Chapter 46 Unlimited Credit
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ABOUT
TWO o'clock the following day a calash, drawn by a pair of magnificent
English horses, stopped at the door of Monte Cristo and a person, dressed
in a blue coat, with buttons of a similar color, a white waistcoat, over
which was displayed a massive gold chain, brown trousers, and a quantity
of black hair descending so low over his eyebrows as to leave it doubtful
whether it were not artificial so little did its jetty glossiness
assimilate with the deep wrinkles stamped on his features--a person, in a
word, who, although evidently past fifty, desired to be taken for not more
than forty, bent forwards from the carriage door, on the panels of which
were emblazoned the armorial bearings of a baron, and directed his groom
to inquire at the porter's lodge whether the Count of Monte Cristo resided
there, and if he were within. While waiting, the occupant of the carriage
surveyed the house, the garden as far as he could distinguish it, and the
livery of servants who passed to and fro, with an attention so close as to
be somewhat impertinent. His glance was keen but showed cunning rather
than intelligence; his lips were straight, and so thin that, as they
closed, they were drawn in over the teeth; his cheek-bones were broad and
projecting, a never-failing proof of audacity and craftiness; while the
flatness of his forehead, and the enlargement of the back of his skull,
which rose much higher than his large and coarsely shaped ears, combined
to form a physiognomy anything but prepossessing, save in the eyes of such
as considered that the owner of so splendid an equipage must needs be all
that was admirable and enviable, more especially when they gazed on the
enormous diamond that glittered in his shirt, and the red ribbon that
depended from his button-hole. The
groom, in obedience to his orders, tapped at the window of the porter's
lodge, saying, "Pray, does not the Count of Monte Cristo live
here?" "His
excellency does reside here," replied the conciииrge; "but"--added he,
glancing an inquiring look at Ali. Ali returned a sign in the negative.
"But what?" asked the groom. "His
excellency does not receive visitors to-day." "Then
here is my master's card,--the Baron Danglars. You will take it to the
count, and say that, although in haste to attend the Chamber, my master
came out of his way to have the honor of calling upon him." "I
never speak to his excellency," replied the conciииrge; "the valet de chambre
will carry your message." The groom returned to the carriage.
"Well?" asked Danglars. The man, somewhat crest-fallen by the
rebuke he had received, repeated what the conciииrge had said. "Bless me," murmured Baron
Danglars, "this must surely be a prince instead of a count by their
styling him 'excellency,' and only venturing to address him by the medium
of his valet de chambre. However, it does not signify; he has a letter of
credit on me, so I must see him when he requires his money." Then,
throwing himself back in his carriage, Danglars called out to his
coachman, in a voice that might be heard across the road, "To the
Chamber of Deputies." Apprised
in time of the visit paid him, Monte Cristo had, from behind the blinds of
his pavilion, as minutely observed the baron, by means of an excellent
lorgnette, as Danglars himself had scrutinized the house, garden, and
servants. "That fellow has a decidedly bad countenance," said
the count in a tone of disgust, as he shut up his glass into its ivory
case. "How comes it that all do not retreat in aversion at sight of
that flat, receding, serpent-like forehead, round, vulture-shaped head,
and sharp-hooked nose, like the beak of a buzzard? Ali," cried he,
striking at the same time on the brazen gong. Ali appeared. "Summon
Bertuccio," said the count. Almost immediately Bertuccio entered the
apartment. "Did your excellency desire to see me?" inquired he.
"I did," replied the count. "You no doubt observed the
horses standing a few minutes since at the door?" "Certainly,
your excellency. I noticed them for their remarkable beauty." "Then
how comes it," said Monte Cristo with a frown, "that, when I
desired you to purchase for me the finest pair of horses to be found in
Paris, there is another pair, fully as fine as mine, not in my
stables?" At the look of displeasure, added to the angry tone in
which the count spoke, Ali turned pale and held down his head. "It is
not your fault, my good Ali," said the count in the Arabic language,
and with a gentleness none would have thought him capable of showing,
either in voice or face--"it is not your fault. You do not understand
the points of English horses." The countenance of poor Ali recovered
its serenity. "Permit me to assure your excellency," said
Bertuccio, "that the horses you speak of were not to be sold when I
purchased yours." Monte Cristo shrugged his shoulders. "It
seems, sir steward," said he, "that you have yet to learn that
all things are to be sold to such as care to pay the price." "His
excellency is not, perhaps, aware that M. Danglars gave 16,000 francs for
his horses?" "Very
well. Then offer him double that sum; a banker never loses an opportunity
of doubling his capital." "Is
your excellency really in earnest?" inquired the steward. Monte
Cristo regarded the person who durst presume to doubt his words with the
look of one equally surprised and displeased. "I have to pay a visit
this evening," replied he. "I desire that these horses, with
completely new harness, may be at the door with my carriage."
Bertuccio bowed, and was about to retire; but when he reached the door, he
paused, and then said, "At what o'clock does your excellency wish the
carriage and horses to be ready?" "At
five o'clock," replied the count. "I
beg your excellency's pardon," interposed the steward in a
deprecating manner, "for venturing to observe that it is already two
o'clock." "I
am perfectly aware of that fact," answered Monte Cristo calmly. Then,
turning towards Ali, he said, "Let all the horses in my stables be
led before the windows of your young lady, that she may select those she
prefers for her carriage. Request her also to oblige me by saying whether
it is her pleasure to dine with me; if so, let dinner be served in her
apartments. Now, leave me, and desire my valet de chambre to come
hither." Scarcely had Ali disappeared when the valet entered the
chamber. "Monsieur Baptistin," said the count, "you have
been in my service one year, the time I generally give myself to judge of
the merits or demerits of those about me. You suit me very well."
Baptistin bowed low. "It only remains for me to know whether I also
suit you?" "Oh,
your excellency!" exclaimed Baptistin eagerly. "Listen,
if you please, till I have finished speaking," replied Monte Cristo.
"You receive 1,500 francs per annum for your services here--more than
many a brave subaltern, who continually risks his life for his country,
obtains. You live in a manner far superior to many clerks who work ten
times harder than you do for their money. Then, though yourself a servant,
you have other servants to wait upon you, take care of your clothes, and
see that your linen is duly prepared for you. Again, you make a profit
upon each article you purchase for my toilet, amounting in the course of a
year to a sum equalling your wages." "Nay,
indeed, your excellency." "I
am not condemning you for this, Monsieur Baptistin; but let your profits
end here. It would be long indeed ere you would find so lucrative a post
as that you have how the good fortune to fill. I neither ill-use nor
ill-treat my servants by word or action. An error I readily forgive, but
wilful negligence or forgetfulness, never. My commands are ordinarily
short, clear, and precise; and I would rather be obliged to repeat my
words twice, or even three times, than they should be misunderstood. I am
rich enough to know whatever I desire to know, and I can promise you I am
not wanting in curiosity. If, then, I should learn that you had taken upon
yourself to speak of me to any one favorably or unfavorably, to comment on
my actions, or watch my conduct, that very instant you would quit my
service. You may now retire. I never caution my servants a second
time--remember that." Baptistin bowed, and was proceeding towards the
door. "I forgot to mention to you," said the count, "that I
lay yearly aside a certain sum for each servant in my establishment; those
whom I am compelled to dismiss lose (as a matter of course) all
participation in this money, while their portion goes to the fund
accumulating for those domestics who remain with me, and among whom it
will be divided at my death. You have been in my service a year, your fund
has already begun to accumulate--let it continue to do so." This
address, delivered in the presence of Ali, who, not understanding one word
of the language in which it was spoken, stood wholly unmoved, produced an
effect on M. Baptistin only to be conceived by such as have occasion to
study the character and disposition of French domestics. "I assure
your excellency," said he, "that at least it shall be my study
to merit your approbation in all things, and I will take M. Ali as my
model." "By
no means," replied the count in the most frigid tones; "Ali has
many faults mixed with most excellent qualities. He cannot possibly serve
you as a pattern for your conduct, not being, as you are, a paid servant,
but a mere slave--a dog, who, should he fail in his duty towards me, I
should not discharge from my service, but kill." Baptistin opened his
eyes with astonishment. "You
seen incredulous," said Monte Cristo who repeated to Ali in the
Arabic language what he had just been saying to Baptistin in French. The
Nubian smiled assentingly to his master's words, then, kneeling on one
knee, respectfully kissed the hand of the count. This corroboration of the
lesson he had just received put the finishing stroke to the wonder and
stupefaction of M. Baptistin. The count then motioned the valet de chambre
to retire, and to Ali to follow to his study, where they conversed long
and earnestly together. As the hand of the clock pointed to five the count
struck thrice upon his gong. When Ali was wanted one stroke was given, two
summoned Baptistin, and three Bertuccio. The steward entered. "My
horses," said Monte Cristo. "They
are at the door harnessed to the carriage as your excellency desired. Does
your excellency wish me to accompany him?" "No,
the coachman, Ali, and Baptistin will go." The count descended to the
door of his mansion, and beheld his carriage drawn by the very pair of
horses he had so much admired in the morning as the property of Danglars.
As he passed them he said--"They are extremely handsome certainly,
and you have done well to purchase them, although you were somewhat remiss
not to have procured them sooner." "Indeed,
your excellency, I had very considerable difficulty in obtaining them,
and, as it is, they have cost an enormous price." "Does
the sum you gave for them make the animals less beautiful," inquired
the count, shrugging his shoulders. "Nay,
if your excellency is satisfied, it is all that I could wish. Whither does
your excellency desire to be driven?" "To
the residence of Baron Danglars, Rue de la Chaussижe d'Antin." This conversation had passed as
they stood upon the terrace, from which a flight of stone steps led to the
carriage-drive. As Bertuccio, with a respectful bow, was moving away, the
count called him back. "I have another commission for you, M.
Bertuccio," said he; "I am desirous of having an estate by the
seaside in Normandy--for instance, between Havre and Boulogne. You see I
give you a wide range. It will be absolutely necessary that the place you
may select have a small harbor, creek, or bay, into which my corvette can
enter and remain at anchor. She draws only fifteen feet. She must be kept
in constant readiness to sail immediately I think proper to give the
signal. Make the requisite inquiries for a place of this description, and
when you have met with an eligible spot, visit it, and if it possess the
advantages desired, purchase it at once in your own name. The corvette
must now, I think, be on her way to Fижcamp, must she not?" "Certainly,
your excellency; I saw her put to sea the same evening we quitted
Marseilles." "And
the yacht." "Was
ordered to remain at Martigues." "'Tis
well. I wish you to write from time to time to the captains in charge of
the two vessels so as to keep them on the alert." "And
the steamboat?" "She
is at Chalons?" "Yes."
"The
same orders for her as for the two sailing vessels." "Very
good." "When
you have purchased the estate I desire, I want constant relays of horses
at ten leagues apart along the northern and southern road." "Your
excellency may depend upon me." The Count made a gesture of
satisfaction, descended the terrace steps, and sprang into his carriage,
which was whirled along swiftly to the banker's house. Danglars was
engaged at that moment, presiding over a railroad committee. But the
meeting was nearly concluded when the name of his visitor was announced.
As the count's title sounded on his ear he rose, and addressing his
colleagues, who were members of one or the other Chamber, he
said,--"Gentlemen, pardon me for leaving you so abruptly; but a most
ridiculous circumstance has occurred, which is this,--Thomson &
French, the Roman bankers, have sent to me a certain person calling
himself the Count of Monte Cristo, and have given him an unlimited credit
with me. I confess this is the drollest thing I have ever met with in the
course of my extensive foreign transactions, and you may readily suppose
it has greatly roused my curiosity. I took the trouble this morning to
call on the pretended count--if he were a real count he wouldn't be so
rich. But, would you believe it, 'He was not receiving.' So the master of
Monte Cristo gives himself airs befitting a great millionaire or a
capricious beauty. I made inquiries, and found that the house in the
Champs Elysижes is his own property, and certainly it was very
decently kept up. But," pursued Danglars with one of his sinister
smiles, "an order for unlimited credit calls for something like
caution on the part of the banker to whom that order is given. I am very
anxious to see this man. I suspect a hoax is intended, but the instigators
of it little knew whom they had to deal with. 'They laugh best who laugh
last!'" Having
delivered himself of this pompous address, uttered with a degree of energy
that left the baron almost out of breath, he bowed to the assembled party
and withdrew to his drawing-room, whose sumptuous furnishings of white and
gold had caused a great sensation in the Chaussижe d'Antin. It was to this apartment he had desired
his guest to be shown, with the purpose of overwhelming him at the sight
of so much luxury. He found the count standing before some copies of
Albano and Fattore that had been passed off to the banker as originals;
but which, mere copies as they were, seemed to feel their degradation in
being brought into juxtaposition with the gaudy colors that covered the
ceiling. The count turned round as he heard the entrance of Danglars into
the room. With a slight inclination of the head, Danglars signed to the
count to be seated, pointing significantly to a gilded arm-chair, covered
with white satin embroidered with gold. The count sat down. "I have
the honor, I presume, of addressing M. de Monte Cristo." The
count bowed. "And I of speaking to Baron Danglars, chevalier of the
Legion of Honor, and member of the Chamber of Deputies?" Monte
Cristo repeated all the titles he had read on the baron's card. Danglars
felt the irony and compressed his lips. "You will, I trust, excuse
me, monsieur, for not calling you by your title when I first addressed
you," he said, "but you are aware that we are living under a
popular form of government, and that I am myself a representative of the
liberties of the people." "So
much so," replied Monte Cristo, "that while you call yourself
baron you are not willing to call anybody else count." "Upon
my word, monsieur," said Danglars with affected carelessness, "I
attach no sort of value to such empty distinctions; but the fact is, I was
made baron, and also chevalier of the Legion of Honor, in return for
services rendered, but"-- "But
you have discarded your titles after the example set you by Messrs. de
Montmorency and Lafayette? That was a noble example to follow,
monsieur." "Why,"
replied Danglars, "not entirely so; with the servants,--you
understand." "I
see; to your domestics you are 'my lord,' the journalists style you
'monsieur,' while your constituents call you 'citizen.' These are
distinctions very suitable under a constitutional government. I understand
perfectly." Again Danglars bit his lips; he saw that he was no match
for Monte Cristo in an argument of this sort, and he therefore hastened to
turn to subjects more congenial. "Permit
me to inform you, Count," said he, bowing, "that I have received
a letter of advice from Thomson & French, of Rome." "I
am glad to hear it, baron,--for I must claim the privilege of addressing
you after the manner of your servants. I have acquired the bad habit of
calling persons by their titles from living in a country where barons are
still barons by right of birth. But as regards the letter of advice, I am
charmed to find that it has reached you; that will spare me the
troublesome and disagreeable task of coming to you for money myself. You
have received a regular letter of advice?" "Yes,"
said Danglars, "but I confess I didn't quite comprehend its
meaning." "Indeed?"
"And
for that reason I did myself the honor of calling upon you, in order to
beg for an explanation." "Go
on, monsieur. Here I am, ready to give you any explanation you
desire." "Why,"
said Danglers, "in the letter--I believe I have it about
me"--here he felt in his breast-pocket--"yes, here it is. Well,
this letter gives the Count of Monte Cristo unlimited credit on our
house." "Well,
baron, what is there difficult to understand about that?" "Merely
the term unlimited--nothing else, certainly." "Is
not that word known in France? The people who wrote are Anglo-Germans, you
know." "Oh,
as for the composition of the letter, there is nothing to be said; but as
regards the competency of the document, I certainly have doubts." "Is
it possible?" asked the count, assuming all air and tone of the
utmost simplicity and candor. "Is it possible that Thomson &
French are not looked upon as safe and solvent bankers? Pray tell me what
you think, baron, for I feel uneasy, I can assure you, having some
considerable property in their hands." "Thomson
& French are perfectly solvent," replied Danglars, with an almost
mocking smile: "but the word unlimited, in financial affairs, is so
extremely vague." "Is,
in fact, unlimited," said Monte Cristo. "Precisely
what I was about to say," cried Danglars. "Now what is vague is
doubtful; and it was a wise man who said, 'when in doubt, keep out.'"
"Meaning
to say," rejoined Monte Cristo, "that however Thomson &
French may be inclined to commit acts of imprudence and folly, the Baron
Danglars is not disposed to follow their example." "Not
at all." "Plainly
enough. Messrs. Thomson & French set no bounds to their engagements
while those of M. Danglars have their limits; he is a wise man, according
to his own showing." "Monsieur,"
replied the banker, drawing himself up with a haughty air, "the
extent of my resources has never yet been questioned." "It
seems, then, reserved for me," said Monte Cristo coldly, "to be
the first to do so." "By
what right, sir?" "By
right of the objections you have raised, and the explanations you have
demanded, which certainly must have some motive." Once
more Danglars bit his lips. It was the second time he had been worsted,
and this time on his own ground. His forced politeness sat awkwardly upon
him, and approached almost to impertinence. Monte Cristo on the contrary,
preserved a graceful suavity of demeanor, aided by a certain degree of
simplicity he could assume at pleasure, and thus possessed the advantage. "Well,
sir," resumed Danglars, after a brief silence, "I will endeavor
to make myself understood, by requesting you to inform me for what sum you
propose to draw upon me?" "Why,
truly," replied Monte Cristo, determined not to lose an inch of the
ground he had gained, "my reason for desiring an 'unlimited' credit
was precisely because I did not know how much money I might need." The
banker thought the time had come for him to take the upper hand. So
throwing himself back in his arm-chair, he said, with an arrogant and
purse-proud air,--"Let me beg of you not to hesitate in naming your
wishes; you will then be convinced that the resources of the house of
Danglars, however limited, are still equal to meeting the largest demands;
and were you even to require a million"-- "I
beg your pardon," interposed Monte Cristo. "I
said a million," replied Danglars, with the confidence of ignorance. "But
could I do with a million?" retorted the count. "My dear sir, if
a trifle like that could suffice me, I should never have given myself the
trouble of opening an account. A million? Excuse my smiling when you speak
of a sum I am in the habit of carrying in my pocket-book or
dressing-case." And with these words Monte Cristo took from his
pocket a small case containing his visiting-cards, and drew forth two
orders on the treasury for 500,000 francs each, payable at sight to the
bearer. A man like Danglars was wholly inaccessible to any gentler method
of correction. The effect of the present revelation was stunning; he
trembled and was on the verge of apoplexy. The pupils of his eyes, as he
gazed at Monte Cristo dilated horribly. "Come,
come," said Monte Cristo, "confess honestly that you have not
perfect confidence in Thomson & French. I understand, and foreseeing
that such might be the case, I took, in spite of my ignorance of affairs,
certain precautions. See, here are two similar letters to that you have
yourself received; one from the house of Arstein & Eskeles of Vienna,
to Baron Rothschild, the other drawn by Baring of London, upon M. Laffitte.
Now, sir, you have but to say the word, and I will spare you all
uneasiness by presenting my letter of credit to one or other of these two
firms." The blow had struck home, and Danglars was entirely
vanquished; with a trembling hand he took the two letters from the count,
who held them carelessly between finger and thumb, and proceeded to
scrutinize the signatures, with a minuteness that the count might have
regarded as insulting, had it not suited his present purpose to mislead
the banker. "Oh, sir," said Danglars, after he had convinced
himself of the authenticity of the documents he held, and rising as if to
salute the power of gold personified in the man before him,--"three
letters of unlimited credit! I can be no longer mistrustful, but you must
pardon me, my dear count, for confessing to some degree of
astonishment." "Nay,"
answered Monte Cristo, with the most gentlemanly air, "'tis not for
such trifling sums as these that your banking house is to be incommoded.
Then, you can let me have some money, can you not?" "Whatever
you say, my dear count; I am at your orders." "Why,"
replied Monte Cristo, "since we mutually understand each other--for
such I presume is the case?" Danglars bowed assentingly. "You
are quite sure that not a lurking doubt or suspicion lingers in your
mind?" "Oh,
my dear count," exclaimed Danglars, "I never for an instant
entertained such a feeling towards you." "No,
you merely wished to be convinced, nothing more; but now that we have come
to so clear an understanding, and that all distrust and suspicion are laid
at rest, we may as well fix a sum as the probable expenditure of the first
year, suppose we say six millions to"-- "Six
millions!" gasped Danglars--"so be it." "Then,
if I should require more," continued Monte Cristo in a careless
manner, "why, of course, I should draw upon you; but my present
intention is not to remain in France more than a year, and during that
period I scarcely think I shall exceed the sum I mentioned. However, we
shall see. Be kind enough, then, to send me 500,000 francs to-morrow. I
shall be at home till midday, or if not, I will leave a receipt with my
steward." "The
money you desire shall be at your house by ten o'clock to-morrow morning,
my dear count," replied Danglars. "How would you like to have
it? in gold, silver, or notes?" "Half
in gold, and the other half in bank-notes, if you please," said the
count, rising from his seat. "I
must confess to you, count," said Danglars, "that I have
hitherto imagined myself acquainted with the degree of all the great
fortunes of Europe, and still wealth such as yours has been wholly unknown
to me. May I presume to ask whether you have long possessed it?" "It
has been in the family a very long while," returned Monte Cristo,
"a sort of treasure expressly forbidden to be touched for a certain
period of years, during which the accumulated interest has doubled the
capital. The period appointed by the testator for the disposal of these
riches occurred only a short time ago, and they have only been employed by
me within the last few years. Your ignorance on the subject, therefore, is
easily accounted for. However, you will be better informed as to me and my
possessions ere long." And the count, while pronouncing these latter
words, accompanied them with one of those ghastly smiles that used to
strike terror into poor Franz d'Epinay. "With
your tastes, and means of gratifying them," continued Danglars,
"you will exhibit a splendor that must effectually put us poor
miserable millionaires quite in the shade. If I mistake not you are an
admirer of paintings, at least I judged so from the attention you appeared
to be bestowing on mine when I entered the room. If you will permit me, I
shall be happy to show you my picture gallery, composed entirely of works
by the ancient masters--warranted as such. Not a modern picture among
them. I cannot endure the modern school of painting." "You
are perfectly right in objecting to them, for this one great fault--that
they have not yet had time to become old." "Or
will you allow me to show you several fine statues by Thorwaldsen,
Bartoloni, and Canova?--all foreign artists, for, as you may perceive, I
think but very indifferently of our French sculptors." "You
have a right to be unjust to them, monsieur; they are your
compatriots." "But
all this may come later, when we shall be better known to each other. For
the present, I will confine myself (if perfectly agreeable to you) to
introducing you to the Baroness Danglars--excuse my impatience, my dear
count, but a client like you is almost like a member of the family."
Monte Cristo bowed, in sign that he accepted the proffered honor; Danglars
rang and was answered by a servant in a showy livery. "Is the
baroness at home?" inquired Danglars. "Yes,
my lord," answered the man. "And
alone?" "No,
my lord, madame has visitors." "Have
you any objection to meet any persons who may be with madame, or do you
desire to preserve a strict incognito?" "No,
indeed," replied Monte Cristo with a smile, "I do not arrogate
to myself the right of so doing." "And
who is with madame?--M. Debray?" inquired Danglars, with an air of
indulgence and good-nature that made Monte Cristo smile, acquainted as he
was with the secrets of the banker's domestic life. "Yes,
my lord," replied the servant, "M. Debray is with madame."
Danglars nodded his head; then, turning to Monte Cristo, said, "M.
Lucien Debray is an old friend of ours, and private secretary to the
Minister of the Interior. As for my wife, I must tell you, she lowered
herself by marrying me, for she belongs to one of the most ancient
families in France. Her maiden name was De Serviииres,
and her first husband was Colonel the Marquis of Nargonne." "I
have not the honor of knowing Madame Danglars; but I have already met M.
Lucien Debray." "Ah,
indeed?" said Danglars; "and where was that?" "At
the house of M. de Morcerf." "Ah,
ha, you are acquainted with the young viscount, are you?" "We
were together a good deal during the Carnival at Rome." "True,
true," cried Danglars. "Let me see; have I not heard talk of
some strange adventure with bandits or thieves hid in ruins, and of his
having had a miraculous escape? I forget how, but I know he used to amuse
my wife and daughter by telling them about it after his return from
Italy." "Her
ladyship is waiting to receive you, gentlemen," said the servant, who
had gone to inquire the pleasure of his mistress. "With your
permission," said Danglars, bowing, "I will precede you, to show
you the way." "By
all means," replied Monte Cristo; "I follow you." |
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