English
Thebaron,followedbythecount,traversedalongseriesofapartments,inwhichtheprevailingcharacteristicswereheavymagnificenceandthegaudinessofostentatiouswealth,untilhereachedtheboudoirofMadameDanglars—asmalloctagonal–shapedroom,hungwithpinksatin,coveredwithwhiteIndianmuslin.
Thechairswereofancientworkmanshipandmaterials;overthedoorswerepaintedsketchesofshepherdsandshepherdesses,afterthestyleandmannerofBoucher;andateachsideprettymedallionsincrayons,harmonizingwellwiththefurnishingsofthischarmingapartment,theonlyonethroughoutthegreatmansioninwhichanydistinctivetasteprevailed.
Thetruthwas,ithadbeenentirelyoverlookedintheplanarrangedandfollowedoutbyM.Danglarsandhisarchitect,whohadbeenselectedtoaidthebaroninthegreatworkofimprovementsolelybecausehewasthemostfashionableandcelebrateddecoratoroftheday.
ThedecorationsoftheboudoirhadthenbeenleftentirelytoMadameDanglarsandLucienDebray.
M.Danglars,however,whilepossessingagreatadmirationfortheantique,asitwasunderstoodduringthetimeoftheDirectory,entertainedthemostsovereigncontemptforthesimpleeleganceofhiswife’sfavoritesitting–room,where,bytheway,hewasneverpermittedtointrude,unless,indeed,heexcusedhisownappearancebyusheringinsomemoreagreeablevisitorthanhimself;andeventhenhehadrathertheairandmannerofapersonwhowashimselfintroduced,thanthatofbeingthepresenterofanother,hisreceptionbeingcordialorfrigid,inproportionasthepersonwhoaccompaniedhimchancedtopleaseordispleasethebaroness.
MadameDanglars(who,althoughpastthefirstbloomofyouth,wasstillstrikinglyhandsome)wasnowseatedatthepiano,amostelaboratepieceofcabinetandinlaidwork,whileLucienDebray,standingbeforeasmallwork–table,wasturningoverthepagesofanalbum.
Lucienhadfoundtime,preparatorytothecount’sarrival,torelatemanyparticularsrespectinghimtoMadameDanglars.
ItwillberememberedthatMonteCristohadmadealivelyimpressiononthemindsofallthepartyassembledatthebreakfastgivenbyAlbertdeMorcerf;andalthoughDebraywasnotinthehabitofyieldingtosuchfeelings,hehadneverbeenabletoshakeoffthepowerfulinfluenceexcitedinhismindbytheimpressivelookandmannerofthecount,consequentlythedescriptiongivenbyLucientothebaronessborethehighly–coloredtingeofhisownheatedimagination.
AlreadyexcitedbythewonderfulstoriesrelatedofthecountbyDeMorcerf,itisnowonderthatMadameDanglarseagerlylistenedto,andfullycredited,alltheadditionalcircumstancesdetailedbyDebray.
Thisposingatthepianoandoverthealbumwasonlyalittleruseadoptedbywayofprecaution.
AmostgraciouswelcomeandunusualsmilewerebestowedonM.Danglars;thecount,inreturnforhisgentlemanlybow,receivedaformalthoughgracefulcourtesy,whileLucienexchangedwiththecountasortofdistantrecognition,andwithDanglarsafreeandeasynod.
“Baroness,”saidDanglars,“givemeleavetopresenttoyoutheCountofMonteCristo,whohasbeenmostwarmlyrecommendedtomebymycorrespondentsatRome.
IneedbutmentiononefacttomakealltheladiesinPariscourthisnotice,andthatis,thathehascometotakeuphisabodeinParisforayear,duringwhichbriefperiodheproposestospendsixmillionsofmoney.
Thatmeansballs,dinners,andlawnpartieswithoutend,inallofwhichItrustthecountwillrememberus,ashemaydependuponitweshallhim,inourownhumbleentertainments.”
Inspiteofthegrossflatteryandcoarsenessofthisaddress,MadameDanglarscouldnotforbeargazingwithconsiderableinterestonamancapableofexpendingsixmillionsintwelvemonths,andwhohadselectedParisforthesceneofhisprincelyextravagance.“Andwhendidyouarrivehere?”inquiredshe.
“Yesterdaymorning,madame.”
“Coming,asusual,Ipresume,fromtheextremeendoftheglobe?Pardonme—atleast,suchIhaveheardisyourcustom.”
“Nay,madame.ThistimeIhavemerelycomefromCadiz.”
“Youhaveselectedamostunfavorablemomentforyourfirstvisit.Parisisahorribleplaceinsummer.
Balls,parties,andfetesareover;theItalianoperaisinLondon;theFrenchoperaeverywhereexceptinParis.
AsfortheTheatreFrancais,youknow,ofcourse,thatitisnowhere.
TheonlyamusementsleftusaretheindifferentracesattheChampdeMarsandSatory.
Doyouproposeenteringanyhorsesateitheroftheseraces,count?”
“IshalldowhatevertheydoatParis,madame,ifIhavethegoodfortunetofindsomeonewhowillinitiatemeintotheprevalentideasofamusement.”
“Areyoufondofhorses,count?”
“IhavepassedaconsiderablepartofmylifeintheEast,madame,andyouaredoubtlessawarethattheOrientalsvalueonlytwothings—thefinebreedingoftheirhorsesandthebeautyoftheirwomen.”
“Nay,count,”saidthebaroness,“itwouldhavebeensomewhatmoregallanttohaveplacedtheladiesfirst.”
“Yousee,madame,howrightlyIspokewhenIsaidIrequiredapreceptortoguidemeinallmysayingsanddoingshere.”
AtthisinstantthefavoriteattendantofMadameDanglarsenteredtheboudoir;approachinghermistress,shespokesomewordsinanundertone.
MadameDanglarsturnedverypale,thenexclaimed,—”Icannotbelieveit;thethingisimpossible.”
“Iassureyou,madame,”repliedthewoman,“itisasIhavesaid.”Turningimpatientlytowardsherhusband,MadameDanglarsdemanded,“Isthistrue?”
“Iswhattrue,madame?”inquiredDanglars,visiblyagitated.
“Whatmymaidtellsme.”
“Butwhatdoesshetellyou?”
“Thatwhenmycoachmanwasabouttoharnessthehorsestomycarriage,hediscoveredthattheyhadbeenremovedfromthestableswithouthisknowledge.Idesiretoknowwhatisthemeaningofthis?”
“Bekindenough,madame,tolistentome,”saidDanglars.
“Oh,yes;Iwilllisten,monsieur,forIammostcurioustohearwhatexplanationyouwillgive.
Thesetwogentlemenshalldecidebetweenus;but,first,Iwillstatethecasetothem.
Gentlemen,”continuedthebaroness,“amongthetenhorsesinthestablesofBaronDanglars,aretwothatbelongexclusivelytome—apairofthehandsomestandmostspiritedcreaturestobefoundinParis.
Buttoyou,atleast,M.Debray,Ineednotgiveafurtherdescription,becausetoyoumybeautifulpairofdappledgrayswerewellknown.
Well,IhadpromisedMadamedeVilleforttheloanofmycarriagetodriveto–morrowtotheBois;butwhenmycoachmangoestofetchthegraysfromthestablestheyaregone—positivelygone.
NodoubtM.Danglarshassacrificedthemtotheselfishconsiderationofgainingsomethousandsofpaltryfrancs.
Oh,whatadetestablecrewtheyare,thesemercenaryspeculators!”
“Madame,”repliedDanglars,“thehorseswerenotsufficientlyquietforyou;theywerescarcelyfouryearsold,andtheymademeextremelyuneasyonyouraccount.”
“Nonsense,”retortedthebaroness;“youcouldnothaveentertainedanyalarmonthesubject,becauseyouareperfectlywellawarethatIhavehadforamonthinmyservicetheverybestcoachmaninParis.
But,perhaps,youhavedisposedofthecoachmanaswellasthehorses?”
“Mydearlove,praydonotsayanymoreaboutthem,andIpromiseyouanotherpairexactlyliketheminappearance,onlymorequietandsteady.”
Thebaronessshruggedhershoulderswithanairofineffablecontempt,whileherhusband,affectingnottoobservethisunconjugalgesture,turnedtowardsMonteCristoandsaid,—”Uponmyword,count,Iamquitesorrynottohavemetyousooner.
Youaresettingupanestablishment,ofcourse?”
“Why,yes,”repliedthecount.
“Ishouldhavelikedtohavemadeyoutheofferofthesehorses.
Ihavealmostgiventhemaway,asitis;but,asIbeforesaid,Iwasanxioustogetridofthemuponanyterms.Theywereonlyfitforayoungman.”
“Iammuchobligedbyyourkindintentionstowardsme,”saidMonteCristo;“butthismorningIpurchasedaveryexcellentpairofcarriage–horses,andIdonotthinktheyweredear.Theretheyare.
Come,M.Debray,youareaconnoisseur,Ibelieve,letmehaveyouropinionuponthem.”
AsDebraywalkedtowardsthewindow,Danglarsapproachedhiswife.
“Icouldnottellyoubeforeothers,”saidheinalowtone,“thereasonofmypartingwiththehorses;butamostenormouspricewasofferedmethismorningforthem.
Somemadmanorfool,bentuponruininghimselfasfastashecan,actuallysenthisstewardtometopurchasethematanycost;andthefactis,Ihavegained16,000francsbythesaleofthem.
Come,don’tlooksoangry,andyoushallhave4,000francsofthemoneytodowhatyoulikewith,andEugenieshallhave2,000.
There,whatdoyouthinknowoftheaffair?
Wasn’tIrighttopartwiththehorses?”
MadameDanglarssurveyedherhusbandwithalookofwitheringcontempt.
“Greatheavens?”suddenlyexclaimedDebray.
“Whatisit?”askedthebaroness.
“Icannotbemistaken;thereareyourhorses!Theveryanimalswewerespeakingof,harnessedtothecount’scarriage!”
“Mydappledgrays?”demandedthebaroness,springingtothewindow.”’Tisindeedthey!”saidshe.Danglarslookedabsolutelystupefied.
“Howverysingular,”criedMonteCristowithwell–feignedastonishment.
“Icannotbelieveit,”murmuredthebanker.
MadameDanglarswhisperedafewwordsintheearofDebray,whoapproachedMonteCristo,saying,“Thebaronesswishestoknowwhatyoupaidherhusbandforthehorses.”
“Iscarcelyknow,”repliedthecount;“itwasalittlesurprisepreparedformebymysteward,andcostme—well,somewhereabout30,000francs.”
Debrayconveyedthecount’sreplytothebaroness.
PoorDanglarslookedsocrest–fallenanddiscomfitedthatMonteCristoassumedapityingairtowardshim.
“See,”saidthecount,“howveryungratefulwomenare.
Yourkindattention,inprovidingforthesafetyofthebaronessbydisposingofthehorses,doesnotseemtohavemadetheleastimpressiononher.
Butsoitis;awomanwilloften,frommerewilfulness,preferthatwhichisdangeroustothatwhichissafe.
Therefore,inmyopinion,mydearbaron,thebestandeasiestwayistoleavethemtotheirfancies,andallowthemtoactastheyplease,andthen,ifanymischieffollows,why,atleast,theyhavenoonetoblamebutthemselves.”
Danglarsmadenoreply;hewasoccupiedinanticipationsofthecomingscenebetweenhimselfandthebaroness,whosefrowningbrow,likethatofOlympicJove,predictedastorm.
Debray,whoperceivedthegatheringclouds,andfeltnodesiretowitnesstheexplosionofMadameDanglars’rage,suddenlyrecollectedanappointment,whichcompelledhimtotakehisleave;whileMonteCristo,unwillingbyprolonginghisstaytodestroytheadvantageshehopedtoobtain,madeafarewellbowanddeparted,leavingDanglarstoenduretheangryreproachesofhiswife.
“Excellent,”murmuredMonteCristotohimself,ashecameaway.“Allhasgoneaccordingtomywishes.
Thedomesticpeaceofthisfamilyishenceforthinmyhands.
Now,then,toplayanothermaster–stroke,bywhichIshallgaintheheartofbothhusbandandwife—delightful!
Still,”addedhe,“amidallthis,IhavenotyetbeenpresentedtoMademoiselleEugenieDanglars,whoseacquaintanceIshouldhavebeengladtomake.
But,”hewentonwithhispeculiarsmile,“IamhereinParis,andhaveplentyoftimebeforeme—byandbywilldoforthat.”
Withthesereflectionsheenteredhiscarriageandreturnedhome.
Twohoursafterwards,MadameDanglarsreceivedamostflatteringepistlefromthecount,inwhichheentreatedhertoreceivebackherfavorite“dappledgrays,”protestingthathecouldnotenduretheideaofmakinghisentryintotheParisianworldoffashionwiththeknowledgethathissplendidequipagehadbeenobtainedatthepriceofalovelywoman’sregrets.
Thehorsesweresentbackwearingthesameharnessshehadseenontheminthemorning;only,bythecount’sorders,inthecentreofeachrosettethatadornedeithersideoftheirheads,hadbeenfastenedalargediamond.
ToDanglarsMonteCristoalsowrote,requestinghimtoexcusethewhimsicalgiftofacapriciousmillionaire,andtobegthebaronesstopardontheEasternfashionadoptedinthereturnofthehorses.
Duringtheevening,MonteCristoquittedParisforAuteuil,accompaniedbyAli.
Thefollowingday,aboutthreeo’clock,asingleblowstruckonthegongsummonedAlitothepresenceofthecount.
“Ali,”observedhismaster,astheNubianenteredthechamber,“youhavefrequentlyexplainedtomehowmorethancommonlyskilfulyouareinthrowingthelasso,haveyounot?”
Alidrewhimselfupproudly,andthenreturnedasignintheaffirmative.“IthoughtIdidnotmistake.Withyourlassoyoucouldstopanox?”
AgainAlirepeatedhisaffirmativegesture.“Oratiger?”Alibowedhisheadintokenofassent.“Alioneven?”
Alisprungforwards,imitatingtheactionofonethrowingthelasso,thenofastrangledlion.
“Iunderstand,”saidMonteCristo;“youwishtotellmeyouhavehuntedthelion?”
Alismiledwithtriumphantprideashesignifiedthathehadindeedbothchasedandcapturedmanylions.
“Butdoyoubelieveyoucouldarresttheprogressoftwohorsesrushingforwardswithungovernablefury?”TheNubiansmiled.“Itiswell,”saidMonteCristo.“Thenlistentome.
Erelongacarriagewilldashpasthere,drawnbythepairofdappledgrayhorsesyousawmewithyesterday;now,attheriskofyourownlife,youmustmanagetostopthosehorsesbeforemydoor.”
Alidescendedtothestreet,andmarkedastraightlineonthepavementimmediatelyattheentranceofthehouse,andthenpointedoutthelinehehadtracedtothecount,whowaswatchinghim.
Thecountpattedhimgentlyontheshoulder,hisusualmodeofpraisingAli,who,pleasedandgratifiedwiththecommissionassignedhim,walkedcalmlytowardsaprojectingstoneformingtheangleofthestreetandhouse,and,seatinghimselfthereon,begantosmokehischibouque,whileMonteCristore–enteredhisdwelling,perfectlyassuredofthesuccessofhisplan.
Still,asfiveo’clockapproached,andthecarriagewasmomentarilyexpectedbythecount,theindicationofmorethancommonimpatienceanduneasinessmightbeobservedinhismanner.
Hestationedhimselfinaroomcommandingaviewofthestreet,pacingthechamberwithrestlesssteps,stoppingmerelytolistenfromtimetotimeforthesoundofapproachingwheels,thentocastananxiousglanceonAli;buttheregularitywithwhichtheNubianpuffedforththesmokeofhischibouqueprovedthatheatleastwaswhollyabsorbedintheenjoymentofhisfavoriteoccupation.
Suddenlyadistantsoundofrapidlyadvancingwheelswasheard,andalmostimmediatelyacarriageappeared,drawnbyapairofwild,ungovernablehorses,whiletheterrifiedcoachmanstroveinvaintorestraintheirfuriousspeed.
Inthevehiclewasayoungwomanandachildofaboutsevenoreightclaspedineachother’sarms.
Terrorseemedtohavedeprivedthemevenofthepowerofutteringacry.
Thecarriagecreakedandrattledasitflewovertheroughstones,andtheslightestobstacleunderthewheelswouldhavecauseddisaster;butitkeptoninthemiddleoftheroad,andthosewhosawitpassutteredcriesofterror.
Alisuddenlycastasidehischibouque,drewthelassofromhispocket,threwitsoskilfullyastocatchtheforelegsofthenearhorseinitstriplefold,andsufferedhimselftobedraggedonforafewstepsbytheviolenceoftheshock,thentheanimalfelloveronthepole,whichsnapped,andthereforepreventedtheotherhorsefrompursuingitsway.
Gladlyavailinghimselfofthisopportunity,thecoachmanleapedfromhisbox;butAlihadpromptlyseizedthenostrilsofthesecondhorse,andheldtheminhisirongrasp,tillthebeast,snortingwithpain,sunkbesidehiscompanion.
Allthiswasachievedinmuchlesstimethanisoccupiedintherecital.
Thebriefspacehad,however,beensufficientforaman,followedbyanumberofservants,torushfromthehousebeforewhichtheaccidenthadoccurred,and,asthecoachmanopenedthedoorofthecarriage,totakefromitaladywhowasconvulsivelygraspingthecushionswithonehand,whilewiththeothershepressedtoherbosomtheyoungboy,whohadlostconsciousness.
MonteCristocarriedthembothtothesalon,anddepositedthemonasofa.
“Composeyourself,madame,”saidhe;“alldangerisover.”
Thewomanlookedupatthesewords,and,withaglancefarmoreexpressivethananyentreatiescouldhavebeen,pointedtoherchild,whostillcontinuedinsensible.
“Iunderstandthenatureofyouralarms,madame,”saidthecount,carefullyexaminingthechild,“butIassureyouthereisnottheslightestoccasionforuneasiness;yourlittlechargehasnotreceivedtheleastinjury;hisinsensibilityismerelytheeffectsofterror,andwillsoonpass.”
“Areyouquitesureyoudonotsaysototranquillizemyfears?Seehowdeadlypaleheis!
Mychild,mydarlingEdward;speaktoyourmother—openyourdeareyesandlookonmeonceagain!
Oh,sir,inpitysendforaphysician;mywholefortuneshallnotbethoughttoomuchfortherecoveryofmyboy.”
Withacalmsmileandagentlewaveofthehand,MonteCristosignedtothedistractedmothertolayasideherapprehensions;then,openingacasketthatstoodnear,hedrewforthaphialofBohemianglassincrustedwithgold,containingaliquidofthecolorofblood,ofwhichheletfallasingledroponthechild’slips.
Scarcelyhaditreachedthem,eretheboy,thoughstillpaleasmarble,openedhiseyes,andeagerlygazedaroundhim.
Atthis,thedelightofthemotherwasalmostfrantic.“WhereamI?”
exclaimedshe;“andtowhomamIindebtedforsohappyaterminationtomylatedreadfulalarm?”
“Madame,”answeredthecount,“youareundertheroofofonewhoesteemshimselfmostfortunateinhavingbeenabletosaveyoufromafurthercontinuanceofyoursufferings.”
“Mywretchedcuriosityhasbroughtallthisabout,”pursuedthelady.
“AllParisrungwiththepraisesofMadameDanglars’beautifulhorses,andIhadthefollytodesiretoknowwhethertheyreallymeritedthehighpraisegiventothem.”
“Isitpossible,”exclaimedthecountwithwell–feignedastonishment,“thatthesehorsesbelongtothebaroness?”
“Theydo,indeed.MayIinquireifyouareacquaintedwithMadameDanglars?”
“Ihavethathonor;andmyhappinessatyourescapefromthedangerthatthreatenedyouisredoubledbytheconsciousnessthatIhavebeentheunwillingandtheunintentionalcauseofalltheperilyouhaveincurred.
Iyesterdaypurchasedthesehorsesofthebaron;butasthebaronessevidentlyregrettedpartingwiththem,Iventuredtosendthembacktoher,witharequestthatshewouldgratifymebyacceptingthemfrommyhands.”
“Youare,then,doubtless,theCountofMonteCristo,ofwhomHerminehastalkedtomesomuch?”
“Youhaverightlyguessed,madame,”repliedthecount.
“AndIamMadameHeloisedeVillefort.”Thecountbowedwiththeairofapersonwhohearsanameforthefirsttime.
“HowgratefulwillM.deVillefortbeforallyourgoodness;howthankfullywillheacknowledgethattoyoualoneheowestheexistenceofhiswifeandchild!
Mostcertainly,butforthepromptassistanceofyourintrepidservant,thisdearchildandmyselfmustbothhaveperished.”
“Indeed,Istillshudderatthefearfuldangeryouwereplacedin.”
“Itrustyouwillallowmetorecompenseworthilythedevotionofyourman.”
“Ibeseechyou,madame,”repliedMonteCristo“nottospoilAli,eitherbytoogreatpraiseorrewards.
Icannotallowhimtoacquirethehabitofexpectingtoberecompensedforeverytriflingservicehemayrender.
Aliismyslave,andinsavingyourlifehewasbutdischarginghisdutytome.”
“Nay,”interposedMadamedeVillefort,onwhomtheauthoritativestyleadoptedbythecountmadeadeepimpression,“nay,butconsiderthattopreservemylifehehasriskedhisown.”
“Hislife,madame,belongsnottohim;itismine,inreturnformyhavingmyselfsavedhimfromdeath.”
MadamedeVillefortmadenofurtherreply;hermindwasutterlyabsorbedinthecontemplationofthepersonwho,fromthefirstinstantshesawhim,hadmadesopowerfulanimpressiononher.
DuringtheevidentpreoccupationofMadamedeVillefort,MonteCristoscrutinizedthefeaturesandappearanceoftheboyshekeptfoldedinherarms,lavishingonhimthemosttenderendearments.
Thechildwassmallforhisage,andunnaturallypale.
Amassofstraightblackhair,defyingallattemptstotrainorcurlit,felloverhisprojectingforehead,andhungdowntohisshoulders,givingincreasedvivacitytoeyesalreadysparklingwithayouthfulloveofmischiefandfondnessforeveryforbiddenenjoyment.
Hismouthwaslarge,andthelips,whichhadnotyetregainedtheircolor,wereparticularlythin;infact,thedeepandcraftylook,givingapredominantexpressiontothechild’sface,belongedrathertoaboyoftwelveorfourteenthantoonesoyoung.
Hisfirstmovementwastofreehimselfbyaviolentpushfromtheencirclingarmsofhismother,andtorushforwardtothecasketfromwhencethecounthadtakenthephialofelixir;then,withoutaskingpermissionofanyone,heproceeded,inallthewilfulnessofaspoiledchildunaccustomedtorestraineitherwhimsorcaprices,topullthecorksoutofallthebottles.
“Touchnothing,mylittlefriend,”criedthecounteagerly;“someofthoseliquidsarenotonlydangeroustotaste,buteventoinhale.”
MadamedeVillefortbecameverypale,and,seizingherson’sarm,drewhimanxiouslytowardher;but,oncesatisfiedofhissafety,shealsocastabriefbutexpressiveglanceonthecasket,whichwasnotlostuponthecount.AtthismomentAlientered.
AtsightofhimMadamedeVillefortutteredanexpressionofpleasure,and,holdingthechildstillclosertowardsher,shesaid,“Edward,dearest,doyouseethatgoodman?
Hehasshownverygreatcourageandresolution,forheexposedhisownlifetostopthehorsesthatwererunningawaywithus,andwouldcertainlyhavedashedthecarriagetopieces.
Thankhim,then,mychild,inyourverybestmanner;for,hadhenotcometoouraid,neitheryounorIwouldhavebeenalivetospeakourthanks.”
Thechildstuckouthislipsandturnedawayhisheadinadisdainfulmanner,saying,“He’stoougly.”
Thecountsmiledasifthechildbadefairtorealizehishopes,whileMadamedeVillefortreprimandedhersonwithagentlenessandmoderationveryfarfromconveyingtheleastideaofafaulthavingbeencommitted.
“Thislady,”saidtheCount,speakingtoAliintheArabiclanguage,“isdesirousthathersonshouldthankyouforsavingboththeirlives;buttheboyrefuses,sayingyouaretoougly.”
Aliturnedhisintelligentcountenancetowardstheboy,onwhomhegazedwithoutanyapparentemotion;butthespasmodicworkingofthenostrilsshowedtothepracticedeyeofMonteCristothattheArabhadbeenwoundedtotheheart.
“Willyoupermitmetoinquire,”saidMadamedeVillefort,asshearosetotakeherleave,“whetheryouusuallyresidehere?”
“No,Idonot,”repliedMonteCristo;“itisasmallplaceIhavepurchasedquitelately.
MyplaceofabodeisNo.30,AvenuedesChampsElysees;butIseeyouhavequiterecoveredfromyourfright,andare,nodoubt,desirousofreturninghome.
Anticipatingyourwishes,Ihavedesiredthesamehorsesyoucamewithtobeputtooneofmycarriages,andAli,hewhomyouthinksoveryugly,”continuedhe,addressingtheboywithasmilingair,“willhavethehonorofdrivingyouhome,whileyourcoachmanremainsheretoattendtothenecessaryrepairsofyourcalash.
Assoonasthatimportantbusinessisconcluded,IwillhaveapairofmyownhorsesharnessedtoconveyitdirecttoMadameDanglars.”
“Idarenotreturnwiththosedreadfulhorses,”saidMadamedeVillefort.
“Youwillsee,”repliedMonteCristo,“thattheywillbeasdifferentaspossibleinthehandsofAli.
Withhimtheywillbegentleanddocileaslambs.”
Alihad,indeed,givenproofofthis;for,approachingtheanimals,whohadbeengotupontheirlegswithconsiderabledifficulty,herubbedtheirforeheadsandnostrilswithaspongesoakedinaromaticvinegar,andwipedoffthesweatandfoamthatcoveredtheirmouths.
Then,commencingaloudwhistlingnoise,herubbedthemwellallovertheirbodiesforseveralminutes;then,undisturbedbythenoisycrowdcollectedroundthebrokencarriage,Aliquietlyharnessedthepacifiedanimalstothecount’schariot,tookthereinsinhishands,andmountedthebox,whentotheutterastonishmentofthosewhohadwitnessedtheungovernablespiritandmaddenedspeedofthesamehorses,hewasactuallycompelledtoapplyhiswhipinnoverygentlemannerbeforehecouldinducethemtostart;andeventhenallthatcouldbeobtainedfromthecelebrated“dappledgrays,”nowchangedintoacoupleofdull,sluggish,stupidbrutes,wasaslow,potteringpace,keptupwithsomuchdifficultythatMadamedeVillefortwasmorethantwohoursreturningtoherresidenceintheFaubourgSt.Honore.
ScarcelyhadthefirstcongratulationsuponhermarvellousescapebeengonethroughwhenshewrotethefollowinglettertoMadameDanglars:—
DearHermine,—Ihavejusthadawonderfulescapefromthemostimminentdanger,andIowemysafetytotheveryCountofMonteCristoweweretalkingaboutyesterday,butwhomIlittleexpectedtoseeto–day.
IrememberhowunmercifullyIlaughedatwhatIconsideredyoureulogisticandexaggeratedpraisesofhim;butIhavenowamplecausetoadmitthatyourenthusiasticdescriptionofthiswonderfulmanfellfarshortofhismerits.
YourhorsesgotasfarasRanelagh,whentheydartedforwardlikemadthings,andgallopedawayatsofearfularate,thatthereseemednootherprospectformyselfandmypoorEdwardbutthatofbeingdashedtopiecesagainstthefirstobjectthatimpededtheirprogress,whenastrange–lookingman,—anArab,anegro,oraNubian,atleastablackofsomenationorother—atasignalfromthecount,whosedomesticheis,suddenlyseizedandstoppedtheinfuriatedanimals,evenattheriskofbeingtrampledtodeathhimself;andcertainlyhemusthavehadamostwonderfulescape.
Thecountthenhastenedtous,andtookusintohishouse,wherehespeedilyrecalledmypoorEdwardtolife.Hesentushomeinhisowncarriage.
Yourswillbereturnedtoyouto–morrow.
Youwillfindyourhorsesinbadcondition,fromtheresultsofthisaccident;theyseemthoroughlystupefied,asifsulkyandvexedathavingbeenconqueredbyman.
Thecount,however,hiscommissionedmetoassureyouthattwoorthreedays’rest,withplentyofbarleyfortheirsolefoodduringthattime,willbringthembacktoasfine,thatisasterrifying,aconditionastheywereinyesterday.Adieu!
Icannotreturnyoumanythanksforthedriveofyesterday;but,afterall,Ioughtnottoblameyouforthemisconductofyourhorses,moreespeciallyasitprocuredmethepleasureofanintroductiontotheCountofMonteCristo,—andcertainlythatillustriouspersonage,apartfromthemillionsheissaidtobesoveryanxioustodisposeof,seemedtomeoneofthosecuriouslyinterestingproblemsI,forone,delightinsolvingatanyrisk,evenifitweretonecessitateanotherdrivetotheBoisbehindyourhorses.
Edwardenduredtheaccidentwithmiraculouscourage—hedidnotutterasinglecry,butfelllifelessintomyarms;nordidatearfallfromhiseyesafteritwasover.
Idoubtnotyouwillconsiderthesepraisestheresultofblindmaternalaffection,butthereisasoulofironinthatdelicate,fragilebody.
ValentinesendsmanyaffectionateremembrancestoyourdearEugenie.Iembraceyouwithallmyheart.
HeloisedeVillefort.
P.S.—DopraycontrivesomemeansformetomeettheCountofMonteCristoatyourhouse.Imustandwillseehimagain.
IhavejustmadeM.deVillefortpromisetocallonhim,andIhopethevisitwillbereturned.
ThatnighttheadventureatAuteuilwastalkedofeverywhere.
Albertrelatedittohismother;Chateau–RenaudrecounteditattheJockeyClub,andDebraydetaileditatlengthinthesalonsoftheminister;evenBeauchampaccordedtwentylinesinhisjournaltotherelationofthecount’scourageandgallantry,therebycelebratinghimasthegreatestheroofthedayintheeyesofallthefemininemembersofthearistocracy.
VastwasthecrowdofvisitorsandinquiringfriendswholefttheirnamesattheresidenceofMadamedeVillefort,withthedesignofrenewingtheirvisitattherightmoment,ofhearingfromherlipsalltheinterestingcircumstancesofthismostromanticadventure.
AsforM.deVillefort,hefulfilledthepredictionsofHeloisetotheletter,—donnedhisdresssuit,drewonapairofwhitegloves,orderedtheservantstoattendthecarriagedressedintheirfulllivery,anddrovethatsamenighttoNo.30intheAvenuedesChamps–Elysees.
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