.
Themanwaswrappedupinalargecloak.
Hewentuptohim,but,tohisextremeastonishment,thestrangerfirstaddressedhim.“Whatwantsyourexcellencyofme?”
inquiredtheman,retreatingasteportwo,asiftokeeponhisguard.
“Arenotyouthepersonwhobroughtmealetter,”inquiredFranz,“fromtheViscountofMorcerf?”
“YourexcellencylodgesatPastrini’shotel?”
“Ido.”
“Yourexcellencyisthetravellingcompanionoftheviscount?”
“Iam.”
“Yourexcellency’sname”—
“IstheBaronFranzd’Epinay.”
“Thenitistoyourexcellencythatthisletterisaddressed.”
“Isthereanyanswer?”inquiredFranz,takingtheletterfromhim.
“Yes—yourfriendatleasthopesso.”
“Comeup–stairswithme,andIwillgiveittoyou.”
“Ipreferwaitinghere,”saidthemessenger,withasmile.
“Andwhy?”
“Yourexcellencywillknowwhenyouhavereadtheletter.”
“ShallIfindyouhere,then?”
“Certainly.”
Franzenteredthehotel.OnthestaircasehemetSignorPastrini.“Well?”saidthelandlord.
“Well—what?”respondedFranz.
“Youhaveseenthemanwhodesiredtospeakwithyoufromyourfriend?”heaskedofFranz.
“Yes,Ihaveseenhim,”hereplied,“andhehashandedthislettertome.
Lightthecandlesinmyapartment,ifyouplease.”
Theinn–keepergaveorderstoaservanttogobeforeFranzwithalight.
TheyoungmanhadfoundSignorPastrinilookingverymuchalarmed,andthishadonlymadehimthemoreanxioustoreadAlbert’sletter;andsohewentinstantlytowardsthewaxlight,andunfoldedit.ItwaswrittenandsignedbyAlbert.
Franzreadittwicebeforehecouldcomprehendwhatitcontained.Itwasthusworded:—
MyDearFellow,—Themomentyouhavereceivedthis,havethekindnesstotaketheletterofcreditfrommypocket–book,whichyouwillfindinthesquaredrawerofthesecretary;addyourowntoit,ifitbenotsufficient.
RuntoTorlonia,drawfromhiminstantlyfourthousandpiastres,andgivethemtothebearer.
ItisurgentthatIshouldhavethismoneywithoutdelay.
Idonotsaymore,relyingonyouasyoumayrelyonme.Yourfriend,
AlbertdeMorcerf.
P.S.—InowbelieveinItalianbanditti.
Belowtheselineswerewritten,inastrangehand,thefollowinginItalian:—
Sealleseidellamattinalequattromilepiastrenonsononellemiemani,allasetteilconteAlbertoavracessatodivivere.
LuigiVampa.
“Ifbysixinthemorningthefourthousandpiastresarenotinmyhands,byseveno’clocktheCountAlbertwillhaveceasedtolive.”
ThissecondsignatureexplainedeverythingtoFranz,whonowunderstoodtheobjectionofthemessengertocomingupintotheapartment;thestreetwassaferforhim.
Albert,then,hadfallenintothehandsofthefamousbanditchief,inwhoseexistencehehadforsolongatimerefusedtobelieve.Therewasnotimetolose.
Hehastenedtoopenthesecretary,andfoundthepocket–bookinthedrawer,andinittheletterofcredit.
Therewereinallsixthousandpiastres,butofthesesixthousandAlberthadalreadyexpendedthreethousand.
AstoFranz,hehadnoletterofcredit,ashelivedatFlorence,andhadonlycometoRometopasssevenoreightdays;hehadbroughtbutahundredlouis,andofthesehehadnotmorethanfiftyleft.
ThussevenoreighthundredpiastreswerewantingtothembothtomakeupthesumthatAlbertrequired.
True,hemightinsuchacaserelyonthekindnessofSignorTorlonia.
Hewas,therefore,abouttoreturntothePalazzoBraccianowithoutlossoftime,whensuddenlyaluminousideacrossedhismind.
HerememberedtheCountofMonteCristo.
FranzwasabouttoringforSignorPastrini,whenthatworthypresentedhimself.
“Mydearsir,”hesaid,hastily,“doyouknowifthecountiswithin?”
“Yes,yourexcellency;hehasthismomentreturned.”
“Isheinbed?”
“Ishouldsayno.”
“Thenringathisdoor,ifyouplease,andrequesthimtobesokindastogivemeanaudience.”
SignorPastrinididashewasdesired,andreturningfiveminutesafter,hesaid,—”Thecountawaitsyourexcellency.”
Franzwentalongthecorridor,andaservantintroducedhimtothecount.
HewasinasmallroomwhichFranzhadnotyetseen,andwhichwassurroundedwithdivans.Thecountcametowardshim.
“Well,whatgoodwindblowsyouhitheratthishour?”saidhe;“haveyoucometosupwithme?Itwouldbeverykindofyou.”
“No;Ihavecometospeaktoyouofaveryseriousmatter.”
“Aseriousmatter,”saidthecount,lookingatFranzwiththeearnestnessusualtohim;“andwhatmayitbe?”
“Arewealone?”
“Yes,”repliedthecount,goingtothedoor,andreturning.FranzgavehimAlbert’sletter.“Readthat,”hesaid.Thecountreadit.
“Well,well!”saidhe.
“Didyouseethepostscript?”
“Idid,indeed.
”’Sealleseidellamattinalequattromilepiastrenonsononellemiemani,allasetteilconteAlbertoavracessatodivivere.
”’LuigiVampa.’”
“Whatthinkyouofthat?”inquiredFranz.
“Haveyouthemoneyhedemands?”
“Yes,allbuteighthundredpiastres.”Thecountwenttohissecretary,openedit,andpullingoutadrawerfilledwithgold,saidtoFranz,—”Ihopeyouwillnotoffendmebyapplyingtoanyonebutmyself.”
“Yousee,onthecontrary,Icometoyoufirstandinstantly,”repliedFranz.
“AndIthankyou;havewhatyouwill;”andhemadeasigntoFranztotakewhathepleased.
“Isitabsolutelynecessary,then,tosendthemoneytoLuigiVampa?”askedtheyoungman,lookingfixedlyinhisturnatthecount.
“Judgeforyourself,”repliedhe.“Thepostscriptisexplicit.”
“Ithinkthatifyouwouldtakethetroubleofreflecting,youcouldfindawayofsimplifyingthenegotiation,”saidFranz.
“Howso?”returnedthecount,withsurprise.
“IfweweretogotogethertoLuigiVampa,IamsurehewouldnotrefuseyouAlbert’sfreedom.”
“WhatinfluencecanIpossiblyhaveoverabandit?”
“Haveyounotjustrenderedhimaservicethatcanneverbeforgotten?”
“Whatisthat?”
“HaveyounotsavedPeppino’slife?”
“Well,well,”saidthecount,“whotoldyouthat?”
“Nomatter;Iknowit.”Thecountknithisbrows,andremainedsilentaninstant.“AndifIwenttoseekVampa,wouldyouaccompanyme?”
“Ifmysocietywouldnotbedisagreeable.”
“Beitso.Itisalovelynight,andawalkwithoutRomewilldousbothgood.”
“ShallItakeanyarms?”
“Forwhatpurpose?”
“Anymoney?”
“Itisuseless.Whereisthemanwhobroughttheletter?”
“Inthestreet.”
“Heawaitstheanswer?”
“Yes.”
“Imustlearnwherewearegoing.Iwillsummonhimhither.”
“Itisuseless;hewouldnotcomeup.”
“Toyourapartments,perhaps;buthewillnotmakeanydifficultyatenteringmine.”
Thecountwenttothewindowoftheapartmentthatlookedontothestreet,andwhistledinapeculiarmanner.
Themaninthemantlequittedthewall,andadvancedintothemiddleofthestreet.“Salite!”
saidthecount,inthesametoneinwhichhewouldhavegivenanordertohisservant.
Themessengerobeyedwithouttheleasthesitation,butratherwithalacrity,and,mountingthestepsatabound,enteredthehotel;fivesecondsafterwardshewasatthedooroftheroom.
“Ah,itisyou,Peppino,”saidthecount.
ButPeppino,insteadofanswering,threwhimselfonhisknees,seizedthecount’shand,andcovereditwithkisses.
“Ah,”saidthecount,“youhave,then,notforgottenthatIsavedyourlife;thatisstrange,foritisaweekago.”
“No,excellency;andnevershallIforgetit,”returnedPeppino,withanaccentofprofoundgratitude.
“Never?Thatisalongtime;butitissomethingthatyoubelieveso.Riseandanswer.”PeppinoglancedanxiouslyatFranz.
“Oh,youmayspeakbeforehisexcellency,”saidhe;“heisoneofmyfriends.Youallowmetogiveyouthistitle?”
continuedthecountinFrench,“itisnecessarytoexcitethisman’sconfidence.”
“Youcanspeakbeforeme,”saidFranz;“Iamafriendofthecount’s.”
“Good!”returnedPeppino.“Iamreadytoansweranyquestionsyourexcellencymayaddresstome.”
“HowdidtheViscountAlbertfallintoLuigi’shands?”
“Excellency,theFrenchman’scarriagepassedseveraltimestheoneinwhichwasTeresa.”
“Thechief’smistress?”
“Yes.TheFrenchmanthrewherabouquet;Teresareturnedit—allthiswiththeconsentofthechief,whowasinthecarriage.”
“What?”criedFranz,“wasLuigiVampainthecarriagewiththeRomanpeasants?”
“Itwashewhodrove,disguisedasthecoachman,”repliedPeppino.
“Well?”saidthecount.
“Well,then,theFrenchmantookoffhismask;Teresa,withthechief’sconsent,didthesame.
TheFrenchmanaskedforarendezvous;Teresagavehimone—only,insteadofTeresa,itwasBeppowhowasonthestepsofthechurchofSanGiacomo.”
“What!”exclaimedFranz,“thepeasantgirlwhosnatchedhismocolettofromhim”—
“Wasaladoffifteen,”repliedPeppino.“Butitwasnodisgracetoyourfriendtohavebeendeceived;Beppohastakeninplentyofothers.”
“AndBeppoledhimoutsidethewalls?”saidthecount.
“Exactlyso;acarriagewaswaitingattheendoftheViaMacello.
Beppogotin,invitingtheFrenchmantofollowhim,andhedidnotwaittobeaskedtwice.
Hegallantlyofferedtheright–handseattoBeppo,andsatbyhim.
BeppotoldhimhewasgoingtotakehimtoavillaaleaguefromRome;theFrenchmanassuredhimhewouldfollowhimtotheendoftheworld.
ThecoachmanwentuptheViadiRipettaandthePortaSanPaola;andwhentheyweretwohundredyardsoutside,astheFrenchmanbecamesomewhattooforward,Beppoputabraceofpistolstohishead,thecoachmanpulledupanddidthesame.
Atthesametime,fouroftheband,whowereconcealedonthebanksoftheAlmo,surroundedthecarriage.
TheFrenchmanmadesomeresistance,andnearlystrangledBeppo;buthecouldnotresistfivearmedmen,andwasforcedtoyield.
Theymadehimgetout,walkalongthebanksoftheriver,andthenbroughthimtoTeresaandLuigi,whowerewaitingforhiminthecatacombsofSt.Sebastian.”
“Well,”saidthecount,turningtowardsFranz,“itseemstomethatthisisaverylikelystory.Whatdoyousaytoit?”
“Why,thatIshouldthinkitveryamusing,”repliedFranz,“ifithadhappenedtoanyonebutpoorAlbert.”
“And,intruth,ifyouhadnotfoundmehere,”saidthecount,“itmighthaveprovedagallantadventurewhichwouldhavecostyourfrienddear;butnow,beassured,hisalarmwillbetheonlyseriousconsequence.”
“Andshallwegoandfindhim?”inquiredFranz.
“Oh,decidedly,sir.Heisinaverypicturesqueplace—doyouknowthecatacombsofSt.Sebastian?”
“Iwasneverinthem;butIhaveoftenresolvedtovisitthem.”
“Well,hereisanopportunitymadetoyourhand,anditwouldbedifficulttocontriveabetter.Haveyouacarriage?”
“No.”
“Thatisofnoconsequence;Ialwayshaveoneready,dayandnight.”
“Alwaysready?”
“Yes.Iamaverycapriciousbeing,andIshouldtellyouthatsometimeswhenIrise,oraftermydinner,orinthemiddleofthenight,Iresolveonstartingforsomeparticularpoint,andawayIgo.”Thecountrang,andafootmanappeared.
“Orderoutthecarriage,”hesaid,“andremovethepistolswhichareintheholsters.
Youneednotawakenthecoachman;Aliwilldrive.”
Inaveryshorttimethenoiseofwheelswasheard,andthecarriagestoppedatthedoor.Thecounttookouthiswatch.“Half–pasttwelve,”hesaid.
“Wemightstartatfiveo’clockandbeintime,butthedelaymaycauseyourfriendtopassanuneasynight,andthereforewehadbettergowithallspeedtoextricatehimfromthehandsoftheinfidels.
Areyoustillresolvedtoaccompanyme?”
“Moredeterminedthanever.”
“Well,then,comealong.”
Franzandthecountwentdownstairs,accompaniedbyPeppino.Atthedoortheyfoundthecarriage.
Aliwasonthebox,inwhomFranzrecognizedthedumbslaveofthegrottoofMonteCristo.
Franzandthecountgotintothecarriage.
PeppinoplacedhimselfbesideAli,andtheysetoffatarapidpace.
Alihadreceivedhisinstructions,andwentdowntheCorso,crossedtheCampoVaccino,wentuptheStradaSanGregorio,andreachedthegatesofSt.Sebastian.
Thentheporterraisedsomedifficulties,buttheCountofMonteCristoproducedapermitfromthegovernorofRome,allowinghimtoleaveorenterthecityatanyhourofthedayornight;theportculliswasthereforeraised,theporterhadalouisforhistrouble,andtheywentontheirway.
TheroadwhichthecarriagenowtraversedwastheancientAppianWay,andborderedwithtombs.
Fromtimetotime,bythelightofthemoon,whichbegantorise,Franzimaginedthathesawsomethinglikeasentinelappearatvariouspointsamongtheruins,andsuddenlyretreatintothedarknessonasignalfromPeppino.
AshorttimebeforetheyreachedtheBathsofCaracallathecarriagestopped,Peppinoopenedthedoor,andthecountandFranzalighted.
“Intenminutes,”saidthecounttohiscompanion,“weshallbethere.”
HethentookPeppinoaside,gavehimanorderinalowvoice,andPeppinowentaway,takingwithhimatorch,broughtwiththeminthecarriage.
Fiveminuteselapsed,duringwhichFranzsawtheshepherdgoingalonganarrowpaththatledovertheirregularandbrokensurfaceoftheCampagna;andfinallyhedisappearedinthemidstofthetallredherbage,whichseemedlikethebristlingmaneofanenormouslion.
“Now,”saidthecount,“letusfollowhim.”
Franzandthecountintheirturnthenadvancedalongthesamepath,which,atthedistanceofahundredpaces,ledthemoveradeclivitytothebottomofasmallvalley.
Theythenperceivedtwomenconversingintheobscurity.“Oughtwetogoon?”
askedFranzofthecount;“orshallwewaitawhile?”
“Letusgoon;Peppinowillhavewarnedthesentryofourcoming.”
OneofthetwomenwasPeppino,andtheotherabanditonthelookout.
Franzandthecountadvanced,andthebanditsalutedthem.
“Yourexcellency,”saidPeppino,addressingthecount,“ifyouwillfollowme,theopeningofthecatacombsiscloseathand.”
“Goon,then,”repliedthecount.Theycametoanopeningbehindaclumpofbushesandinthemidstofapileofrocks,bywhichamancouldscarcelypass.
Peppinoglidedfirstintothiscrevice;aftertheygotalongafewpacesthepassagewidened.
Peppinopassed,lightedhistorch,andturnedtoseeiftheycameafterhim.
ThecountfirstreachedanopenspaceandFranzfollowedhimclosely.
Thepassagewayslopedinagentledescent,enlargingastheyproceeded;stillFranzandthecountwerecompelledtoadvanceinastoopingposture,andwerescarcelyabletoproceedabreastofoneanother.
Theywentonahundredandfiftypacesinthisway,andthenwerestoppedby,“Whocomesthere?”
Atthesametimetheysawthereflectionofatorchonacarbinebarrel.
“Afriend!”respondedPeppino;and,advancingalonetowardsthesentry,hesaidafewwordstohiminalowtone;andthenhe,likethefirst,salutedthenocturnalvisitors,makingasignthattheymightproceed.
Behindthesentinelwasastaircasewithtwentysteps.
Franzandthecountdescendedthese,andfoundthemselvesinamortuarychamber.
Fivecorridorsdivergedliketheraysofastar,andthewalls,dugintoniches,whichwerearrangedoneabovetheotherintheshapeofcoffins,showedthattheywereatlastinthecatacombs.
Downoneofthecorridors,whoseextentitwasimpossibletodetermine,raysoflightwerevisible.
ThecountlaidhishandonFranz’sshoulder.
“Wouldyouliketoseeacampofbanditsinrepose?”heinquired.
“Exceedingly,”repliedFranz.
“Comewithme,then.Peppino,putoutthetorch.”
Peppinoobeyed,andFranzandthecountwereinutterdarkness,exceptthatfiftypacesinadvanceofthemareddishglare,moreevidentsincePeppinohadputouthistorch,wasvisiblealongthewall.
Theyadvancedsilently,thecountguidingFranzasifhehadthesingularfacultyofseeinginthedark.
Franzhimself,however,sawhiswaymoreplainlyinproportionashewentontowardsthelight,whichservedinsomemannerasaguide.
Threearcadeswerebeforethem,andthemiddleonewasusedasadoor.
ThesearcadesopenedononesideintothecorridorwherethecountandFranzwere,andontheotherintoalargesquarechamber,entirelysurroundedbynichessimilartothoseofwhichwehavespoken.
Inthemidstofthischamberwerefourstones,whichhadformerlyservedasanaltar,aswasevidentfromthecrosswhichstillsurmountedthem.
Alamp,placedatthebaseofapillar,lightedupwithitspaleandflickeringflamethesingularscenewhichpresenteditselftotheeyesofthetwovisitorsconcealedintheshadow.
Amanwasseatedwithhiselbowleaningonthecolumn,andwasreadingwithhisbackturnedtothearcades,throughtheopeningsofwhichthenew–comerscontemplatedhim.
Thiswasthechiefoftheband,LuigiVampa.
Aroundhim,andingroups,accordingtotheirfancy,lyingintheirmantles,orwiththeirbacksagainstasortofstonebench,whichwentallroundthecolumbarium,weretobeseentwentybrigandsormore,eachhavinghiscarbinewithinreach.
Attheotherend,silent,scarcelyvisible,andlikeashadow,wasasentinel,whowaswalkingupanddownbeforeagrotto,whichwasonlydistinguishablebecauseinthatspotthedarknessseemedmoredensethanelsewhere.
WhenthecountthoughtFranzhadgazedsufficientlyonthispicturesquetableau,heraisedhisfingertohislips,towarnhimtobesilent,and,ascendingthethreestepswhichledtothecorridorofthecolumbarium,enteredthechamberbythemiddlearcade,andadvancedtowardsVampa,whowassointentonthebookbeforehimthathedidnothearthenoiseofhisfootsteps.
“Whocomesthere?”criedthesentinel,whowaslessabstracted,andwhosawbythelamp–lightashadowapproachinghischief.
Atthischallenge,Vamparosequickly,drawingatthesamemomentapistolfromhisgirdle.
Inamomentallthebanditswereontheirfeet,andtwentycarbineswerelevelledatthecount.
“Well,”saidheinavoiceperfectlycalm,andnomuscleofhiscountenancedisturbed,“well,mydearVampa,itappearstomethatyoureceiveafriendwithagreatdealofceremony.”
“Groundarms,”exclaimedthechief,withanimperativesignofthehand,whilewiththeotherhetookoffhishatrespectfully;then,turningtothesingularpersonagewhohadcausedthisscene,hesaid,“Yourpardon,yourexcellency,butIwassofarfromexpectingthehonorofavisit,thatIdidnotreallyrecognizeyou.”
“Itseemsthatyourmemoryisequallyshortineverything,Vampa,”saidthecount,“andthatnotonlydoyouforgetpeople’sfaces,butalsotheconditionsyoumakewiththem.”
“WhatconditionshaveIforgotten,yourexcellency?”inquiredthebandit,withtheairofamanwho,havingcommittedanerror,isanxioustorepairit.
“Wasitnotagreed,”askedthecount,“thatnotonlymyperson,butalsothatofmyfriends,shouldberespectedbyyou?”
“AndhowhaveIbrokenthattreaty,yourexcellency?”
“YouhavethiseveningcarriedoffandconveyedhithertheVicomteAlbertdeMorcerf.
Well,”continuedthecount,inatonethatmadeFranzshudder,“thisyounggentlemanisoneofmyfriends—thisyounggentlemanlodgesinthesamehotelasmyself—thisyounggentlemanhasbeenupanddowntheCorsoforeighthoursinmyprivatecarriage,andyet,Irepeattoyou,youhavecarriedhimoff,andconveyedhimhither,and,”addedthecount,takingtheletterfromhispocket,“youhavesetaransomonhim,asifhewereanutterstranger.”
“Whydidyounottellmeallthis—you?”inquiredthebrigandchief,turningtowardshismen,whoallretreatedbeforehislook.
“Whyhaveyoucausedmethustofailinmywordtowardsagentlemanlikethecount,whohasallourlivesinhishands?
Byheavens,ifIthoughtoneofyouknewthattheyounggentlemanwasthefriendofhisexcellency,Iwouldblowhisbrainsoutwithmyownhand!”
“Well,”saidthecount,turningtowardsFranz,“Itoldyoutherewassomemistakeinthis.”
“Areyounotalone?”askedVampawithuneasiness.
“Iamwiththepersontowhomthisletterwasaddressed,andtowhomIdesiredtoprovethatLuigiVampawasamanofhisword.
Come,yourexcellency,”thecountadded,turningtoFranz,“hereisLuigiVampa,whowillhimselfexpresstoyouhisdeepregretatthemistakehehascommitted.”
Franzapproached,thechiefadvancingseveralstepstomeethim.
“Welcomeamongus,yourexcellency,”hesaidtohim;“youheardwhatthecountjustsaid,andalsomyreply;letmeaddthatIwouldnotforthefourthousandpiastresatwhichIhadfixedyourfriend’sransom,thatthishadhappened.”
“But,”saidFranz,lookingroundhimuneasily,“whereistheViscount?—Idonotseehim.”
“Nothinghashappenedtohim,Ihope,”saidthecountfrowningly.
“Theprisoneristhere,”repliedVampa,pointingtothehollowspaceinfrontofwhichthebanditwasonguard,“andIwillgomyselfandtellhimheisfree.”
ThechiefwenttowardstheplacehehadpointedoutasAlbert’sprison,andFranzandthecountfollowedhim.“Whatistheprisonerdoing?”inquiredVampaofthesentinel.
“Mafoi,captain,”repliedthesentry,“Idonotknow;forthelasthourIhavenotheardhimstir.”
“Comein,yourexcellency,”saidVampa.ThecountandFranzascendedsevenoreightstepsafterthechief,whodrewbackaboltandopenedadoor.
Then,bythegleamofalamp,similartothatwhichlightedthecolumbarium,Albertwastobeseenwrappedupinacloakwhichoneofthebanditshadlenthim,lyinginacornerinprofoundslumber.
“Come,”saidthecount,smilingwithhisownpeculiarsmile,“notsobadforamanwhoistobeshotatseveno’clockto–morrowmorning.”
VampalookedatAlbertwithakindofadmiration;hewasnotinsensibletosuchaproofofcourage.
“Youareright,yourexcellency,”hesaid;“thismustbeoneofyourfriends.”
ThengoingtoAlbert,hetouchedhimontheshoulder,saying,“Willyourexcellencypleasetoawaken?”
Albertstretchedouthisarms,rubbedhiseyelids,andopenedhiseyes.“Oh,”saidhe,“isityou,captain?Youshouldhaveallowedmetosleep.Ihadsuchadelightfuldream.
IwasdancingthegalopatTorlonia’swiththeCountessG——.”
Thenhedrewhiswatchfromhispocket,thathemightseehowtimesped.
“Half–pastoneonly?”saidhe.“Whythedevildoyourousemeatthishour?”
“Totellyouthatyouarefree,yourexcellency.”
“Mydearfellow,”repliedAlbert,withperfecteaseofmind,“remember,forthefuture,Napoleon’smaxim,‘Neverawakenmebutforbadnews;’ifyouhadletmesleepon,Ishouldhavefinishedmygalop,andhavebeengratefultoyouallmylife.So,then,theyhavepaidmyransom?”
“No,yourexcellency.”
“Well,then,howamIfree?”
“ApersontowhomIcanrefusenothinghascometodemandyou.”
“Comehither?”
“Yes,hither.”
“Really?Thenthatpersonisamostamiableperson.”AlbertlookedaroundandperceivedFranz.“What,”saidhe,“isityou,mydearFranz,whosedevotionandfriendshiparethusdisplayed?”
“No,notI,”repliedFranz,“butourneighbor,theCountofMonteCristo.”
“Oh,mydearcount.”saidAlbertgayly,arranginghiscravatandwristbands,“youarereallymostkind,andIhopeyouwillconsidermeasundereternalobligationstoyou,inthefirstplaceforthecarriage,andinthenextforthisvisit,”andheputouthishandtotheCount,whoshudderedashegavehisown,butwhoneverthelessdidgiveit.
Thebanditgazedonthisscenewithamazement;hewasevidentlyaccustomedtoseehisprisonerstremblebeforehim,andyetherewasonewhosegaytemperamentwasnotforamomentaltered;asforFranz,hewasenchantedatthewayinwhichAlberthadsustainedthenationalhonorinthepresenceofthebandit.
“MydearAlbert,”hesaid,“ifyouwillmakehaste,weshallyethavetimetofinishthenightatTorlonia’s.
Youmayconcludeyourinterruptedgalop,sothatyouwillowenoill–willtoSignorLuigi,whohas,indeed,throughoutthiswholeaffairactedlikeagentleman.”
“Youaredecidedlyright,andwemayreachthePalazzobytwoo’clock.SignorLuigi,”continuedAlbert,“isthereanyformalitytofulfilbeforeItakeleaveofyourexcellency?”
“None,sir,”repliedthebandit,“youareasfreeasair.”
“Well,then,ahappyandmerrylifetoyou.Come,gentlemen,come.”
AndAlbert,followedbyFranzandthecount,descendedthestaircase,crossedthesquarechamber,wherestoodallthebandits,hatinhand.“Peppino,”saidthebrigandchief,“givemethetorch.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”inquiredthecount.
“Iwillshowyouthewaybackmyself,”saidthecaptain;“thatistheleasthonorthatIcanrendertoyourexcellency.”
Andtakingthelightedtorchfromthehandsoftheherdsman,heprecededhisguests,notasaservantwhoperformsanactofcivility,butlikeakingwhoprecedesambassadors.Onreachingthedoor,hebowed.
“Andnow,yourexcellency,”addedhe,“allowmetorepeatmyapologies,andIhopeyouwillnotentertainanyresentmentatwhathasoccurred.”
“No,mydearVampa,”repliedthecount;“besides,youcompensateforyourmistakesinsogentlemanlyaway,thatonealmostfeelsobligedtoyouforhavingcommittedthem.”
“Gentlemen,”addedthechief,turningtowardstheyoungmen,“perhapstheoffermaynotappearverytemptingtoyou;butifyoushouldeverfeelinclinedtopaymeasecondvisit,whereverImaybe,youshallbewelcome.”FranzandAlbertbowed.Thecountwentoutfirst,thenAlbert.Franzpausedforamoment.
“Hasyourexcellencyanythingtoaskme?”saidVampawithasmile.
“Yes,Ihave,”repliedFranz;“Iamcurioustoknowwhatworkyouwereperusingwithsomuchattentionasweentered.”
“Caesar’s‘Commentaries,’”saidthebandit,“itismyfavoritework.”
“Well,areyoucoming?”askedAlbert.
“Yes,”repliedFranz,“hereIam,”andhe,inhisturn,leftthecaves.Theyadvancedtotheplain.
“Ah,yourpardon,”saidAlbert,turninground;“willyouallowme,captain?”
AndhelightedhiscigaratVampa’storch.
“Now,mydearcount,”hesaid,“letusonwithallthespeedwemay.
IamenormouslyanxioustofinishmynightattheDukeofBracciano’s.”
Theyfoundthecarriagewheretheyhadleftit.
ThecountsaidawordinArabictoAli,andthehorseswentonatgreatspeed.
Itwasjusttwoo’clockbyAlbert’swatchwhenthetwofriendsenteredintothedancing–room.
Theirreturnwasquiteanevent,butastheyenteredtogether,alluneasinessonAlbert’saccountceasedinstantly.
“Madame,”saidtheViscountofMorcerf,advancingtowardsthecountess,“yesterdayyouweresocondescendingastopromisemeagalop;Iamratherlateinclaimingthisgraciouspromise,buthereismyfriend,whosecharacterforveracityyouwellknow,andhewillassureyouthedelayarosefromnofaultofmine.”
Andasatthismomenttheorchestragavethesignalforthewaltz,Albertputhisarmroundthewaistofthecountess,anddisappearedwithherinthewhirlofdancers.
InthemeanwhileFranzwasconsideringthesingularshudderthathadpassedovertheCountofMonteCristoatthemomentwhenhehadbeen,insomesort,forcedtogivehishandtoAlbert.
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