基督山伯爵 英文版 The Count of Monte Cristo
大仲马 Alexandre Dumas père
Chapter 73 Page 3
"My friend," said she, "how came you here? Alas, I would sayyou are welcome, had not death opened the way for you intothis house."
"Valentine," said Morrel with a trembling voice, "I hadwaited since half-past eight, and did not see you come; Ibecame uneasy, leaped the wall, found my way through thegarden, when voices conversing about the fatal event" --
"What voices ?" asked Valentine. Morrel shuddered as hethought of the conversation of the doctor and M. deVillefort, and he thought he could see through the sheet theextended hands, the stiff neck, and the purple lips.
"Your servants," said he, "who were repeating the whole ofthe 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 some one; stay."
Yes."said the paralytic with the.
"But if any one 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'Epinay?" replied Morrel.
"M. Franz arrived to sign the contract just as my deargrandmother was dying."
"Alas," said Morrel with a feeling of selfish joy; for hethought this death would cause the wedding to be postponedindefinitely. "But what redoubles my sorrow," continued theyoung girl, as if this feeling was to receive its immediatepunishment, "is that the poor old lady, on her death-bed,requested that the marriage might take place as soon aspossible; she also, thinking to protect me, was actingagainst me."
"Hark!" said Morrel. They both listened; steps weredistinctly 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 atthe young man; they heard the street door close, then M. deVillefort locked the garden door, and returned up-stairs. Hestopped a moment in the anteroom, as if hesitating whetherto turn to his own apartment or into Madame deSaint-Meran's; Morrel concealed himself behind a door;Valentine remained motionless, grief seeming to deprive herof all fear. M. de Villefort passed on to his own room."Now," said Valentine, "you can neither go out by the frontdoor nor by the garden." Morrel looked at her withastonishment. "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 andwe both need his help, -- come."
"Be careful, Valentine," said Morrel, hesitating to complywith the young girl's wishes; "I now see my error -- I actedlike a madman in coming in here. Are you sure you are morereasonable?"
"Yes," said Valentine; "and I have but one scruple, -- thatof leaving my dear grandmother's remains, which I hadundertaken 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 narrowstaircase to M. Noirtier's room; Morrel followed her ontiptoe; at the door they found the old servant. "Barrois,"said Valentine, "shut the door, and let no one come in." Shepassed first. Noirtier, seated in his chair, and listeningto every sound, was watching the door; he saw Valentine, andhis eye brightened. There was something grave and solemn inthe approach of the young girl which struck the old man, andimmediately his bright eye began to interrogate. "Deargrandfather." said she hurriedly, "you know poor grandmammadied an hour since, and now I have no friend in the worldbut you." His expressive eyes evinced the greatesttenderness. "To you alone, then, may I confide my sorrowsand my hopes?" The paralytic motioned "Yes." Valentine tookMaximilian's hand. "Look attentively, then, at thisgentleman." The old man fixed his scrutinizing gaze withslight astonishment on Morrel. "It is M. Maximilian Morrel,"said she; "the son of that good merchant of Marseilles, whomyou doubtless recollect."
"Yes," said the old man. "He brings an irreproachable name,which Maximilian is likely to render glorious, since atthirty years of age he is a captain, an officer of theLegion of Honor." The old man signified that he recollectedhim. "Well, grandpapa," said Valentine, kneeling before him,and pointing to Maximilian, "I love him, and will be onlyhis; were I compelled to marry another, I would destroymyself."
The eyes of the paralytic expressed a multitude oftumultuous thoughts. "You like M. Maximilian Morrel, do younot, grandpapa?" asked Valentine.
"And you will protect us, who are your children, against thewill of my father?" -- Noirtier cast an intelligent glanceat Morrel, as if to say, "perhaps I may." Maximilianunderstood him.
"Mademoiselle," said he, "you have a sacred duty to fulfilin your deceased grandmother's room, will you allow me thehonor of a few minutes' conversation with M. Noirtier?"
"That is it," said the old man's eye. Then he lookedanxiously at Valentine.
"Do you fear he will not understand?"
"Yes."
"Oh, we have so often spoken of you, that he knows exactlyhow I talk to you." Then turning to Maximilian, with anadorable smile; although shaded by sorrow, -- "He knowseverything I know," said she.
Valentine arose, placed a chair for Morrel, requestedBarrois not to admit any one, and having tenderly embracedher grandfather, and sorrowfully taken leave of Morrel, shewent away. To prove to Noirtier that he was in Valentine'sconfidence and knew all their secrets, Morrel took thedictionary, a pen, and some paper, and placed them all on atable where there was a light.
"But first," said Morrel, "allow me, sir, to tell you who Iam, how much I love Mademoiselle Valentine, and what are mydesigns respecting her." Noirtier made a sign that he wouldlisten.
It was an imposing sight to witness this old man, apparentlya 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 expressionstruck Morrel, who began his story with trembling. Herelated the manner in which he had become acquainted withValentine, and how he had loved her, and that Valentine, inher solitude and her misfortune, had accepted the offer ofhis devotion. He told him his birth, his position, hisfortune, and more than once, when he consulted the look ofthe paralytic, that look answered, "That is good, proceed."
"And now," said Morrel, when he had finished the first partof his recital, "now I have told you of my love and myhopes, may I inform you of my intentions?"
"Yes," signified the old man.
"This was our resolution; a cabriolet was in waiting at thegate, in which I intended to carry off Valentine to mysister's house, to marry her, and to wait respectfully M. deVillefort'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'sinterrogative eye said, "What?"
"I will go," continued Maximilian, "I will seek M. Franzd'Epinay -- I am happy to be able to mention this inMademoiselle de Villefort's absence -- and will conductmyself toward him so as to compel him to challenge me."Noirtier's look continued to interrogate. "You wish to knowwhat I will do?"
"Yes."
"I will find him, as I told you. I will tell him the tieswhich bind me to Mademoiselle Valentine; if he be a sensibleman, he will prove it by renouncing of his own accord thehand of his betrothed, and will secure my friendship, andlove until death; if he refuse, either through interest orridiculous pride, after I have proved to him that he wouldbe forcing my wife from me, that Valentine loves me, andwill have no other, I will fight with him, give him everyadvantage, and I shall kill him, or he will kill me; if I amvictorious, he will not marry Valentine, and if I die, I amvery sure Valentine will not marry him." Noirtier watched,with indescribable pleasure, this noble and sincerecountenance, on which every sentiment his tongue uttered wasdepicted, adding by the expression of his fine features allthat 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?"
"But what then must be done?" asked Morrel. "Madame deSaint-Meran's last request was, that the marriage might notbe delayed; must I let things take their course?" Noirtierdid not move. "I understand," said Morrel; "I am to wait."
"Yes."
"But delay may ruin our plan, sir," replied the young man."Alone, Valentine has no power; she will be compelled tosubmit. I am here almost miraculously, and can scarcely hopefor so good an opportunity to occur again. Believe me, thereare only the two plans I have proposed to you; forgive myvanity, and tell me which you prefer. Do you authorizeMademoiselle Valentine to intrust herself to my honor?"
"No."
"Do you prefer I should seek M. d'Epinay?"
"No."
"Whence then will come the help we need -- from chance?"resumed Morrel.
"No."
"From you?"
"Yes."
"You thoroughly understand me, sir? Pardon my eagerness, formy life depends on your answer. Will our help come fromyou?"
"Yes."
"You are sure of it?"
"Yes." There was so much firmness in the look which gavethis answer, no one could, at any rate, doubt his will, ifthey did his power. "Oh, thank you a thousand times! Buthow, unless a miracle should restore your speech, yourgesture, your movement, how can you, chained to thatarm-chair, dumb and motionless, oppose this marriage?" Asmile lit up the old man's face, a strange smile of the eyesin a paralyzed face. "Then I must wait?" asked the youngman.
"Yes."
"But the contract?" The same smile returned. "Will youassure me it shall not be signed?"
"Yes," said Noirtier.
"The contract shall not be signed!" cried Morrel. "Oh,pardon me, sir; I can scarcely realize so great a happiness.Will they not sign it?"
"No," said the paralytic. Notwithstanding that assurance,Morrel still hesitated. This promise of an impotent old manwas so strange that, instead of being the result of thepower of his will, it might emanate from enfeebled organs.Is it not natural that the madman, ignorant of his folly,should attempt things beyond his power? The weak man talksof burdens he can raise, the timid of giants he canconfront, the poor of treasures he spends, the most humblepeasant, in the height of his pride, calls himself Jupiter.Whether Noirtier understood the young man's indecision, orwhether he had not full confidence in his docility, helooked uneasily at him. "What do you wish, sir?" askedMorrel; "that I should renew my promise of remainingtranquil?" Noirtier's eye remained fixed and firm, as if toimply that a promise did not suffice; then it passed fromhis face to his hands.
paralytic with the same.
"Shall I swear to you, sir?" asked Maximilian.
"Yes?" said the paralytic with the same solemnity. Morrelunderstood that the old man attached great importance to anoath. He extended his hand.
"I swear to you, on my honor," said he, "to await yourdecision respecting the course I am to pursue with M.d'Epinay."
"That is right," said the old man.
"Now," said Morrel, "do you wish me to retire?"
"Yes."
"Without seeing Mademoiselle Valentine?"
Without seeing Mademoiselle Valentine?","
"Yes."
Morrel made a sign that he was ready to obey. "But," saidhe, "first allow me to embrace you as your daughter did justnow." Noirtier's expression could not be understood. Theyoung man pressed his lips on the same spot, on the oldman's forehead, where Valentine's had been. Then he bowed asecond time and retired. He found outside the door the oldservant, to whom Valentine had given directions. Morrel wasconducted along a dark passage, which led to a little dooropening on the garden, soon found the spot where he hadentered, with the assistance of the shrubs gained the top ofthe wall, and by his ladder was in an instant in theclover-field where his cabriolet was still waiting for him.He got in it, and thoroughly wearied by so many emotions,arrived about midnight in the Rue Meslay, threw himself onhis bed and slept soundly.