there was something startling and ominous," said Haidee, shaking
her head and turning pale at the mere remembrance of the scene, "in
this long file of slaves and women only half-aroused from sleep, or
at least so they appeared to me, who was myself scarcely awake.
Here and there on the walls of the staircase, were reflected
gigantic shadows, which trembled in the flickering light of the
pine-torches till they seemed to reach to the vaulted roof
above.
"`Quick!' said a voice at the end of the gallery. This voice
made every one bow before it, resembling in its effect the wind
passing over a field of wheat, by its superior strength forcing
every ear to yield obeisance. As for me, it made me tremble. This
voice was that of my father. He came last, clothed in his splendid
robes and holding in his hand the carbine which your emperor
presented him. He was leaning on the shoulder of his favorite
Selim, and he drove us all before him, as a shepherd would his
straggling flock. My father," said Haidee, raising her head, "was
that illustrious man known in Europe under the name of Ali
Tepelini, pasha of Yanina, and before whom Turkey trembled."
Albert, without knowing why, started on hearing these words
pronounced with such a haughty and dignified accent; it appeared to
him as if there was something supernaturally gloomy and terrible in
the expression which gleamed from the brilliant eyes of Haidee at
this moment; she appeared like a Pythoness evoking a spectre, as
she recalled to his mind the remembrance of the fearful death of
this man, to the news of which all Europe had listened with horror.
"Soon," said Haidee, "we halted on our march, and found ourselves
on the borders of a lake. My mother pressed me to her throbbing
heart, and at the distance of a few paces I saw my father, who was
glancing anxiously around. Four marble steps led down to the
water's edge, and below them was a boat floating on the tide.
"From where we stood I could see in the middle of the lake a"From where we stood I could see in the middle of the lake a
large blank mass; it was the kiosk to which we were going. This
kiosk appeared to me to be at a considerable distance, perhaps on
account of the darkness of the night, which prevented any object
from being more than partially discerned. We stepped into the boat.
I remember well that the oars made no noise whatever in striking
the water, and when I leaned over to ascertain the cause I saw that
they were muffled with the sashes of our Palikares.* Besides the
rowers, the boat contained only the women, my father, mother,
Selim, and myself. The Palikares had remained on the shore of the
lake, ready to cover our retreat; they were kneeling on the lowest
of the marble steps, and in that manner intended making a rampart
of the three others, in case of pursuit. Our bark flew before the
wind. `Why does the boat go so fast?' asked I of my mother.
(* Greek militiamen in the war for independence. — Ed.)
"`Silence, child! Hush, we are flying!' I did not understand.
Why should my father fly? — he, the all-powerful — he, before whom
others were accustomed to fly — he, who had taken for his device,
`They hate me; then they fear me!' It was, indeed, a flight which
my father was trying to effect. I have been told since that the
garrison of the castle of Yanina, fatigued with long service" —
Here Haidee cast a significant glance at Monte Cristo, whose
eyes had been riveted on her countenance during the whole course of
her narrative. The young girl then continued, speaking slowly, like
a person who is either inventing or suppressing some feature of the
history which he is relating. "You were saying, signora," said
Albert, who was paying the most implicit attention to the recital,
"that the garrison of Yanina, fatigued with long service" —
"Had treated with the Serasker* Koorshid, who had been sent by
the sultan to gain possession of the person of my father; it was
then that Ali Tepelini — after having sent to the sultan a Frenchthen that Ali Tepelini — after having sent to the sultan a French
officer in whom he reposed great confidence — resolved to retire to
the asylum which he had long before prepared for himself, and which
he called kataphygion, or the refuge."
"And this officer," asked Albert, "do you remember his name,
signora?" Monte Cristo exchanged a rapid glance with the young
girl, which was quite unperceived by Albert. "No," said she, "I do
not remember it just at this moment; but if it should occur to me
presently, I will tell you." Albert was on the point of pronouncing
his father's name, when Monte Cristo gently held up his finger in
token of reproach; the young man recollected his promise, and was
silent.
(* A Turkish pasha in command of the troops of a province. —
Ed.)
"It was towards this kiosk that we were rowing. A ground-floor,
ornamented with arabesques, bathing its terraces in the water, and
another floor, looking on the lake, was all which was visible to
the eye. But beneath the ground-floor, stretching out into the
island, was a large subterranean cavern, to which my mother,
myself, and the women were conducted. In this place were together
60,000 pouches and 200 barrels; the pouches contained 25,000,000 of
money in gold, and the barrels were filled with 30,000 pounds of
gunpowder.
"Near the barrels stood Selim, my father's favorite, whom I
mentioned to you just now. He stood watch day and night with a
lance provided with a lighted slowmatch in his hand, and he had
orders to blow up everything — kiosk, guards, women, gold, and Ali
Tepelini himself — at the first signal given by my father. I
remember well that the slaves, convinced of the precarious tenure
on which they held their lives, passed whole days and nights in
praying, crying, and groaning. As for me, I can never forget the
pale complexion and black eyes of the young soldier, and whenever
the angel of death summons me to another world, I am quite sure I
shall recognize Selim. I cannot tell you how long we remained in


shall recognize Selim. I cannot tell you how long we remained in
this state; at that period I did not even know what time meant.
Sometimes, but very rarely, my father summoned me and my mother to
the terrace of the palace; these were hours of recreation for me,
as I never saw anything in the dismal cavern but the gloomy
countenances of the slaves and Selim's fiery lance. My father was
endeavoring to pierce with his eager looks the remotest verge of
the horizon, examining attentively every black speck which appeared
on the lake, while my mother, reclining by his side, rested her
head on his shoulder, and I played at his feet, admiring everything
I saw with that unsophisticated innocence of childhood which throws
a charm round objects insignificant in themselves, but which in its
eyes are invested with the greatest importance. The heights of
Pindus towered above us; the castle of Yanina rose white and
angular from the blue waters of the lake, and the immense masses of
black vegetation which, viewed in the distance, gave the idea of
lichens clinging to the rocks, were in reality gigantic fir-trees
and myrtles.
"One morning my father sent for us; my mother had been crying
all the night, and was very wretched; we found the pasha calm, but
paler than usual. `Take courage, Vasiliki,' said he; `to-day
arrives the firman of the master, and my fate will be decided. If
my pardon be complete, we shall return triumphant to Yanina; if the
news be inauspicious, we must fly this night.' — `But supposing our
enemy should not allow us to do so?' said my mother. `Oh, make
yourself easy on that head,' said Ali, smiling; `Selim and his
flaming lance will settle that matter. They would be glad to see me
dead, but they would not like themselves to die with me.'
"My mother only answered by sighs to consolations which she knew
did not come from my father's heart. She prepared the iced water
which he was in the habit of constantly drinking, — for since his
sojourn at the kiosk he had been parched by the most violent fever,sojourn at the kiosk he had been parched by the most violent fever,
— after which she anointed his white beard with perfumed oil, and
lighted his chibouque, which he sometimes smoked for hours
together, quietly watching the wreaths of vapor that ascended in
spiral clouds and gradually melted away in the surrounding
atmosphere. Presently he made such a sudden movement that I was
paralyzed with fear. Then, without taking his eyes from the object
which had first attracted his attention, he asked for his
telescope. My mother gave it him. and as she did so, looked whiter
than the marble against which she leaned. I saw my father's hand
tremble. `A boat! — two! — three!' murmured my, father; — `four!'
He then arose, seizing his arms and priming his pistols.
`Vasiliki,' said he to my mother, trembling perceptibly, `the
instant approaches which will decide everything. In the space of
half an hour we shall know the emperor's answer. Go into the cavern
with Haidee.' — `I will not quit you,' said Vasiliki; `if you die,
my lord, I will die with you.' — `Go to Selim!' cried my father.
`Adieu, my lord,' murmured my mother, determining quietly to await
the approach of death. `Take away Vasiliki!' said my father to his
Palikares.
"As for me, I had been forgotten in the general confusion; I ran
toward Ali Tepelini; he saw me hold out my arms to him, and he
stooped down and pressed my forehead with his lips. Oh, how
distinctly I remember that kiss! — it was the last he ever gave me,
and I feel as if it were still warm on my forehead. On descending,
we saw through the lattice-work several boats which were gradually
becoming more distinct to our view. At first they appeared like
black specks, and now they looked like birds skimming the surface
of the waves. During this time, in the kiosk at my father's feet,
were seated twenty Palikares, concealed from view by an angle of
the wall and watching with eager eyes the arrival of the boats.
They were armed with their long guns inlaid with mother-of-pearlThey were armed with their long guns inlaid with mother-of-pearl
and silver, and cartridges in great numbers were lying scattered on
the floor. My father looked at his watch, and paced up and down
with a countenance expressive of the greatest anguish. This was the
scene which presented itself to my view as I quitted my father
after that last kiss. My mother and I traversed the gloomy passage
leading to the cavern. Selim was still at his post, and smiled
sadly on us as we entered. We fetched our cushions from the other
end of the cavern, and sat down by Selim. In great dangers the
devoted ones cling to each other; and, young as I was, I quite
understood that some imminent danger was hanging over our
heads."
Albert had often heard — not from his father, for he never spoke
on the subject, but from strangers — the description of the last
moments of the vizier of Yanina; he had read different accounts of
his death, but the story seemed to acquire fresh meaning from the
voice and expression of the young girl, and her sympathetic accent
and the melancholy expression of her countenance at once charmed
and horrified him. As to Haidee, these terrible reminiscences
seemed to have overpowered her for a moment, for she ceased
speaking, her head leaning on her hand like a beautiful flower
bowing beneath the violence of the storm; and her eyes gazing on
vacancy indicated that she was mentally contemplating the green
summit of the Pindus and the blue waters of the lake of Yanina,
which, like a magic mirror, seemed to reflect the sombre picture
which she sketched. Monte Cristo looked at her with an
indescribable expression of interest and pity.
"Go on," said the count in the Romaic language.
Haidee looked up abruptly, as if the sonorous tones of Monte
Cristo's voice had awakened her from a dream; and she resumed her
narrative. "It was about four o'clock in the afternoon, and
although the day was brilliant out-of-doors, we were enveloped in
the gloomy darkness of the cavern. One single, solitary light was


the gloomy darkness of the cavern. One single, solitary light was
burning there, and it appeared like a star set in a heaven of
blackness; it was Selim's flaming lance. My mother was a Christian,
and she prayed. Selim repeated from time to time the sacred words:
`God is great!' However, my mother had still some hope. As she was
coming down, she thought she recognized the French officer who had
been sent to Constantinople, and in whom my father placed so much
confidence; for he knew that all the soldiers of the French emperor
were naturally noble and generous. She advanced some steps towards
the staircase, and listened. `They are approaching,' said she;
`perhaps they bring us peace and liberty!' — `What do you fear,
Vasiliki?' said Selim, in a voice at once so gentle and yet so
proud. `If they do not bring us peace, we will give them war; if
they do not bring life, we will give them death.' And he renewed
the flame of his lance with a gesture which made one think of
Dionysus of Crete.* But I, being only a little child, was terrified
by this undaunted courage, which appeared to me both ferocious and
senseless, and I recoiled with horror from the idea of the
frightful death amidst fire and flames which probably awaited
us.
(* The god of fruitfulness in Grecian mythology. In Crete he was
supposed to be slain in winter with the decay of vegetation and to
revive in the spring. Haidee's learned reference is to the behavior
of an actor in the Dionysian festivals. — Ed.)
"My mother experienced the same sensations, for I felt her
tremble. `Mamma, mamma,' said I, `are we really to be killed?' And
at the sound of my voice the slaves redoubled their cries and
prayers and lamentations. `My child,' said Vasiliki, `may God
preserve you from ever wishing for that death which to-day you so
much dread!' Then, whispering to Selim, she asked what were her
master's orders. `If he send me his poniard, it will signify that
the emperor's intentions are not favorable, and I am to set fire tothe emperor's intentions are not favorable, and I am to set fire to
the powder; if, on the contrary, he send me his ring, it will be a
sign that the emperor pardons him, and I am to extinguish the match
and leave the magazine untouched.' — `My friend,' said my mother,
`when your master's orders arrive, if it is the poniard which he
sends, instead of despatching us by that horrible death which we
both so much dread, you will mercifully kill us with this same
poniard, will you not?' — `Yes, Vasiliki,' replied Selim
tranquilly.
"Suddenly we heard loud cries; and, listening, discerned that
they were cries of joy. The name of the French officer who had been
sent to Constantinople resounded on all sides amongst our
Palikares; it was evident that he brought the answer of the
emperor, and that it was favorable."
"And do you not remember the Frenchman's name?" said Morcerf,
quite ready to aid the memory of the narrator. Monte Cristo made a
sign to him to be silent.
"I do not recollect it," said Haidee.
"The noise increased; steps were heard approaching nearer and
nearer: they were descending the steps leading to the cavern. Selim
made ready his lance. Soon a figure appeared in the gray twilight
at the entrance of the cave, formed by the reflection of the few
rays of daylight which had found their way into this gloomy
retreat. `Who are you?' cried Selim. `But whoever you may be, I
charge you not to advance another step.' — `Long live the emperor!'
said the figure. `He grants a full pardon to the Vizier Ali, and
not only gives him his life, but restores to him his fortune and
his possessions.' My mother uttered a cry of joy, and clasped me to
her bosom. `Stop,' said Selim, seeing that she was about to go out;
`you see I have not yet received the ring,' — `True,' said my
mother. And she fell on her knees, at the same time holding me up
towards heaven, as if she desired, while praying to God in my
behalf, to raise me actually to his presence."
And for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by such violentAnd for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by such violent
emotion that the perspiration stood upon her pale brow, and her
stifled voice seemed hardly able to find utterance, so parched and
dry were her throat and lips. Monte Cristo poured a little iced
water into a glass, and presented it to her, saying with a mildness
in which was also a shade of command, — "Courage."
Haidee dried her eyes, and continued: "By this time our eyes,
habituated to the darkness, had recognized the messenger of the
pasha, — it was a friend. Selim had also recognized him, but the
brave young man only acknowledged one duty, which was to obey. `In
whose name do you come?' said he to him. `I come in the name of our
master, Ali Tepelini.' — `If you come from Ali himself,' said
Selim, `you know what you were charged to remit to me?' — `Yes,'
said the messenger, `and I bring you his ring.' At these words he
raised his hand above his head, to show the token; but it was too
far off, and there was not light enough to enable Selim, where he
was standing, to distinguish and recognize the object presented to
his view. `I do not see what you have in your hand,' said Selim.
`Approach then,' said the messenger, `or I will come nearer to you,
if you prefer it.' — `I will agree to neither one nor the other,'
replied the young soldier; `place the object which I desire to see
in the ray of light which shines there, and retire while I examine
it.' — `Be it so,' said the envoy; and he retired, after having
first deposited the token agreed on in the place pointed out to him
by Selim.
"Oh, how our hearts palpitated; for it did, indeed, seem to be a
ring which was placed there. But was it my father's ring? that was
the question. Selim, still holding in his hand the lighted match,
walked towards the opening in the cavern, and, aided by the faint
light which streamed in through the mouth of the cave, picked up
the token.
"`It is well,' said he, kissing it; `it is my master's ring!'
And throwing the match on the ground, he trampled on it and


And throwing the match on the ground, he trampled on it and
extinguished it. The messenger uttered a cry of joy and clapped his
hands. At this signal four soldiers of the Serasker Koorshid
suddenly appeared, and Selim fell, pierced by five blows. Each man
had stabbed him separately, and, intoxicated by their crime, though
still pale with fear, they sought all over the cavern to discover
if there was any fear of fire, after which they amused themselves
by rolling on the bags of gold. At this moment my mother seized me
in her arms, and hurrying noiselessly along numerous turnings and
windings known only to ourselves, she arrived at a private
staircase of the kiosk, where was a scene of frightful tumult and
confusion. The lower rooms were entirely filled with Koorshid's
troops; that is to say, with our enemies. Just as my mother was on
the point of pushing open a small door, we heard the voice of the
pasha sounding in a loud and threatening tone. My mother applied
her eye to the crack between the boards; I luckily found a small
opening which afforded me a view of the apartment and what was
passing within. `What do you want?' said my father to some people
who were holding a paper inscribed with characters of gold. `What
we want,' replied one, `is to communicate to you the will of his
highness. Do you see this firman?' — `I do,' said my father. `Well,
read it; he demands your head.'
"My father answered with a loud laugh, which was more frightful
than even threats would have been, and he had not ceased when two
reports of a pistol were heard; he had fired them himself, and had
killed two men. The Palikares, who were prostrated at my father's
feet, now sprang up and fired, and the room was filled with fire
and smoke. At the same instant the firing began on the other side,
and the balls penetrated the boards all round us. Oh, how noble did
the grand vizier my father look at that moment, in the midst of the
flying bullets, his scimitar in his hand, and his face blackenedflying bullets, his scimitar in his hand, and his face blackened
with the powder of his enemies! and how he terrified them, even
then, and made them fly before him! `Selim, Selim!' cried he,
`guardian of the fire, do your duty!' — `Selim is dead,' replied a
voice which seemed to come from the depths of the earth, `and you
are lost, Ali!' At the same moment an explosion was heard, and the
flooring of the room in which my father was sitting was suddenly
torn up and shivered to atoms — the troops were firing from
underneath. Three or four Palikares fell with their bodies
literally ploughed with wounds.
"My father howled aloud, plunged his fingers into the holes
which the balls had made, and tore up one of the planks entire. But
immediately through this opening twenty more shots were fired, and
the flame, rushing up like fire from the crater of a volcano, soon
reached the tapestry, which it quickly devoured. In the midst of
all this frightful tumult and these terrific cries, two reports,
fearfully distinct, followed by two shrieks more heartrending than
all, froze me with terror. These two shots had mortally wounded my
father, and it was he who had given utterance to these frightful
cries. However, he remained standing, clinging to a window. My
mother tried to force the door, that she might go and die with him,
but it was fastened on the inside. All around him were lying the
Palikares, writhing in convulsive agonies, while two or three who
were only slightly wounded were trying to escape by springing from
the windows. At this crisis the whole flooring suddenly gave way.
my father fell on one knee, and at the same moment twenty hands
were thrust forth, armed with sabres, pistols, and poniards —
twenty blows were instantaneously directed against one man, and my
father disappeared in a whirlwind of fire and smoke kindled by
these demons, and which seemed like hell itself opening beneath his
feet. I felt myself fall to the ground, my mother had fainted."
Haidee's arms fell by her side, and she uttered a deep groan, atHaidee's arms fell by her side, and she uttered a deep groan, at
the same time looking towards the count as if to ask if he were
satisfied with her obedience to his commands. Monte Cristo arose
and approached her, took her hand, and said to her in Romaic, "Calm
yourself, my dear child, and take courage in remembering that there
is a God who will punish traitors."
"It is a frightful story, count," said Albert, terrified at the
paleness of Haidee's countenance, "and I reproach myself now for
having been so cruel and thoughtless in my request."
"Oh, it is nothing," said Monte Cristo. Then, patting the young
girl on the head, he continued, "Haidee is very courageous, and she
sometimes even finds consolation in the recital of her
misfortunes."
"Because, my lord," said Haidee eagerly, "my miseries recall to
me the remembrance of your goodness."
Albert looked at her with curiosity, for she had not yet related
what he most desired to know, — how she had become the slave of the
count. Haidee saw at a glance the same expression pervading the
countenances of her two auditors; she exclaimed, `When my mother
recovered her senses we were before the serasker. `Kill,' said she,
`but spare the honor of the widow of Ali.' — `It is not to me to
whom you must address yourself,' said Koorshid.
"`To whom, then?' — `To your new master.'
"`Who and where is he?' — `He is here.'
"And Koorshid pointed out one who had more than any contributed
to the death of my father," said Haidee, in a tone of chastened
anger. "Then," said Albert, "you became the property of this
man?"
"No," replied Haidee, "he did not dare to keep us, so we were
sold to some slave-merchants who were going to Constantinople. We
traversed Greece, and arrived half dead at the imperial gates. They
were surrounded by a crowd of people, who opened a way for us to
pass, when suddenly my mother, having looked closely at an object
which was attracting their attention, uttered a piercing cry and
fell to the ground, pointing as she did so to a head which wasfell to the ground, pointing as she did so to a head which was
placed over the gates, and beneath which were inscribed these
words:
"`This is the head of Ali Tepelini Pasha of Yanina.' I cried
bitterly, and tried to raise my mother from the earth, but she was
dead! I was taken to the slave-market, and was purchased by a rich
Armenian. He caused me to be instructed, gave me masters, and when
I was thirteen years of age he sold me to the Sultan Mahmood."
"Of whom I bought her," said Monte Cristo, "as I told you,
Albert, with the emerald which formed a match to the one I had made
into a box for the purpose of holding my hashish pills."
"Oh, you are good, you are great, my lord!" said Haidee, kissing
the count's hand, "and I am very fortunate in belonging to such a
master!" Albert remained quite bewildered with all that he had seen
and heard. "Come, finish your cup of coffee," said Monte Cristo;
"the history is ended."


M. D'Avrigny soon restored the magistrate to consciousness, who
had looked like a second corpse in that chamber of death. "Oh,
death is in my house!" cried Villefort.
"Say, rather, crime!" replied the doctor.
"M. d'Avrigny," cried Villefort, "I cannot tell you all I feel
at this moment, — terror, grief, madness."
"Yes," said M. d'Avrigny, with an imposing calmness, "but I
think it is now time to act. I think it is time to stop this
torrent of mortality. I can no longer bear to be in possession of
these secrets without the hope of seeing the victims and society
generally revenged." Villefort cast a gloomy look around him. "In
my house," murmured he, "in my house!"
"Come, magistrate," said M. d'Avrigny, "show yourself a man; as
an interpreter of the law, do honor to your profession by
sacrificing your selfish interests to it."
"You make me shudder, doctor. Do you talk of a sacrifice?"
"I do."
"Do you then suspect any one?"
"I suspect no one; death raps at your door — it enters — it
goes, not blindfolded, but circumspectly, from room to room. Well,
I follow its course, I track its passage; I adopt the wisdom of the
ancients, and feel my way, for my friendship for your family and my
respect for you are as a twofold bandage over my eyes; well" —
"Oh, speak, speak, doctor; I shall have courage."
"Well, sir, you have in your establishment, or in your family,
perhaps, one of the frightful monstrosities of which each century
produces only one. Locusta and Agrippina, living at the same time,
were an exception, and proved the determination of providence to
effect the entire ruin of the Roman empire, sullied by so many
crimes. Brunehilde and Fredegonde were the results of the painful
struggle of civilization in its infancy, when man was learning to
control mind, were it even by an emissary from the realms of
darkness. All these women had been, or were, beautiful. The same
flower of innocence had flourished, or was still flourishing, on
their brow, that is seen on the brow of the culprit in your house."their brow, that is seen on the brow of the culprit in your house."
Villefort shrieked, clasped his hands, and looked at the doctor
with a supplicating air. But the latter went on without pity: —
"`Seek whom the crime will profit,' says an axiom of
jurisprudence."
"Doctor," cried Villefort, "alas, doctor, how often has man's
justice been deceived by those fatal words. I know not why, but I
feel that this crime" —
"You acknowledge, then, the existence of the crime?"
"Yes, I see too plainly that it does exist. But it seems that it
is intended to affect me personally. I fear an attack myself, after
all these disasters."
"Oh, man," murmured d'Avrigny, "the most selfish of all animals,
the most personal of all creatures, who believes the earth turns,
the sun shines, and death strikes for him alone, — an ant cursing
God from the top of a blade of grass! And have those who have lost
their lives lost nothing? — M. de Saint-Meran, Madame de
Saint-Meran, M. Noirtier" —
"How? M. Noirtier?"
"Yes; think you it was the poor servant's life was coveted? No,
no; like Shakespeare's `Polonius,' he died for another. It was
Noirtier the lemonade was intended for — it is Noirtier, logically
speaking, who drank it. The other drank it only by accident, and,
although Barrois is dead, it was Noirtier whose death was wished
for."
"But why did it not kill my father?"
"I told you one evening in the garden after Madame de
Saint-Meran's death — because his system is accustomed to that very
poison, and the dose was trifling to him, which would be fatal to
another; because no one knows, not even the assassin, that, for the
last twelve months, I have given M. Noirtier brucine for his
paralytic affection, while the assassin is not ignorant, for he has
proved that brucine is a violent poison."
"Oh, have pity — have pity!" murmured Villefort, wringing his
hands.
"Follow the culprit's steps; he first kills M. de Saint-Meran"
—
"O doctor!"
"I would swear to it; what I heard of his symptoms agrees too—
"O doctor!"
"I would swear to it; what I heard of his symptoms agrees too
well with what I have seen in the other cases." Villefort ceased to
contend; he only groaned. "He first kills M. de Saint-Meran,"
repeated the doctor, "then Madame de Saint-Meran, — a double
fortune to inherit." Villefort wiped the perspiration from his
forehead. "Listen attentively."
"Alas," stammered Villefort, "I do not lose a single word."
"M. Noirtier," resumed M. d'Avrigny in the same pitiless tone, —
"M. Noirtier had once made a will against you — against your family
— in favor of the poor, in fact; M. Noirtier is spared, because
nothing is expected from him. But he has no sooner destroyed his
first will and made a second, than, for fear he should make a
third, he is struck down. The will was made the day before
yesterday, I believe; you see there has been no time lost."
"Oh, mercy, M. d'Avrigny!"
"No mercy, sir! The physician has a sacred mission on earth; and
to fulfil it he begins at the source of life, and goes down to the
mysterious darkness of the tomb. When crime has been committed, and
God, doubtless in anger, turns away his face, it is for the
physician to bring the culprit to justice."
"Have mercy on my child, sir," murmured Villefort.
"You see it is yourself who have first named her — you, her
father."
"Have pity on Valentine! Listen — it is impossible! I would as
willingly accuse myself! Valentine, whose heart is pure as a
diamond or a lily."
"No pity, procureur; the crime is fragrant. Mademoiselle herself
packed all the medicines which were sent to M. de Saint-Meran; and
M. de Saint-Meran is dead. Mademoiselle de Villefort prepared all
the cooling draughts which Madame de Saint-Meran took, and Madame
de Saint-Meran is dead. Mademoiselle de Villefort took from the
hands of Barrois, who was sent out, the lemonade which M. Noirtier
had every morning, and he has escaped by a miracle. Mademoiselle de
Villefort is the culprit — she is the poisoner! To you, as the


Villefort is the culprit — she is the poisoner! To you, as the
king's attorney, I denounce Mademoiselle de Villefort, do your
duty."
"Doctor, I resist no longer — I can no longer defend myself — I
believe you; but, for pity's sake, spare my life, my honor!"
"M. de Villefort," replied the doctor, with increased vehemence,
"there are occasions when I dispense with all foolish human
circumspection. If your daughter had committed only one crime, and
I saw her meditating another, I would say `Warn her, punish her,
let her pass the remainder of her life in a convent, weeping and
praying.' If she had committed two crimes, I would say, `Here, M.
de Villefort, is a poison that the prisoner is not acquainted with,
— one that has no known antidote, quick as thought, rapid as
lightning, mortal as the thunderbolt; give her that poison,
recommending her soul to God, and save your honor and your life,
for it is yours she aims at; and I can picture her approaching your
pillow with her hypocritical smiles and her sweet exhortations. Woe
to you, M. de Villefort, if you do not strike first!' This is what
I would say had she only killed two persons but she has seen three
deaths, — has contemplated three murdered persons, — has knelt by
three corpses! To the scaffold with the poisoner — to the scaffold!
Do you talk of your honor? Do what I tell you, and immortality
awaits you!"
Villefort fell on his knees. "Listen," said he; "I have not the
strength of mind you have, or rather that which you would not have,
if instead of my daughter Valentine your daughter Madeleine were
concerned." The doctor turned pale. "Doctor, every son of woman is
born to suffer and to die; I am content to suffer and to await
death."
"Beware," said M. d'Avrigny, "it may come slowly; you will see
it approach after having struck your father, your wife, perhaps
your son."
Villefort, suffocating, pressed the doctor's arm. "Listen,"
cried he; "pity me — help me! No, my daughter is not guilty. If you
drag us both before a tribunal I will still say, `No, my daughterdrag us both before a tribunal I will still say, `No, my daughter
is not guilty; — there is no crime in my house. I will not
acknowledge a crime in my house; for when crime enters a dwelling,
it is like death — it does not come alone.' Listen. What does it
signify to you if I am murdered? Are you my friend? Are you a man?
Have you a heart? No, you are a physician! Well, I tell you I will
not drag my daughter before a tribunal, and give her up to the
executioner! The bare idea would kill me — would drive me like a
madman to dig my heart out with my finger-nails! And if you were
mistaken, doctor — if it were not my daughter — if I should come
one day, pale as a spectre, and say to you, `Assassin, you have
killed my child!' — hold — if that should happen, although I am a
Christian, M. d'Avrigny, I should kill myself."
"Well," said the doctor, after a moment's silence, "I will
wait." Villefort looked at him as if he had doubted his words.
"Only," continued M. d'Avrigny, with a slow and solemn tone, "if
any one falls ill in your house, if you feel yourself attacked, do
not send for me, for I will come no more. I will consent to share
this dreadful secret with you, but I will not allow shame and
remorse to grow and increase in my conscience, as crime and misery
will in your house."
"Then you abandon me, doctor?"
"Yes, for I can follow you no farther, and I only stop at the
foot of the scaffold. Some further discovery will be made, which
will bring this dreadful tragedy to a close. Adieu."
"I entreat you, doctor!"
"All the horrors that disturb my thoughts make your house odious
and fatal. Adieu, sir."
"One word — one single word more, doctor! You go, leaving me in
all the horror of my situation, after increasing it by what you
have revealed to me. But what will be reported of the sudden death
of the poor old servant?"
"True," said M. d'Avrigny; "we will return." The doctor went out
first, followed by M. de Villefort. The terrified servants were on
the stairs and in the passage where the doctor would pass. "Sir,"the stairs and in the passage where the doctor would pass. "Sir,"
said d'Avrigny to Villefort, so loud that all might hear, "poor
Barrois has led too sedentary a life of late; accustomed formerly
to ride on horseback, or in the carriage, to the four corners of
Europe, the monotonous walk around that arm-chair has killed him —
his blood has thickened. He was stout, had a short, thick neck; he
was attacked with apoplexy, and I was called in too late. By the
way," added he in a low tone, "take care to throw away that cup of
syrup of violets in the ashes."
The doctor, without shaking hands with Villefort, without adding
a word to what he had said, went out, amid the tears and
lamentations of the whole household. The same evening all
Villefort's servants, who had assembled in the kitchen, and had a
long consultation, came to tell Madame de Villefort that they
wished to leave. No entreaty, no proposition of increased wages,
could induce them to remain; to every argument they replied, "We
must go, for death is in this house." They all left, in spite of
prayers and entreaties, testifying their regret at leaving so good
a master and mistress, and especially Mademoiselle Valentine, so
good, so kind, and so gentle. Villefort looked at Valentine as they
said this. She was in tears, and, strange as it was, in spite of
the emotions he felt at the sight of these tears, he looked also at
Madame de Villefort, and it appeared to him as if a slight gloomy
smile had passed over her thin lips, like a meteor seen passing
inauspiciously between two clouds in a stormy sky.


At eight o'clock in the morning Albert had arrived at
Beauchamp's door. The valet de chambre had received orders to usher
him in at once. Beauchamp was in his bath. "Here I am," said
Albert.
"Well, my poor friend," replied Beauchamp, "I expected you."
"I need not say I think you are too faithful and too kind to
have spoken of that painful circumstance. Your having sent for me
is another proof of your affection. So, without losing time, tell
me, have you the slightest idea whence this terrible blow
proceeds?"
"I think I have some clew."
"But first tell me all the particulars of this shameful plot."
Beauchamp proceeded to relate to the young man, who was overwhelmed
with shame and grief, the following facts. Two days previously, the
article had appeared in another paper besides the Impartial, and,
what was more serious, one that was well known as a government
paper. Beauchamp was breakfasting when he read the paragraph. He
sent immediately for a cabriolet, and hastened to the publisher's
office. Although professing diametrically opposite principles from
those of the editor of the other paper, Beauchamp — as it
sometimes, we may say often, happens — was his intimate friend. The
editor was reading, with apparent delight, a leading article in the
same paper on beet-sugar, probably a composition of his own.
"Ah, pardieu," said Beauchamp, "with the paper in your hand, my
friend, I need not tell you the cause of my visit."
"Are you interested in the sugar question?" asked the editor of
the ministerial paper.
"No," replied Beauchamp, "I have not considered the question; a
totally different subject interests me."
"What is it?"
"The article relative to Morcerf."
"Indeed? Is it not a curious affair?"
"So curious, that I think you are running a great risk of a
prosecution for defamation of character."
"Not at all; we have received with the information all the
requisite proofs, and we are quite sure M. de Morcerf will not
raise his voice against us; besides, it is rendering a service toraise his voice against us; besides, it is rendering a service to
one's country to denounce these wretched criminals who are unworthy
of the honor bestowed on them." Beauchamp was thunderstruck. "Who,
then, has so correctly informed you?" asked he; "for my paper,
which gave the first information on the subject, has been obliged
to stop for want of proof; and yet we are more interested than you
in exposing M. de Morcerf, as he is a peer of France, and we are of
the opposition."
"Oh, that is very simple; we have not sought to scandalize. This
news was brought to us. A man arrived yesterday from Yanina,
bringing a formidable array of documents; and when we hesitated to
publish the accusatory article, he told us it should be inserted in
some other paper."
Beauchamp understood that nothing remained but to submit, and
left the office to despatch a courier to Morcerf. But he had been
unable to send to Albert the following particulars, as the events
had transpired after the messenger's departure; namely, that the
same day a great agitation was manifest in the House of Peers among
the usually calm members of that dignified assembly. Every one had
arrived almost before the usual hour, and was conversing on the
melancholy event which was to attract the attention of the public
towards one of their most illustrious colleagues. Some were
perusing the article, others making comments and recalling
circumstances which substantiated the charges still more. The Count
of Morcerf was no favorite with his colleagues. Like all upstarts,
he had had recourse to a great deal of haughtiness to maintain his
position. The true nobility laughed at him, the talented repelled
him, and the honorable instinctively despised him. He was, in fact,
in the unhappy position of the victim marked for sacrifice; the
finger of God once pointed at him, every one was prepared to raise
the hue and cry.
The Count of Morcerf alone was ignorant of the news. He did not
take in the paper containing the defamatory article, and had passedtake in the paper containing the defamatory article, and had passed
the morning in writing letters and in trying a horse. He arrived at
his usual hour, with a proud look and insolent demeanor; he
alighted, passed through the corridors, and entered the house
without observing the hesitation of the door-keepers or the
coolness of his colleagues. Business had already been going on for
half an hour when he entered. Every one held the accusing paper,
but, as usual, no one liked to take upon himself the responsibility
of the attack. At length an honorable peer, Morcerf's acknowledged
enemy, ascended the tribune with that solemnity which announced
that the expected moment had arrived. There was an impressive
silence; Morcerf alone knew not why such profound attention was
given to an orator who was not always listened to with so much
complacency. The count did not notice the introduction, in which
the speaker announced that his communication would be of that vital
importance that it demanded the undivided attention of the House;
but at the mention of Yanina and Colonel Fernand, he turned so
frightfully pale that every member shuddered and fixed his eyes
upon him. Moral wounds have this peculiarity, — they may be hidden,
but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when
touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart.
The article having been read during the painful hush that
followed, a universal shudder pervaded the assembly. and
immediately the closest attention was given to the orator as he
resumed his remarks. He stated his scruples and the difficulties of
the case; it was the honor of M. de Morcerf, and that of the whole
House, he proposed to defend, by provoking a debate on personal
questions, which are always such painful themes of discussion. He
concluded by calling for an investigation, which might dispose of
the calumnious report before it had time to spread, and restore M.
de Morcerf to the position he had long held in public opinion.de Morcerf to the position he had long held in public opinion.
Morcerf was so completely overwhelmed by this great and unexpected
calamity that he could scarcely stammer a few words as he looked
around on the assembly. This timidity, which might proceed from the
astonishment of innocence as well as the shame of guilt,
conciliated some in his favor; for men who are truly generous are
always ready to compassionate when the misfortune of their enemy
surpasses the limits of their hatred.
The president put it to the vote, and it was decided that the
investigation should take place. The count was asked what time he
required to prepare his defence. Morcerf's courage had revived when
he found himself alive after this horrible blow. "My lords,"
answered he, "it is not by time I could repel the attack made on me
by enemies unknown to me, and, doubtless, hidden in obscurity; it
is immediately, and by a thunderbolt, that I must repel the flash
of lightning which, for a moment, startled me. Oh, that I could,
instead of taking up this defence, shed my last drop of blood to
prove to my noble colleagues that I am their equal in worth." These
words made a favorable impression on behalf of the accused. "I
demand, then, that the examination shall take place as soon as
possible, and I will furnish the house with all necessary
information."
"What day do you fix?" asked the president.
"To-day I am at your service," replied the count. The president
rang the bell. "Does the House approve that the examination should
take place to-day?"
"Yes," was the unanimous answer.
A committee of twelve members was chosen to examine the proofs
brought forward by Morcerf. The investigation would begin at eight
o'clock that evening in the committee-room, and if postponement
were necessary, the proceedings would be resumed each evening at
the same hour. Morcerf asked leave to retire; he had to collect the
documents he had long been preparing against this storm, which his
sagacity had foreseen.


documents he had long been preparing against this storm, which his
sagacity had foreseen.
Albert listened, trembling now with hope, then with anger, and
then again with shame, for from Beauchamp's confidence he knew his
father was guilty, and he asked himself how, since he was guilty,
he could prove his innocence. Beauchamp hesitated to continue his
narrative. "What next?" asked Albert.
"What next? My friend, you impose a painful task on me. Must you
know all?"
"Absolutely; and rather from your lips than another's."
"Muster up all your courage, then, for never have you required
it more." Albert passed his hand over his forehead, as if to try
his strength, as a man who is preparing to defend his life proves
his shield and bends his sword. He thought himself strong enough,
for he mistook fever for energy. "Go on," said he.
"The evening arrived; all Paris was in expectation. Many said
your father had only to show himself to crush the charge against
him; many others said he would not appear; while some asserted that
they had seen him start for Brussels; and others went to the
police-office to inquire if he had taken out a passport. I used all
my influence with one of the committee, a young peer of my
acquaintance, to get admission to one of the galleries. He called
for me at seven o'clock, and, before any one had arrived, asked one
of the door-keepers to place me in a box. I was concealed by a
column, and might witness the whole of the terrible scene which was
about to take place. At eight o'clock all were in their places, and
M. de Morcerf entered at the last stroke. He held some papers in
his hand; his countenance was calm, and his step firm, and he was
dressed with great care in his military uniform, which was buttoned
completely up to the chin. His presence produced a good effect. The
committee was made up of Liberals, several of whom came forward to
shake hands with him."
Albert felt his heart bursting at these particulars, but
gratitude mingled with his sorrow: he would gladly have embracedgratitude mingled with his sorrow: he would gladly have embraced
those who had given his father this proof of esteem at a moment
when his honor was so powerfully attacked. "At this moment one of
the door-keepers brought in a letter for the president. `You are at
liberty to speak, M. de Morcerf,' said the president, as he
unsealed the letter; and the count began his defence, I assure you,
Albert, in a most eloquent and skilful manner. He produced
documents proving that the Vizier of Yanina had up to the last
moment honored him with his entire confidence, since he had
interested him with a negotiation of life and death with the
emperor. He produced the ring, his mark of authority, with which
Ali Pasha generally sealed his letters, and which the latter had
given him, that he might, on his return at any hour of the day or
night, gain access to the presence, even in the harem.
Unfortunately, the negotiation failed, and when he returned to
defend his benefactor, he was dead. `But,' said the count, `so
great was Ali Pasha's confidence, that on his death-bed he resigned
his favorite mistress and her daughter to my care.'" Albert started
on hearing these words; the history of Haidee recurred to him, and
he remembered what she had said of that message and the ring, and
the manner in which she had been sold and made a slave. "And what
effect did this discourse produce?" anxiously inquired Albert. "I
acknowledge it affected me, and, indeed, all the committee also,"
said Beauchamp.
"Meanwhile, the president carelessly opened the letter which had
been brought to him; but the first lines aroused his attention; he
read them again and again, and fixing his eyes on M. de Morcerf,
`Count,' said he, `you have said that the Vizier of Yanina confided
his wife and daughter to your care?' — `Yes, sir,' replied Morcerf;
`but in that, like all the rest, misfortune pursued me. On my
return, Vasiliki and her daughter Haidee had disappeared.' — `Did
you know them?' — `My intimacy with the pasha and his unlimitedyou know them?' — `My intimacy with the pasha and his unlimited
confidence had gained me an introduction to them, and I had seen
them above twenty times.'
"`Have you any idea what became of them?' — `Yes, sir; I heard
they had fallen victims to their sorrow, and, perhaps, to their
poverty. I was not rich; my life was in constant danger; I could
not seek them, to my great regret.' The president frowned
imperceptibly. `Gentlemen,' said he, `you have heard the Comte de
Morcerf's defence. Can you, sir, produce any witnesses to the truth
of what you have asserted?' — `Alas, no, monsieur,' replied the
count; `all those who surrounded the vizier, or who knew me at his
court, are either dead or gone away, I know not where. I believe
that I alone, of all my countrymen, survived that dreadful war. I
have only the letters of Ali Tepelini, which I have placed before
you; the ring, a token of his good-will, which is here; and,
lastly, the most convincing proof I can offer, after an anonymous
attack, and that is the absence of any witness against my veracity
and the purity of my military life.' A murmur of approbation ran
through the assembly; and at this moment, Albert, had nothing more
transpired, your father's cause had been gained. It only remained
to put it to the vote, when the president resumed: `Gentlemen and
you, monsieur, — you will not be displeased, I presume, to listen
to one who calls himself a very important witness, and who has just
presented himself. He is, doubtless, come to prove the perfect
innocence of our colleague. Here is a letter I have just received
on the subject; shall it be read, or shall it be passed over? and
shall we take no notice of this incident?' M. de Morcerf turned
pale, and clinched his hands on the papers he held. The committee
decided to hear the letter; the count was thoughtful and silent.
The president read: —
"`Mr. President, — I can furnish the committee of inquiry into
the conduct of the Lieutenant-General the Count of Morcerf in


the conduct of the Lieutenant-General the Count of Morcerf in
Epirus and in Macedonia with important particulars.'
"The president paused, and the count turned pale. The president
looked at his auditors. `Proceed,' was heard on all sides. The
president resumed: —
"`I was on the spot at the death of Ali Pasha. I was present
during his last moments. I know what is become of Vasiliki and
Haidee. I am at the command of the committee, and even claim the
honor of being heard. I shall be in the lobby when this note is
delivered to you.'
"`And who is this witness, or rather this enemy?' asked the
count, in a tone in which there was a visible alteration. `We shall
know, sir,' replied the president. `Is the committee willing to
hear this witness?' — `Yes, yes,' they all said at once. The
door-keeper was called. `Is there any one in the lobby?' said the
president.
"`Yes, sir.' — `Who is it?' — `A woman, accompanied by a
servant.' Every one looked at his neighbor. `Bring her in,' said
the president. Five minutes after the door-keeper again appeared;
all eyes were fixed on the door, and I," said Beauchamp, "shared
the general expectation and anxiety. Behind the door-keeper walked
a woman enveloped in a large veil, which completely concealed her.
It was evident, from her figure and the perfumes she had about her,
that she was young and fastidious in her tastes, but that was all.
The president requested her to throw aside her veil, and it was
then seen that she was dressed in the Grecian costume, and was
remarkably beautiful."
"Ah," said Albert, "it was she."
"Who?"
"Haidee."
"Who told you that?"
"Alas, I guess it. But go on, Beauchamp. You see I am calm and
strong. And yet we must be drawing near the disclosure."
"M. de Morcerf," continued Beauchamp, "looked at this woman with
surprise and terror. Her lips were about to pass his sentence of
life or death. To the committee the adventure was so extraordinary
and curious, that the interest they had felt for the count's safetyand curious, that the interest they had felt for the count's safety
became now quite a secondary matter. The president himself advanced
to place a seat for the young lady; but she declined availing
herself of it. As for the count, he had fallen on his chair; it was
evident that his legs refused to support him.
"`Madame,' said the president, `you have engaged to furnish the
committee with some important particulars respecting the affair at
Yanina, and you have stated that you were an eyewitness of the
event.' — `I was, indeed,' said the stranger, with a tone of sweet
melancholy, and with the sonorous voice peculiar to the East.
"`But allow me to say that you must have been very young then.'
— `I was four years old; but as those events deeply concerned me,
not a single detail has escaped my memory.' — `In what manner could
these events concern you? and who are you, that they should have
made so deep an impression on you?' — `On them depended my father's
life,' replied she. `I am Haidee, the daughter of Ali Tepelini,
pasha of Yanina, and of Vasiliki, his beloved wife.'
"The blush of mingled pride and modesty which suddenly suffused
the cheeks of the young woman, the brilliancy of her eye, and her
highly important communication, produced an indescribable effect on
the assembly. As for the count, he could not have been more
overwhelmed if a thunderbolt had fallen at his feet and opened an
immense gulf before him. `Madame,' replied the president, bowing
with profound respect, `allow me to ask one question; it shall be
the last: Can you prove the authenticity of what you have now
stated?' — `I can, sir,' said Haidee, drawing from under her veil a
satin satchel highly perfumed; `for here is the register of my
birth, signed by my father and his principal officers, and that of
my baptism, my father having consented to my being brought up in my
mother's faith, — this latter has been sealed by the grand primate
of Macedonia and Epirus; and lastly (and perhaps the mostof Macedonia and Epirus; and lastly (and perhaps the most
important), the record of the sale of my person and that of my
mother to the Armenian merchant El-Kobbir, by the French officer,
who, in his infamous bargain with the Porte, had reserved as his
part of the booty the wife and daughter of his benefactor, whom he
sold for the sum of four hundred thousand francs.' A greenish
pallor spread over the count's cheeks, and his eyes became
bloodshot at these terrible imputations, which were listened to by
the assembly with ominous silence.
"Haidee, still calm, but with a calmness more dreadful than the
anger of another would have been, handed to the president the
record of her sale, written in Arabic. It had been supposed some of
the papers might be in the Arabian, Romaic, or Turkish language,
and the interpreter of the House was in attendance. One of the
noble peers, who was familiar with the Arabic language, having
studied it during the famous Egyptian campaign, followed with his
eye as the translator read aloud: —
"`I, El-Kobbir, a slave-merchant, and purveyor of the harem of
his highness, acknowledge having received for transmission to the
sublime emperor, from the French lord, the Count of Monte Cristo,
an emerald valued at eight hundred thousand francs; as the ransom
of a young Christian slave of eleven years of age, named Haidee,
the acknowledged daughter of the late lord Ali Tepelini, pasha of
Yanina, and of Vasiliki, his favorite; she having been sold to me
seven years previously, with her mother, who had died on arriving
at Constantinople, by a French colonel in the service of the Vizier
Ali Tepelini, named Fernand Mondego. The above-mentioned purchase
was made on his highness's account, whose mandate I had, for the
sum of four hundred thousand francs.
"`Given at Constantinople, by authority of his highness, in the
year 1247 of the Hegira.
"`Signed El-Kobbir.'
"`That this record should have all due authority, it shall bear
the imperial seal, which the vendor is bound to have affixed to
it.'


the imperial seal, which the vendor is bound to have affixed to
it.'
"Near the merchant's signature there was, indeed, the seal of
the sublime emperor. A dreadful silence followed the reading of
this document; the count could only stare, and his gaze, fixed as
if unconsciously on Haidee, seemed one of fire and blood. `Madame,'
said the president, `may reference be made to the Count of Monte
Cristo, who is now, I believe, in Paris?' — `Sir,' replied Haidee,
`the Count of Monte Cristo, my foster-father, has been in Normandy
the last three days.'
"`Who, then, has counselled you to take this step, one for which
the court is deeply indebted to you, and which is perfectly
natural, considering your birth and your misfortunes?' — `Sir,'
replied Haidee, `I have been led to take this step from a feeling
of respect and grief. Although a Christian, may God forgive me, I
have always sought to revenge my illustrious father. Since I set my
foot in France, and knew the traitor lived in Paris, I have watched
carefully. I live retired in the house of my noble protector, but I
do it from choice. I love retirement and silence, because I can
live with my thoughts and recollections of past days. But the Count
of Monte Cristo surrounds me with every paternal care, and I am
ignorant of nothing which passes in the world. I learn all in the
silence of my apartments, — for instance, I see all the newspapers,
every periodical, as well as every new piece of music; and by thus
watching the course of the life of others, I learned what had
transpired this morning in the House of Peers, and what was to take
place this evening; then I wrote.'
"`Then,' remarked the president, `the Count of Monte Cristo
knows nothing of your present proceedings?' — `He is quite unaware
of them, and I have but one fear, which is that he should
disapprove of what I have done. But it is a glorious day for me,'
continued the young girl, raising her ardent gaze to heaven, `that
on which I find at last an opportunity of avenging my father!'on which I find at last an opportunity of avenging my father!'
"The count had not uttered one word the whole of this time. His
colleagues looked at him, and doubtless pitied his prospects,
blighted under the perfumed breath of a woman. His misery was
depicted in sinister lines on his countenance. `M. de Morcerf,'
said the president, `do you recognize this lady as the daughter of
Ali Tepelini, pasha of Yanina?' — `No,' said Morcerf, attempting to
rise, `it is a base plot, contrived by my enemies.' Haidee, whose
eyes had been fixed on the door, as if expecting some one, turned
hastily, and, seeing the count standing, shrieked, `You do not know
me?' said she. `Well, I fortunately recognize you! You are Fernand
Mondego, the French officer who led the troops of my noble father!
It is you who surrendered the castle of Yanina! It is you who, sent
by him to Constantinople, to treat with the emperor for the life or
death of your benefactor, brought back a false mandate granting
full pardon! It is you who, with that mandate, obtained the pasha's
ring, which gave you authority over Selim, the fire-keeper! It is
you who stabbed Selim. It is you who sold us, my mother and me, to
the merchant, El-Kobbir! Assassin, assassin, assassin, you have
still on your brow your master's blood! Look, gentlemen, all!'
"These words had been pronounced with such enthusiasm and
evident truth, that every eye was fixed on the count's forehead,
and he himself passed his hand across it, as if he felt Ali's blood
still lingering there. `You positively recognize M. de Morcerf as
the officer, Fernand Mondego?' — `Indeed I do!' cried Haidee. `Oh,
my mother, it was you who said, "You were free, you had a beloved
father, you were destined to be almost a queen. Look well at that
man; it is he who raised your father's head on the point of a
spear; it is he who sold us; it is he who forsook us! Look well at
his right hand, on which he has a large wound; if you forgot his
features, you would know him by that hand, into which fell, one byfeatures, you would know him by that hand, into which fell, one by
one, the gold pieces of the merchant El-Kobbir!" I know him! Ah,
let him say now if he does not recognize me!' Each word fell like a
dagger on Morcerf, and deprived him of a portion of his energy; as
she uttered the last, he hid his mutilated hand hastily in his
bosom, and fell back on his seat, overwhelmed by wretchedness and
despair. This scene completely changed the opinion of the assembly
respecting the accused count.
"`Count of Morcerf,' said the president, `do not allow yourself
to be cast down; answer. The justice of the court is supreme and
impartial as that of God; it will not suffer you to be trampled on
by your enemies without giving you an opportunity of defending
yourself. Shall further inquiries be made? Shall two members of the
House be sent to Yanina? Speak!' Morcerf did not reply. Then all
the members looked at each other with terror. They knew the count's
energetic and violent temper; it must be, indeed, a dreadful blow
which would deprive him of courage to defend himself. They expected
that his stupefied silence would be followed by a fiery outburst.
`Well,' asked the president, `what is your decision?'
"`I have no reply to make,' said the count in a low tone.
"`Has the daughter of Ali Tepelini spoken the truth?' said the
president. `Is she, then, the terrible witness to whose charge you
dare not plead "Not guilty"? Have you really committed the crimes
of which you are accused?' The count looked around him with an
expression which might have softened tigers, but which could not
disarm his judges. Then he raised his eyes towards the ceiling, but
withdrew then, immediately, as if he feared the roof would open and
reveal to his distressed view that second tribunal called heaven,
and that other judge named God. Then, with a hasty movement, he
tore open his coat, which seemed to stifle him, and flew from the
room like a madman; his footstep was heard one moment in theroom like a madman; his footstep was heard one moment in the
corridor, then the rattling of his carriage-wheels as he was driven
rapidly away. `Gentlemen,' said the president, when silence was
restored, `is the Count of Morcerf convicted of felony, treason,
and conduct unbecoming a member of this House?' — `Yes,' replied
all the members of the committee of inquiry with a unanimous
voice.
"Haidee had remained until the close of the meeting. She heard
the count's sentence pronounced without betraying an expression of
joy or pity; then drawing her veil over her face she bowed
majestically to the councillors, and left with that dignified step
which Virgil attributes to his goddesses."


"Then," continued Beauchamp, "I took advantage of the silence
and the darkness to leave the house without being seen. The usher
who had introduced me was waiting for me at the door, and he
conducted me through the corridors to a private entrance opening
into the Rue de Vaugirard. I left with mingled feelings of sorrow
and delight. Excuse me, Albert, — sorrow on your account, and
delight with that noble girl, thus pursuing paternal vengeance.
Yes, Albert, from whatever source the blow may have proceeded — it
may be from an enemy, but that enemy is only the agent of
providence." Albert held his head between his hands; he raised his
face, red with shame and bathed in tears, and seizing Beauchamp's
arm, "My friend," said he, "my life is ended. I cannot calmly say
with you, `Providence has struck the blow;' but I must discover who
pursues me with this hatred, and when I have found him I shall kill
him, or he will kill me. I rely on your friendship to assist me,
Beauchamp, if contempt has not banished it from your heart."
"Contempt, my friend? How does this misfortune affect you? No,
happily that unjust prejudice is forgotten which made the son
responsible for the father's actions. Review your life, Albert;
although it is only just beginning, did a lovely summer's day ever
dawn with greater purity than has marked the commencement of your
career? No, Albert, take my advice. You are young and rich — leave
Paris — all is soon forgotten in this great Babylon of excitement
and changing tastes. You will return after three or four years with
a Russian princess for a bride, and no one will think more of what
occurred yesterday than if it had happened sixteen years ago."
"Thank you, my dear Beauchamp, thank you for the excellent
feeling which prompts your advice; but it cannot be. I have told
you my wish, or rather my determination. You understand that,
interested as I am in this affair, I cannot see it in the same
light as you do. What appears to you to emanate from a celestiallight as you do. What appears to you to emanate from a celestial
source, seems to me to proceed from one far less pure. Providence
appears to me to have no share in this affair; and happily so, for
instead of the invisible, impalpable agent of celestial rewards and
punishments, I shall find one both palpable and visible, on whom I
shall revenge myself, I assure you, for all I have suffered during
the last month. Now, I repeat, Beauchamp, I wish to return to human
and material existence, and if you are still the friend you profess
to be, help me to discover the hand that struck the blow."
"Be it so," said Beauchamp; "if you must have me descend to
earth, I submit; and if you will seek your enemy, I will assist
you, and I will engage to find him, my honor being almost as deeply
interested as yours."
"Well, then, you understand, Beauchamp, that we begin our search
immediately. Each moment's delay is an eternity for me. The
calumniator is not yet punished, and he may hope that he will not
be; but, on my honor, it he thinks so, he deceives himself."
"Well, listen, Morcerf."
"Ah, Beauchamp, I see you know something already; you will
restore me to life."
"I do not say there is any truth in what I am going to tell you,
but it is, at least, a ray of light in a dark night; by following
it we may, perhaps, discover something more certain."
"Tell me; satisfy my impatience."
"Well, I will tell you what I did not like to mention on my
return from Yanina."
"Say on."
"I went, of course, to the chief banker of the town to make
inquiries. At the first word, before I had even mentioned your
father's name" —
"`Ah,' said he. `I guess what brings you here.'
"`How, and why?'
"`Because a fortnight since I was questioned on the same
subject.'
"`By whom?' — `By a Paris banker, my correspondent.'
"`Whose name is' —
"`Danglars.'"
"He!" cried Albert; "yes, it is indeed he who has so long
pursued my father with jealous hatred. He, the man who would be
popular, cannot forgive the Count of Morcerf for being created apopular, cannot forgive the Count of Morcerf for being created a
peer; and this marriage broken off without a reason being assigned
— yes, it is all from the same cause."
"Make inquiries, Albert, but do not be angry without reason;
make inquiries, and if it be true" —
"Oh, yes, if it be true," cried the young man, "he shall pay me
all I have suffered."
"Beware, Morcerf, he is already an old man."
"I will respect his age as he has respected the honor of my
family; if my father had offended him, why did he not attack him
personally? Oh, no, he was afraid to encounter him face to
face."
"I do not condemn you, Albert; I only restrain you. Act
prudently."
"Oh, do not fear; besides, you will accompany me. Beauchamp,
solemn transactions should be sanctioned by a witness. Before this
day closes, if M. Danglars is guilty, he shall cease to live, or I
shall die. Pardieu, Beauchamp, mine shall be a splendid
funeral!"
"When such resolutions are made, Albert, they should be promptly
executed. Do you wish to go to M. Danglars? Let us go immediately."
They sent for a cabriolet. On entering the banker's mansion, they
perceived the phaeton and servant of M. Andrea Cavalcanti. "Ah,
parbleu, that's good," said Albert, with a gloomy tone. "If M.
Danglars will not fight with me, I will kill his son-in-law;
Cavalcanti will certainly fight." The servant announced the young
man; but the banker, recollecting what had transpired the day
before, did not wish him admitted. It was, however, too late;
Albert had followed the footman, and, hearing the order given,
forced the door open, and followed by Beauchamp found himself in
the banker's study. "Sir," cried the latter, "am I no longer at
liberty to receive whom I choose in my house? You appear to forget
yourself sadly."
"No, sir," said Albert, coldly; "there are circumstances in
which one cannot, except through cowardice, — I offer you that
refuge, — refuse to admit certain persons at least."
"What is your errand, then, with me, sir?"


refuge, — refuse to admit certain persons at least."
"What is your errand, then, with me, sir?"
"I mean," said Albert, drawing near, and without apparently
noticing Cavalcanti, who stood with his back towards the fireplace
— "I mean to propose a meeting in some retired corner where no one
will interrupt us for ten minutes; that will be sufficient — where
two men having met, one of them will remain on the ground."
Danglars turned pale; Cavalcanti moved a step forward, and Albert
turned towards him. "And you, too," said he, "come, if you like,
monsieur; you have a claim, being almost one of the family, and I
will give as many rendezvous of that kind as I can find persons
willing to accept them." Cavalcanti looked at Danglars with a
stupefied air, and the latter, making an effort, arose and stepped
between the two young men. Albert's attack on Andrea had placed him
on a different footing, and he hoped this visit had another cause
than that he had at first supposed.
"Indeed, sir," said he to Albert, "if you are come to quarrel
with this gentleman because I have preferred him to you, I shall
resign the case to the king's attorney."
"You mistake, sir," said Morcerf with a gloomy smile; "I am not
referring in the least to matrimony, and I only addressed myself to
M. Cavalcanti because he appeared disposed to interfere between us.
In one respect you are right, for I am ready to quarrel with every
one to-day; but you have the first claim, M. Danglars."
"Sir," replied Danglars, pale with anger and fear, "I warn you,
when I have the misfortune to meet with a mad dog, I kill it; and
far from thinking myself guilty of a crime, I believe I do society
a kindness. Now, if you are mad and try to bite me, I will kill you
without pity. Is it my fault that your father has dishonored
himself?"
"Yes, miserable wretch!" cried Morcerf, "it is your fault."
Danglars retreated a few steps. "My fault?" said he; "you must be
mad! What do I know of the Grecian affair? Have I travelled in thatmad! What do I know of the Grecian affair? Have I travelled in that
country? Did I advise your father to sell the castle of Yanina — to
betray" —
"Silence!" said Albert, with a thundering voice. "No; it is not
you who have directly made this exposure and brought this sorrow on
us, but you hypocritically provoked it."
"I?"
"Yes; you! How came it known?"
"I suppose you read it in the paper in the account from
Yanina?"
"Who wrote to Yanina?"
"To Yanina?"
"Yes. Who wrote for particulars concerning my father?"
"I imagine any one may write to Yanina."
"But one person only wrote!"
"One only?"
"Yes; and that was you!"
"I, doubtless, wrote. It appears to me that when about to marry
your daughter to a young man, it is right to make some inquiries
respecting his family; it is not only a right, but a duty."
"You wrote, sir, knowing what answer you would receive."
"I, indeed? I assure you," cried Danglars, with a confidence and
security proceeding less from fear than from the interest he really
felt for the young man, "I solemnly declare to you, that I should
never have thought of writing to Yanina, did I know anything of Ali
Pasha's misfortunes."
"Who, then, urged you to write? Tell me."
"Pardieu, it was the most simple thing in the world. I was
speaking of your father's past history. I said the origin of his
fortune remained obscure. The person to whom I addressed my
scruples asked me where your father had acquired his property? I
answered, `In Greece.' — `Then,' said he, `write to Yanina.'"
"And who thus advised you?"
"No other than your friend, Monte Cristo."
"The Count of Monte Cristo told you to write to Yanina?"
"Yes; and I wrote, and will show you my correspondence, if you
like." Albert and Beauchamp looked at each other. "Sir," said
Beauchamp, who had not yet spoken, "you appear to accuse the count,
who is absent from Paris at this moment, and cannot justify
himself."
"I accuse no one, sir," said Danglars; "I relate, and I will
repeat before the count what I have said to you."repeat before the count what I have said to you."
"Does the count know what answer you received?"
"Yes; I showed it to him."
"Did he know my father's Christian name was Fernand, and his
family name Mondego?"
"Yes, I had told him that long since, and I did only what any
other would have done in my circumstances, and perhaps less. When,
the day after the arrival of this answer, your father came by the
advice of Monte Cristo to ask my daughter's hand for you, I
decidedly refused him, but without any explanation or exposure. In
short, why should I have any more to do with the affair? How did
the honor or disgrace of M. de Morcerf affect me? It neither
increased nor decreased my income."
Albert felt the blood mounting to his brow; there was no doubt
upon the subject. Danglars defended himself with the baseness, but
at the same time with the assurance, of a man who speaks the truth,
at least in part, if not wholly — not for conscience' sake, but
through fear. Besides, what was Morcerf seeking? It was not whether
Danglars or Monte Cristo was more or less guilty; it was a man who
would answer for the offence, whether trifling or serious; it was a
man who would fight, and it was evident Danglars would not fight.
And, in addition to this, everything forgotten or unperceived
before presented itself now to his recollection. Monte Cristo knew
everything, as he had bought the daughter of Ali Pasha; and,
knowing everything, he had advised Danglars to write to Yanina. The
answer known, he had yielded to Albert's wish to be introduced to
Haidee, and allowed the conversation to turn on the death of Ali,
and had not opposed Haidee's recital (but having, doubtless, warned
the young girl, in the few Romaic words he spoke to her, not to
implicate Morcerf's father). Besides, had he not begged of Morcerf
not to mention his father's name before Haidee? Lastly, he had
taken Albert to Normandy when he knew the final blow was near.
There could be no doubt that all had been calculated and previouslyThere could be no doubt that all had been calculated and previously
arranged; Monte Cristo then was in league with his father's
enemies. Albert took Beauchamp aside, and communicated these ideas
to him.
"You are right," said the latter; "M. Danglars has only been a
secondary agent in this sad affair, and it is of M. de Monte Cristo
that you must demand an explanation." Albert turned. "Sir," said he
to Danglars, "understand that I do not take a final leave of you; I
must ascertain if your insinuations are just, and am going now to
inquire of the Count of Monte Cristo." He bowed to the banker, and
went out with Beauchamp, without appearing to notice Cavalcanti.
Danglars accompanied him to the door, where he again assured Albert
that no motive of personal hatred had influenced him against the
Count of Morcerf.


Monte Cristo waited, according to his usual custom, until Duprez
had sung his famous "Suivez-moi;" then he rose and went out. Morrel
took leave of him at the door, renewing his promise to be with him
the next morning at seven o'clock, and to bring Emmanuel. Then he
stepped into his coupe, calm and smiling, and was at home in five
minutes. No one who knew the count could mistake his expression
when, on entering, he said, "Ali, bring me my pistols with the
ivory cross."
Ali brought the box to his master, who examined the weapons with
a solicitude very natural to a man who is about to intrust his life
to a little powder and shot. These were pistols of an especial
pattern, which Monte Cristo had had made for target practice in his
own room. A cap was sufficient to drive out the bullet, and from
the adjoining room no one would have suspected that the count was,
as sportsmen would say, keeping his hand in. He was just taking one
up and looking for the point to aim at on a little iron plate which
served him as a target, when his study door opened, and Baptistin
entered. Before he had spoken a word, the count saw in the next
room a veiled woman, who had followed closely after Baptistin, and
now, seeing the count with a pistol in his hand and swords on the
table, rushed in. Baptistin looked at his master, who made a sign
to him, and he went out, closing the door after him. "Who are you,
madame?" said the count to the veiled woman.
The stranger cast one look around her, to be certain that they
were quite alone; then bending as if she would have knelt, and
joining her hands, she said with an accent of despair, "Edmond, you
will not kill my son?" The count retreated a step, uttered a slight
exclamation, and let fall the pistol he held. "What name did you
pronounce then, Madame de Morcerf?" said he. "Yours!" cried she,
throwing back her veil, — "yours, which I alone, perhaps, have not
forgotten. Edmond, it is not Madame de Morcerf who is come to you,
it is Mercedes."forgotten. Edmond, it is not Madame de Morcerf who is come to you,
it is Mercedes."
"Mercedes is dead, madame," said Monte Cristo; "I know no one
now of that name."
"Mercedes lives, sir, and she remembers, for she alone
recognized you when she saw you, and even before she saw you, by
your voice, Edmond, — by the simple sound of your voice; and from
that moment she has followed your steps, watched you, feared you,
and she needs not to inquire what hand has dealt the blow which now
strikes M. de Morcerf."
"Fernand, do you mean?" replied Monte Cristo, with bitter irony;
"since we are recalling names, let us remember them all." Monte
Cristo had pronounced the name of Fernand with such an expression
of hatred that Mercedes felt a thrill of horror run through every
vein. "You see, Edmond, I am not mistaken, and have cause to say,
`Spare my son!'"
"And who told you, madame, that I have any hostile intentions
against your son?"
"No one, in truth; but a mother has twofold sight. I guessed
all; I followed him this evening to the opera, and, concealed in a
parquet box, have seen all."
"If you have seen all, madame, you know that the son of Fernand
has publicly insulted me," said Monte Cristo with awful
calmness.
"Oh, for pity's sake!"
"You have seen that he would have thrown his glove in my face if
Morrel, one of my friends, had not stopped him."
"Listen to me, my son has also guessed who you are, — he
attributes his father's misfortunes to you."
"Madame, you are mistaken, they are not misfortunes, — it is a
punishment. It is not I who strike M. de Morcerf; it is providence
which punishes him."
"And why do you represent providence?" cried Mercedes. "Why do
you remember when it forgets? What are Yanina and its vizier to
you, Edmond? What injury his Fernand Mondego done you in betraying
Ali Tepelini?"
"Ah, madame," replied Monte Cristo, "all this is an affair
between the French captain and the daughter of Vasiliki. It does
not concern me, you are right; and if I have sworn to revengenot concern me, you are right; and if I have sworn to revenge
myself, it is not on the French captain, or the Count of Morcerf,
but on the fisherman Fernand, the husband of Mercedes the
Catalane."
"Ah, sir!" cried the countess, "how terrible a vengeance for a
fault which fatality made me commit! — for I am the only culprit,
Edmond, and if you owe revenge to any one, it is to me, who had not
fortitude to bear your absence and my solitude."
"But," exclaimed Monte Cristo, "why was I absent? And why were
you alone?"
"Because you had been arrested, Edmond, and were a
prisoner."
"And why was I arrested? Why was I a prisoner?"
"I do not know," said Mercedes. "You do not, madame; at least, I
hope not. But I will tell you. I was arrested and became a prisoner
because, under the arbor of La Reserve, the day before I was to
marry you, a man named Danglars wrote this letter, which the
fisherman Fernand himself posted." Monte Cristo went to a
secretary, opened a drawer by a spring, from which he took a paper
which had lost its original color, and the ink of which had become
of a rusty hue — this he placed in the hands of Mercedes. It was
Danglars' letter to the king's attorney, which the Count of Monte
Cristo, disguised as a clerk from the house of Thomson &
French, had taken from the file against Edmond Dantes, on the day
he had paid the two hundred thousand francs to M. de Boville.
Mercedes read with terror the following lines: —
"The king's attorney is informed by a friend to the throne and
religion that one Edmond Dantes, second in command on board the
Pharaon, this day arrived from Smyrna, after having touched at
Naples and Porto-Ferrajo, is the bearer of a letter from Murat to
the usurper, and of another letter from the usurper to the
Bonapartist club in Paris. Ample corroboration of this statement
may be obtained by arresting the above-mentioned Edmond Dantes, who
either carries the letter for Paris about with him, or has it at
his father's abode. Should it not be found in possession of either


his father's abode. Should it not be found in possession of either
father or son, then it will assuredly be discovered in the cabin
belonging to the said Dantes on board the Pharaon."
"How dreadful!" said Mercedes, passing her hand across her brow,
moist with perspiration; "and that letter" —
"I bought it for two hundred thousand francs, madame," said
Monte Cristo; "but that is a trifle, since it enables me to justify
myself to you."
"And the result of that letter" —
"You well know, madame, was my arrest; but you do not know how
long that arrest lasted. You do not know that I remained for
fourteen years within a quarter of a league of you, in a dungeon in
the Chateau d'If. You do not know that every day of those fourteen
years I renewed the vow of vengeance which I had made the first
day; and yet I was not aware that you had married Fernand, my
calumniator, and that my father had died of hunger!"
"Can it be?" cried Mercedes, shuddering.
"That is what I heard on leaving my prison fourteen years after
I had entered it; and that is why, on account of the living
Mercedes and my deceased father, I have sworn to revenge myself on
Fernand, and — I have revenged myself."
"And you are sure the unhappy Fernand did that?"
"I am satisfied, madame, that he did what I have told you;
besides, that is not much more odious than that a Frenchman by
adoption should pass over to the English; that a Spaniard by birth
should have fought against the Spaniards; that a stipendiary of Ali
should have betrayed and murdered Ali. Compared with such things,
what is the letter you have just read? — a lover's deception, which
the woman who has married that man ought certainly to forgive; but
not so the lover who was to have married her. Well, the French did
not avenge themselves on the traitor, the Spaniards did not shoot
the traitor, Ali in his tomb left the traitor unpunished; but I,
betrayed, sacrificed, buried, have risen from my tomb, by the grace
of God, to punish that man. He sends me for that purpose, and hereof God, to punish that man. He sends me for that purpose, and here
I am." The poor woman's head and arms fell; her legs bent under
her, and she fell on her knees. "Forgive, Edmond, forgive for my
sake, who love you still!"
The dignity of the wife checked the fervor of the lover and the
mother. Her forehead almost touched the carpet, when the count
sprang forward and raised her. Then seated on a chair, she looked
at the manly countenance of Monte Cristo, on which grief and hatred
still impressed a threatening expression. "Not crush that accursed
race?" murmured he; "abandon my purpose at the moment of its
accomplishment? Impossible, madame, impossible!"
"Edmond," said the poor mother, who tried every means, "when I
call you Edmond, why do you not call me Mercedes?"
"Mercedes!" repeated Monte Cristo; "Mercedes! Well yes, you are
right; that name has still its charms, and this is the first time
for a long period that I have pronounced it so distinctly. Oh,
Mercedes, I have uttered your name with the sigh of melancholy,
with the groan of sorrow, with the last effort of despair; I have
uttered it when frozen with cold, crouched on the straw in my
dungeon; I have uttered it, consumed with heat, rolling on the
stone floor of my prison. Mercedes, I must revenge myself, for I
suffered fourteen years, — fourteen years I wept, I cursed; now I
tell you, Mercedes, I must revenge myself."
The count, fearing to yield to the entreaties of her he had so
ardently loved, called his sufferings to the assistance of his
hatred. "Revenge yourself, then, Edmond," cried the poor mother;
"but let your vengeance fall on the culprits, — on him, on me, but
not on my son!"
"It is written in the good book," said Monte Cristo, "that the
sins of the fathers shall fall upon their children to the third and
fourth generation. Since God himself dictated those words to his
prophet, why should I seek to make myself better than God?"
"Edmond," continued Mercedes, with her arms extended towards the"Edmond," continued Mercedes, with her arms extended towards the
count, "since I first knew you, I have adored your name, have
respected your memory. Edmond, my friend, do not compel me to
tarnish that noble and pure image reflected incessantly on the
mirror of my heart. Edmond, if you knew all the prayers I have
addressed to God for you while I thought you were living and since
I have thought you must be dead! Yes, dead, alas! I imagined your
dead body buried at the foot of some gloomy tower, or cast to the
bottom of a pit by hateful jailers, and I wept! What could I do for
you, Edmond, besides pray and weep? Listen; for ten years I dreamed
each night the same dream. I had been told that you had endeavored
to escape; that you had taken the place of another prisoner; that
you had slipped into the winding sheet of a dead body; that you had
been thrown alive from the top of the Chateau d'If, and that the
cry you uttered as you dashed upon the rocks first revealed to your
jailers that they were your murderers. Well, Edmond, I swear to
you, by the head of that son for whom I entreat your pity, —
Edmond, for ten years I saw every night every detail of that
frightful tragedy, and for ten years I heard every night the cry
which awoke me, shuddering and cold. And I, too, Edmond — oh!
believe me — guilty as I was — oh, yes, I, too, have suffered
much!"
"Have you known what it is to have your father starve to death
in your absence?" cried Monte Cristo, thrusting his hands into his
hair; "have you seen the woman you loved giving her hand to your
rival, while you were perishing at the bottom of a dungeon?"
"No," interrupted Mercedes, "but I have seen him whom I loved on
the point of murdering my son." Mercedes uttered these words with
such deep anguish, with an accent of such intense despair, that
Monte Cristo could not restrain a sob. The lion was daunted; the
avenger was conquered. "What do you ask of me?" said he, — "your
son's life? Well, he shall live!" Mercedes uttered a cry which made


son's life? Well, he shall live!" Mercedes uttered a cry which made
the tears start from Monte Cristo's eyes; but these tears
disappeared almost instantaneously, for, doubtless, God had sent
some angel to collect them — far more precious were they in his
eyes than the richest pearls of Guzerat and Ophir.
"Oh," said she, seizing the count's hand and raising it to her
lips; "oh, thank you, thank you, Edmond! Now you are exactly what I
dreamt you were, — the man I always loved. Oh, now I may say
so!"
"So much the better," replied Monte Cristo; "as that poor Edmond
will not have long to be loved by you. Death is about to return to
the tomb, the phantom to retire in darkness."
"What do you say, Edmond?"
"I say, since you command me, Mercedes, I must die."
"Die? and why so? Who talks of dying? Whence have you these
ideas of death?"
"You do not suppose that, publicly outraged in the face of a
whole theatre, in the presence of your friends and those of your
son — challenged by a boy who will glory in my forgiveness as if it
were a victory — you do not suppose that I can for one moment wish
to live. What I most loved after you, Mercedes, was myself, my
dignity, and that strength which rendered me superior to other men;
that strength was my life. With one word you have crushed it, and I
die."
"But the duel will not take place, Edmond, since you
forgive?"
"It will take place," said Monte Cristo, in a most solemn tone;
"but instead of your son's blood to stain the ground, mine will
flow." Mercedes shrieked, and sprang towards Monte Cristo, but,
suddenly stopping, "Edmond," said she, "there is a God above us,
since you live and since I have seen you again; I trust to him from
my heart. While waiting his assistance I trust to your word; you
have said that my son should live, have you not?"
"Yes, madame, he shall live," said Monte Cristo, surprised that
without more emotion Mercedes had accepted the heroic sacrifice he
made for her. Mercedes extended her hand to the count.made for her. Mercedes extended her hand to the count.
"Edmond," said she, and her eyes were wet with tears while
looking at him to whom she spoke, "how noble it is of you, how
great the action you have just performed, how sublime to have taken
pity on a poor woman who appealed to you with every chance against
her, Alas, I am grown old with grief more than with years, and
cannot now remind my Edmond by a smile, or by a look, of that
Mercedes whom he once spent so many hours in contemplating. Ah,
believe me, Edmond, as I told you, I too have suffered much; I
repeat, it is melancholy to pass one's life without having one joy
to recall, without preserving a single hope; but that proves that
all is not yet over. No, it is not finished; I feel it by what
remains in my heart. Oh, I repeat it, Edmond; what you have just
done is beautiful — it is grand; it is sublime."
"Do you say so now, Mercedes? — then what would you say if you
knew the extent of the sacrifice I make to you? Suppose that the
Supreme Being, after having created the world and fertilized chaos,
had paused in the work to spare an angel the tears that might one
day flow for mortal sins from her immortal eyes; suppose that when
everything was in readiness and the moment had come for God to look
upon his work and see that it was good — suppose he had snuffed out
the sun and tossed the world back into eternal night — then — even
then, Mercedes, you could not imagine what I lose in sacrificing my
life at this moment." Mercedes looked at the count in a way which
expressed at the same time her astonishment, her admiration, and
her gratitude. Monte Cristo pressed his forehead on his burning
hands, as if his brain could no longer bear alone the weight of its
thoughts. "Edmond," said Mercedes, "I have but one word more to say
to you." The count smiled bitterly. "Edmond," continued she, "you
will see that if my face is pale, if my eyes are dull, if my beauty
is gone; if Mercedes, in short, no longer resembles her former selfis gone; if Mercedes, in short, no longer resembles her former self
in her features, you will see that her heart is still the same.
Adieu, then, Edmond; I have nothing more to ask of heaven — I have
seen you again, and have found you as noble and as great as
formerly you were. Adieu, Edmond, adieu, and thank you."
But the count did not answer. Mercedes opened the door of the
study and had disappeared before he had recovered from the painful
and profound revery into which his thwarted vengeance had plunged
him. The clock of the Invalides struck one when the carriage which
conveyed Madame de Morcerf away rolled on the pavement of the
Champs-Elysees, and made Monte Cristo raise his head. "What a fool
I was," said he, "not to tear my heart out on the day when I
resolved to avenge myself!"The Count of Monte Cristo bowed to the five young men with a
melancholy and dignified smile, and got into his carriage with
Maximilian and Emmanuel. Albert, Beauchamp, and Chateau-Renaud
remained alone. Albert looked at his two friends, not timidly, but
in a way that appeared to ask their opinion of what he had just
done.
"Indeed, my dear friend," said Beauchamp first, who had either
the most feeling or the least dissimulation, "allow me to
congratulate you; this is a very unhoped-for conclusion of a very
disagreeable affair."
Albert remained silent and wrapped in thought. Chateau-Renaud
contented himself with tapping his boot with his flexible cane.
"Are we not going?" said he, after this embarrassing silence. "When
you please," replied Beauchamp; "allow me only to compliment M. de
Morcerf, who has given proof to-day of rare chivalric
generosity."
"Oh, yes," said Chateau-Renaud.
"It is magnificent," continued Beauchamp, "to be able to
exercise so much self-control!"
"Assuredly; as for me, I should have been incapable of it," said
Chateau-Renaud, with most significant coolness.
"Gentlemen," interrupted Albert, "I think you did not understand
that something very serious had passed between M. de Monte Cristo
and myself."
"Possibly, possibly," said Beauchamp immediately; "but every
simpleton would not be able to understand your heroism, and sooner
or later you will find yourself compelled to explain it to them
more energetically than would be convenient to your bodily health
and the duration of your life. May I give you a friendly counsel?
Set out for Naples, the Hague, or St. Petersburg — calm countries,
where the point of honor is better understood than among our
hot-headed Parisians. Seek quietude and oblivion, so that you may
return peaceably to France after a few years. Am I not right, M. de
Chateau-Renaud?"
"That is quite my opinion," said the gentleman; "nothing induces
serious duels so much as a duel forsworn."
"Thank you, gentlemen," replied Albert, with a smile of