English
Thepretextofanoperaengagementwassomuchthemorefeasible,astherechancedtobeonthatverynightamorethanordinaryattractionattheAcademieRoyale.
Levasseur,whohadbeensufferingundersevereillness,madehisreappearanceinthecharacterofBertrand,and,asusual,theannouncementofthemostadmiredproductionofthefavoritecomposerofthedayhadattractedabrilliantandfashionableaudience.
Morcerf,likemostotheryoungmenofrankandfortune,hadhisorchestrastall,withthecertaintyofalwaysfindingaseatinatleastadozenoftheprincipalboxesoccupiedbypersonsofhisacquaintance;hehad,moreover,hisrightofentryintotheomnibusbox.
Chateau–Renaudrentedastallbesidehisown,whileBeauchamp,asajournalist,hadunlimitedrangealloverthetheatre.
Ithappenedthatonthisparticularnighttheminister’sboxwasplacedatthedisposalofLucienDebray,whoofferedittotheComtedeMorcerf,whoagain,uponhismother’srejectionofit,sentittoDanglars,withanintimationthatheshouldprobablydohimselfthehonorofjoiningthebaronessandherdaughterduringtheevening,intheeventoftheiracceptingtheboxinquestion.
Theladiesreceivedtheofferwithtoomuchpleasuretodreamofarefusal.
Tonoclassofpersonsisthepresentationofagratuitousopera–boxmoreacceptablethantothewealthymillionaire,whostillhugseconomywhileboastingofcarryingaking’sransominhiswaistcoatpocket.
Danglarshad,however,protestedagainstshowinghimselfinaministerialbox,declaringthathispoliticalprinciples,andhisparliamentarypositionasmemberoftheoppositionpartywouldnotpermithimsotocommithimself;thebaronesshad,therefore,despatchedanotetoLucienDebray,biddinghimcallforthem,itbeingwhollyimpossibleforhertogoalonewithEugenietotheopera.
Thereisnogainsayingthefactthataveryunfavorableconstructionwouldhavebeenputuponthecircumstanceifthetwowomenhadgonewithoutescort,whiletheadditionofathird,inthepersonofhermother’sadmittedlover,enabledMademoiselleDanglarstodefymaliceandill–nature.
Onemusttaketheworldasonefindsit.
Thecurtainrose,asusual,toanalmostemptyhouse,itbeingoneoftheabsurditiesofParisianfashionnevertoappearattheoperauntilafterthebeginningoftheperformance,sothatthefirstactisgenerallyplayedwithouttheslightestattentionbeingpaidtoit,thatpartoftheaudiencealreadyassembledbeingtoomuchoccupiedinobservingthefresharrivals,whilenothingisheardbutthenoiseofopeningandshuttingdoors,andthebuzzofconversation.
“Surely,”saidAlbert,asthedoorofaboxonthefirstcircleopened,“thatmustbetheCountessG——.”
“AndwhoistheCountessG——?”inquiredChateau–Renaud.
“Whataquestion!Now,doyouknow,baron,Ihaveagreatmindtopickaquarrelwithyouforaskingit;asifalltheworlddidnotknowwhotheCountessG——was.”
“Ah,tobesure,”repliedChateau–Renaud;“thelovelyVenetian,isitnot?”
“Herself.”AtthismomentthecountessperceivedAlbert,andreturnedhissalutationwithasmile.“Youknowher,itseems?”saidChateau–Renaud.
“FranzintroducedmetoheratRome,”repliedAlbert.
“Well,then,willyoudoasmuchformeinParisasFranzdidforyouinRome?”
“Withpleasure.”
Therewasacryof“Shutup!”fromtheaudience.
Thismanifestationonthepartofthespectatorsoftheirwishtobeallowedtohearthemusic,producednottheslightesteffectonthetwoyoungmen,whocontinuedtheirconversation.
“ThecountesswaspresentattheracesintheChamp–de–Mars,”saidChateau–Renaud.
“To–day?”
“Yes.”
“Blessme,Iquiteforgottheraces.Didyoubet?”
“Oh,merelyapaltryfiftylouis.”
“Andwhowasthewinner?”
“Nautilus.Istakedonhim.”
“Buttherewerethreeraces,weretherenot?”
“Yes;therewastheprizegivenbytheJockeyClub—agoldcup,youknow—andaverysingularcircumstanceoccurredaboutthatrace.”
“Whatwasit?”
“Oh,shutup!”againinterposedsomeoftheaudience.
“Why,itwaswonbyahorseandriderutterlyunknownonthecourse.”
“Isthatpossible?”
“Trueasday.Thefactwas,nobodyhadobservedahorseenteredbythenameofVampa,orthatofajockeystyledJob,when,atthelastmoment,asplendidroan,mountedbyajockeyaboutasbigasyourfist,presentedthemselvesatthestarting–post.
Theywereobligedtostuffatleasttwentypoundsweightofshotinthesmallrider’spockets,tomakehimweight;butwithallthatheoutstrippedArielandBarbare,againstwhomheran,byatleastthreewholelengths.”
“Andwasitnotfoundoutatlasttowhomthehorseandjockeybelonged?”
“No.”
“YousaythatthehorsewasenteredunderthenameofVampa?”
“Exactly;thatwasthetitle.”
“Then,”answeredAlbert,“Iambetterinformedthanyouare,andknowwhotheownerofthathorsewas.”
“Shutup,there!”criedthepitinchorus.
Andthistimethetoneandmannerinwhichthecommandwasgiven,betokenedsuchgrowinghostilitythatthetwoyoungmenperceived,forthefirsttime,thatthemandatewasaddressedtothem.
Leisurelyturninground,theycalmlyscrutinizedthevariouscountenancesaroundthem,asthoughdemandingsomeonepersonwhowouldtakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofwhattheydeemedexcessiveimpertinence;butasnoonerespondedtothechallenge,thefriendsturnedagaintothefrontofthetheatre,andaffectedtobusythemselveswiththestage.
Atthismomentthedooroftheminister’sboxopened,andMadameDanglars,accompaniedbyherdaughter,entered,escortedbyLucienDebray,whoassiduouslyconductedthemtotheirseats.
“Ha,ha,”saidChateau–Renaud,“herecomessomefriendsofyours,viscount!Whatareyoulookingatthere?
don’tyouseetheyaretryingtocatchyoureye?”
Albertturnedround,justintimetoreceiveagraciouswaveofthefanfromthebaroness;asforMademoiselleEugenie,shescarcelyvouchsafedtowastetheglancesofherlargeblackeyesevenuponthebusinessofthestage.
“Itellyouwhat,mydearfellow,”saidChateau–Renaud,“IcannotimaginewhatobjectionyoucanpossiblyhavetoMademoiselleDanglars—thatis,settingasideherwantofancestryandsomewhatinferiorrank,whichbythewayIdon’tthinkyoucareverymuchabout.
Now,barringallthat,Imeantosaysheisadeucedfinegirl!”
“Handsome,certainly,”repliedAlbert,“butnottomytaste,whichIconfess,inclinestosomethingsofter,gentler,andmorefeminine.”
“Ah,well,”exclaimedChateau–Renaud,whobecausehehadseenhisthirtiethsummerfanciedhimselfdulywarrantedinassumingasortofpaternalairwithhismoreyouthfulfriend,“youyoungpeopleareneversatisfied;why,whatwouldyouhavemore?
yourparentshavechosenyouabridebuiltonthemodelofDiana,thehuntress,andyetyouarenotcontent.”
“No,forthatveryresemblanceaffrightsme;IshouldhavelikedsomethingmoreinthemanneroftheVenusofMiloorCapua;butthischase–lovingDianacontinuallysurroundedbyhernymphsgivesmeasortofalarmlestsheshouldsomedaybringonmethefateofActaeon.”
And,indeed,itrequiredbutoneglanceatMademoiselleDanglarstocomprehendthejustnessofMorcerf’sremark—shewasbeautiful,butherbeautywasoftoomarkedanddecidedacharactertopleaseafastidioustaste;herhairwasravenblack,butitsnaturalwavesseemedsomewhatrebellious;hereyes,ofthesamecolorasherhair,weresurmountedbywell–archedbrows,whosegreatdefect,however,consistedinanalmosthabitualfrown,whileherwholephysiognomyworethatexpressionoffirmnessanddecisionsolittleinaccordancewiththegentlerattributesofhersex—hernosewaspreciselywhatasculptorwouldhavechosenforachiselledJuno.
Hermouth,whichmighthavebeenfoundfaultwithastoolarge,displayedteethofpearlywhiteness,renderedstillmoreconspicuousbythebrilliantcarmineofherlips,contrastingvividlywithhernaturallypalecomplexion.
ButthatwhichcompletedthealmostmasculinelookMorcerffoundsolittletohistaste,wasadarkmole,ofmuchlargerdimensionsthanthesefreaksofnaturegenerallyare,placedjustatthecornerofhermouth;andtheeffecttendedtoincreasetheexpressionofself–dependencethatcharacterizedhercountenance.
TherestofMademoiselleEugenie’spersonwasinperfectkeepingwiththeheadjustdescribed;she,indeed,remindedoneofDiana,asChateau–Renaudobserved,butherbearingwasmorehaughtyandresolute.
Asregardedherattainments,theonlyfaulttobefoundwiththemwasthesamethatafastidiousconnoisseurmighthavefoundwithherbeauty,thattheyweresomewhattooeruditeandmasculineforsoyoungaperson.
Shewasaperfectlinguist,afirst–rateartist,wrotepoetry,andcomposedmusic;tothestudyofthelattersheprofessedtobeentirelydevoted,followingitwithanindefatigableperseverance,assistedbyaschoolfellow,—ayoungwomanwithoutfortunewhosetalentpromisedtodevelopintoremarkablepowersasasinger.
Itwasrumoredthatshewasanobjectofalmostpaternalinteresttooneoftheprincipalcomposersoftheday,whoexcitedhertosparenopainsinthecultivationofhervoice,whichmighthereafterproveasourceofwealthandindependence.
ButthiscounseleffectuallydecidedMademoiselleDanglarsnevertocommitherselfbybeingseeninpublicwithonedestinedforatheatricallife;andactinguponthisprinciple,thebanker’sdaughter,thoughperfectlywillingtoallowMademoiselleLouised’Armilly(thatwasthenameoftheyoungvirtuosa)topracticewithherthroughtheday,tookespecialcarenottobeseeninhercompany.
Still,thoughnotactuallyreceivedattheHotelDanglarsinthelightofanacknowledgedfriend,Louisewastreatedwithfarmorekindnessandconsiderationthanisusuallybestowedonagoverness.
ThecurtainfellalmostimmediatelyaftertheentranceofMadameDanglarsintoherbox,thebandquittedtheorchestrafortheaccustomedhalf–hour’sintervalallowedbetweentheacts,andtheaudiencewereleftatlibertytopromenadethesalonorlobbies,ortopayandreceivevisitsintheirrespectiveboxes.
MorcerfandChateau–Renaudwereamongstthefirsttoavailthemselvesofthispermission.
ForaninstanttheideastruckMadameDanglarsthatthiseagernessonthepartoftheyoungviscountarosefromhisimpatiencetojoinherparty,andshewhisperedherexpectationstoherdaughter,thatAlbertwashurryingtopayhisrespectstothem.
MademoiselleEugenie,however,merelyreturnedadissentingmovementofthehead,while,withacoldsmile,shedirectedtheattentionofhermothertoanoppositeboxonthefirstcircle,inwhichsattheCountessG——,andwhereMorcerfhadjustmadehisappearance.
“Sowemeetagain,mytravellingfriend,dowe?”
criedthecountess,extendingherhandtohimwithallthewarmthandcordialityofanoldacquaintance;“itwasreallyverygoodofyoutorecognizemesoquickly,andstillmoresotobestowyourfirstvisitonme.”
“Beassured,”repliedAlbert,“thatifIhadbeenawareofyourarrivalinParis,andhadknownyouraddress,Ishouldhavepaidmyrespectstoyoubeforethis.
Allowmetointroducemyfriend,BarondeChateau–Renaud,oneofthefewtruegentlemennowtobefoundinFrance,andfromwhomIhavejustlearnedthatyouwereaspectatoroftheracesintheChamp–de–Mars,yesterday.”Chateau–Renaudbowedtothecountess.
“Soyouwereattheraces,baron?”inquiredthecountesseagerly.
“Yes,madame.”
“Well,then,”pursuedMadameG——withconsiderableanimation,“youcanprobablytellmewhowontheJockeyClubstakes?”
“IamsorrytosayIcannot,”repliedthebaron;“andIwasjustaskingthesamequestionofAlbert.”
“Areyouveryanxioustoknow,countess?”askedAlbert.
“Toknowwhat?”
“Thenameoftheownerofthewinninghorse?”
“Excessively;onlyimagine—butdotellme,viscount,whetheryoureallyareacquaintedwithitorno?”
“Ibegyourpardon,madame,butyouwereabouttorelatesomestory,wereyounot?Yousaid,‘onlyimagine,’—andthenpaused.Praycontinue.”
“Well,then,listen.YoumustknowIfeltsointerestedinthesplendidroanhorse,withhiselegantlittlerider,sotastefullydressedinapinksatinjacketandcap,thatIcouldnothelpprayingfortheirsuccesswithasmuchearnestnessasthoughthehalfofmyfortunewereatstake;andwhenIsawthemoutstripalltheothers,andcometothewinning–postinsuchgallantstyle,Iactuallyclappedmyhandswithjoy.
Imaginemysurprise,when,uponreturninghome,thefirstobjectImetonthestaircasewastheidenticaljockeyinthepinkjacket!
Iconcludedthat,bysomesingularchance,theownerofthewinninghorsemustliveinthesamehotelasmyself;but,asIenteredmyapartments,Ibeheldtheverygoldcupawardedasaprizetotheunknownhorseandrider.
Insidethecupwasasmallpieceofpaper,onwhichwerewrittenthesewords—’FromLordRuthventoCountessG——.’”
“Precisely;Iwassureofit,”saidMorcerf.
“Sureofwhat?”
“ThattheownerofthehorsewasLordRuthvenhimself.”
“WhatLordRuthvendoyoumean?”
“Why,ourLordRuthven—theVampireoftheSalleArgentino!”
“Isitpossible?”exclaimedthecountess;“ishehereinParis?”
“Tobesure,—whynot?”
“Andyouvisithim?—meethimatyourownhouseandelsewhere?”
“Iassureyouheismymostintimatefriend,andM.deChateau–Renaudhasalsothehonorofhisacquaintance.”
“ButwhyareyousosureofhisbeingthewinneroftheJockeyClubprize?”
“WasnotthewinninghorseenteredbythenameofVampa?”
“Whatofthat?”
“Why,doyounotrecollectthenameofthecelebratedbanditbywhomIwasmadeprisoner?”
“Oh,yes.”
“Andfromwhosehandsthecountextricatedmeinsowonderfulamanner?”
“Tobesure,Irememberitallnow.”
“HecalledhimselfVampa.Yousee,it’sevidentwherethecountgotthename.”
“Butwhatcouldhavebeenhismotiveforsendingthecuptome?”
“Inthefirstplace,becauseIhadspokenmuchofyoutohim,asyoumaybelieve;andinthesecond,becausehedelightedtoseeacountrywomantakesolivelyaninterestinhissuccess.”
“Itrustandhopeyouneverrepeatedtothecountallthefoolishremarksweusedtomakeabouthim?”
“IshouldnotliketoaffirmuponoaththatIhavenot.Besides,hispresentingyouthecupunderthenameofLordRuthven”—
“Oh,butthatisdreadful!Why,themanmustowemeafearfulgrudge.”
“Doeshisactionappearlikethatofanenemy?”
“No;certainlynot.”
“Well,then”—
“AndsoheisinParis?”
“Yes.”
“Andwhateffectdoesheproduce?”
“Why,”saidAlbert,“hewastalkedaboutforaweek;thenthecoronationofthequeenofEnglandtookplace,followedbythetheftofMademoiselleMars’sdiamonds;andsopeopletalkedofsomethingelse.”
“Mygoodfellow,”saidChateau–Renaud,“thecountisyourfriendandyoutreathimaccordingly.
DonotbelievewhatAlbertistellingyou,countess;sofarfromthesensationexcitedintheParisiancirclesbytheappearanceoftheCountofMonteCristohavingabated,Itakeuponmyselftodeclarethatitisasstrongasever.
Hisfirstastoundingactuponcomingamongstuswastopresentapairofhorses,worth32,000francs,toMadameDanglars;hissecond,thealmostmiraculouspreservationofMadamedeVillefort’slife;nowitseemsthathehascarriedofftheprizeawardedbytheJockeyClub.
Ithereforemaintain,inspiteofMorcerf,thatnotonlyisthecounttheobjectofinterestatthispresentmoment,butalsothathewillcontinuetobesoforamonthlongerifhepleasestoexhibitaneccentricityofconductwhich,afterall,maybehisordinarymodeofexistence.”
“Perhapsyouareright,”saidMorcerf;“meanwhile,whoisintheRussianambassador’sbox?”
“Whichboxdoyoumean?”askedthecountess.
“Theonebetweenthepillarsonthefirsttier—itseemstohavebeenfittedupentirelyafresh.”
“Didyouobserveanyoneduringthefirstact?”askedChateau–Renaud.
“Where?”
“Inthatbox.”
“No,”repliedthecountess,“itwascertainlyemptyduringthefirstact;”then,resumingthesubjectoftheirpreviousconversation,shesaid,“AndsoyoureallybelieveitwasyourmysteriousCountofMonteCristothatgainedtheprize?”
“Iamsureofit.”
“Andwhoafterwardssentthecuptome?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“ButIdon’tknowhim,”saidthecountess;“Ihaveagreatmindtoreturnit.”
“Donosuchthing,Ibegofyou;hewouldonlysendyouanother,formedofamagnificentsapphire,orhollowedoutofagiganticruby.
Itishisway,andyoumusttakehimasyoufindhim.”
Atthismomentthebellrangtoannouncethedrawingupofthecurtainforthesecondact.Albertrosetoreturntohisplace.“ShallIseeyouagain?”askedthecountess.
“Attheendofthenextact,withyourpermission,IwillcomeandinquirewhetherthereisanythingIcandoforyouinParis?”
“Praytakenotice,”saidthecountess,“thatmypresentresidenceis22RuedeRivoli,andthatIamathometomyfriendseverySaturdayevening.Sonow,youarebothforewarned.”
Theyoungmenbowed,andquittedthebox.
Uponreachingtheirstalls,theyfoundthewholeoftheaudienceintheparterrestandingupanddirectingtheirgazetowardstheboxformerlypossessedbytheRussianambassador.
Amanoffromthirty–fivetofortyyearsofage,dressedindeepblack,hadjustentered,accompaniedbyayoungwomandressedaftertheEasternstyle.
Theladywassurpassinglybeautiful,whiletherichmagnificenceofherattiredrewalleyesuponher.
“Hullo,”saidAlbert;“itisMonteCristoandhisGreek!”
Thestrangerswere,indeed,nootherthanthecountandHaidee.
Inafewmomentstheyounggirlhadattractedtheattentionofthewholehouse,andeventheoccupantsoftheboxesleanedforwardtoscrutinizehermagnificentdiamonds.
Thesecondactpassedawayduringonecontinuedbuzzofvoices—onedeepwhisper—intimatingthatsomegreatanduniversallyinterestingeventhadoccurred;alleyes,allthoughts,wereoccupiedwiththeyoungandbeautifulwoman,whosegorgeousapparelandsplendidjewelsmadeamostextraordinaryspectacle.
UponthisoccasionanunmistakablesignfromMadameDanglarsintimatedherdesiretoseeAlbertinherboxdirectlythecurtainfellonthesecondact,andneitherthepolitenessnorgoodtasteofMorcerfwouldpermithisneglectinganinvitationsounequivocallygiven.
Atthecloseoftheacthethereforewenttothebaroness.
Havingbowedtothetwoladies,heextendedhishandtoDebray.
Bythebaronesshewasmostgraciouslywelcomed,whileEugeniereceivedhimwithheraccustomedcoldness.
“Mydearfellow,”saidDebray,“youhavecomeinthenickoftime.
Thereismadameoverwhelmingmewithquestionsrespectingthecount;sheinsistsuponitthatIcantellherhisbirth,education,andparentage,wherehecamefrom,andwhitherheisgoing.
BeingnodiscipleofCagliostro,Iwaswhollyunabletodothis;so,bywayofgettingoutofthescrape,Isaid,‘AskMorcerf;hehasgotthewholehistoryofhisbelovedMonteCristoathisfingers’ends;’whereuponthebaronesssignifiedherdesiretoseeyou.”
“Isitnotalmostincredible,”saidMadameDanglars,“thatapersonhavingatleasthalfamillionofsecret–servicemoneyathiscommand,shouldpossesssolittleinformation?”
“Letmeassureyou,madame,”saidLucien,“thathadIreallythesumyoumentionatmydisposal,IwouldemployitmoreprofitablythanintroublingmyselftoobtainparticularsrespectingtheCountofMonteCristo,whoseonlymeritinmyeyesconsistsinhisbeingtwiceasrichasanabob.
However,IhaveturnedthebusinessovertoMorcerf,sopraysettleitwithhimasmaybemostagreeabletoyou;formyownpart,Icarenothingaboutthecountorhismysteriousdoings.”
“Iamverysurenonabobwouldhavesentmeapairofhorsesworth32,000francs,wearingontheirheadsfourdiamondsvaluedat5,000francseach.”
“Heseemstohaveamaniafordiamonds,”saidMorcerf,smiling,“andIverilybelievethat,likePotemkin,hekeepshispocketsfilled,forthesakeofstrewingthemalongtheroad,asTomThumbdidhisflintstones.”
“Perhapshehasdiscoveredsomemine,”saidMadameDanglars.“Isupposeyouknowhehasanorderforunlimitedcreditonthebaron’sbankingestablishment?”
“Iwasnotawareofit,”repliedAlbert,“butIcanreadilybelieveit.”
“And,further,thathestatedtoM.DanglarshisintentionofonlystayingayearinParis,duringwhichtimeheproposedtospendsixmillions.
“HemustbetheShahofPersia,travellingincog.”
“Haveyounoticedtheremarkablebeautyoftheyoungwoman,M.Lucien?”inquiredEugenie.
“Ireallynevermetwithonewomansoreadytodojusticetothecharmsofanotherasyourself,”respondedLucien,raisinghislorgnettetohiseye.“Amostlovelycreature,uponmysoul!”washisverdict.
“Whoisthisyoungperson,M.deMorcerf?”inquiredEugenie;“doesanybodyknow?”
“Mademoiselle,”saidAlbert,replyingtothisdirectappeal,“Icangiveyouveryexactinformationonthatsubject,aswellasonmostpointsrelativetothemysteriouspersonofwhomwearenowconversing—theyoungwomanisaGreek.”
“SoIshouldsupposebyherdress;ifyouknownomorethanthat,everyonehereisaswell–informedasyourself.”
“Iamextremelysorryyoufindmesoignorantacicerone,”repliedMorcerf,“butIamreluctantlyobligedtoconfess,Ihavenothingfurthertocommunicate—yes,stay,Idoknowonethingmore,namely,thatsheisamusician,foronedaywhenIchancedtobebreakfastingwiththecount,Iheardthesoundofaguzla—itisimpossiblethatitcouldhavebeentouchedbyanyotherfingerthanherown.”
“Thenyourcountentertainsvisitors,doeshe?”askedMadameDanglars.
“Indeedhedoes,andinamostlavishmanner,Icanassureyou.”
“ImusttryandpersuadeM.Danglarstoinvitehimtoaballordinner,orsomethingofthesort,thathemaybecompelledtoaskusinreturn.”
“What,”saidDebray,laughing;“doyoureallymeanyouwouldgotohishouse?”
“Whynot?myhusbandcouldaccompanyme.”
“Butdoyouknowthismysteriouscountisabachelor?”
“Youhaveampleprooftothecontrary,ifyoulookopposite,”saidthebaroness,asshelaughinglypointedtothebeautifulGreek.
“No,no!”exclaimedDebray;“thatgirlisnothiswife:hetoldushimselfshewashisslave.Doyounotrecollect,Morcerf,histellingussoatyourbreakfast?”
“Well,then,”saidthebaroness,“ifslaveshebe,shehasalltheairandmannerofaprincess.”
“Ofthe‘ArabianNights’?”
“Ifyoulike;buttellme,mydearLucien,whatitisthatconstitutesaprincess.Why,diamonds—andsheiscoveredwiththem.”
“Tomesheseemsoverloaded,”observedEugenie;“shewouldlookfarbetterifsheworefewer,andweshouldthenbeabletoseeherfinelyformedthroatandwrists.”
“Seehowtheartistpeepsout!”exclaimedMadameDanglars.“MypoorEugenie,youmustconcealyourpassionforthefinearts.”
“Iadmireallthatisbeautiful,”returnedtheyounglady.
“Whatdoyouthinkofthecount?”inquiredDebray;“heisnotmuchamiss,accordingtomyideasofgoodlooks.”
“Thecount,”repeatedEugenie,asthoughithadnotoccurredtohertoobservehimsooner;“thecount?—oh,heissodreadfullypale.”
“Iquiteagreewithyou,”saidMorcerf;“andthesecretofthatverypalloriswhatwewanttofindout.TheCountessG——insistsuponitthatheisavampire.”
“ThentheCountessG——hasreturnedtoParis,hasshe?”inquiredthebaroness.
“Isthatshe,mamma?”askedEugenie;“almostoppositetous,withthatprofusionofbeautifullighthair?”
“Yes,”saidMadameDanglars,“thatisshe.ShallItellyouwhatyououghttodo,Morcerf?”
“Commandme,madame.”
“Well,then,youshouldgoandbringyourCountofMonteCristotous.”
“Whatfor?”askedEugenie.
“Whatfor?Why,toconversewithhim,ofcourse.Haveyoureallynodesiretomeethim?”
“Nonewhatever,”repliedEugenie.
“Strangechild,”murmuredthebaroness.
“Hewillveryprobablycomeofhisownaccord,”saidMorcerf.“There;doyousee,madame,herecognizesyou,andbows.”Thebaronessreturnedthesaluteinthemostsmilingandgracefulmanner.
“Well,”saidMorcerf,“Imayaswellbemagnanimous,andtearmyselfawaytoforwardyourwishes.Adieu;Iwillgoandtryifthereareanymeansofspeakingtohim.”
“Gostraighttohisbox;thatwillbethesimplestplan.”
“ButIhaveneverbeenpresented.”
“Presentedtowhom?”
“TothebeautifulGreek.”
“Yousaysheisonlyaslave?”
“Whileyouassertthatsheisaqueen,oratleastaprincess.No;Ihopethatwhenheseesmeleaveyou,hewillcomeout.”
“Thatispossible—go.”
“Iamgoing,”saidAlbert,ashemadehispartingbow.
Justashewaspassingthecount’sbox,thedooropened,andMonteCristocameforth.
AftergivingsomedirectionstoAli,whostoodinthelobby,thecounttookAlbert’sarm.
Carefullyclosingtheboxdoor,Aliplacedhimselfbeforeit,whileacrowdofspectatorsassembledroundtheNubian.
“Uponmyword,”saidMonteCristo,“Parisisastrangecity,andtheParisiansaverysingularpeople.
SeethatclusterofpersonscollectedaroundpoorAli,whoisasmuchastonishedasthemselves;reallyonemightsupposehewastheonlyNubiantheyhadeverbeheld.
NowIcanpromiseyou,thataFrenchmanmightshowhimselfinpublic,eitherinTunis,Constantinople,Bagdad,orCairo,withoutbeingtreatedinthatway.”
“ThatshowsthattheEasternnationshavetoomuchgoodsensetowastetheirtimeandattentiononobjectsundeservingofeither.
However,asfarasAliisconcerned,Icanassureyou,theinterestheexcitesismerelyfromthecircumstanceofhisbeingyourattendant—you,whoareatthismomentthemostcelebratedandfashionablepersoninParis.”
“Really?andwhathasprocuredmesoflutteringadistinction?”
“What?why,yourself,tobesure!
Yougiveawayhorsesworthathousandlouis;yousavethelivesofladiesofhighrankandbeauty;underthenameofMajorBrackyourunthoroughbredsriddenbytinyurchinsnotlargerthanmarmots;then,whenyouhavecarriedoffthegoldentrophyofvictory,insteadofsettinganyvalueonit,yougiveittothefirsthandsomewomanyouthinkof!”
“Andwhohasfilledyourheadwithallthisnonsense?”
“Why,inthefirstplace,IhearditfromMadameDanglars,who,bytheby,isdyingtoseeyouinherbox,ortohaveyouseentherebyothers;secondly,IlearneditfromBeauchamp’sjournal;andthirdly,frommyownimagination.
Why,ifyousoughtconcealment,didyoucallyourhorseVampa?”
“Thatwasanoversight,certainly,”repliedthecount;“buttellme,doestheCountofMorcerfnevervisittheOpera?Ihavebeenlookingforhim,butwithoutsuccess.”
“Hewillbehereto–night.”
“Inwhatpartofthehouse?”
“Inthebaroness’sbox,Ibelieve.”
“Thatcharmingyoungwomanwithherisherdaughter?”
“Yes.”
“Icongratulateyou.”Morcerfsmiled.“Wewilldiscussthatsubjectatlengthsomefuturetime,”saidhe.“Butwhatdoyouthinkofthemusic?”
“Whatmusic?”
“Why,themusicyouhavebeenlisteningto.”
“Oh,itiswellenoughastheproductionofahumancomposer,sungbyfeatherlessbipeds,toquotethelateDiogenes.”
“Fromwhichitwouldseem,mydearcount,thatyoucanatpleasureenjoytheseraphicstrainsthatproceedfromthesevenchoirsofparadise?”
“Youareright,insomedegree;whenIwishtolistentosoundsmoreexquisitelyattunedtomelodythanmortaleareveryetlistenedto,Igotosleep.”
“Thensleephere,mydearcount.Theconditionsarefavorable;whatelsewasoperainventedfor?”
“No,thankyou.Yourorchestraistoonoisy.TosleepafterthemannerIspeakof,absolutecalmandsilencearenecessary,andthenacertainpreparation”—
“Iknow—thefamoushashish!”
“Precisely.So,mydearviscount,wheneveryouwishtoberegaledwithmusiccomeandsupwithme.”
“Ihavealreadyenjoyedthattreatwhenbreakfastingwithyou,”saidMorcerf.
“DoyoumeanatRome?”
“Ido.”
“Ah,then,IsupposeyouheardHaidee’sguzla;thepoorexilefrequentlybeguilesawearyhourinplayingovertometheairsofhernativeland.”
Morcerfdidnotpursuethesubject,andMonteCristohimselffellintoasilentreverie.
Thebellrangatthismomentfortherisingofthecurtain.
“Youwillexcusemyleavingyou,”saidthecount,turninginthedirectionofhisbox.
“What?Areyougoing?”
“Pray,sayeverythingthatiskindtoCountessG——onthepartofherfriendtheVampire.”
“AndwhatmessageshallIconveytothebaroness!”
“That,withherpermission,Ishalldomyselfthehonorofpayingmyrespectsinthecourseoftheevening.”
Thethirdacthadbegun;andduringitsprogresstheCountofMorcerf,accordingtohispromise,madehisappearanceintheboxofMadameDanglars.
TheCountofMorcerfwasnotapersontoexciteeitherinterestorcuriosityinaplaceofpublicamusement;hispresence,therefore,waswhollyunnoticed,savebytheoccupantsoftheboxinwhichhehadjustseatedhimself.
ThequickeyeofMonteCristohowever,markedhiscoming;andaslightthoughmeaningsmilepassedoverhislips.
Haidee,whosesoulseemedcentredinthebusinessofthestage,likeallunsophisticatednatures,delightedinwhateveraddresseditselftotheeyeorear.
Thethirdactpassedoffasusual.MesdemoisellesNoblet,Julie,andLerouxexecutedthecustomarypirouettes;RobertdulychallengedthePrinceofGranada;andtheroyalfatheroftheprincessIsabella,takinghisdaughterbythehand,sweptroundthestagewithmajesticstrides,thebettertodisplaytherichfoldsofhisvelvetrobeandmantle.
Afterwhichthecurtainagainfell,andthespectatorspouredforthfromthetheatreintothelobbiesandsalon.
Thecountlefthisbox,andamomentlaterwassalutingtheBaronneDanglars,whocouldnotrestrainacryofmingledpleasureandsurprise.“Youarewelcome,count!”sheexclaimed,asheentered.
“Ihavebeenmostanxioustoseeyou,thatImightrepeatorallythethankswritingcansoillexpress.”
“Surelysotriflingacircumstancecannotdeserveaplaceinyourremembrance.Believeme,madame,Ihadentirelyforgottenit.”
“Butitisnotsoeasytoforget,monsieur,thattheverynextdayafteryourprincelygiftyousavedthelifeofmydearfriend,MadamedeVillefort,whichwasendangeredbytheveryanimalsyourgenerosityrestoredtome.”
“Thistime,atleast,Idonotdeserveyourthanks.ItwasAli,myNubianslave,whorenderedthisservicetoMadamedeVillefort.”
“WasitAli,”askedtheCountofMorcerf,“whorescuedmysonfromthehandsofbandits?”
“No,count,”repliedMonteCristotakingthehandheldouttohimbythegeneral;“inthisinstanceImayfairlyandfreelyacceptyourthanks;butyouhavealreadytenderedthem,andfullydischargedyourdebt—ifindeedthereexistedone—andIfeelalmostmortifiedtofindyoustillrevertingtothesubject.
MayIbegofyou,baroness,tohonormewithanintroductiontoyourdaughter?”
“Oh,youarenostranger—atleastnotbyname,”repliedMadameDanglars,“andthelasttwoorthreedayswehavereallytalkedofnothingbutyou.
Eugenie,”continuedthebaroness,turningtowardsherdaughter,“thisistheCountofMonteCristo.”
TheCountbowed,whileMademoiselleDanglarsbentherheadslightly.
“Youhaveacharmingyoungpersonwithyouto–night,count,”saidEugenie.“Issheyourdaughter?”
“No,mademoiselle,”saidMonteCristo,astonishedatthecoolnessandfreedomofthequestion.“SheisapoorunfortunateGreekleftundermycare.”
“Andwhatishername?”
“Haidee,”repliedMonteCristo.
“AGreek?”murmuredtheCountofMorcerf.
“Yes,indeed,count,”saidMadameDanglars;“andtellme,didyoueverseeatthecourtofAliTepelini,whomyousogloriouslyandvaliantlyserved,amoreexquisitebeautyorrichercostume?”
“DidIhearrightly,monsieur,”saidMonteCristo“thatyouservedatYanina?”
“Iwasinspector–generalofthepasha’stroops,”repliedMorcerf;“anditisnosecretthatIowemyfortune,suchasitis,totheliberalityoftheillustriousAlbanesechief.”
“Butlook!”exclaimedMadameDanglars.
“Where?”stammeredMorcerf.
“There,”saidMonteCristoplacinghisarmsaroundthecount,andleaningwithhimoverthefrontofthebox,justasHaidee,whoseeyeswereoccupiedinexaminingthetheatreinsearchofherguardian,perceivedhispalefeaturesclosetoMorcerf’sface.
ItwasasiftheyounggirlbeheldtheheadofMedusa.
Shebentforwardsasthoughtoassureherselfoftherealityofwhatshesaw,then,utteringafaintcry,threwherselfbackinherseat.
ThesoundwasheardbythepeopleaboutAli,whoinstantlyopenedthebox–door.
“Why,count,”exclaimedEugenie,“whathashappenedtoyourward?
sheseemstohavebeentakensuddenlyill.”
“Veryprobably,”answeredthecount.“Butdonotbealarmedonheraccount.
Haidee’snervoussystemisdelicatelyorganized,andsheispeculiarlysusceptibletotheodorsevenofflowers—nay,therearesomewhichcausehertofaintifbroughtintoherpresence.
However,”continuedMonteCristo,drawingasmallphialfromhispocket,“Ihaveaninfallibleremedy.”
Sosaying,hebowedtothebaronessandherdaughter,exchangedapartingshakeofthehandwithDebrayandthecount,andleftMadameDanglars’box.
UponhisreturntoHaideehefoundherstillverypale.
Assoonasshesawhimsheseizedhishand;herownhandsweremoistandicycold.
“Whowasityouweretalkingwithoverthere?”sheasked.
“WiththeCountofMorcerf,”answeredMonteCristo.“Hetellsmeheservedyourillustriousfather,andthatheoweshisfortunetohim.”
“Wretch!”exclaimedHaidee,hereyesflashingwithrage;“hesoldmyfathertotheTurks,andthefortuneheboastsofwasthepriceofhistreachery!Didnotyouknowthat,mydearlord?”
“SomethingofthisIheardinEpirus,”saidMonteCristo;“buttheparticularsarestillunknowntome.Youshallrelatethemtome,mychild.Theyare,nodoubt,bothcuriousandinteresting.”
“Yes,yes;butletusgo.Ifeelasthoughitwouldkillmetoremainlongnearthatdreadfulman.”
Sosaying,Haideearose,andwrappingherselfinherburnooseofwhitecashmireembroideredwithpearlsandcoral,shehastilyquittedtheboxatthemomentwhenthecurtainwasrisinguponthefourthact.
“Doyouobserve,”saidtheCountessG——toAlbert,whohadreturnedtoherside,“thatmandoesnothinglikeotherpeople;helistensmostdevoutlytothethirdactof‘RobertleDiable,’andwhenthefourthbegins,takeshisdeparture.”
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