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Abouttwo–thirdsofthewayalongtheFaubourgSaint–Honore,andintherearofoneofthemostimposingmansionsinthisrichneighborhood,wherethevarioushousesviewitheachotherforeleganceofdesignandmagnificenceofconstruction,extendedalargegarden,wherethewide–spreadingchestnut–treesraisedtheirheadshighabovethewallsinasolidrampart,andwiththecomingofeveryspringscatteredashowerofdelicatepinkandwhiteblossomsintothelargestonevasesthatstooduponthetwosquarepilastersofacuriouslywroughtirongate,thatdatedfromthetimeofLouisXII.
Thisnobleentrance,however,inspiteofitsstrikingappearanceandthegracefuleffectofthegeraniumsplantedinthetwovases,astheywavedtheirvariegatedleavesinthewindandcharmedtheeyewiththeirscarletbloom,hadfallenintoutterdisuse.
Theproprietorsofthemansionhadmanyyearsbeforethoughtitbesttoconfinethemselvestothepossessionofthehouseitself,withitsthicklyplantedcourt–yard,openingintotheFaubourgSaint–Honore,andtothegardenshutinbythisgate,whichformerlycommunicatedwithafinekitchen–gardenofaboutanacre.
Forthedemonofspeculationdrewaline,orinotherwordsprojectedastreet,atthefarthersideofthekitchen–garden.
Thestreetwaslaidout,anamewaschosenandposteduponanironplate,butbeforeconstructionwasbegun,itoccurredtothepossessorofthepropertythatahandsomesummightbeobtainedforthegroundthendevotedtofruitsandvegetables,bybuildingalongthelineoftheproposedstreet,andsomakingitabranchofcommunicationwiththeFaubourgSaint–Honoreitself,oneofthemostimportantthoroughfaresinthecityofParis.
Inmattersofspeculation,however,though“manproposes,”“moneydisposes.”
Fromsomesuchdifficultythenewlynamedstreetdiedalmostinbirth,andthepurchaserofthekitchen–garden,havingpaidahighpriceforit,andbeingquiteunabletofindanyonewillingtotakehisbargainoffhishandswithoutaconsiderableloss,yetstillclingingtothebeliefthatatsomefuturedayheshouldobtainasumforitthatwouldrepayhim,notonlyforhispastoutlay,butalsotheinterestuponthecapitallockedupinhisnewacquisition,contentedhimselfwithlettingthegroundtemporarilytosomemarket–gardeners,atayearlyrentalof500francs.
Andso,aswehavesaid,theirongateleadingintothekitchen–gardenhadbeenclosedupandlefttotherust,whichbadefairbeforelongtoeatoffitshinges,whiletopreventtheignobleglancesofthediggersanddelversofthegroundfrompresumingtosullythearistocraticenclosurebelongingtothemansion,thegatehadbeenboardeduptoaheightofsixfeet.
True,theplankswerenotsocloselyadjustedbutthatahastypeepmightbeobtainedthroughtheirinterstices;butthestrictdecorumandrigidproprietyoftheinhabitantsofthehouseleftnogroundsforapprehendingthatadvantagewouldbetakenofthatcircumstance.
Horticultureseemed,however,tohavebeenabandonedinthedesertedkitchen–garden;andwherecabbages,carrots,radishes,pease,andmelonshadonceflourished,ascantycropoflucernealoneboreevidenceofitsbeingdeemedworthyofcultivation.
Asmall,lowdoorgaveegressfromthewalledspacewehavebeendescribingintotheprojectedstreet,thegroundhavingbeenabandonedasunproductivebyitsvariousrenters,andhadnowfallensocompletelyingeneralestimationastoreturnnoteventheone–halfpercentithadoriginallypaid.
Towardsthehousethechestnut–treeswehavebeforementionedrosehighabovethewall,withoutinanywayaffectingthegrowthofotherluxuriantshrubsandflowersthateagerlydressedforwardtofillupthevacantspaces,asthoughassertingtheirrighttoenjoytheboonoflightandair.
Atonecorner,wherethefoliagebecamesothickasalmosttoshutoutday,alargestonebenchandsundryrusticseatsindicatedthatthisshelteredspotwaseitheringeneralfavororparticularusebysomeinhabitantofthehouse,whichwasfaintlydiscerniblethroughthedensemassofverdurethatpartiallyconcealedit,thoughsituatedbutahundredpacesoff.
Whoeverhadselectedthisretiredportionofthegroundsastheboundaryofawalk,orasaplaceformeditation,wasabundantlyjustifiedinthechoicebytheabsenceofallglare,thecool,refreshingshade,thescreenitaffordedfromthescorchingraysofthesun,thatfoundnoentrancethereevenduringtheburningdaysofhottestsummer,theincessantandmelodiouswarblingofbirds,andtheentireremovalfromeitherthenoiseofthestreetorthebustleofthemansion.
OntheeveningofoneofthewarmestdaysspringhadyetbestowedontheinhabitantsofParis,mightbeseennegligentlythrownuponthestonebench,abook,aparasol,andawork–basket,fromwhichhungapartlyembroideredcambrichandkerchief,whileatalittledistancefromthesearticleswasayoungwoman,standingclosetotheirongate,endeavoringtodiscernsomethingontheothersidebymeansoftheopeningsintheplanks,—theearnestnessofherattitudeandthefixedgazewithwhichsheseemedtoseektheobjectofherwishes,provinghowmuchherfeelingswereinterestedinthematter.
Atthatinstantthelittleside–gateleadingfromthewastegroundtothestreetwasnoiselesslyopened,andatall,powerfulyoungmanappeared.
Hewasdressedinacommongrayblouseandvelvetcap,buthiscarefullyarrangedhair,beardandmustache,alloftherichestandglossiestblack,illaccordedwithhisplebeianattire.
Aftercastingarapidglancearoundhim,inordertoassurehimselfthathewasunobserved,heenteredbythesmallgate,and,carefullyclosingandsecuringitafterhim,proceededwithahurriedsteptowardsthebarrier.
Atthesightofhimsheexpected,thoughprobablynotinsuchacostume,theyoungwomanstartedinterror,andwasabouttomakeahastyretreat.
Buttheeyeoflovehadalreadyseen,eventhroughthenarrowchinksofthewoodenpalisades,themovementofthewhiterobe,andobservedtheflutteringofthebluesash.
Pressinghislipsclosetotheplanks,heexclaimed,“Don’tbealarmed,Valentine—itisI!”
Againthetimidgirlfoundcouragetoreturntothegate,saying,asshedidso,“Andwhydoyoucomesolateto–day?
Itisalmostdinner–time,andIhadtousenolittlediplomacytogetridofmywatchfulmother–in–law,mytoo–devotedmaid,andmytroublesomebrother,whoisalwaysteasingmeaboutcomingtoworkatmyembroidery,whichIaminafairwaynevertogetdone.
Soprayexcuseyourselfaswellasyoucanforhavingmademewait,and,afterthat,tellmewhyIseeyouinadresssosingularthatatfirstIdidnotrecognizeyou.”
“DearestValentine,”saidtheyoungman,“thedifferencebetweenourrespectivestationsmakesmefeartooffendyoubyspeakingofmylove,butyetIcannotfindmyselfinyourpresencewithoutlongingtopourforthmysoul,andtellyouhowfondlyIadoreyou.
Ifitbebuttocarryawaywithmetherecollectionofsuchsweetmoments,Icouldeventhankyouforchidingme,foritleavesmeagleamofhope,thatifyoudidnotexpectme(andthatindeedwouldbeworsethanvanitytosuppose),atleastIwasinyourthoughts.
Youaskedmethecauseofmybeinglate,andwhyIcomedisguised.
Iwillcandidlyexplainthereasonofboth,andItrusttoyourgoodnesstopardonme.Ihavechosenatrade.”
“Atrade?Oh,Maximilian,howcanyoujestatatimewhenwehavesuchdeepcauseforuneasiness?”
“Heavenkeepmefromjestingwiththatwhichisfardearertomethanlifeitself!
Butlistentome,Valentine,andIwilltellyouallaboutit.
Ibecamewearyofrangingfieldsandscalingwalls,andseriouslyalarmedattheideasuggestedbyyou,thatifcaughthoveringabouthereyourfatherwouldverylikelyhavemesenttoprisonasathief.
ThatwouldcompromisethehonoroftheFrencharmy,tosaynothingofthefactthatthecontinualpresenceofacaptainofSpahisinaplacewherenowarlikeprojectscouldbesupposedtoaccountforitmightwellcreatesurprise;soIhavebecomeagardener,and,consequently,adoptedthecostumeofmycalling.”
“Whatexcessivenonsenseyoutalk,Maximilian!”
“Nonsense?PraydonotcallwhatIconsiderthewisestactionofmylifebysuchaname.Consider,bybecomingagardenerIeffectuallyscreenourmeetingsfromallsuspicionordanger.”
“Ibeseechofyou,Maximilian,toceasetrifling,andtellmewhatyoureallymean.”
“Simply,thathavingascertainedthatthepieceofgroundonwhichIstandwastolet,Imadeapplicationforit,wasreadilyacceptedbytheproprietor,andamnowmasterofthisfinecropoflucerne.Thinkofthat,Valentine!
Thereisnothingnowtopreventmybuildingmyselfalittlehutonmyplantation,andresidingnottwentyyardsfromyou.
Onlyimaginewhathappinessthatwouldaffordme.
Icanscarcelycontainmyselfatthebareidea.
Suchfelicityseemsaboveallprice—asathingimpossibleandunattainable.
ButwouldyoubelievethatIpurchaseallthisdelight,joy,andhappiness,forwhichIwouldcheerfullyhavesurrenderedtenyearsofmylife,atthesmallcostof500francsperannum,paidquarterly?Henceforthwehavenothingtofear.
Iamonmyownground,andhaveanundoubtedrighttoplacealadderagainstthewall,andtolookoverwhenIplease,withouthavinganyapprehensionsofbeingtakenoffbythepoliceasasuspiciouscharacter.
Imayalsoenjoythepreciousprivilegeofassuringyouofmyfond,faithful,andunalterableaffection,wheneveryouvisityourfavoritebower,unless,indeed,itoffendsyourpridetolistentoprofessionsoflovefromthelipsofapoorworkingman,cladinablouseandcap.”
AfaintcryofmingledpleasureandsurpriseescapedfromthelipsofValentine,whoalmostinstantlysaid,inasaddenedtone,asthoughsomeenviousclouddarkenedthejoywhichilluminedherheart,“Alas,no,Maximilian,thismustnotbe,formanyreasons.
Weshouldpresumetoomuchonourownstrength,and,likeothers,perhaps,beledastraybyourblindconfidenceineachother’sprudence.”
“Howcanyouforaninstantentertainsounworthyathought,dearValentine?
HaveInot,fromthefirstblessedhourofouracquaintance,schooledallmywordsandactionstoyoursentimentsandideas?
Andyouhave,Iamsure,thefullestconfidenceinmyhonor.
Whenyouspoketomeofexperiencingavagueandindefinitesenseofcomingdanger,Iplacedmyselfblindlyanddevotedlyatyourservice,askingnootherrewardthanthepleasureofbeingusefultoyou;andhaveIeversince,bywordorlook,givenyoucauseofregretforhavingselectedmefromthenumbersthatwouldwillinglyhavesacrificedtheirlivesforyou?
Youtoldme,mydearValentine,thatyouwereengagedtoM.d’Epinay,andthatyourfatherwasresolveduponcompletingthematch,andthatfromhiswilltherewasnoappeal,asM.deVillefortwasneverknowntochangeadeterminationonceformed.
Ikeptinthebackground,asyouwished,andwaited,notforthedecisionofyourheartormyown,buthopingthatprovidencewouldgraciouslyinterposeinourbehalf,andordereventsinourfavor.
ButwhatcaredIfordelaysordifficulties,Valentine,aslongasyouconfessedthatyoulovedme,andtookpityonme?
Ifyouwillonlyrepeatthatavowalnowandthen,Icanendureanything.”
“Ah,Maximilian,thatistheverythingthatmakesyousobold,andwhichrendersmeatoncesohappyandunhappy,thatIfrequentlyaskmyselfwhetheritisbetterformetoenduretheharshnessofmymother–in–law,andherblindpreferenceforherownchild,ortobe,asInowam,insensibletoanypleasuresavesuchasIfindinthesemeetings,sofraughtwithdangertoboth.”
“Iwillnotadmitthatword,”returnedtheyoungman;“itisatoncecruelandunjust.
Isitpossibletofindamoresubmissiveslavethanmyself?
Youhavepermittedmetoconversewithyoufromtimetotime,Valentine,butforbiddenmyeverfollowingyouinyourwalksorelsewhere—haveInotobeyed?
AndsinceIfoundmeanstoenterthisenclosuretoexchangeafewwordswithyouthroughthisgate—tobeclosetoyouwithoutreallyseeingyou—haveIeveraskedsomuchastotouchthehemofyourgownortriedtopassthisbarrierwhichisbutatrifletooneofmyyouthandstrength?
Neverhasacomplaintoramurmurescapedme.
Ihavebeenboundbymypromisesasrigidlyasanyknightofoldentimes.
Come,come,dearestValentine,confessthatwhatIsayistrue,lestIbetemptedtocallyouunjust.”
“Itistrue,”saidValentine,asshepassedtheendofherslenderfingersthroughasmallopeningintheplanks,andpermittedMaximiliantopresshislipstothem,“andyouareatrueandfaithfulfriend;butstillyouactedfrommotivesofself–interest,mydearMaximilian,foryouwellknewthatfromthemomentinwhichyouhadmanifestedanoppositespiritallwouldhavebeenendedbetweenus.
Youpromisedtobestowonmethefriendlyaffectionofabrother.
ForIhavenofriendbutyourselfuponearth,whoamneglectedandforgottenbymyfather,harassedandpersecutedbymymother–in–law,andlefttothesolecompanionshipofaparalyzedandspeechlessoldman,whosewitheredhandcannolongerpressmine,andwhocanspeaktomewiththeeyealone,althoughtherestilllingersinhisheartthewarmesttendernessforhispoorgrandchild.
Oh,howbitterafateismine,toserveeitherasavictimoranenemytoallwhoarestrongerthanmyself,whilemyonlyfriendandsupporterisalivingcorpse!
Indeed,indeed,Maximilian,Iamverymiserable,andifyoulovemeitmustbeoutofpity.”
“Valentine,”repliedtheyoungman,deeplyaffected,“IwillnotsayyouareallIloveintheworld,forIdearlyprizemysisterandbrother–in–law;butmyaffectionforthemiscalmandtranquil,innomannerresemblingwhatIfeelforyou.
WhenIthinkofyoumyheartbeatsfast,thebloodburnsinmyveins,andIcanhardlybreathe;butIsolemnlypromiseyoutorestrainallthisardor,thisfervorandintensityoffeeling,untilyouyourselfshallrequiremetorenderthemavailableinservingorassistingyou.
M.Franzisnotexpectedtoreturnhomeforayeartocome,Iamtold;inthattimemanyfavorableandunforeseenchancesmaybefriendus.
Letus,then,hopeforthebest;hopeissosweetacomforter.
Meanwhile,Valentine,whilereproachingmewithselfishness,thinkalittlewhatyouhavebeentome—thebeautifulbutcoldresemblanceofamarbleVenus.
WhatpromiseoffuturerewardhaveyoumademeforallthesubmissionandobedienceIhaveevinced?—nonewhatever.Whatgrantedme?—scarcelymore.
YoutellmeofM.Franzd’Epinay,yourbetrothedlover,andyoushrinkfromtheideaofbeinghiswife;buttellme,Valentine,istherenoothersorrowinyourheart?
Youseemedevotedtoyou,bodyandsoul,mylifeandeachwarmdropthatcirclesroundmyheartareconsecratedtoyourservice;youknowfullwellthatmyexistenceisboundupinyours—thatwereItoloseyouIwouldnotoutlivethehourofsuchcrushingmisery;yetyouspeakwithcalmnessoftheprospectofyourbeingthewifeofanother!
Oh,Valentine,wereIinyourplace,anddidIfeelconscious,asyoudo,ofbeingworshipped,adored,withsuchaloveasmine,ahundredtimesatleastshouldIhavepassedmyhandbetweentheseironbars,andsaid,‘Takethishand,dearestMaximilian,andbelievethat,livingordead,Iamyours—yoursonly,andforever!
’”Thepoorgirlmadenoreply,butherlovercouldplainlyhearhersobsandtears.
Arapidchangetookplaceintheyoungman’sfeelings.
“Dearest,dearestValentine,”exclaimedhe,“forgivemeifIhaveoffendedyou,andforgetthewordsIspokeiftheyhaveunwittinglycausedyoupain.”
“No,Maximilian,Iamnotoffended,”answeredshe,“butdoyounotseewhatapoor,helplessbeingIam,almostastrangerandanoutcastinmyfather’shouse,whereevenheisseldomseen;whosewillhasbeenthwarted,andspiritsbroken,fromtheageoftenyears,beneaththeironrodsosternlyheldoverme;oppressed,mortified,andpersecuted,daybyday,hourbyhour,minutebyminute,nopersonhascaredfor,evenobservedmysufferings,norhaveIeverbreathedonewordonthesubjectsavetoyourself.
Outwardlyandintheeyesoftheworld,Iamsurroundedbykindnessandaffection;butthereverseisthecase.
Thegeneralremarkis,‘Oh,itcannotbeexpectedthatoneofsosternacharacterasM.Villefortcouldlavishthetendernesssomefathersdoontheirdaughters.
Whatthoughshehaslostherownmotheratatenderage,shehashadthehappinesstofindasecondmotherinMadamedeVillefort.’
Theworld,however,ismistaken;myfatherabandonsmefromutterindifference,whilemymother–in–lawdetestsmewithahatredsomuchthemoreterriblebecauseitisveiledbeneathacontinualsmile.”
“Hateyou,sweetValentine,”exclaimedtheyoungman;“howisitpossibleforanyonetodothat?”
“Alas,”repliedtheweepinggirl,“Iamobligedtoownthatmymother–in–law’saversiontomearisesfromaverynaturalsource—heroverweeningloveforherownchild,mybrotherEdward.”
“Butwhyshouldit?”
“Idonotknow;but,thoughunwillingtointroducemoneymattersintoourpresentconversation,Iwilljustsaythismuch—thatherextremedisliketomehasitsoriginthere;andImuchfearsheenviesmethefortuneIenjoyinrightofmymother,andwhichwillbemorethandoubledatthedeathofM.andMme.deSaint–Meran,whosesoleheiressIam.
MadamedeVilleforthasnothingofherown,andhatesmeforbeingsorichlyendowed.
Alas,howgladlywouldIexchangethehalfofthiswealthforthehappinessofatleastsharingmyfather’slove.
Godknows,Iwouldprefersacrificingthewhole,sothatitwouldobtainmeahappyandaffectionatehome.”
“PoorValentine!”
“Iseemtomyselfasthoughlivingalifeofbondage,yetatthesametimeamsoconsciousofmyownweaknessthatIfeartobreaktherestraintinwhichIamheld,lestIfallutterlyhelpless.
Then,too,myfatherisnotapersonwhoseordersmaybeinfringedwithimpunity;protectedasheisbyhishighpositionandfirmlyestablishedreputationfortalentandunswervingintegrity,noonecouldopposehim;heisall–powerfulevenwiththeking;hewouldcrushyouataword.
DearMaximilian,believemewhenIassureyouthatifIdonotattempttoresistmyfather’scommandsitismoreonyouraccountthanmyown.”
“Butwhy,Valentine,doyoupersistinanticipatingtheworst,—whypicturesogloomyafuture?”
“BecauseIjudgeitfromthepast.”
“Still,considerthatalthoughImaynotbe,strictlyspeaking,whatistermedanillustriousmatchforyou,Iam,formanyreasons,notaltogethersomuchbeneathyouralliance.
ThedayswhensuchdistinctionsweresonicelyweighedandconsiderednolongerexistinFrance,andthefirstfamiliesofthemonarchyhaveintermarriedwiththoseoftheempire.
Thearistocracyofthelancehasallieditselfwiththenobilityofthecannon.
NowIbelongtothislast–namedclass;andcertainlymyprospectsofmilitaryprefermentaremostencouragingaswellascertain.
Myfortune,thoughsmall,isfreeandunfettered,andthememoryofmylatefatherisrespectedinourcountry,Valentine,asthatofthemostuprightandhonorablemerchantofthecity;Isayourcountry,becauseyouwerebornnotfarfromMarseilles.”
“Don’tspeakofMarseilles,Ibegofyou,Maximilian;thatonewordbringsbackmymothertomyrecollection—myangelmother,whodiedtoosoonformyselfandallwhoknewher;butwho,afterwatchingoverherchildduringthebriefperiodallottedtoherinthisworld,now,Ifondlyhope,watchesfromherhomeinheaven.
Oh,ifmymotherwerestillliving,therewouldbenothingtofear,Maximilian,forIwouldtellherthatIlovedyou,andshewouldprotectus.”
“Ifear,Valentine,”repliedthelover,“thatwereshelivingIshouldneverhavehadthehappinessofknowingyou;youwouldthenhavebeentoohappytohavestoopedfromyourgrandeurtobestowathoughtonme.”
“Nowitisyouwhoareunjust,Maximilian,”criedValentine;“butthereisonethingIwishtoknow.”
“Andwhatisthat?”inquiredtheyoungman,perceivingthatValentinehesitated.
“Tellmetruly,Maximilian,whetherinformerdays,whenourfathersdweltatMarseilles,therewaseveranymisunderstandingbetweenthem?”
“NotthatIamawareof,”repliedtheyoungman,“unless,indeed,anyill–feelingmighthavearisenfromtheirbeingofoppositeparties—yourfatherwas,asyouknow,azealouspartisanoftheBourbons,whileminewaswhollydevotedtotheemperor;therecouldnotpossiblybeanyotherdifferencebetweenthem.Butwhydoyouask?”
“Iwilltellyou,”repliedtheyounggirl,“foritisbutrightyoushouldknow.
Well,onthedaywhenyourappointmentasanofficeroftheLegionofhonorwasannouncedinthepapers,wewereallsittingwithmygrandfather,M.Noirtier;M.Danglarswastherealso—yourecollectM.Danglars,doyounot,Maximilian,thebanker,whosehorsesranawaywithmymother–in–lawandlittlebrother,andverynearlykilledthem?
WhiletherestofthecompanywerediscussingtheapproachingmarriageofMademoiselleDanglars,Iwasreadingthepapertomygrandfather;butwhenIcametotheparagraphaboutyou,althoughIhaddonenothingelsebutreaditovertomyselfallthemorning(youknowyouhadtoldmeallaboutitthepreviousevening),Ifeltsohappy,andyetsonervous,attheideaofspeakingyournamealoud,andbeforesomanypeople,thatIreallythinkIshouldhavepasseditover,butforthefearthatmydoingsomightcreatesuspicionsastothecauseofmysilence;soIsummonedupallmycourage,andreaditasfirmlyandassteadilyasIcould.”
“DearValentine!”
“Well,wouldyoubelieveit?directlymyfathercaughtthesoundofyournameheturnedroundquitehastily,and,likeapoorsillything,Iwassopersuadedthateveryonemustbeasmuchaffectedasmyselfbytheutteranceofyourname,thatIwasnotsurprisedtoseemyfatherstart,andalmosttremble;butIeventhought(thoughthatsurelymusthavebeenamistake)thatM.Danglarstrembledtoo.”
”’Morrel,Morrel,’criedmyfather,‘stopabit;’thenknittinghisbrowsintoadeepfrown,headded,‘surelythiscannotbeoneoftheMorrelfamilywholivedatMarseilles,andgaveussomuchtroublefromtheirviolentBonapartism—Imeanabouttheyear1815.’
—’Yes,’repliedM.Danglars,‘Ibelieveheisthesonoftheoldshipowner.’”
“Indeed,”answeredMaximilian;“andwhatdidyourfathersaythen,Valentine?”
“Oh,suchadreadfulthing,thatIdon’tdaretotellyou.”
“Alwaystellmeeverything,”saidMaximilianwithasmile.
”’Ah,’continuedmyfather,stillfrowning,‘theiridolizedemperortreatedthesemadmenastheydeserved;hecalledthem‘foodforpowder,’whichwaspreciselyalltheyweregoodfor;andIamdelightedtoseethatthepresentgovernmenthaveadoptedthissalutaryprinciplewithallitspristinevigor;ifAlgiersweregoodfornothingbuttofurnishthemeansofcarryingsoadmirableanideaintopractice,itwouldbeanacquisitionwellworthyofstrugglingtoobtain.
ThoughitcertainlydoescostFrancesomewhatdeartoassertherrightsinthatuncivilizedcountry.’”
“Brutalpolitics,Imustconfess.”saidMaximilian;“butdon’tattachanyseriousimportance,dear,towhatyourfathersaid.
Myfatherwasnotabitbehindyoursinthatsortoftalk.
‘Why,’saidhe,‘doesnottheemperor,whohasdevisedsomanycleverandefficientmodesofimprovingtheartofwar,organizearegimentoflawyers,judgesandlegalpractitioners,sendingtheminthehottestfiretheenemycouldmaintain,andusingthemtosavebettermen?’
Yousee,mydear,thatforpicturesqueexpressionandgenerosityofspiritthereisnotmuchtochoosebetweenthelanguageofeitherparty.
ButwhatdidM.Danglarssaytothisoutburstonthepartoftheprocureur?”
“Oh,helaughed,andinthatsingularmannersopeculiartohimself—half–malicious,half–ferocious;healmostimmediatelygotupandtookhisleave;then,forthefirsttime,Iobservedtheagitationofmygrandfather,andImusttellyou,Maximilian,thatIamtheonlypersoncapableofdiscerningemotioninhisparalyzedframe.
AndIsuspectedthattheconversationthathadbeencarriedoninhispresence(fortheyalwayssayanddowhattheylikebeforethedearoldman,withoutthesmallestregardforhisfeelings)hadmadeastrongimpressiononhismind;for,naturallyenough,itmusthavepainedhimtoheartheemperorhesodevotedlylovedandservedspokenofinthatdepreciatingmanner.”
“ThenameofM.Noirtier,”interposedMaximilian,“iscelebratedthroughoutEurope;hewasastatesmanofhighstanding,andyoumayormaynotknow,Valentine,thathetookaleadingpartineveryBonapartistconspiracysetonfootduringtherestorationoftheBourbons.”
“Oh,Ihaveoftenheardwhispersofthingsthatseemtomemoststrange—thefatheraBonapartist,thesonaRoyalist;whatcanhavebeenthereasonofsosingularadifferenceinpartiesandpolitics?
Buttoresumemystory;Iturnedtowardsmygrandfather,asthoughtoquestionhimastothecauseofhisemotion;helookedexpressivelyatthenewspaperIhadbeenreading.‘Whatisthematter,deargrandfather?’saidI,‘areyoupleased?’Hegavemeasignintheaffirmative.‘Withwhatmyfathersaidjustnow?’Hereturnedasigninthenegative.
‘PerhapsyoulikedwhatM.Danglarssaid?’Anothersigninthenegative.
‘Oh,then,youweregladtohearthatM.Morrel(Ididn’tdaretosayMaximilian)hadbeenmadeanofficeroftheLegionofHonor?’
Hesignifiedassent;onlythinkofthepooroldman’sbeingsopleasedtothinkthatyou,whowereaperfectstrangertohim,hadbeenmadeanofficeroftheLegionofHonor!
Perhapsitwasamerewhimonhispart,forheisfalling,theysay,intosecondchildhood,butIlovehimforshowingsomuchinterestinyou.”
“Howsingular,”murmuredMaximilian;“yourfatherhatesme,whileyourgrandfather,onthecontrary—Whatstrangefeelingsarearousedbypolitics.”
“Hush,”criedValentine,suddenly;“someoneiscoming!”
Maximilianleapedatoneboundintohiscropoflucerne,whichhebegantopullupinthemostruthlessway,underthepretextofbeingoccupiedinweedingit.
“Mademoiselle,mademoiselle!”exclaimedavoicefrombehindthetrees.“Madameissearchingforyoueverywhere;thereisavisitorinthedrawing–room.”
“Avisitor?”inquiredValentine,muchagitated;“whoisit?”
“Somegrandpersonage—aprinceIbelievetheysaid—theCountofMonteCristo.”
“Iwillcomedirectly,”criedValentinealoud.
ThenameofMonteCristosentanelectricshockthroughtheyoungmanontheothersideoftheirongate,towhomValentine’s“Iamcoming”wasthecustomarysignaloffarewell.
“Now,then,”saidMaximilian,leaningonthehandleofhisspade,“IwouldgiveagooddealtoknowhowitcomesaboutthattheCountofMonteCristoisacquaintedwithM.deVillefort.”
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