Chapter 53 Robert le Diable
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THE
PRETEXT of an opera engagement was so much the more feasible, as there
chanced to be on that very night a more than ordinary attraction at the
Acadижmie Royale. Levasseur, who had
been suffering under severe illness, made his reappearance in the
character of Bertrand, and, as usual, the announcement of the most admired
production of the favorite composer of the day had attracted a brilliant
and fashionable audience. Morcerf, like most other young men of rank and
fortune, had his orchestra stall, with the certainty of always finding a
seat in at least a dozen of the principal boxes occupied by persons of his
acquaintance; he had, moreover, his right of entry into the omnibus box.
Chateau-Renaud rented a stall beside his own, while Beauchamp, as a
journalist, had unlimited range all over the theatre. It happened that on
this particular night the minister's box was placed at the disposal of
Lucien Debray, who offered it to the Comte de Morcerf, who again, upon his
mother's rejection of it, sent it to Danglars, with an intimation that he
should probably do himself the honor of joining the baroness and her
daughter during the evening, in the event of their accepting the box in
question. The ladies received the offer with too much pleasure to dream of
a refusal. To no class of persons is the presentation of a gratuitous
opera-box more acceptable than to the wealthy millionaire, who still hugs
economy while boasting of carrying a king's ransom in his waistcoat
pocket. Danglars
had, however, protested against showing himself in a ministerial box,
declaring that his political principles, and his parliamentary position as
member of the opposition party would not permit him so to commit himself;
the baroness had, therefore, despatched a note to Lucien Debray, bidding
him call for them, it being wholly impossible for her to go alone with Eugижnie to the opera. There is no
gainsaying the fact that a very unfavorable construction would have been
put upon the circumstance if the two women had gone without escort, while
the addition of a third, in the person of her mother's admitted lover,
enabled Mademoiselle Danglars to defy malice and ill-nature. One must take
the world as one finds it. The
curtain rose, as usual, to an almost empty house, it being one of the
absurdities of Parisian fashion never to appear at the opera until after
the beginning of the performance, so that the first act is generally
played without the slightest attention being paid to it, that part of the
audience already assembled being too much occupied in observing the fresh
arrivals, while nothing is heard but the noise of opening and shutting
doors, and the buzz of conversation. "Surely,"
said Albert, as the door of a box on the first circle opened, "that
must be the Countess G----." "And
who is the Countess G----?" inquired Chateau-Renaud. "What
a question! Now, do you know, baron, I have a great mind to pick a quarrel
with you for asking it; as if all the world did not know who the Countess
G----was." "Ah,
to be sure," replied Chateau-Renaud; "the lovely Venetian, is it
not?" "Herself."
At this moment the countess perceived Albert, and returned his salutation
with a smile. "You know her, it seems?" said Chateau-Renaud. "Franz
introduced me to her at Rome," replied Albert. "Well,
then, will you do as much for me in Paris as Franz did for you in
Rome?" "With
pleasure." There
was a cry of "Shut up!" from the audience. This manifestation on
the part of the spectators of their wish to be allowed to hear the music,
produced not the slightest effect on the two young men, who continued
their conversation. "The countess was present at the races in the
Champ-de-Mars," said Chateau-Renaud. "To-day?"
"Yes."
"Bless
me, I quite forgot the races. Did you bet?" "Oh,
merely a paltry fifty louis." "And
who was the winner?" "Nautilus.
I staked on him." "But
there were three races, were there not?" "Yes;
there was the prize given by the Jockey Club--a gold cup, you know--and a
very singular circumstance occurred about that race." "What
was it?" "Oh,
shut up!" again interposed some of the audience. "Why,
it was won by a horse and rider utterly unknown on the course." "Is
that possible?" "True
as day. The fact was, nobody had observed a horse entered by the name of
Vampa, or that of a jockey styled Job, when, at the last moment, a
splendid roan, mounted by a jockey about as big as your fist, presented
themselves at the starting-post. They were obliged to stuff at least
twenty pounds weight of shot in the small rider's pockets, to make him
weight; but with all that he outstripped Ariel and Barbare, against whom
he ran, by at least three whole lengths." "And
was it not found out at last to whom the horse and jockey belonged?" "No."
"You
say that the horse was entered under the name of Vampa?" "Exactly;
that was the title." "Then,"
answered Albert, "I am better informed than you are, and know who the
owner of that horse was." "Shut
up, there!" cried the pit in chorus. And this time the tone and
manner in which the command was given, betokened such growing hostility
that the two young men perceived, for the first time, that the mandate was
addressed to them. Leisurely turning round, they calmly scrutinized the
various countenances around them, as though demanding some one person who
would take upon himself the responsibility of what they deemed excessive
impertinence; but as no one responded to the challenge, the friends turned
again to the front of the theatre, and affected to busy themselves with
the stage. At this moment the door of the minister's box opened, and
Madame Danglars, accompanied by her daughter, entered, escorted by Lucien
Debray, who assiduously conducted them to their seats. "Ha,
ha," said Chateau-Renaud, "here comes some friends of yours,
viscount! What are you looking at there? don't you see they are trying to
catch your eye?" Albert turned round, just in time to receive a
gracious wave of the fan from the baroness; as for Mademoiselle Eugижnie, she scarcely vouchsafed to
waste the glances of her large black eyes even upon the business of the
stage. "I tell you what, my dear fellow," said Chateau-Renaud,
"I cannot imagine what objection you can possibly have to
Mademoiselle Danglars--that is, setting aside her want of ancestry and
somewhat inferior rank, which by the way I don't think you care very much
about. Now, barring all that, I mean to say she is a deuced fine
girl!" "Handsome,
certainly," replied Albert, "but not to my taste, which I
confess, inclines to something softer, gentler, and more feminine." "Ah,
well," exclaimed Chateau-Renaud, who because he had seen his
thirtieth summer fancied himself duly warranted in assuming a sort of
paternal air with his more youthful friend, "you young people are
never satisfied; why, what would you have more? your parents have chosen
you a bride built on the model of Diana, the huntress, and yet you are not
content." "No,
for that very resemblance affrights me; I should have liked something more
in the manner of the Venus of Milo or Capua; but this chase-loving Diana
continually surrounded by her nymphs gives me a sort of alarm lest she
should some day bring on me the fate of Act?on." And,
indeed, it required but one glance at Mademoiselle Danglars to comprehend
the justness of Morcerf's remark--she was beautiful, but her beauty was of
too marked and decided a character to please a fastidious taste; her hair
was raven black, but its natural waves seemed somewhat rebellious; her
eyes, of the same color as her hair, were surmounted by well-arched brows,
whose great defect, however, consisted in an almost habitual frown, while
her whole physiognomy wore that expression of firmness and decision so
little in accordance with the gentler attributes of her sex--her nose was
precisely what a sculptor would have chosen for a chiselled Juno. Her
mouth, which might have been found fault with as too large, displayed
teeth of pearly whiteness, rendered still more conspicuous by the
brilliant carmine of her lips, contrasting vividly with her naturally pale
complexion. But that which completed the almost masculine look Morcerf
found so little to his taste, was a dark mole, of much larger dimensions
than these freaks of nature generally are, placed just at the corner of
her mouth; and the effect tended to increase the expression of
self-dependence that characterized her countenance. The rest of
Mademoiselle Eugижnie's person was in perfect keeping with the head
just described; she, indeed, reminded one of Diana, as Chateau-Renaud
observed, but her bearing was more haughty and resolute. As regarded her
attainments, the only fault to be found with them was the same that a
fastidious connoisseur might have found with her beauty, that they were
somewhat too erudite and masculine for so young a person. She was a
perfect linguist, a first-rate artist, wrote poetry, and composed music;
to the study of the latter she professed to be entirely devoted, following
it with an indefatigable perseverance, assisted by a schoolfellow,--a
young woman without fortune whose talent promised to develop into
remarkable powers as a singer. It was rumored that she was an object of
almost paternal interest to one of the principal composers of the day, who
excited her to spare no pains in the cultivation of her voice, which might
hereafter prove a source of wealth and independence. But this counsel
effectually decided Mademoiselle Danglars never to commit herself by being
seen in public with one destined for a theatrical life; and acting upon
this principle, the banker's daughter, though perfectly willing to allow
Mademoiselle Louise d'Armilly (that was the name of the young virtuosa) to
practice with her through the day, took especial care not to be seen in
her company. Still, though not actually received at the Hotel Danglars in
the light of an acknowledged friend, Louise was treated with far more
kindness and consideration than is usually bestowed on a governess. The
curtain fell almost immediately after the entrance of Madame Danglars into
her box, the band quitted the orchestra for the accustomed half-hour's
interval allowed between the acts, and the audience were left at liberty
to promenade the salon or lobbies, or to pay and receive visits in their
respective boxes. Morcerf and Chateau-Renaud were amongst the first to
avail themselves of this permission. For an instant the idea struck Madame
Danglars that this eagerness on the part of the young viscount arose from
his impatience to join her party, and she whispered her expectations to
her daughter, that Albert was hurrying to pay his respects to them.
Mademoiselle Eugижnie, however, merely returned a dissenting movement
of the head, while, with a cold smile, she directed the attention of her
mother to an opposite box on the first circle, in which sat the Countess
G----, and where Morcerf had just made his appearance. "So we meet
again, my travelling friend, do we?" cried the countess, extending
her hand to him with all the warmth and cordiality of an old acquaintance;
"it was really very good of you to recognize me so quickly, and still
more so to bestow your first visit on me." "Be
assured," replied Albert, "that if I had been aware of your
arrival in Paris, and had known your address, I should have paid my
respects to you before this. Allow me to introduce my friend, Baron de
Chateau-Renaud, one of the few true gentlemen now to be found in France,
and from whom I have just learned that you were a spectator of the races
in the Champ-de-Mars, yesterday." Chateau-Renaud bowed to the
countess. "So
you were at the races, baron?" inquired the countess eagerly. "Yes,
madame." "Well,
then," pursued Madame G----with considerable animation, "you can
probably tell me who won the Jockey Club stakes?" "I
am sorry to say I cannot," replied the baron; "and I was just
asking the same question of Albert." "Are
you very anxious to know, countess?" asked Albert. "To
know what?" "The
name of the owner of the winning horse?" "Excessively;
only imagine--but do tell me, viscount, whether you really are acquainted
with it or no?" "I
beg your pardon, madame, but you were about to relate some story, were you
not? You said, 'only imagine,'--and then paused. Pray continue." "Well,
then, listen. You must know I felt so interested in the splendid roan
horse, with his elegant little rider, so tastefully dressed in a pink
satin jacket and cap, that I could not help praying for their success with
as much earnestness as though the half of my fortune were at stake; and
when I saw them outstrip all the others, and come to the winning-post in
such gallant style, I actually clapped my hands with joy. Imagine my
surprise, when, upon returning home, the first object I met on the
staircase was the identical jockey in the pink jacket! I concluded that,
by some singular chance, the owner of the winning horse must live in the
same hotel as myself; but, as I entered my apartments, I beheld the very
gold cup awarded as a prize to the unknown horse and rider. Inside the cup
was a small piece of paper, on which were written these words--'From Lord
Ruthven to Countess G----.'" "Precisely;
I was sure of it," said Morcerf. "Sure
of what?" "That
the owner of the horse was Lord Ruthven himself." "What
Lord Ruthven do you mean?" "Why,
our Lord Ruthven--the Vampire of the Salle Argentino!" "Is
it possible?" exclaimed the countess; "is he here in
Paris?" "To
be sure,--why not?" "And
you visit him?--meet him at your own house and elsewhere?" "I
assure you he is my most intimate friend, and M. de Chateau-Renaud has
also the honor of his acquaintance." "But
why are you so sure of his being the winner of the Jockey Club
prize?" "Was
not the winning horse entered by the name of Vampa?" "What
of that?" "Why,
do you not recollect the name of the celebrated bandit by whom I was made
prisoner?" "Oh,
yes." "And
from whose hands the count extricated me in so wonderful a manner?" "To
be sure, I remember it all now." "He
called himself Vampa. You see. it's evident where the count got the
name." "But
what could have been his motive for sending the cup to me?" "In
the first place, because I had spoken much of you to him, as you may
believe; and in the second, because he delighted to see a countrywoman
take so lively an interest in his success." "I
trust and hope you never repeated to the count all the foolish remarks we
used to make about him?" "I
should not like to affirm upon oath that I have not. Besides, his
presenting you the cup under the name of Lord Ruthven"-- "Oh,
but that is dreadful! Why, the man must owe me a fearful grudge." "Does
his action appear like that of an enemy?" "No;
certainly not." "Well,
then"-- "And
so he is in Paris?" "Yes."
"And
what effect does he produce?" "Why,"
said Albert, "he was talked about for a week; then the coronation of
the queen of England took place, followed by the theft of Mademoiselle
Mars's diamonds; and so people talked of something else." "My
good fellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "the count is your friend and
you treat him accordingly. Do not believe what Albert is telling you,
countess; so far from the sensation excited in the Parisian circles by the
appearance of the Count of Monte Cristo having abated, I take upon myself
to declare that it is as strong as ever. His first astounding act upon
coming amongst us was to present a pair of horses, worth 32,000 francs, to
Madame Danglars; his second, the almost miraculous preservation of Madame
de Villefort's life; now it seems that he has carried off the prize
awarded by the Jockey Club. I therefore maintain, in spite of Morcerf,
that not only is the count the object of interest at this present moment,
but also that he will continue to be so for a month longer if he pleases
to exhibit an eccentricity of conduct which, after all, may be his
ordinary mode of existence." "Perhaps
you are right," said Morcerf; "meanwhile, who is in the Russian
ambassador's box?" "Which
box do you mean?" asked the countess. "The
one between the pillars on the first tier--it seems to have been fitted up
entirely afresh." "Did
you observe any one during the first act?" asked Chateau-Renaud. "Where?"
"In
that box." "No,"
replied the countess, "it was certainly empty during the first
act;" then, resuming the subject of their previous conversation, she
said, "And so you really believe it was your mysterious Count of
Monte Cristo that gained the prize?" "I
am sure of it." "And
who afterwards sent the cup to me?" "Undoubtedly."
"But
I don't know him," said the countess; "I have a great mind to
return it." "Do
no such thing, I beg of you; he would only send you another, formed of a
magnificent sapphire, or hollowed out of a gigantic ruby. It is his way,
and you must take him as you find him." At this moment the bell rang
to announce the drawing up of the curtain for the second act. Albert rose
to return to his place. "Shall I see you again?" asked the
countess. "At the end of the next act, with your permission, I will
come and inquire whether there is anything I can do for you in
Paris?" "Pray
take notice," said the countess, "that my present residence is
22 Rue de Rivoli, and that I am at home to my friends every Saturday
evening. So now, you are both forewarned." The young men bowed, and
quitted the box. Upon reaching their stalls, they found the whole of the
audience in the parterre standing up and directing their gaze towards the
box formerly possessed by the Russian ambassador. A man of from
thirty-five to forty years of age, dressed in deep black, had just
entered, accompanied by a young woman dressed after the Eastern style. The
lady was surpassingly beautiful, while the rich magnificence of her attire
drew all eyes upon her. "Hullo," said Albert; "it is Monte
Cristo and his Greek!" The
strangers were, indeed, no other than the count and Haidижe. In a few moments the young
girl had attracted the attention of the whole house, and even the
occupants of the boxes leaned forward to scrutinize her magnificent
diamonds. The second act passed away during one continued buzz of
voices--one deep whisper--intimating that some great and universally
interesting event had occurred; all eyes, all thoughts, were occupied with
the young and beautiful woman, whose gorgeous apparel and splendid jewels
made a most extraordinary spectacle. Upon this occasion an unmistakable
sign from Madame Danglars intimated her desire to see Albert in her box
directly the curtain fell on the second act, and neither the politeness
nor good taste of Morcerf would permit his neglecting an invitation so
unequivocally given. At the close of the act he therefore went to the
baroness. Having bowed to the two ladies, he extended his hand to Debray.
By the baroness he was most graciously welcomed, while Eugижnie received him with her
accustomed coldness. "My
dear fellow," said Debray, "you have come in the nick of time.
There is madame overwhelming me with questions respecting the count; she
insists upon it that I can tell her his birth, education, and parentage,
where he came from, and whither he is going. Being no disciple of
Cagliostro, I was wholly unable to do this; so, by way of getting out of
the scrape, I said, 'Ask Morcerf; he has got the whole history of his
beloved Monte Cristo at his fingers' ends;' whereupon the baroness
signified her desire to see you." "Is
it not almost incredible," said Madame Danglars, "that a person
having at least half a million of secret-service money at his command,
should possess so little information?" "Let
me assure you, madame," said Lucien, "that had I really the sum
you mention at my disposal, I would employ it more profitably than in
troubling myself to obtain particulars respecting the Count of Monte
Cristo, whose only merit in my eyes consists in his being twice as rich as
a nabob. However, I have turned the business over to Morcerf, so pray
settle it with him as may be most agreeable to you; for my own part, I
care nothing about the count or his mysterious doings." "I
am very sure no nabob would have sent me a pair of horses worth 32,000
francs, wearing on their heads four diamonds valued at 5,000 francs
each." "He
seems to have a mania for diamonds," said Morcerf, smiling, "and
I verily believe that, like Potemkin, he keeps his pockets filled, for the
sake of strewing them along the road, as Tom Thumb did his flint
stones." "Perhaps
he has discovered some mine," said Madame Danglars. "I suppose
you know he has an order for unlimited credit on the baron's banking
establishment?" "I
was not aware of it," replied Albert, "but I can readily believe
it." "And,
further, that he stated to M. Danglars his intention of only staying a
year in Paris, during which time he proposed to spend six millions. "He
must be the Shah of Persia, travelling incog." "Have
you noticed the remarkable beauty of the young woman, M. Lucien?"
inquired Eugижnie.
"I
really never met with one woman so ready to do justice to the charms of
another as yourself," responded Lucien, raising his lorgnette to his
eye. "A most lovely creature, upon my soul!" was his verdict. "Who
is this young person, M. de Morcerf?" inquired Eugижnie; "does anybody
know?" "Mademoiselle,"
said Albert, replying to this direct appeal, "I can give you very
exact information on that subject, as well as on most points relative to
the mysterious person of whom we are now conversing--the young woman is a
Greek." "So
I should suppose by her dress; if you know no more than that, every one
here is as well-informed as yourself." "I
am extremely sorry you find me so ignorant a cicerone," replied
Morcerf, "but I am reluctantly obliged to confess, I have nothing
further to communicate--yes, stay, I do know one thing more, namely, that
she is a musician, for one day when I chanced to be breakfasting with the
count, I heard the sound of a guzla--it is impossible that it could have
been touched by any other finger than her own." "Then
your count entertains visitors, does he?" asked Madame Danglars. "Indeed
he does, and in a most lavish manner, I can assure you." "I
must try and persuade M. Danglars to invite him to a ball or dinner, or
something of the sort, that he may be compelled to ask us in return."
"What,"
said Debray, laughing; "do you really mean you would go to his
house?" "Why
not? my husband could accompany me." "But
do you know this mysterious count is a bachelor?" "You
have ample proof to the contrary, if you look opposite," said the
baroness, as she laughingly pointed to the beautiful Greek. "No,
no!" exclaimed Debray; "that girl is not his wife: he told us
himself she was his slave. Do you not recollect, Morcerf, his telling us
so at your breakfast?" "Well,
then," said the baroness, "if slave she be, she has all the air
and manner of a princess." "Of
the Arabian Nights?" "If
you like; but tell me, my dear Lucien, what it is that constitutes a
princess. Why, diamonds--and she is covered with them." "To
me she seems overloaded," observed Eugижnie; "she would look far better if she wore
fewer, and we should then be able to see her finely formed throat and
wrists." "See
how the artist peeps out!" exclaimed Madame Danglars. "My poor
Eugижnie, you must conceal your
passion for the fine arts." "I
admire all that is beautiful," returned the young lady. "What
do you think of the count?" inquired Debray; "he is not much
amiss, according to my ideas of good looks." "The
count," repeated Eugижnie,
as though it had not occurred to her to observe him sooner; "the
count?--oh, he is so dreadfully pale." "I
quite agree with you," said Morcerf; "and the secret of that
very pallor is what we want to find out. The Countess G----insists upon it
that he is a vampire." "Then
the Countess G----has returned to Paris, has she?" inquired the
baroness. "Is
that she, mamma?" asked Eugижnie; "almost opposite to us, with that
profusion of beautiful light hair?" "Yes,"
said Madame Danglars, "that is she. Shall I tell you what you ought
to do, Morcerf?" "Command
me, madame." "Well,
then, you should go and bring your Count of Monte Cristo to us." "What
for?" asked Eugижnie.
"What
for? Why, to converse with him, of course. Have you really no desire to
meet him?" "None
whatever," replied Eugижnie.
"Strange
child," murmured the baroness. "He
will very probably come of his own accord," said Morcerf.
"There; do you see, madame, he recognizes you, and bows." The
baroness returned the salute in the most smiling and graceful manner. "Well,"
said Morcerf, "I may as well be magnanimous, and tear myself away to
forward your wishes. Adieu; I will go and try if there are any means of
speaking to him." "Go
straight to his box; that will be the simplest plan." "But
I have never been presented." "Presented
to whom?" "To
the beautiful Greek." "You
say she is only a slave?" "While
you assert that she is a queen, or at least a princess. No; I hope that
when he sees me leave you, he will come out." "That
is possible--go." "I
am going," said Albert, as he made his parting bow. Just as he was
passing the count's box, the door opened, and Monte Cristo came forth.
After giving some directions to Ali, who stood in the lobby, the count
took Albert's arm. Carefully closing the box door, Ali placed himself
before it, while a crowd of spectators assembled round the Nubian. "Upon
my word," said Monte Cristo, "Paris is a strange city, and the
Parisians a very singular people. See that cluster of persons collected
around poor Ali, who is as much astonished as themselves; really one might
suppose he was the only Nubian they had ever beheld. Now I can promise
you, that a Frenchman might show himself in public, either in Tunis,
Constantinople, Bagdad, or Cairo, without being treated in that way."
"That
shows that the Eastern nations have too much good sense to waste their
time and attention on objects undeserving of either. However, as far as
Ali is concerned, I can assure you, the interest he excites is merely from
the circumstance of his being your attendant--you, who are at this moment
the most celebrated and fashionable person in Paris." "Really?
and what has procured me so fluttering a distinction?" "What?
why, yourself, to be sure! You give away horses worth a thousand louis;
you save the lives of ladies of high rank and beauty; under the name of
Major Brack you run thoroughbreds ridden by tiny urchins not larger than
marmots; then, when you have carried off the golden trophy of victory,
instead of setting any value on it, you give it to the first handsome
woman you think of!" "And
who has filled your head with all this nonsense?" "Why,
in the first place, I heard it from Madame Danglars, who, by the by, is
dying to see you in her box, or to have you seen there by others;
secondly, I learned it from Beauchamp's journal; and thirdly, from my own
imagination. Why, if you sought concealment, did you call your horse
Vampa?" "That
was an oversight, certainly," replied the count; "but tell me,
does the Count of Morcerf never visit the Opera? I have been looking for
him, but without success." "He
will be here to-night." "In
what part of the house?" "In
the baroness's box, I believe." "That
charming young woman with her is her daughter?" "Yes."
"I
congratulate you." Morcerf smiled. "We will discuss that subject
at length some future time," said he. "But what do you think of
the music?" "What
music?" "Why,
the music you have been listening to." "Oh,
it is well enough as the production of a human composer, sung by
featherless bipeds, to quote the late Diogenes." "From
which it would seem, my dear count, that you can at pleasure enjoy the
seraphic strains that proceed from the seven choirs of paradise?" "You
are right, in some degree; when I wish to listen to sounds more
exquisitely attuned to melody than mortal ear ever yet listened to, I go
to sleep." "Then
sleep here, my dear count. The conditions are favorable; what else was
opera invented for?" "No,
thank you. Your orchestra is too noisy. To sleep after the manner I speak
of, absolute calm and silence are necessary, and then a certain
preparation"-- "I
know--the famous hashish!" "Precisely.
So, my dear viscount, whenever you wish to be regaled with music come and
sup with me." "I
have already enjoyed that treat when breakfasting with you," said
Morcerf. "Do
you mean at Rome?" "I
do." "Ah,
then, I suppose you heard Haidижe's
guzla; the poor exile frequently beguiles a weary hour in playing over to
me the airs of her native land." Morcerf did not pursue the subject,
and Monte Cristo himself fell into a silent reverie. The bell rang at this
moment for the rising of the curtain. "You will excuse my leaving
you," said the count, turning in the direction of his box. "What?
Are you going?" "Pray,
say everything that is kind to Countess G----on the part of her friend the
Vampire." "And
what message shall I convey to the baroness!" "That,
with her permission, I shall do myself the honor of paying my respects in
the course of the evening." The
third act had begun; and during its progress the Count of Morcerf,
according to his promise, made his appearance in the box of Madame
Danglars. The Count of Morcerf was not a person to excite either interest
or curiosity in a place of public amusement; his presence, therefore, was
wholly unnoticed, save by the occupants of the box in which he had just
seated himself. The quick eye of Monte Cristo however, marked his coming;
and a slight though meaning smile passed over his lips. Haidижe,
whose soul seemed centred in the business of the stage, like all
unsophisticated natures, delighted in whatever addressed itself to the eye
or ear. The
third act passed off as usual. Mesdemoiselles Noblet, Julie, and Leroux
executed the customary pirouettes; Robert duly challenged the Prince of
Granada; and the royal father of the princess Isabella, taking his
daughter by the hand, swept round the stage with majestic strides, the
better to display the rich folds of his velvet robe and mantle. After
which the curtain again fell, and the spectators poured forth from the
theatre into the lobbies and salon. The count left his box, and a moment
later was saluting the Baronne Danglars, who could not restrain a cry of
mingled pleasure and surprise. "You are welcome, count!" she
exclaimed, as he entered. "I have been most anxious to see you, that
I might repeat orally the thanks writing can so ill express." "Surely
so trifling a circumstance cannot deserve a place in your remembrance.
Believe me, madame, I had entirely forgotten it." "But
it is not so easy to forget, monsieur, that the very next day after your
princely gift you saved the life of my dear friend, Madame de Villefort,
which was endangered by the very animals your generosity restored to
me." "This
time, at least, I do not deserve your thanks. It was Ali, my Nubian slave,
who rendered this service to Madame de Villefort." "Was
it Ali," asked the Count of Morcerf, "who rescued my son from
the hands of bandits?" "No,
count," replied Monte Cristo taking the hand held out to him by the
general; "in this instance I may fairly and freely accept your
thanks; but you have already tendered them, and fully discharged your
debt--if indeed there existed one--and I feel almost mortified to find you
still reverting to the subject. May I beg of you, baroness, to honor me
with an introduction to your daughter?" "Oh, you are no
stranger--at least not by name," replied Madame Danglars, "and
the last two or three days we have really talked of nothing but you. Eugижnie,"
continued the baroness, turning towards her daughter, "this is the
Count of Monte Cristo." The Count bowed, while Mademoiselle Danglars
bent her head slightly. "You have a charming young person with you
to-night, count," said Eugижnie.
"Is she your daughter?" "No,
mademoiselle," said Monte Cristo, astonished at the coolness and
freedom of the question. "She is a poor unfortunate Greek left under
my care." "And
what is her name?" "Haidижe," replied Monte Cristo. "A
Greek?" murmured the Count of Morcerf. "Yes,
indeed, count," said Madame Danglars; "and tell me, did you ever
see at the court of Ali Tepelini, whom you so gloriously and valiantly
served, a more exquisite beauty or richer costume?" "Did
I hear rightly, monsieur," said Monte Cristo "that you served at
Yanina?" "I
was inspector-general of the pasha's troops," replied Morcerf;
"and it is no secret that I owe my fortune, such as it is, to the
liberality of the illustrious Albanese chief." "But
look!" exclaimed Madame Danglars. "Where?"
stammered Morcerf. "There,"
said Monte Cristo placing his arms around the count, and leaning with him
over the front of the box, just as Haidижe, whose eyes were occupied in examining the theatre
in search of her guardian, perceived his pale features close to Morcerf's
face. It was as if the young girl beheld the head of Medusa. She bent
forwards as though to assure herself of the reality of what she saw, then,
uttering a faint cry, threw herself back in her seat. The sound was heard
by the people about Ali, who instantly opened the box-door. "Why,
count," exclaimed Eugижnie,
"what has happened to your ward? she seems to have been taken
suddenly ill." "Very
probably," answered the count. "But do not be alarmed on her
account. Haidижe's
nervous system is delicately organized, and she is peculiarly susceptible
to the odors even of flowers--nay, there are some which cause her to faint
if brought into her presence. However," continued Monte Cristo,
drawing a small phial from his pocket, "I have an infallible
remedy." So saying, he bowed to the baroness and her daughter,
exchanged a parting shake of the hand with Debray and the count, and left
Madame Danglars' box. Upon his return to Haidижe
he found her still very pale. As soon as she saw him she seized his hand;
her own hands were moist and icy cold. "Who was it you were talking
with over there?" she asked. "With
the Count of Morcerf," answered Monte Cristo. "He tells me he
served your illustrious father, and that he owes his fortune to him."
"Wretch!"
exclaimed Haidижe,
her eyes flashing with rage; "he sold my father to the Turks, and the
fortune he boasts of was the price of his treachery! Did not you know
that, my dear lord?" "Something
of this I heard in Epirus," said Monte Cristo; "but the
particulars are still unknown to me. You shall relate them to me, my
child. They are, no doubt, both curious and interesting." "Yes,
yes; but let us go. I feel as though it would kill me to remain long near
that dreadful man." So saying, Haidижe arose, and wrapping herself in her burnoose of
white cashmire embroidered with pearls and coral, she hastily quitted the
box at the moment when the curtain was rising upon the fourth act. "Do
you observe," said the Countess G----to Albert, who had returned to
her side, "that man does nothing like other people; he listens most
devoutly to the third act of Robert le Diable, and when the fourth begins,
takes his departure." |
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