English
TheapartmentonthesecondfloorofthehouseintheRueSaint–Germain–des–Pres,whereAlbertdeMorcerfhadselectedahomeforhismother,waslettoaverymysteriousperson.
Thiswasamanwhosefacetheconciergehimselfhadneverseen,forinthewinterhischinwasburiedinoneofthelargeredhandkerchiefswornbygentlemen’scoachmenonacoldnight,andinthesummerhemadeapointofalwaysblowinghisnosejustasheapproachedthedoor.
Contrarytocustom,thisgentlemanhadnotbeenwatched,forasthereportranthathewasapersonofhighrank,andonewhowouldallownoimpertinentinterference,hisincognitowasstrictlyrespected.
Hisvisitsweretolerablyregular,thoughoccasionallyheappearedalittlebeforeorafterhistime,butgenerally,bothinsummerandwinter,hetookpossessionofhisapartmentaboutfouro’clock,thoughheneverspentthenightthere.
Athalf–pastthreeinthewinterthefirewaslightedbythediscreetservant,whohadthesuperintendenceofthelittleapartment,andinthesummericeswereplacedonthetableatthesamehour.
Atfouro’clock,aswehavealreadystated,themysteriouspersonagearrived.
Twentyminutesafterwardsacarriagestoppedatthehouse,aladyalightedinablackordarkbluedress,andalwaysthicklyveiled;shepassedlikeashadowthroughthelodge,andranup–stairswithoutasoundescapingunderthetouchofherlightfoot.
Nooneeveraskedherwhereshewasgoing.
Herface,therefore,likethatofthegentleman,wasperfectlyunknowntothetwoconcierges,whowereperhapsunequalledthroughoutthecapitalfordiscretion.
Weneednotsayshestoppedatthesecondfloor.
Thenshetappedinapeculiarmanneratadoor,whichafterbeingopenedtoadmitherwasagainfastened,andcuriositypenetratednofarther.
Theyusedthesameprecautionsinleavingasinenteringthehouse.
Theladyalwaysleftfirst,andassoonasshehadsteppedintohercarriage,itdroveaway,sometimestowardstherighthand,sometimestotheleft;thenabouttwentyminutesafterwardsthegentlemanwouldalsoleave,buriedinhiscravatorconcealedbyhishandkerchief.
ThedayafterMonteCristohadcalleduponDanglars,themysteriouslodgerenteredatteno’clockinthemorninginsteadoffourintheafternoon.
Almostdirectlyafterwards,withouttheusualintervaloftime,acabarrived,andtheveiledladyranhastilyup–stairs.
Thedooropened,butbeforeitcouldbeclosed,theladyexclaimed:“Oh,Lucien—oh,myfriend!”
Theconciergethereforeheardforthefirsttimethatthelodger’snamewasLucien;still,ashewastheveryperfectionofadoor–keeper,hemadeuphismindnottotellhiswife.“Well,whatisthematter,mydear?”
askedthegentlemanwhosenamethelady’sagitationrevealed;“tellmewhatisthematter.”
“Oh,Lucien,canIconfideinyou?”
“Ofcourse,youknowyoucandoso.Butwhatcanbethematter?
Yournoteofthismorninghascompletelybewilderedme.
Thisprecipitation—thisunusualappointment.
Come,easemeofmyanxiety,orelsefrightenmeatonce.”
“Lucien,agreateventhashappened!”saidthelady,glancinginquiringlyatLucien,—”M.Danglarsleftlastnight!”
“Left?—M.Danglarsleft?Wherehashegone?”
“Idonotknow.”
“Whatdoyoumean?Hashegoneintendingnottoreturn?”
“Undoubtedly;—atteno’clockatnighthishorsestookhimtothebarrierofCharenton;thereapost–chaisewaswaitingforhim—heentereditwithhisvaletdechambre,sayingthathewasgoingtoFontainebleau.”
“Thenwhatdidyoumean”—
“Stay—heleftaletterforme.”
“Aletter?”
“Yes;readit.”AndthebaronesstookfromherpocketaletterwhichshegavetoDebray.
Debraypausedamomentbeforereading,asiftryingtoguessitscontents,orperhapswhilemakinguphismindhowtoact,whateveritmightcontain.
Nodoubthisideaswerearrangedinafewminutes,forhebeganreadingtheletterwhichcausedsomuchuneasinessintheheartofthebaroness,andwhichranasfollows:—
“Madameandmostfaithfulwife.”
Debraymechanicallystoppedandlookedatthebaroness,whosefacebecamecoveredwithblushes.“Read,”shesaid.
Debraycontinued:—
“Whenyoureceivethis,youwillnolongerhaveahusband.
Oh,youneednotbealarmed,youwillonlyhavelosthimasyouhavelostyourdaughter;ImeanthatIshallbetravellingononeofthethirtyorfortyroadsleadingoutofFrance.
Ioweyousomeexplanationsformyconduct,andasyouareawomanthatcanperfectlyunderstandme,Iwillgivethem.Listen,then.
IreceivedthismorningfivemillionswhichIpaidaway;almostdirectlyafterwardsanotherdemandforthesamesumwaspresentedtome;Iputthiscreditorofftillto–morrowandIintendleavingto–day,toescapethatto–morrow,whichwouldberathertoounpleasantformetoendure.
Youunderstandthis,doyounot,mymostpreciouswife?
Isayyouunderstandthis,becauseyouareasconversantwithmyaffairsasIam;indeed,Ithinkyouunderstandthembetter,sinceIamignorantofwhathasbecomeofaconsiderableportionofmyfortune,onceverytolerable,whileIamsure,madame,thatyouknowperfectlywell.
Forwomenhaveinfallibleinstincts;theycanevenexplainthemarvellousbyanalgebraiccalculationtheyhaveinvented;butI,whoonlyunderstandmyownfigures,knownothingmorethanthatonedaythesefiguresdeceivedme.
Haveyouadmiredtherapidityofmyfall?
Haveyoubeenslightlydazzledatthesuddenfusionofmyingots?
IconfessIhaveseennothingbutthefire;letushopeyouhavefoundsomegoldamongtheashes.
Withthisconsolingidea,Ileaveyou,madame,andmostprudentwife,withoutanyconscientiousreproachforabandoningyou;youhavefriendsleft,andtheashesIhavealreadymentioned,andaboveallthelibertyIhastentorestoretoyou.
Andhere,madame,Imustaddanotherwordofexplanation.
SolongasIhopedyouwereworkingforthegoodofourhouseandforthefortuneofourdaughter,Iphilosophicallyclosedmyeyes;butasyouhavetransformedthathouseintoavastruinIwillnotbethefoundationofanotherman’sfortune.
YouwererichwhenImarriedyou,butlittlerespected.
Excusemeforspeakingsoverycandidly,butasthisisintendedonlyforourselves,IdonotseewhyIshouldweighmywords.
Ihaveaugmentedourfortune,andithascontinuedtoincreaseduringthelastfifteenyears,tillextraordinaryandunexpectedcatastropheshavesuddenlyoverturnedit,—withoutanyfaultofmine,Icanhonestlydeclare.
You,madame,haveonlysoughttoincreaseyourown,andIamconvincedthatyouhavesucceeded.
Ileaveyou,therefore,asItookyou,—rich,butlittlerespected.Adieu!
Ialsointendfromthistimetoworkonmyownaccount.
Acceptmyacknowledgmentsfortheexampleyouhavesetme,andwhichIintendfollowing.
“Yourverydevotedhusband,
“BaronDanglars.”
ThebaronesshadwatchedDebraywhilehereadthislongandpainfulletter,andsawhim,notwithstandinghisself–control,changecoloronceortwice.
Whenhehadendedtheperusal,hefoldedtheletterandresumedhispensiveattitude.“Well?”
askedMadameDanglars,withananxietyeasytobeunderstood.
“Well,madame?”unhesitatinglyrepeatedDebray.
“Withwhatideasdoesthatletterinspireyou?”
“Oh,itissimpleenough,madame;itinspiresmewiththeideathatM.Danglarshasleftsuspiciously.”
“Certainly;butisthisallyouhavetosaytome?”
“Idonotunderstandyou,”saidDebraywithfreezingcoldness.
“Heisgone!Gone,nevertoreturn!”
“Oh,madame,donotthinkthat!”
“Itellyouhewillneverreturn.Iknowhischaracter;heisinflexibleinanyresolutionsformedforhisowninterests.
Ifhecouldhavemadeanyuseofme,hewouldhavetakenmewithhim;heleavesmeinParis,asourseparationwillconducetohisbenefit;—thereforehehasgone,andIamfreeforever,”addedMadameDanglars,inthesamesupplicatingtone.
Debray,insteadofanswering,allowedhertoremaininanattitudeofnervousinquiry.“Well?”
shesaidatlength,“doyounotanswerme?”
“Ihavebutonequestiontoaskyou,—whatdoyouintendtodo?”
“Iwasgoingtoaskyou,”repliedthebaronesswithabeatingheart.
“Ah,then,youwishtoaskadviceofme?”
“Yes;Idowishtoaskyouradvice,”saidMadameDanglarswithanxiousexpectation.
“Thenifyouwishtotakemyadvice,”saidtheyoungmancoldly,“Iwouldrecommendyoutotravel.”
“Totravel!”shemurmured.
“Certainly;asM.Danglarssays,youarerich,andperfectlyfree.
Inmyopinion,awithdrawalfromParisisabsolutelynecessaryafterthedoublecatastropheofMademoiselleDanglars’brokencontractandM.Danglars’disappearance.
Theworldwillthinkyouabandonedandpoor,forthewifeofabankruptwouldneverbeforgiven,wereshetokeepupanappearanceofopulence.
YouhaveonlytoremaininParisforaboutafortnight,tellingtheworldyouareabandoned,andrelatingthedetailsofthisdesertiontoyourbestfriends,whowillsoonspreadthereport.
Thenyoucanquityourhouse,leavingyourjewelsandgivingupyourjointure,andeveryone’smouthwillbefilledwithpraisesofyourdisinterestedness.
Theywillknowyouaredeserted,andthinkyoualsopoor,forIaloneknowyourrealfinancialposition,andamquitereadytogiveupmyaccountsasanhonestpartner.”
Thedreadwithwhichthepaleandmotionlessbaronesslistenedtothis,wasequalledbythecalmindifferencewithwhichDebrayhadspoken.“Deserted?”
sherepeated;“ah,yes,Iam,indeed,deserted!
Youareright,sir,andnoonecandoubtmyposition.”
TheseweretheonlywordsthatthisproudandviolentlyenamouredwomancouldutterinresponsetoDebray.
“Butthenyouarerich,—veryrich,indeed,”continuedDebray,takingoutsomepapersfromhispocket–book,whichhespreaduponthetable.
MadameDanglarsdidnotseethem;shewasengagedinstillingthebeatingsofherheart,andrestrainingthetearswhichwerereadytogushforth.
Atlengthasenseofdignityprevailed,andifshedidnotentirelymasterheragitation,sheatleastsucceededinpreventingthefallofasingletear.
“Madame,”saidDebray,“itisnearlysixmonthssincewehavebeenassociated.
Youfurnishedaprincipalof100,000francs.
OurpartnershipbeganinthemonthofApril.
InMaywecommencedoperations,andinthecourseofthemonthgained450,000francs.InJunetheprofitamountedto900,000.
InJulyweadded1,700,000francs,—itwas,youknow,themonthoftheSpanishbonds.
InAugustwelost300,000francsatthebeginningofthemonth,butonthe13thwemadeupforit,andwenowfindthatouraccounts,reckoningfromthefirstdayofpartnershipuptoyesterday,whenIclosedthem,showedacapitalof2,400,000francs,thatis,1,200,000foreachofus.
Now,madame,”saidDebray,deliveringuphisaccountsinthemethodicalmannerofastockbroker,“therearestill80,000francs,theinterestofthismoney,inmyhands.”
“But,”saidthebaroness,“Ithoughtyouneverputthemoneyouttointerest.”
“Excuseme,madame,”saidDebraycoldly,“Ihadyourpermissiontodoso,andIhavemadeuseofit.
Thereare,then,40,000francsforyourshare,besidesthe100,000youfurnishedmetobeginwith,makinginall1,340,000francsforyourportion.
Now,madame,Itooktheprecautionofdrawingoutyourmoneythedaybeforeyesterday;itisnotlongago,yousee,andIwasincontinualexpectationofbeingcalledontodeliverupmyaccounts.
Thereisyourmoney,—halfinbank–notes,theotherhalfincheckspayabletobearer.
Isaythere,forasIdidnotconsidermyhousesafeenough,orlawyerssufficientlydiscreet,andaslandedpropertycarriesevidencewithit,andmoreoversinceyouhavenorighttopossessanythingindependentofyourhusband,Ihavekeptthissum,nowyourwholefortune,inachestconcealedunderthatcloset,andforgreatersecurityImyselfconcealeditthere.
“Now,madame,”continuedDebray,firstopeningthecloset,thenthechest;—”now,madame,hereare800notesof1,000.
francseach,resembling,asyousee,alargebookboundiniron;tothisIaddacertificateinthefundsof25,000.
francs;then,fortheoddcash,makingIthinkabout110,000.
francs,hereisacheckuponmybanker,who,notbeingM.Danglars,willpayyoutheamount,youmayrestassured.”
MadameDanglarsmechanicallytookthecheck,thebond,andtheheapofbank–notes.
Thisenormousfortunemadenogreatappearanceonthetable.
MadameDanglars,withtearlesseyes,butwithherbreastheavingwithconcealedemotion,placedthebank–notesinherbag,putthecertificateandcheckintoherpocket–book,andthen,standingpaleandmute,awaitedonekindwordofconsolation.Butshewaitedinvain.
“Now,madame,”saidDebray,“youhaveasplendidfortune,anincomeofabout60,000livresayear,whichisenormousforawomanwhocannotkeepanestablishmenthereforayear,atleast.
Youwillbeabletoindulgeallyourfancies;besides,shouldyoufindyourincomeinsufficient,youcan,forthesakeofthepast,madame,makeuseofmine;andIamreadytoofferyouallIpossess,onloan.”
“Thankyou,sir—thankyou,”repliedthebaroness;“youforgetthatwhatyouhavejustpaidmeismuchmorethanapoorwomanrequires,whointendsforsometime,atleast,toretirefromtheworld.”
Debraywas,foramoment,surprised,butimmediatelyrecoveringhimself,hebowedwithanairwhichseemedtosay,“Asyouplease,madame.”
MadameDanglarshaduntilthen,perhaps,hopedforsomething;butwhenshesawthecarelessbowofDebray,andtheglancebywhichitwasaccompanied,togetherwithhissignificantsilence,sheraisedherhead,andwithoutpassionorviolenceorevenhesitation,randown–stairs,disdainingtoaddressalastfarewelltoonewhocouldthuspartfromher.
“Bah,”saidDebray,whenshehadleft,“thesearefineprojects!
Shewillremainathome,readnovels,andspeculateatcards,sinceshecannolongerdosoontheBourse.”
Thentakinguphisaccountbook,hecancelledwiththegreatestcarealltheentriesoftheamountshehadjustpaidaway.
“Ihave1,060,000francsremaining,”hesaid.
“WhatapityMademoiselledeVillefortisdead!
Shesuitedmeineveryrespect,andIwouldhavemarriedher.”
AndhecalmlywaiteduntilthetwentyminuteshadelapsedafterMadameDanglars’departurebeforeheleftthehouse.
Duringthistimeheoccupiedhimselfinmakingfigures,withhiswatchbyhisside.
Asmodeus—thatdiabolicalpersonage,whowouldhavebeencreatedbyeveryfertileimaginationifLeSagehadnotacquiredthepriorityinhisgreatmasterpiece—wouldhaveenjoyedasingularspectacle,ifhehadlifteduptheroofofthelittlehouseintheRueSaint–Germain–des–Pres,whileDebraywascastinguphisfigures.
AbovetheroominwhichDebrayhadbeendividingtwomillionsandahalfwithMadameDanglarswasanother,inhabitedbypersonswhohaveplayedtooprominentapartintheincidentswehaverelatedfortheirappearancenottocreatesomeinterest.MercedesandAlbertwereinthatroom.
Mercedeswasmuchchangedwithinthelastfewdays;notthateveninherdaysoffortuneshehadeverdressedwiththemagnificentdisplaywhichmakesusnolongerabletorecognizeawomanwhensheappearsinaplainandsimpleattire;norindeed,hadshefallenintothatstateofdepressionwhereitisimpossibletoconcealthegarbofmisery;no,thechangeinMercedeswasthathereyenolongersparkled,herlipsnolongersmiled,andtherewasnowahesitationinutteringthewordswhichformerlysprangsofluentlyfromherreadywit.
Itwasnotpovertywhichhadbrokenherspirit;itwasnotawantofcouragewhichrenderedherpovertyburdensome.
Mercedes,althoughdeposedfromtheexaltedpositionshehadoccupied,lostinthesphereshehadnowchosen,likeapersonpassingfromaroomsplendidlylightedintoutterdarkness,appearedlikeaqueen,fallenfromherpalacetoahovel,andwho,reducedtostrictnecessity,couldneitherbecomereconciledtotheearthenvesselsshewasherselfforcedtoplaceuponthetable,nortothehumblepalletwhichhadbecomeherbed.
ThebeautifulCatalaneandnoblecountesshadlostbothherproudglanceandcharmingsmile,becauseshesawnothingbutmiseryaroundher;thewallswerehungwithoneofthegraypaperswhicheconomicallandlordschooseasnotlikelytoshowthedirt;thefloorwasuncarpeted;thefurnitureattractedtheattentiontothepoorattemptatluxury;indeed,everythingoffendedeyesaccustomedtorefinementandelegance.
MadamedeMorcerfhadlivedtheresinceleavingherhouse;thecontinualsilenceofthespotoppressedher;still,seeingthatAlbertcontinuallywatchedhercountenancetojudgethestateofherfeelings,sheconstrainedherselftoassumeamonotonoussmileofthelipsalone,which,contrastedwiththesweetandbeamingexpressionthatusuallyshonefromhereyes,seemedlike“moonlightonastatue,”—yieldinglightwithoutwarmth.
Albert,too,wasillatease;theremainsofluxurypreventedhimfromsinkingintohisactualposition.
Ifhewishedtogooutwithoutgloves,hishandsappearedtoowhite;ifhewishedtowalkthroughthetown,hisbootsseemedtoohighlypolished.
Yetthesetwonobleandintelligentcreatures,unitedbytheindissolubletiesofmaternalandfiliallove,hadsucceededintacitlyunderstandingoneanother,andeconomizingtheirstores,andAlberthadbeenabletotellhismotherwithoutextortingachangeofcountenance,—”Mother,wehavenomoremoney.”
Mercedeshadneverknownmisery;shehadoften,inheryouth,spokenofpoverty,butbetweenwantandnecessity,thosesynonymouswords,thereisawidedifference.
AmongsttheCatalans,Mercedeswishedforathousandthings,butstillsheneverreallywantedany.
Solongasthenetsweregood,theycaughtfish;andsolongastheysoldtheirfish,theywereabletobuytwinefornewnets.
Andthen,shutoutfromfriendship,havingbutoneaffection,whichcouldnotbemixedupwithherordinarypursuits,shethoughtofherself—ofnoonebutherself.
Uponthelittlesheearnedshelivedaswellasshecould;nowthereweretwotobesupported,andnothingtoliveupon.
Winterapproached.Mercedeshadnofireinthatcoldandnakedroom—she,whowasaccustomedtostoveswhichheatedthehousefromthehalltotheboudoir;shehadnotevenonelittleflower—shewhoseapartmenthadbeenaconservatoryofcostlyexotics.Butshehadherson.
Hithertotheexcitementoffulfillingadutyhadsustainedthem.
Excitement,likeenthusiasm,sometimesrendersusunconscioustothethingsofearth.
Buttheexcitementhadcalmeddown,andtheyfeltthemselvesobligedtodescendfromdreamstoreality;afterhavingexhaustedtheideal,theyfoundtheymusttalkoftheactual.
“Mother,”exclaimedAlbert,justasMadameDanglarswasdescendingthestairs,“letusreckonourriches,ifyouplease;Iwantcapitaltobuildmyplansupon.”
“Capital—nothing!”repliedMercedeswithamournfulsmile.
“No,mother,—capital3,000francs.AndIhaveanideaofourleadingadelightfullifeuponthis3,000francs.”
“Child!”sighedMercedes.
“Alas,dearmother,”saidtheyoungman,“Ihaveunhappilyspenttoomuchofyourmoneynottoknowthevalueofit.
These3,000francsareenormous,andIintendbuildinguponthisfoundationamiraculouscertaintyforthefuture.”
“Yousaythis,mydearboy;butdoyouthinkweoughttoacceptthese3,000francs?”saidMercedes,coloring.
“Ithinkso,”answeredAlbertinafirmtone.
“Wewillacceptthemthemorereadily,sincewehavethemnothere;youknowtheyareburiedinthegardenofthelittlehouseintheAlleesdeMeillan,atMarseilles.
With200francswecanreachMarseilles.”
“With200francs?—areyousure,Albert?”
“Oh,asforthat,Ihavemadeinquiriesrespectingthediligencesandsteamboats,andmycalculationsaremade.
YouwilltakeyourplaceinthecoupetoChalons.
Yousee,mother,Itreatyouhandsomelyforthirty–fivefrancs.”
Albertthentookapen,andwrote:—“Letusputdown120,”addedAlbert,smiling.
“YouseeIamgenerous,amInot,mother?”
Frs.Coupe,thirty–fivefrancs..............................35
FromChalonstoLyonsyouwillgoonbythesteamboat,sixfrancs...........6
FromLyonstoAvignon(stillbysteamboat),sixteenfrancs.............16
FromAvignontoMarseilles,sevenfranc................7
Expensesontheroad,aboutfiftyfrancs...............50
Total.................................................114francs
“Butyou,mypoorchild?”
“I?doyounotseethatIreserveeightyfrancsformyself?Ayoungmandoesnotrequireluxuries;besides,Iknowwhattravellingis.”
“Withapost–chaiseandvaletdechambre?”
“Anyway,mother.”
“Well,beitso.Butthese200francs?”
“Heretheyare,and200morebesides.See,Ihavesoldmywatchfor100francs,andtheguardandsealsfor300.
Howfortunatethattheornamentswereworthmorethanthewatch.Stillthesamestoryofsuperfluities!
NowIthinkwearerich,sinceinsteadofthe114francswerequireforthejourneywefindourselvesinpossessionof250.”
“Butweowesomethinginthishouse?”
“Thirtyfrancs;butIpaythatoutofmy150francs,—thatisunderstood,—andasIrequireonlyeightyfrancsformyjourney,youseeIamoverwhelmedwithluxury.Butthatisnotall.Whatdoyousaytothis,mother?”
AndAlberttookoutofalittlepocket–bookwithgoldenclasps,aremnantofhisoldfancies,orperhapsatendersouvenirfromoneofthemysteriousandveiledladieswhousedtoknockathislittledoor,—Alberttookoutofthispocket–bookanoteof1,000francs.
“Whatisthis?”askedMercedes.
“Athousandfrancs.”
“Butwhencehaveyouobtainedthem?”
“Listentome,mother,anddonotyieldtoomuchtoagitation.”
AndAlbert,rising,kissedhismotheronbothcheeks,thenstoodlookingather.
“Youcannotimagine,mother,howbeautifulIthinkyou!”
saidtheyoungman,impressedwithaprofoundfeelingoffiliallove.
“Youare,indeed,themostbeautifulandmostnoblewomanIeversaw!”
“Dearchild!”saidMercedes,endeavoringinvaintorestrainatearwhichglistenedinthecornerofhereye.
“Indeed,youonlywantedmisfortunetochangemyloveforyoutoadmiration.
IamnotunhappywhileIpossessmyson!”
“Ah,justso,”saidAlbert;“herebeginsthetrial.Doyouknowthedecisionwehavecometo,mother?”
“Havewecometoany?”
“Yes;itisdecidedthatyouaretoliveatMarseilles,andthatIamtoleaveforAfrica,whereIwillearnformyselftherighttousethenameInowbear,insteadoftheoneIhavethrownaside.”Mercedessighed.
“Well,mother,IyesterdayengagedmyselfassubstituteintheSpahis,”(*)addedtheyoungman,loweringhiseyeswithacertainfeelingofshame,forevenhewasunconsciousofthesublimityofhisself–abasement.
“Ithoughtmybodywasmyown,andthatImightsellit.Iyesterdaytooktheplaceofanother.
IsoldmyselfformorethanIthoughtIwasworth,”headded,attemptingtosmile;“Ifetched2,000francs.”
“Thenthese1,000francs”—saidMercedes,shuddering—
*TheSpahisareFrenchcavalryreservedforservicein
Africa.
“Arethehalfofthesum,mother;theotherwillbepaidinayear.”
Mercedesraisedhereyestoheavenwithanexpressionitwouldbeimpossibletodescribe,andtears,whichhadhithertobeenrestrained,nowyieldedtoheremotion,andrandownhercheeks.
“Thepriceofhisblood!”shemurmured.
“Yes,ifIamkilled,”saidAlbert,laughing.“ButIassureyou,mother,Ihaveastrongintentionofdefendingmyperson,andIneverfelthalfsostronganinclinationtoliveasIdonow.”
“Mercifulheavens!”
“Besides,mother,whyshouldyoumakeupyourmindthatIamtobekilled?
HasLamoriciere,thatNeyoftheSouth,beenkilled?HasChangarnierbeenkilled?HasBedeaubeenkilled?HasMorrel,whomweknow,beenkilled?
Thinkofyourjoy,mother,whenyouseemereturnwithanembroidereduniform!
Ideclare,Iexpecttolookmagnificentinit,andchosethatregimentonlyfromvanity.”
Mercedessighedwhileendeavoringtosmile;thedevotedmotherfeltthatsheoughtnottoallowthewholeweightofthesacrificetofalluponherson.“Well,nowyouunderstand,mother!”
continuedAlbert;“herearemorethan4,000francssettledonyou;upontheseyoucanliveatleasttwoyears.”
“Doyouthinkso?”saidMercedes.
ThesewordswereutteredinsomournfulatonethattheirrealmeaningdidnotescapeAlbert;hefelthisheartbeat,andtakinghismother’shandwithinhisownhesaid,tenderly,—
“Yes,youwilllive!”
“Ishalllive!—thenyouwillnotleaveme,Albert?”
“Mother,Imustgo,”saidAlbertinafirm,calmvoice;“youlovemetoowelltowishmetoremainuselessandidlewithyou;besides,Ihavesigned.”
“Youwillobeyyourownwishandthewillofheaven!”
“Notmyownwish,mother,butreason—necessity.Arewenottwodespairingcreatures?Whatislifetoyou?—Nothing.Whatislifetome?
—Verylittlewithoutyou,mother;forbelieveme,butforyouIshouldhaveceasedtoliveonthedayIdoubtedmyfatherandrenouncedhisname.
Well,Iwilllive,ifyoupromisemestilltohope;andifyougrantmethecareofyourfutureprospects,youwillredoublemystrength.
ThenIwillgotothegovernorofAlgeria;hehasaroyalheart,andisessentiallyasoldier;Iwilltellhimmygloomystory.
Iwillbeghimtoturnhiseyesnowandthentowardsme,andifhekeephiswordandinteresthimselfforme,insixmonthsIshallbeanofficer,ordead.
IfIamanofficer,yourfortuneiscertain,forIshallhavemoneyenoughforboth,and,moreover,anameweshallbothbeproudof,sinceitwillbeourown.
IfIamkilled—wellthenmother,youcanalsodie,andtherewillbeanendofourmisfortunes.”
“Itiswell,”repliedMercedes,withhereloquentglance;“youareright,mylove;letusprovetothosewhoarewatchingouractionsthatweareworthyofcompassion.”
“Butletusnotyieldtogloomyapprehensions,”saidtheyoungman;“Iassureyouweare,orratherweshallbe,veryhappy.
Youareawomanatoncefullofspiritandresignation;Ihavebecomesimpleinmytastes,andamwithoutpassion,Ihope.
Onceinservice,Ishallberich—onceinM.Dantes’house,youwillbeatrest.
Letusstrive,Ibeseechyou,—letusstrivetobecheerful.”
“Yes,letusstrive,foryououghttolive,andtobehappy,Albert.”
“Andsoourdivisionismade,mother,”saidtheyoungman,affectingeaseofmind.“Wecannowpart;come,Ishallengageyourpassage.”
“Andyou,mydearboy?”
“Ishallstayhereforafewdayslonger;wemustaccustomourselvestoparting.IwantrecommendationsandsomeinformationrelativetoAfrica.IwilljoinyouagainatMarseilles.”
“Well,beitso—letuspart,”saidMercedes,foldingaroundhershoulderstheonlyshawlshehadtakenaway,andwhichaccidentallyhappenedtobeavaluableblackcashmere.
Albertgathereduphispapershastily,rangthebelltopaythethirtyfrancsheowedtothelandlord,andofferinghisarmtohismother,theydescendedthestairs.
Someonewaswalkingdownbeforethem,andthisperson,hearingtherustlingofasilkdress,turnedaround.“Debray!”mutteredAlbert.
“You,Morcerf?”repliedthesecretary,restingonthestairs.
Curiosityhadvanquishedthedesireofpreservinghisincognito,andhewasrecognized.
Itwas,indeed,strangeinthisunknownspottofindtheyoungmanwhosemisfortuneshadmadesomuchnoiseinParis.
“Morcerf!”repeatedDebray.
ThennoticinginthedimlightthestillyouthfulandveiledfigureofMadamedeMorcerf:—”Pardonme,”headdedwithasmile,“Ileaveyou,Albert.”Albertunderstoodhisthoughts.
“Mother,”hesaid,turningtowardsMercedes,“thisisM.Debray,secretaryoftheministerfortheinterior,onceafriendofmine.”
“Howonce?”stammeredDebray;“whatdoyoumean?”
“Isayso,M.Debray,becauseIhavenofriendsnow,andIoughtnottohaveany.
Ithankyouforhavingrecognizedme,sir.”
Debraysteppedforward,andcordiallypressedthehandofhisinterlocutor.
“Believeme,dearAlbert,”hesaid,withalltheemotionhewascapableoffeeling,—”believeme,Ifeeldeeplyforyourmisfortunes,andifinanywayIcanserveyou,Iamyours.”
“Thankyou,sir,”saidAlbert,smiling.“Inthemidstofourmisfortunes,wearestillrichenoughnottorequireassistancefromanyone.
WeareleavingParis,andwhenourjourneyispaid,weshallhave5,000francsleft.”
ThebloodmountedtothetemplesofDebray,whoheldamillioninhispocket–book,andunimaginativeashewashecouldnothelpreflectingthatthesamehousehadcontainedtwowomen,oneofwhom,justlydishonored,hadleftitpoorwith1,500,000.
francsunderhercloak,whiletheother,unjustlystricken,butsublimeinhermisfortune,wasyetrichwithafewdeniers.
Thisparalleldisturbedhisusualpoliteness,thephilosophyhewitnessedappalledhim,hemutteredafewwordsofgeneralcivilityandrandown–stairs.
Thatdaytheminister’sclerksandthesubordinateshadagreatdealtoputupwithfromhisill–humor.
Butthatsamenight,hefoundhimselfthepossessorofafinehouse,situatedontheBoulevarddelaMadeleine,andanincomeof50,000livres.
Thenextday,justasDebraywassigningthedeed,thatisaboutfiveo’clockintheafternoon,MadamedeMorcerf,afterhavingaffectionatelyembracedherson,enteredthecoupeofthediligence,whichcloseduponher.
AmanwashiddeninLafitte’sbanking–house,behindoneofthelittlearchedwindowswhichareplacedaboveeachdesk;hesawMercedesenterthediligence,andhealsosawAlbertwithdraw.
Thenhepassedhishandacrosshisforehead,whichwascloudedwithdoubt.
“Alas,”heexclaimed,“howcanIrestorethehappinessIhavetakenawayfromthesepoorinnocentcreatures?Godhelpme!”
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