Count of Monte Cristo (version 2) — Chapter LXXIII - The Promise Part 2

When the afternoon arrived and he felt that the hour was drawing near, he wished for solitude, his agitation was extreme; a simple question from a friend would have irritated him.

He shut himself in his room, and tried to read, but his eye glanced over the page without understanding a word, and he threw away the book, and for the second time sat down to sketch his plan, the ladders and the fence.

At length the hour drew near.

Never did a man deeply in love allow the clocks to go on peacefully.

Morrel tormented his so effectually that they struck eight at half-past six.

He then said, “It is time to start;

the signature was indeed fixed to take place at nine o’clock, but perhaps Valentine will not wait for that.

” Consequently, Morrel, having left the Rue Meslay at half-past eight by his timepiece, entered the clover-field while the clock of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule was striking eight.

The horse and cabriolet were concealed behind a small ruin, where Morrel had often waited.

The night gradually drew on, and the foliage in the garden assumed a deeper hue.

Then Morrel came out from his hiding-place with a beating heart, and looked through the small opening in the gate; there was yet no one to be seen.

The clock struck half-past eight, and still another half-hour was passed in waiting, while Morrel walked to and fro, and gazed more and more frequently through the opening.

The garden became darker still, but in the darkness he looked in vain for the white dress, and in the silence he vainly listened for the sound of footsteps.

The house, which was discernible through the trees, remained in darkness, and gave no indication that so important an event as the signature of a marriage-contract was going on.

Morrel looked at his watch, which wanted a quarter to ten; but soon the same clock he had already heard strike two or three times rectified the error by striking half-past nine.

This was already half an hour past the time Valentine had fixed.

It was a terrible moment for the young man.

The slightest rustling of the foliage, the least whistling of the wind, attracted his attention, and drew the perspiration to his brow; then he tremblingly fixed his ladder, and, not to lose a moment, placed his foot on the first step.

Amidst all these alternations of hope and fear, the clock struck ten.

“It is impossible,” said Maximilian, “that the signing of a contract should occupy so long a time without unexpected interruptions.

I have weighed all the chances, calculated the time required for all the forms; something must have happened.

” And then he walked rapidly to and fro, and pressed his burning forehead against the fence.

Had Valentine fainted?

or had she been discovered and stopped in her flight?

These were the only obstacles which appeared possible to the young man.

The idea that her strength had failed her in attempting to escape, and that she had fainted in one of the paths, was the one that most impressed itself upon his mind.

“In that case,” said he, “I should lose her, and by my own fault.

” He dwelt on this idea for a moment, then it appeared reality.

He even thought he could perceive something on the ground at a distance; he ventured to call, and it seemed to him that the wind wafted back an almost inarticulate sigh.

At last the half-hour struck.

It was impossible to wait longer, his temples throbbed violently, his eyes were growing dim; he passed one leg over the wall, and in a moment leaped down on the other side.

He was on Villefort’s premises—had arrived there by scaling the wall.

What might be the consequences?

However, he had not ventured thus far to draw back.

He followed a short distance close under the wall, then crossed a path, hid entered a clump of trees.

In a moment he had passed through them, and could see the house distinctly.

30341m Then Morrel saw that he had been right in believing that the house was not illuminated.

Instead of lights at every window, as is customary on days of ceremony, he saw only a gray mass, which was veiled also by a cloud, which at that moment obscured the moon’s feeble light.

A light moved rapidly from time to time past three windows of the second floor.

These three windows were in Madame de Saint-Méran’s room.

Another remained motionless behind some red curtains which were in Madame de Villefort’s bedroom.

Morrel guessed all this.

So many times, in order to follow Valentine in thought at every hour in the day, had he made her describe the whole house, that without having seen it he knew it all.

This darkness and silence alarmed Morrel still more than Valentine’s absence had done.

Almost mad with grief, and determined to venture everything in order to see Valentine once more, and be certain of the misfortune he feared, Morrel gained the edge of the clump of trees, and was going to pass as quickly as possible through the flower-garden, when the sound of a voice, still at some distance, but which was borne upon the wind, reached him.

At this sound, as he was already partially exposed to view, he stepped back and concealed himself completely, remaining perfectly motionless.

He had formed his resolution.

If it was Valentine alone, he would speak as she passed; if she was accompanied, and he could not speak, still he should see her, and know that she was safe; if they were strangers, he would listen to their conversation, and might understand something of this hitherto incomprehensible mystery.

The moon had just then escaped from behind the cloud which had concealed it, and Morrel saw Villefort come out upon the steps, followed by a gentleman in black.

They descended, and advanced towards the clump of trees, and Morrel soon recognized the other gentleman as Doctor d’Avrigny.

30339m The young man, seeing them approach, drew back mechanically, until he found himself stopped by a sycamore-tree in the centre of the clump;

there he was compelled to remain.

Soon the two gentlemen stopped also.

“Ah, my dear doctor,” said the procureur, “Heaven declares itself against my house!

What a dreadful death—what a blow!

Seek not to console me; alas, nothing can alleviate so great a sorrow—the wound is too deep and too fresh!

Dead, dead!

” The cold sweat sprang to the young man’s brow, and his teeth chattered.

Who could be dead in that house, which Villefort himself had called accursed?

“My dear M. de Villefort,” replied the doctor, with a tone which redoubled the terror of the young man, “I have not led you here to console you; on the contrary——” “What can you mean?

” asked the procureur, alarmed.

“I mean that behind the misfortune which has just happened to you, there is another, perhaps, still greater.

” “Can it be possible?

” murmured Villefort, clasping his hands.

“What are you going to tell me?

” “Are we quite alone, my friend?

” “Yes, quite; but why all these precautions?

” “Because I have a terrible secret to communicate to you,” said the doctor.

“Let us sit down.

” Villefort fell, rather than seated himself.

The doctor stood before him, with one hand placed on his shoulder.

Morrel, horrified, supported his head with one hand, and with the other pressed his heart, lest its beatings should be heard.

“Dead, dead!

” repeated he within himself; and he felt as if he were also dying.

“Speak, doctor—I am listening,” said Villefort; “strike—I am prepared for everything!

” “Madame de Saint-Méran was, doubtless, advancing in years, but she enjoyed excellent health.

” Morrel began again to breathe freely, which he had not done during the last ten minutes.

“Grief has consumed her,” said Villefort—“yes, grief, doctor!

After living forty years with the marquis——” “It is not grief, my dear Villefort,” said the doctor; “grief may kill, although it rarely does, and never in a day, never in an hour, never in ten minutes.

” Villefort answered nothing, he simply raised his head, which had been cast down before, and looked at the doctor with amazement.

“Were you present during the last struggle?

” asked M. d’Avrigny.

“I was,” replied the procureur; “you begged me not to leave.

” “Did you notice the symptoms of the disease to which Madame de Saint-Méran has fallen a victim?

” “I did.

Madame de Saint-Méran had three successive attacks, at intervals of some minutes, each one more serious than the former.

When you arrived, Madame de Saint-Méran had already been panting for breath some minutes; she then had a fit, which I took to be simply a nervous attack, and it was only when I saw her raise herself in the bed, and her limbs and neck appear stiffened, that I became really alarmed.

Then I understood from your countenance there was more to fear than I had thought.

This crisis past, I endeavored to catch your eye, but could not.

You held her hand—you were feeling her pulse—and the second fit came on before you had turned towards me.

This was more terrible than the first; the same nervous movements were repeated, and the mouth contracted and turned purple.

” “And at the third she expired.

” “At the end of the first attack I discovered symptoms of tetanus; you confirmed my opinion.

” “Yes, before others,” replied the doctor; “but now we are alone——” “What are you going to say?

Oh, spare me!

” “That the symptoms of tetanus and poisoning by vegetable substances are the same.

” M.

de Villefort started from his seat, then in a moment fell down again, silent and motionless.

Morrel knew not if he were dreaming or awake.

“Listen,” said the doctor; “I know the full importance of the statement I have just made, and the disposition of the man to whom I have made it.

” “Do you speak to me as a magistrate or as a friend?

” asked Villefort.

“As a friend, and only as a friend, at this moment.

The similarity in the symptoms of tetanus and poisoning by vegetable substances is so great, that were I obliged to affirm by oath what I have now stated, I should hesitate; I therefore repeat to you, I speak not to a magistrate, but to a friend.

And to that friend I say, ‘During the three-quarters of an hour that the struggle continued, I watched the convulsions and the death of Madame de Saint-Méran, and am thoroughly convinced that not only did her death proceed from poison, but I could also specify the poison.

’” “Can it be possible?

” “The symptoms are marked, do you see?

—sleep broken by nervous spasms, excitation of the brain, torpor of the nerve centres.

Madame de Saint-Méran succumbed to a powerful dose of brucine or of strychnine, which by some mistake, perhaps, has been given to her.

” Villefort seized the doctor’s hand.

“Oh, it is impossible,” said he, “I must be dreaming!

It is frightful to hear such things from such a man as you!

Tell me, I entreat you, my dear doctor, that you may be deceived.

” “Doubtless I may, but——” “But?

” 30345m “But I do not think so.

” “Have pity on me doctor!

So many dreadful things have happened to me lately that I am on the verge of madness.

” “Has anyone besides me seen Madame de Saint-Méran?

” “No. ” “Has anything been sent for from a chemist’s that I have not examined?

” “Nothing.

” “Had Madame de Saint-Méran any enemies?

” “Not to my knowledge.

” “Would her death affect anyone’s interest?

” “It could not indeed, my daughter is her only heiress—Valentine alone.

Oh, if such a thought could present itself, I would stab myself to punish my heart for having for one instant harbored it.

” “Indeed, my dear friend,” said M. d’Avrigny, “I would not accuse anyone; I speak only of an accident, you understand,—of a mistake,—but whether accident or mistake, the fact is there; it is on my conscience and compels me to speak aloud to you.

Make inquiry.

” “Of whom?

—how?

—of what?

” “May not Barrois, the old servant, have made a mistake, and have given Madame de Saint-Méran a dose prepared for his master?

” “For my father?

” “Yes.

” “But how could a dose prepared for M. Noirtier poison Madame de Saint-Méran?

” “Nothing is more simple.

You know poisons become remedies in certain diseases, of which paralysis is one.

For instance, having tried every other remedy to restore movement and speech to M. Noirtier, I resolved to try one last means, and for three months I have been giving him brucine; so that in the last dose I ordered for him there were six grains.

This quantity, which is perfectly safe to administer to the paralyzed frame of M. Noirtier, which has become gradually accustomed to it, would be sufficient to kill another person.

” “My dear doctor, there is no communication between M. Noirtier’s apartment and that of Madame de Saint-Méran, and Barrois never entered my mother-in-law’s room.

In short, doctor although I know you to be the most conscientious man in the world, and although I place the utmost reliance in you, I want, notwithstanding my conviction, to believe this axiom, _errare humanum est_.

” “Is there one of my brethren in whom you have equal confidence with myself?

” “Why do you ask me that?

—what do you wish?

” “Send for him; I will tell him what I have seen, and we will consult together, and examine the body.

” “And you will find traces of poison?

” “No, I did not say of poison, but we can prove what was the state of the body; we shall discover the cause of her sudden death, and we shall say, ‘Dear Villefort, if this thing has been caused by negligence, watch over your servants; if from hatred, watch your enemies.

’” “What do you propose to me, d’Avrigny?

” said Villefort in despair; “so soon as another is admitted into our secret, an inquest will become necessary; and an inquest in my house—impossible!

Still,” continued the procureur, looking at the doctor with uneasiness, “if you wish it—if you demand it, why then it shall be done.

But, doctor, you see me already so grieved—how can I introduce into my house so much scandal, after so much sorrow?

My wife and my daughter would die of it!

And I, doctor—you know a man does not arrive at the post I occupy—one has not been king’s attorney twenty-five years without having amassed a tolerable number of enemies; mine are numerous.

Let this affair be talked of, it will be a triumph for them, which will make them rejoice, and cover me with shame.

Pardon me, doctor, these worldly ideas; were you a priest I should not dare tell you that, but you are a man, and you know mankind.

Doctor, pray recall your words; you have said nothing, have you?

” “My dear M. de Villefort,” replied the doctor, “my first duty is to humanity.

I would have saved Madame de Saint-Méran, if science could have done it; but she is dead and my duty regards the living.

Let us bury this terrible secret in the deepest recesses of our hearts; I am willing, if anyone should suspect this, that my silence on the subject should be imputed to my ignorance.

Meanwhile, sir, watch always—watch carefully, for perhaps the evil may not stop here.

And when you have found the culprit, if you find him, I will say to you, ‘You are a magistrate, do as you will!

’” “I thank you, doctor,” said Villefort with indescribable joy; “I never had a better friend than you.

” And, as if he feared Doctor d’Avrigny would recall his promise, he hurried him towards the house.

When they were gone, Morrel ventured out from under the trees, and the moon shone upon his face, which was so pale it might have been taken for that of a ghost.

“I am manifestly protected in a most wonderful, but most terrible manner,” said he; “but Valentine, poor girl, how will she bear so much sorrow?

” As he thought thus, he looked alternately at the window with red curtains and the three windows with white curtains.

The light had almost disappeared from the former; doubtless Madame de Villefort had just put out her lamp, and the nightlamp alone reflected its dull light on the window.

At the extremity of the building, on the contrary, he saw one of the three windows open.

A wax-light placed on the mantle-piece threw some of its pale rays without, and a shadow was seen for one moment on the balcony.

Morrel shuddered; he thought he heard a sob.

It cannot be wondered at that his mind, generally so courageous, but now disturbed by the two strongest human passions, love and fear, was weakened even to the indulgence of superstitious thoughts.

Although it was impossible that Valentine should see him, hidden as he was, he thought he heard the shadow at the window call him; his disturbed mind told him so.

This double error became an irresistible reality, and by one of the incomprehensible transports of youth, he bounded from his hiding-place, and with two strides, at the risk of being seen, at the risk of alarming Valentine, at the risk of being discovered by some exclamation which might escape the young girl, he crossed the flower-garden, which by the light of the moon resembled a large white lake, and having passed the rows of orange-trees which extended in front of the house, he reached the step, ran quickly up and pushed the door, which opened without offering any resistance.

Valentine had not seen him.

Her eyes, raised towards heaven, were watching a silvery cloud gliding over the azure, its form that of a shadow mounting towards heaven.

Her poetic and excited mind pictured it as the soul of her grandmother.

Meanwhile, Morrel had traversed the anteroom and found the staircase, which, being carpeted, prevented his approach being heard, and he had regained that degree of confidence that the presence of M. de Villefort even would not have alarmed him.

He was quite prepared for any such encounter.

He would at once approach Valentine’s father and acknowledge all, begging Villefort to pardon and sanction the love which united two fond and loving hearts.

Morrel was mad.

Happily he did not meet anyone.

Now, especially, did he find the description Valentine had given of the interior of the house useful to him; he arrived safely at the top of the staircase, and while he was feeling his way, a sob indicated the direction he was to take.

He turned back, a door partly open enabled him to see his road, and to hear the voice of one in sorrow.

He pushed the door open and entered.

At the other end of the room, under a white sheet which covered it, lay the corpse, still more alarming to Morrel since the account he had so unexpectedly overheard.

By its side, on her knees, and with her head buried in the cushion of an easy-chair, was Valentine, trembling and sobbing, her hands extended above her head, clasped and stiff.

She had turned from the window, which remained open, and was praying in accents that would have affected the most unfeeling; her words were rapid, incoherent, unintelligible, for the burning weight of grief almost stopped her utterance.

The moon shining through the open blinds made the lamp appear to burn paler, and cast a sepulchral hue over the whole scene.

Morrel could not resist this; he was not exemplary for piety, he was not easily impressed, but Valentine suffering, weeping, wringing her hands before him, was more than he could bear in silence.

He sighed, and whispered a name, and the head bathed in tears and pressed on the velvet cushion of the chair—a head like that of a Magdalen by Correggio—was raised and turned towards him.

Valentine perceived him without betraying the least surprise.

A heart overwhelmed with one great grief is insensible to minor emotions.

Morrel held out his hand to her.

Valentine, as her only apology for not having met him, pointed to the corpse under the sheet, and began to sob again.

Neither dared for some time to speak in that room.

They hesitated to break the silence which death seemed to impose; at length Valentine ventured.

“My friend,” said she, “how came you here?

Alas, I would say you are welcome, had not death opened the way for you into this house.

” “Valentine,” said Morrel with a trembling voice, “I had waited since half-past eight, and did not see you come; I became uneasy, leaped the wall, found my way through the garden, when voices conversing about the fatal event——” “What voices?

” asked Valentine.

Morrel shuddered as he thought of the conversation of the doctor and M. de Villefort, and he thought he could see through the sheet the extended hands, the stiff neck, and the purple lips.

“Your servants,” said he, “who were repeating the whole of the sorrowful story; from them I learned it all.

” “But it was risking the failure of our plan to come up here, love.

” “Forgive me,” replied Morrel; “I will go away.

” “No,” said Valentine, “you might meet someone; stay.

” “But if anyone should come here——” The young girl shook her head.

“No one will come,” said she; “do not fear, there is our safeguard,” pointing to the bed.

“But what has become of M. d’Épinay?

” replied Morrel.

30349m “M. Franz arrived to sign the contract just as my dear grandmother was dying.

” “Alas,” said Morrel with a feeling of selfish joy; for he thought this death would cause the wedding to be postponed indefinitely.

“But what redoubles my sorrow,” continued the young girl, as if this feeling was to receive its immediate punishment, “is that the poor old lady, on her death-bed, requested that the marriage might take place as soon as possible; she also, thinking to protect me, was acting against me.

” “Hark!

” said Morrel.

They both listened; steps were distinctly heard in the corridor and on the stairs.

“It is my father, who has just left his study.

” “To accompany the doctor to the door,” added Morrel.

“How do you know it is the doctor?

” asked Valentine, astonished.

“I imagined it must be,” said Morrel.

Valentine looked at the young man; they heard the street door close, then M. de Villefort locked the garden door, and returned upstairs.

He stopped a moment in the anteroom, as if hesitating whether to turn to his own apartment or into Madame de Saint-Méran’s; Morrel concealed himself behind a door; Valentine remained motionless, grief seeming to deprive her of all fear.

M.

de Villefort passed on to his own room.

“Now,” said Valentine, “you can neither go out by the front door nor by the garden.

” Morrel looked at her with astonishment.

“There is but one way left you that is safe,” said she; “it is through my grandfather’s room.

” She rose.

“Come,” she added.

“Where?

” asked Maximilian.

“To my grandfather’s room.

” “I in M. Noirtier’s apartment?

” “Yes.

” “Can you mean it, Valentine?

” “I have long wished it; he is my only remaining friend and we both need his help,—come.

” “Be careful, Valentine,” said Morrel, hesitating to comply with the young girl’s wishes; “I now see my error—I acted like a madman in coming in here.

Are you sure you are more reasonable?

” “Yes,” said Valentine; “and I have but one scruple,—that of leaving my dear grandmother’s remains, which I had undertaken to watch.

” “Valentine,” said Morrel, “death is in itself sacred.

” “Yes,” said Valentine; “besides, it will not be for long.

” She then crossed the corridor, and led the way down a narrow staircase to M. Noirtier’s room; Morrel followed her on tiptoe; at the door they found the old servant.

“Barrois,” said Valentine, “shut the door, and let no one come in.

” She passed first.

Noirtier, seated in his chair, and listening to every sound, was watching the door; he saw Valentine, and his eye brightened.

There was something grave and solemn in the approach of the young girl which struck the old man, and immediately his bright eye began to interrogate.

“Dear grandfather.

” said she hurriedly, “you know poor grandmamma died an hour since, and now I have no friend in the world but you.

” His expressive eyes evinced the greatest tenderness.

“To you alone, then, may I confide my sorrows and my hopes?

” The paralytic motioned “Yes.

” Valentine took Maximilian’s hand.

“Look attentively, then, at this gentleman.

” The old man fixed his scrutinizing gaze with slight astonishment on Morrel.

“It is M. Maximilian Morrel,” said she; “the son of that good merchant of Marseilles, whom you doubtless recollect.

” “Yes,” said the old man.

“He brings an irreproachable name, which Maximilian is likely to render glorious, since at thirty years of age he is a captain, an officer of the Legion of Honor.

” The old man signified that he recollected him.

“Well, grandpapa,” said Valentine, kneeling before him, and pointing to Maximilian, “I love him, and will be only his; were I compelled to marry another, I would destroy myself.

” The eyes of the paralytic expressed a multitude of tumultuous thoughts.

“You like M. Maximilian Morrel, do you not, grandpapa?

” asked Valentine.

“Yes.

” “And you will protect us, who are your children, against the will of my father?

” Noirtier cast an intelligent glance at Morrel, as if to say, “perhaps I may.

” Maximilian understood him.

“Mademoiselle,” said he, “you have a sacred duty to fulfil in your deceased grandmother’s room, will you allow me the honor of a few minutes’ conversation with M. Noirtier?

” “That is it,” said the old man’s eye.

Then he looked anxiously at Valentine.

“Do you fear he will not understand?

” “Yes.

” “Oh, we have so often spoken of you, that he knows exactly how I talk to you.

” Then turning to Maximilian, with an adorable smile; although shaded by sorrow,—“He knows everything I know,” said she.

Valentine arose, placed a chair for Morrel, requested Barrois not to admit anyone, and having tenderly embraced her grandfather, and sorrowfully taken leave of Morrel, she went away.

To prove to Noirtier that he was in Valentine’s confidence and knew all their secrets, Morrel took the dictionary, a pen, and some paper, and placed them all on a table where there was a light.

“But first,” said Morrel, “allow me, sir, to tell you who I am, how much I love Mademoiselle Valentine, and what are my designs respecting her.

” Noirtier made a sign that he would listen.

It was an imposing sight to witness this old man, apparently a mere useless burden, becoming the sole protector, support, and adviser of the lovers who were both young, beautiful, and strong.

His remarkably noble and austere expression struck Morrel, who began his story with trembling.

He related the manner in which he had become acquainted with Valentine, and how he had loved her, and that Valentine, in her solitude and her misfortune, had accepted the offer of his devotion.

He told him his birth, his position, his fortune, and more than once, when he consulted the look of the paralytic, that look answered, “That is good, proceed.

” “And now,” said Morrel, when he had finished the first part of his recital, “now I have told you of my love and my hopes, may I inform you of my intentions?

” “Yes,” signified the old man.

“This was our resolution; a cabriolet was in waiting at the gate, in which I intended to carry off Valentine to my sister’s house, to marry her, and to wait respectfully M. de Villefort’s pardon.

” “No,” said Noirtier.

“We must not do so?

” “No. ” “You do not sanction our project?

” “No. ” “There is another way,” said Morrel.

The old man’s interrogative eye said, “Which?

” “I will go,” continued Maximilian, “I will seek M. Franz d’Épinay—I am happy to be able to mention this in Mademoiselle de Villefort’s absence—and will conduct myself toward him so as to compel him to challenge me.

” Noirtier’s look continued to interrogate.

“You wish to know what I will do?

” “Yes.

” “I will find him, as I told you.

I will tell him the ties which bind me to Mademoiselle Valentine; if he be a sensible man, he will prove it by renouncing of his own accord the hand of his betrothed, and will secure my friendship, and love until death; if he refuse, either through interest or ridiculous pride, after I have proved to him that he would be forcing my wife from me, that Valentine loves me, and will have no other, I will fight with him, give him every advantage, and I shall kill him, or he will kill me; if I am victorious, he will not marry Valentine, and if I die, I am very sure Valentine will not marry him.

” Noirtier watched, with indescribable pleasure, this noble and sincere countenance, on which every sentiment his tongue uttered was depicted, adding by the expression of his fine features all that coloring adds to a sound and faithful drawing.

Still, when Morrel had finished, he shut his eyes several times, which was his manner of saying “No. ” “No?

” said Morrel; “you disapprove of this second project, as you did of the first?

” “I do,” signified the old man.

“But what then must be done?

” asked Morrel.