United States or Libya ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
This man, another Quasimodo in point of hideous aspect, had been dismissed from the detective service because of his inability to keep sober, but he had not forgotten the resources of his profession, and money lavishly bestowed upon him made him Captain de Morcerf's most obedient and faithful slave. Cash in hand rendered him indefatigable and the prospect of obtaining more kept him discreet.
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.
His study, Albert de Morcerf's pavilion, is said to be the only sumptuous apartment in the whole establishment; and that sumptuousness is of a character entirely literary and practical. His retinue consists of three servants, called Baptistin, Bertuccio and Ali, the latter being a Nubian, although fame gives him a perfect army of servitors prompt to execute his bidding.
Then, while Madame de Saint-Meran remained on her knees, praying fervently, Villefort sent for a cab, and went himself to fetch his wife and daughter from Madame de Morcerf's. He was so pale when he appeared at the door of the ball-room, that Valentine ran to him, saying "Oh, father, some misfortune has happened!" "Your grandmamma has just arrived, Valentine," said M. de Villefort.
"There," said Monte Cristo placing his arms around the count, and leaning with him over the front of the box, just as Haidee, whose eyes were occupied in examining the theatre in search of her guardian, perceived his pale features close to Morcerf's face. It was as if the young girl beheld the head of Medusa.
"She is at the ball, as you know, since she came to say good-by to you in full dress." Noirtier again closed his left eye. "Do you wish to see her?" Noirtier again made an affirmative sign. "Well, they have gone to fetch her, no doubt, from Madame de Morcerf's; I will await her return, and beg her to come up here. Is that what you wish for?" "Yes," replied the invalid.
"Well, look at my coat-of-arms, it is worth more than Morcerf's." "Why so?" "Because, though I am not a baron by birth, my real name is, at least, Danglars." "Well, what then?" "While his name is not Morcerf." "How? not Morcerf?" "Not the least in the world." "Go on." "I have been made a baron, so that I actually am one; he made himself a count, so that he is not one at all." "Impossible!"
Bouche-de-Miel did not hear Morcerf's groan; his misty eyes were fixed upon space, seemed to be peering into the depths and recesses of the distant past. The Captain judged that the time had come to draw the final, the crowning admission from his lips. He touched him lightly on the arm. The man turned and glanced at him inquiringly.
"The Count of Morcerf's adventure exasperates the young man." "Have you anything to do with it?" "It was through Haidee that the Chamber was informed of his father's treason." "Indeed?" said Morrel. "I had been told, but would not credit it, that the Grecian slave I have seen with you here in this very box was the daughter of Ali Pasha." "It is true, nevertheless."
"That the count has never been willing to partake of food under the roof of M. de Morcerf." "Yes; but then he breakfasted with me indeed, he made his first appearance in the world on that occasion." "But your house is not M. de Morcerf's," murmured Mercedes; "and since he has been here I have watched him." "Well?" "Well, he has taken nothing yet." "The count is very temperate."
Word Of The Day