English
Abouttwoo’clockthefollowingdayacalash,drawnbyapairofmagnificentEnglishhorses,stoppedatthedoorofMonteCristoandaperson,dressedinabluecoat,withbuttonsofasimilarcolor,awhitewaistcoat,overwhichwasdisplayedamassivegoldchain,browntrousers,andaquantityofblackhairdescendingsolowoverhiseyebrowsastoleaveitdoubtfulwhetheritwerenotartificialsolittlediditsjettyglossinessassimilatewiththedeepwrinklesstampedonhisfeatures—aperson,inaword,who,althoughevidentlypastfifty,desiredtobetakenfornotmorethanforty,bentforwardsfromthecarriagedoor,onthepanelsofwhichwereemblazonedthearmorialbearingsofabaron,anddirectedhisgroomtoinquireattheporter’slodgewhethertheCountofMonteCristoresidedthere,andifhewerewithin.
Whilewaiting,theoccupantofthecarriagesurveyedthehouse,thegardenasfarashecoulddistinguishit,andtheliveryofservantswhopassedtoandfro,withanattentionsocloseastobesomewhatimpertinent.
Hisglancewaskeenbutshowedcunningratherthanintelligence;hislipswerestraight,andsothinthat,astheyclosed,theyweredrawninovertheteeth;hischeek–boneswerebroadandprojecting,anever–failingproofofaudacityandcraftiness;whiletheflatnessofhisforehead,andtheenlargementofthebackofhisskull,whichrosemuchhigherthanhislargeandcoarselyshapedears,combinedtoformaphysiognomyanythingbutprepossessing,saveintheeyesofsuchasconsideredthattheownerofsosplendidanequipagemustneedsbeallthatwasadmirableandenviable,moreespeciallywhentheygazedontheenormousdiamondthatglitteredinhisshirt,andtheredribbonthatdependedfromhisbutton–hole.
Thegroom,inobediencetohisorders,tappedatthewindowoftheporter’slodge,saying,“Pray,doesnottheCountofMonteCristolivehere?”
“Hisexcellencydoesresidehere,”repliedtheconcierge;“but”—addedhe,glancinganinquiringlookatAli.Alireturnedasigninthenegative.“Butwhat?”askedthegroom.
“Hisexcellencydoesnotreceivevisitorsto–day.”
“Thenhereismymaster’scard,—theBaronDanglars.
Youwilltakeittothecount,andsaythat,althoughinhastetoattendtheChamber,mymastercameoutofhiswaytohavethehonorofcallinguponhim.”
“Ineverspeaktohisexcellency,”repliedtheconcierge;“thevaletdechambrewillcarryyourmessage.”Thegroomreturnedtothecarriage.“Well?”askedDanglars.
Theman,somewhatcrest–fallenbytherebukehehadreceived,repeatedwhattheconciergehadsaid.
“Blessme,”murmuredBaronDanglars,“thismustsurelybeaprinceinsteadofacountbytheirstylinghim‘excellency,’andonlyventuringtoaddresshimbythemediumofhisvaletdechambre.
However,itdoesnotsignify;hehasaletterofcreditonme,soImustseehimwhenherequireshismoney.”
Then,throwinghimselfbackinhiscarriage,Danglarscalledouttohiscoachman,inavoicethatmightbeheardacrosstheroad,“TotheChamberofDeputies.”
Apprisedintimeofthevisitpaidhim,MonteCristohad,frombehindtheblindsofhispavilion,asminutelyobservedthebaron,bymeansofanexcellentlorgnette,asDanglarshimselfhadscrutinizedthehouse,garden,andservants.
“Thatfellowhasadecidedlybadcountenance,”saidthecountinatoneofdisgust,asheshutuphisglassintoitsivorycase.
“Howcomesitthatalldonotretreatinaversionatsightofthatflat,receding,serpent–likeforehead,round,vulture–shapedhead,andsharp–hookednose,likethebeakofabuzzard?
Ali,”criedhe,strikingatthesametimeonthebrazengong.Aliappeared.“SummonBertuccio,”saidthecount.
AlmostimmediatelyBertuccioenteredtheapartment.“Didyourexcellencydesiretoseeme?”inquiredhe.“Idid,”repliedthecount.
“Younodoubtobservedthehorsesstandingafewminutessinceatthedoor?”
“Certainly,yourexcellency.Inoticedthemfortheirremarkablebeauty.”
“Thenhowcomesit,”saidMonteCristowithafrown,“that,whenIdesiredyoutopurchaseformethefinestpairofhorsestobefoundinParis,thereisanotherpair,fullyasfineasmine,notinmystables?”
Atthelookofdispleasure,addedtotheangrytoneinwhichthecountspoke,Aliturnedpaleandhelddownhishead.
“Itisnotyourfault,mygoodAli,”saidthecountintheArabiclanguage,andwithagentlenessnonewouldhavethoughthimcapableofshowing,eitherinvoiceorface—”itisnotyourfault.
YoudonotunderstandthepointsofEnglishhorses.”
ThecountenanceofpoorAlirecovereditsserenity.
“Permitmetoassureyourexcellency,”saidBertuccio,“thatthehorsesyouspeakofwerenottobesoldwhenIpurchasedyours.”MonteCristoshruggedhisshoulders.
“Itseems,sirsteward,”saidhe,“thatyouhaveyettolearnthatallthingsaretobesoldtosuchascaretopaytheprice.”
“Hisexcellencyisnot,perhaps,awarethatM.Danglarsgave16,000francsforhishorses?”
“Verywell.Thenofferhimdoublethatsum;abankerneverlosesanopportunityofdoublinghiscapital.”
“Isyourexcellencyreallyinearnest?”inquiredthesteward.
MonteCristoregardedthepersonwhodurstpresumetodoubthiswordswiththelookofoneequallysurprisedanddispleased.
“Ihavetopayavisitthisevening,”repliedhe.
“Idesirethatthesehorses,withcompletelynewharness,maybeatthedoorwithmycarriage.”
Bertucciobowed,andwasabouttoretire;butwhenhereachedthedoor,hepaused,andthensaid,“Atwhato’clockdoesyourexcellencywishthecarriageandhorsestobeready?”
“Atfiveo’clock,”repliedthecount.
“Ibegyourexcellency’spardon,”interposedthestewardinadeprecatingmanner,“forventuringtoobservethatitisalreadytwoo’clock.”
“Iamperfectlyawareofthatfact,”answeredMonteCristocalmly.
Then,turningtowardsAli,hesaid,“Letallthehorsesinmystablesbeledbeforethewindowsofyouryounglady,thatshemayselectthosesheprefersforhercarriage.
Requestheralsotoobligemebysayingwhetheritisherpleasuretodinewithme;ifso,letdinnerbeservedinherapartments.
Now,leaveme,anddesiremyvaletdechambretocomehither.”
ScarcelyhadAlidisappearedwhenthevaletenteredthechamber.
“MonsieurBaptistin,”saidthecount,“youhavebeeninmyserviceoneyear,thetimeIgenerallygivemyselftojudgeofthemeritsordemeritsofthoseaboutme.Yousuitmeverywell.”Baptistinbowedlow.
“ItonlyremainsformetoknowwhetherIalsosuityou?”
“Oh,yourexcellency!”exclaimedBaptistineagerly.
“Listen,ifyouplease,tillIhavefinishedspeaking,”repliedMonteCristo.
“Youreceive1,500francsperannumforyourserviceshere—morethanmanyabravesubaltern,whocontinuallyriskshislifeforhiscountry,obtains.
Youliveinamannerfarsuperiortomanyclerkswhoworktentimesharderthanyoudofortheirmoney.
Then,thoughyourselfaservant,youhaveotherservantstowaituponyou,takecareofyourclothes,andseethatyourlinenisdulypreparedforyou.
Again,youmakeaprofituponeacharticleyoupurchaseformytoilet,amountinginthecourseofayeartoasumequallingyourwages.”
“Nay,indeed,yourexcellency.”
“Iamnotcondemningyouforthis,MonsieurBaptistin;butletyourprofitsendhere.
Itwouldbelongindeedereyouwouldfindsolucrativeapostasthatyouhavenowthegoodfortunetofill.
Ineitherill–usenorill–treatmyservantsbywordoraction.
AnerrorIreadilyforgive,butwilfulnegligenceorforgetfulness,never.
Mycommandsareordinarilyshort,clear,andprecise;andIwouldratherbeobligedtorepeatmywordstwice,oreventhreetimes,thantheyshouldbemisunderstood.
IamrichenoughtoknowwhateverIdesiretoknow,andIcanpromiseyouIamnotwantingincuriosity.
If,then,Ishouldlearnthatyouhadtakenuponyourselftospeakofmetoanyonefavorablyorunfavorably,tocommentonmyactions,orwatchmyconduct,thatveryinstantyouwouldquitmyservice.Youmaynowretire.
Inevercautionmyservantsasecondtime—rememberthat.”
Baptistinbowed,andwasproceedingtowardsthedoor.
“Iforgottomentiontoyou,”saidthecount,“thatIlayyearlyasideacertainsumforeachservantinmyestablishment;thosewhomIamcompelledtodismisslose(asamatterofcourse)allparticipationinthismoney,whiletheirportiongoestothefundaccumulatingforthosedomesticswhoremainwithme,andamongwhomitwillbedividedatmydeath.
Youhavebeeninmyserviceayear,yourfundhasalreadybeguntoaccumulate—letitcontinuetodoso.”
Thisaddress,deliveredinthepresenceofAli,who,notunderstandingonewordofthelanguageinwhichitwasspoken,stoodwhollyunmoved,producedaneffectonM.BaptistinonlytobeconceivedbysuchashaveoccasiontostudythecharacteranddispositionofFrenchdomestics.
“Iassureyourexcellency,”saidhe,“thatatleastitshallbemystudytomerityourapprobationinallthings,andIwilltakeM.Aliasmymodel.”
“Bynomeans,”repliedthecountinthemostfrigidtones;“Alihasmanyfaultsmixedwithmostexcellentqualities.
Hecannotpossiblyserveyouasapatternforyourconduct,notbeing,asyouare,apaidservant,butamereslave—adog,who,shouldhefailinhisdutytowardsme,Ishouldnotdischargefrommyservice,butkill.”
Baptistinopenedhiseyeswithastonishment.
“Youseemincredulous,”saidMonteCristo,whorepeatedtoAliintheArabiclanguagewhathehadjustbeensayingtoBaptistininFrench.
TheNubiansmiledassentinglytohismaster’swords,then,kneelingononeknee,respectfullykissedthehandofthecount.
ThiscorroborationofthelessonhehadjustreceivedputthefinishingstroketothewonderandstupefactionofM.Baptistin.
Thecountthenmotionedthevaletdechambretoretire,andtoAlitofollowtohisstudy,wheretheyconversedlongandearnestlytogether.
Asthehandoftheclockpointedtofivethecountstruckthriceuponhisgong.
WhenAliwaswantedonestrokewasgiven,twosummonedBaptistin,andthreeBertuccio.Thestewardentered.“Myhorses,”saidMonteCristo.
“Theyareatthedoorharnessedtothecarriageasyourexcellencydesired.Doesyourexcellencywishmetoaccompanyhim?”
“No,thecoachman,Ali,andBaptistinwillgo.”
Thecountdescendedtothedoorofhismansion,andbeheldhiscarriagedrawnbytheverypairofhorseshehadsomuchadmiredinthemorningasthepropertyofDanglars.
Ashepassedthemhesaid—”Theyareextremelyhandsomecertainly,andyouhavedonewelltopurchasethem,althoughyouweresomewhatremissnottohaveprocuredthemsooner.”
“Indeed,yourexcellency,Ihadveryconsiderabledifficultyinobtainingthem,and,asitis,theyhavecostanenormousprice.”
“Doesthesumyougaveforthemmaketheanimalslessbeautiful,”inquiredthecount,shrugginghisshoulders.
“Nay,ifyourexcellencyissatisfied,itisallthatIcouldwish.Whitherdoesyourexcellencydesiretobedriven?”
“TotheresidenceofBaronDanglars,RuedelaChausseed’Antin.”
Thisconversationhadpassedastheystoodupontheterrace,fromwhichaflightofstonestepsledtothecarriage–drive.
AsBertuccio,witharespectfulbow,wasmovingaway,thecountcalledhimback.
“Ihaveanothercommissionforyou,M.Bertuccio,”saidhe;“IamdesirousofhavinganestatebytheseasideinNormandy—forinstance,betweenHavreandBoulogne.YouseeIgiveyouawiderange.
Itwillbeabsolutelynecessarythattheplaceyoumayselecthaveasmallharbor,creek,orbay,intowhichmycorvettecanenterandremainatanchor.Shedrawsonlyfifteenfeet.
ShemustbekeptinconstantreadinesstosailimmediatelyIthinkpropertogivethesignal.
Maketherequisiteinquiriesforaplaceofthisdescription,andwhenyouhavemetwithaneligiblespot,visitit,andifitpossesstheadvantagesdesired,purchaseitatonceinyourownname.
Thecorvettemustnow,Ithink,beonherwaytoFecamp,mustshenot?”
“Certainly,yourexcellency;IsawherputtoseathesameeveningwequittedMarseilles.”
“Andtheyacht.”
“WasorderedtoremainatMartigues.”
”’Tiswell.Iwishyoutowritefromtimetotimetothecaptainsinchargeofthetwovesselssoastokeepthemonthealert.”
“Andthesteamboat?”
“SheisatChalons?”
“Yes.”
“Thesameordersforherasforthetwosailingvessels.”
“Verygood.”
“WhenyouhavepurchasedtheestateIdesire,Iwantconstantrelaysofhorsesattenleaguesapartalongthenorthernandsouthernroad.”
“Yourexcellencymaydependuponme.”TheCountmadeagestureofsatisfaction,descendedtheterracesteps,andsprangintohiscarriage,whichwaswhirledalongswiftlytothebanker’shouse.
Danglarswasengagedatthatmoment,presidingoverarailroadcommittee.
Butthemeetingwasnearlyconcludedwhenthenameofhisvisitorwasannounced.
Asthecount’stitlesoundedonhisearherose,andaddressinghiscolleagues,whoweremembersofoneortheotherChamber,hesaid,—”Gentlemen,pardonmeforleavingyousoabruptly;butamostridiculouscircumstancehasoccurred,whichisthis,—Thomson&French,theRomanbankers,havesenttomeacertainpersoncallinghimselftheCountofMonteCristo,andhavegivenhimanunlimitedcreditwithme.
IconfessthisisthedrollestthingIhaveevermetwithinthecourseofmyextensiveforeigntransactions,andyoumayreadilysupposeithasgreatlyrousedmycuriosity.
Itookthetroublethismorningtocallonthepretendedcount—ifhewerearealcounthewouldn’tbesorich.
But,wouldyoubelieveit,‘Hewasnotreceiving.’
SothemasterofMonteCristogiveshimselfairsbefittingagreatmillionaireoracapriciousbeauty.
Imadeinquiries,andfoundthatthehouseintheChampsElyseesishisownproperty,andcertainlyitwasverydecentlykeptup.
But,”pursuedDanglarswithoneofhissinistersmiles,“anorderforunlimitedcreditcallsforsomethinglikecautiononthepartofthebankertowhomthatorderisgiven.Iamveryanxioustoseethisman.
Isuspectahoaxisintended,buttheinstigatorsofitlittleknewwhomtheyhadtodealwith.‘Theylaughbestwholaughlast!’”
Havingdeliveredhimselfofthispompousaddress,utteredwithadegreeofenergythatleftthebaronalmostoutofbreath,hebowedtotheassembledpartyandwithdrewtohisdrawing–room,whosesumptuousfurnishingsofwhiteandgoldhadcausedagreatsensationintheChausseed’Antin.
Itwastothisapartmenthehaddesiredhisguesttobeshown,withthepurposeofoverwhelminghimatthesightofsomuchluxury.
HefoundthecountstandingbeforesomecopiesofAlbanoandFattorethathadbeenpassedofftothebankerasoriginals;butwhich,merecopiesastheywere,seemedtofeeltheirdegradationinbeingbroughtintojuxtapositionwiththegaudycolorsthatcoveredtheceiling.
ThecountturnedroundasheheardtheentranceofDanglarsintotheroom.
Withaslightinclinationofthehead,Danglarssignedtothecounttobeseated,pointingsignificantlytoagildedarm–chair,coveredwithwhitesatinembroideredwithgold.Thecountsatdown.
“Ihavethehonor,Ipresume,ofaddressingM.deMonteCristo.”
Thecountbowed.“AndIofspeakingtoBaronDanglars,chevalieroftheLegionofHonor,andmemberoftheChamberofDeputies?”
MonteCristorepeatedallthetitleshehadreadonthebaron’scard.
Danglarsfelttheironyandcompressedhislips.
“Youwill,Itrust,excuseme,monsieur,fornotcallingyoubyyourtitlewhenIfirstaddressedyou,”hesaid,“butyouareawarethatwearelivingunderapopularformofgovernment,andthatIammyselfarepresentativeofthelibertiesofthepeople.”
“Somuchso,”repliedMonteCristo,“thatwhileyoucallyourselfbaronyouarenotwillingtocallanybodyelsecount.”
“Uponmyword,monsieur,”saidDanglarswithaffectedcarelessness,“Iattachnosortofvaluetosuchemptydistinctions;butthefactis,Iwasmadebaron,andalsochevalieroftheLegionofHonor,inreturnforservicesrendered,but”—
“ButyouhavediscardedyourtitlesaftertheexamplesetyoubyMessrs.deMontmorencyandLafayette?Thatwasanobleexampletofollow,monsieur.”
“Why,”repliedDanglars,“notentirelyso;withtheservants,—youunderstand.”
“Isee;toyourdomesticsyouare‘mylord,’thejournalistsstyleyou‘monsieur,’whileyourconstituentscallyou‘citizen.’
Thesearedistinctionsverysuitableunderaconstitutionalgovernment.Iunderstandperfectly.”
AgainDanglarsbithislips;hesawthathewasnomatchforMonteCristoinanargumentofthissort,andhethereforehastenedtoturntosubjectsmorecongenial.
“Permitmetoinformyou,Count,”saidhe,bowing,“thatIhavereceivedaletterofadvicefromThomson&French,ofRome.”
“Iamgladtohearit,baron,—forImustclaimtheprivilegeofaddressingyouafterthemannerofyourservants.
Ihaveacquiredthebadhabitofcallingpersonsbytheirtitlesfromlivinginacountrywherebaronsarestillbaronsbyrightofbirth.
Butasregardstheletterofadvice,Iamcharmedtofindthatithasreachedyou;thatwillsparemethetroublesomeanddisagreeabletaskofcomingtoyouformoneymyself.
Youhavereceivedaregularletterofadvice?”
“Yes,”saidDanglars,“butIconfessIdidn’tquitecomprehenditsmeaning.”
“Indeed?”
“AndforthatreasonIdidmyselfthehonorofcallinguponyou,inordertobegforanexplanation.”
“Goon,monsieur.HereIam,readytogiveyouanyexplanationyoudesire.”
“Why,”saidDanglers,“intheletter—IbelieveIhaveitaboutme”—herehefeltinhisbreast–pocket—”yes,hereitis.Well,thislettergivestheCountofMonteCristounlimitedcreditonourhouse.”
“Well,baron,whatistheredifficulttounderstandaboutthat?”
“Merelythetermunlimited—nothingelse,certainly.”
“IsnotthatwordknowninFrance?ThepeoplewhowroteareAnglo–Germans,youknow.”
“Oh,asforthecompositionoftheletter,thereisnothingtobesaid;butasregardsthecompetencyofthedocument,Icertainlyhavedoubts.”
“Isitpossible?”askedthecount,assumingallairandtoneoftheutmostsimplicityandcandor.
“IsitpossiblethatThomson&Frencharenotlookeduponassafeandsolventbankers?
Praytellmewhatyouthink,baron,forIfeeluneasy,Icanassureyou,havingsomeconsiderablepropertyintheirhands.”
“Thomson&Frenchareperfectlysolvent,”repliedDanglars,withanalmostmockingsmile:“butthewordunlimited,infinancialaffairs,issoextremelyvague.”
“Is,infact,unlimited,”saidMonteCristo.
“PreciselywhatIwasabouttosay,”criedDanglars.“Nowwhatisvagueisdoubtful;anditwasawisemanwhosaid,‘whenindoubt,keepout.’”
“Meaningtosay,”rejoinedMonteCristo,“thathoweverThomson&Frenchmaybeinclinedtocommitactsofimprudenceandfolly,theBaronDanglarsisnotdisposedtofollowtheirexample.”
“Notatall.”
“Plainlyenough.Messrs.Thomson&FrenchsetnoboundstotheirengagementswhilethoseofM.Danglarshavetheirlimits;heisawiseman,accordingtohisownshowing.”
“Monsieur,”repliedthebanker,drawinghimselfupwithahaughtyair,“theextentofmyresourceshasneveryetbeenquestioned.”
“Itseems,then,reservedforme,”saidMonteCristocoldly,“tobethefirsttodoso.”
“Bywhatright,sir?”
“Byrightoftheobjectionsyouhaveraised,andtheexplanationsyouhavedemanded,whichcertainlymusthavesomemotive.”
OncemoreDanglarsbithislips.Itwasthesecondtimehehadbeenworsted,andthistimeonhisownground.
Hisforcedpolitenesssatawkwardlyuponhim,andapproachedalmosttoimpertinence.
MonteCristoonthecontrary,preservedagracefulsuavityofdemeanor,aidedbyacertaindegreeofsimplicityhecouldassumeatpleasure,andthuspossessedtheadvantage.
“Well,sir,”resumedDanglars,afterabriefsilence,“Iwillendeavortomakemyselfunderstood,byrequestingyoutoinformmeforwhatsumyouproposetodrawuponme?”
“Why,truly,”repliedMonteCristo,determinednottoloseaninchofthegroundhehadgained,“myreasonfordesiringan‘unlimited’creditwaspreciselybecauseIdidnotknowhowmuchmoneyImightneed.”
Thebankerthoughtthetimehadcomeforhimtotaketheupperhand.
Sothrowinghimselfbackinhisarm–chair,hesaid,withanarrogantandpurse–proudair,—”Letmebegofyounottohesitateinnamingyourwishes;youwillthenbeconvincedthattheresourcesofthehouseofDanglars,howeverlimited,arestillequaltomeetingthelargestdemands;andwereyoueventorequireamillion”—
“Ibegyourpardon,”interposedMonteCristo.
“Isaidamillion,”repliedDanglars,withtheconfidenceofignorance.
“ButcouldIdowithamillion?”retortedthecount.
“Mydearsir,ifatriflelikethatcouldsufficeme,Ishouldneverhavegivenmyselfthetroubleofopeninganaccount.Amillion?
ExcusemysmilingwhenyouspeakofasumIaminthehabitofcarryinginmypocket–bookordressing–case.”
AndwiththesewordsMonteCristotookfromhispocketasmallcasecontaininghisvisiting–cards,anddrewforthtwoordersonthetreasuryfor500,000francseach,payableatsighttothebearer.
AmanlikeDanglarswaswhollyinaccessibletoanygentlermethodofcorrection.
Theeffectofthepresentrevelationwasstunning;hetrembledandwasonthevergeofapoplexy.
Thepupilsofhiseyes,ashegazedatMonteCristodilatedhorribly.
“Come,come,”saidMonteCristo,“confesshonestlythatyouhavenotperfectconfidenceinThomson&French.
Iunderstand,andforeseeingthatsuchmightbethecase,Itook,inspiteofmyignoranceofaffairs,certainprecautions.
See,herearetwosimilarletterstothatyouhaveyourselfreceived;onefromthehouseofArstein&EskelesofVienna,toBaronRothschild,theotherdrawnbyBaringofLondon,uponM.Laffitte.
Now,sir,youhavebuttosaytheword,andIwillspareyoualluneasinessbypresentingmyletterofcredittooneorotherofthesetwofirms.”
Theblowhadstruckhome,andDanglarswasentirelyvanquished;withatremblinghandhetookthetwolettersfromthecount,whoheldthemcarelesslybetweenfingerandthumb,andproceededtoscrutinizethesignatures,withaminutenessthatthecountmighthaveregardedasinsulting,haditnotsuitedhispresentpurposetomisleadthebanker.
“Oh,sir,”saidDanglars,afterhehadconvincedhimselfoftheauthenticityofthedocumentsheheld,andrisingasiftosalutethepowerofgoldpersonifiedinthemanbeforehim,—”threelettersofunlimitedcredit!
Icanbenolongermistrustful,butyoumustpardonme,mydearcount,forconfessingtosomedegreeofastonishment.”
“Nay,”answeredMonteCristo,withthemostgentlemanlyair,”’tisnotforsuchtriflingsumsasthesethatyourbankinghouseistobeincommoded.Then,youcanletmehavesomemoney,canyounot?”
“Whateveryousay,mydearcount;Iamatyourorders.”
“Why,”repliedMonteCristo,“sincewemutuallyunderstandeachother—forsuchIpresumeisthecase?”Danglarsbowedassentingly.
“Youarequitesurethatnotalurkingdoubtorsuspicionlingersinyourmind?”
“Oh,mydearcount,”exclaimedDanglars,“Ineverforaninstantentertainedsuchafeelingtowardsyou.”
“No,youmerelywishedtobeconvinced,nothingmore;butnowthatwehavecometosoclearanunderstanding,andthatalldistrustandsuspicionarelaidatrest,wemayaswellfixasumastheprobableexpenditureofthefirstyear,supposewesaysixmillionsto”—
“Sixmillions!”gaspedDanglars—”sobeit.”
“Then,ifIshouldrequiremore,”continuedMonteCristoinacarelessmanner,“why,ofcourse,Ishoulddrawuponyou;butmypresentintentionisnottoremaininFrancemorethanayear,andduringthatperiodIscarcelythinkIshallexceedthesumImentioned.However,weshallsee.
Bekindenough,then,tosendme500,000francsto–morrow.
Ishallbeathometillmidday,orifnot,Iwillleaveareceiptwithmysteward.”
“Themoneyyoudesireshallbeatyourhousebyteno’clockto–morrowmorning,mydearcount,”repliedDanglars.“Howwouldyouliketohaveit?ingold,silver,ornotes?”
“Halfingold,andtheotherhalfinbank–notes,ifyouplease,”saidthecount,risingfromhisseat.
“Imustconfesstoyou,count,”saidDanglars,“thatIhavehithertoimaginedmyselfacquaintedwiththedegreeofallthegreatfortunesofEurope,andstillwealthsuchasyourshasbeenwhollyunknowntome.
MayIpresumetoaskwhetheryouhavelongpossessedit?”
“Ithasbeeninthefamilyaverylongwhile,”returnedMonteCristo,“asortoftreasureexpresslyforbiddentobetouchedforacertainperiodofyears,duringwhichtheaccumulatedinteresthasdoubledthecapital.
Theperiodappointedbythetestatorforthedisposaloftheserichesoccurredonlyashorttimeago,andtheyhaveonlybeenemployedbymewithinthelastfewyears.
Yourignoranceonthesubject,therefore,iseasilyaccountedfor.
However,youwillbebetterinformedastomeandmypossessionserelong.”
Andthecount,whilepronouncingtheselatterwords,accompaniedthemwithoneofthoseghastlysmilesthatusedtostriketerrorintopoorFranzd’Epinay.
“Withyourtastes,andmeansofgratifyingthem,”continuedDanglars,“youwillexhibitasplendorthatmusteffectuallyputuspoormiserablemillionairesquiteintheshade.
IfImistakenotyouareanadmirerofpaintings,atleastIjudgedsofromtheattentionyouappearedtobebestowingonminewhenIenteredtheroom.
Ifyouwillpermitme,Ishallbehappytoshowyoumypicturegallery,composedentirelyofworksbytheancientmasters—warrantedassuch.Notamodernpictureamongthem.
Icannotendurethemodernschoolofpainting.”
“Youareperfectlyrightinobjectingtothem,forthisonegreatfault—thattheyhavenotyethadtimetobecomeold.”
“OrwillyouallowmetoshowyouseveralfinestatuesbyThorwaldsen,Bartoloni,andCanova?—allforeignartists,for,asyoumayperceive,IthinkbutveryindifferentlyofourFrenchsculptors.”
“Youhavearighttobeunjusttothem,monsieur;theyareyourcompatriots.”
“Butallthismaycomelater,whenweshallbebetterknowntoeachother.
Forthepresent,Iwillconfinemyself(ifperfectlyagreeabletoyou)tointroducingyoutotheBaronessDanglars—excusemyimpatience,mydearcount,butaclientlikeyouisalmostlikeamemberofthefamily.”
MonteCristobowed,insignthatheacceptedtheprofferedhonor;Danglarsrangandwasansweredbyaservantinashowylivery.“Isthebaronessathome?”inquiredDanglars.
“Yes,mylord,”answeredtheman.
“Andalone?”
“No,mylord,madamehasvisitors.”
“Haveyouanyobjectiontomeetanypersonswhomaybewithmadame,ordoyoudesiretopreserveastrictincognito?”
“No,indeed,”repliedMonteCristowithasmile,“Idonotarrogatetomyselftherightofsodoing.”
“Andwhoiswithmadame?—M.Debray?”inquiredDanglars,withanairofindulgenceandgood–naturethatmadeMonteCristosmile,acquaintedashewaswiththesecretsofthebanker’sdomesticlife.
“Yes,mylord,”repliedtheservant,“M.Debrayiswithmadame.”
Danglarsnoddedhishead;then,turningtoMonteCristo,said,“M.LucienDebrayisanoldfriendofours,andprivatesecretarytotheMinisteroftheInterior.
Asformywife,Imusttellyou,sheloweredherselfbymarryingme,forshebelongstooneofthemostancientfamiliesinFrance.
HermaidennamewasDeServieres,andherfirsthusbandwasColoneltheMarquisofNargonne.”
“IhavenotthehonorofknowingMadameDanglars;butIhavealreadymetM.LucienDebray.”
“Ah,indeed?”saidDanglars;“andwherewasthat?”
“AtthehouseofM.deMorcerf.”
“Ah,ha,youareacquaintedwiththeyoungviscount,areyou?”
“WeweretogetheragooddealduringtheCarnivalatRome.”
“True,true,”criedDanglars.“Letmesee;haveInotheardtalkofsomestrangeadventurewithbanditsorthieveshidinruins,andofhishavinghadamiraculousescape?
Iforgethow,butIknowheusedtoamusemywifeanddaughterbytellingthemaboutitafterhisreturnfromItaly.”
“Herladyshipiswaitingtoreceiveyou,gentlemen,”saidtheservant,whohadgonetoinquirethepleasureofhismistress.
“Withyourpermission,”saidDanglars,bowing,“Iwillprecedeyou,toshowyoutheway.”
“Byallmeans,”repliedMonteCristo;“Ifollowyou.”
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