基督山伯爵 英文版 The Count of Monte Cristo
大仲马 Alexandre Dumas père
Chapter 34 Page 3
"Why, that he is no other than Lord Ruthven himself in aliving form." This fresh allusion to Byron* drew a smile toFranz's countenance; although he could but allow that ifanything was likely to induce belief in the existence ofvampires, it would be the presence of such a man as themysterious personage before him.
"I must positively find out who and what he is," said Franz,rising from his seat.
"No, no," cried the countess; "you must not leave me. Idepend upon you to escort me home. Oh, indeed, I cannotpermit you to go."
ingenious as you assert."with the ?
* Scott, of course: "The son of an ill-fated sire, and thefather of a yet more unfortunate family, bore in his looksthat cast of inauspicious melancholy by which thephysiognomists of that time pretended to distinguish thosewho were predestined to a violent and unhappy death." -- TheAbbot, ch. xxii.
"Is it possible," whispered Franz, "that you entertain anyfear?"
"I'll tell you," answered the countess. "Byron had the mostperfect belief in the existence of vampires, and evenassured me that he had seen them. The description he gave meperfectly corresponds with the features and character of theman before us. Oh, he is the exact personification of what Ihave been led to expect! The coal-black hair, large bright,glittering eyes, in which a wild, unearthly fire seemsburning, -- the same ghastly paleness. Then observe, too,that the woman with him is altogether unlike all others ofher sex. She is a foreigner -- a stranger. Nobody knows whoshe is, or where she comes from. No doubt she belongs to thesame horrible race he does, and is, like himself, a dealerin magical arts. I entreat of you not to go near him -- atleast to-night; and if to-morrow your curiosity stillcontinues as great, pursue your researches if you will; butto-night you neither can nor shall. For that purpose I meanto keep you all to myself." Franz protested he could notdefer his pursuit till the following day, for many reasons."Listen to me," said the countess, "and do not be so veryheadstrong. I am going home. I have a party at my houseto-night, and therefore cannot possibly remain till the endof the opera. Now, I cannot for one instant believe you sodevoid of gallantry as to refuse a lady your escort when sheeven condescends to ask you for it."
There was nothing else left for Franz to do but to take uphis hat, open the door of the box, and offer the countesshis arm. It was quite evident, by her manner, that heruneasiness was not feigned; and Franz himself could notresist a feeling of superstitious dread -- so much thestronger in him, as it arose from a variety of corroborativerecollections, while the terror of the countess sprang froman instinctive belief, originally created in her mind by thewild tales she had listened to till she believed themtruths. Franz could even feel her arm tremble as he assistedher into the carriage. Upon arriving at her hotel, Franzperceived that she had deceived him when she spoke ofexpecting company; on the contrary, her own return beforethe appointed hour seemed greatly to astonish the servants."Excuse my little subterfuge," said the countess, in replyto her companion's half-reproachful observation on thesubject; "but that horrid man had made me feel quiteuncomfortable, and I longed to be alone, that I mightcompose my startled mind." Franz essayed to smile. "Nay,"said she, "do not smile; it ill accords with the expressionof your countenance, and I am sure it does not spring fromyour heart. However, promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Promise me, I say."
"I will do anything you desire, except relinquish mydetermination of finding out who this man is. I have morereasons than you can imagine for desiring to know who he is,from whence he came, and whither he is going."
"Where he comes from I am ignorant; but I can readily tellyou where he is going to, and that is down below, withoutthe least doubt."
"Let us only speak of the promise you wished me to make,"said Franz.
"Well, then, you must give me your word to returnimmediately to your hotel, and make no attempt to followthis man to-night. There are certain affinities between thepersons we quit and those we meet afterwards. For heaven'ssake, do not serve as a conductor between that man and me.Pursue your chase after him to-morrow as eagerly as youplease; but never bring him near me, if you would not see medie of terror. And now, good-night; go to your rooms, andtry to sleep away all recollections of this evening. For myown part, I am quite sure I shall not be able to close myeyes." So saying, the countess quitted Franz, leaving himunable to decide whether she were merely amusing herself athis expense, or whether her fears and agitations weregenuine.
Upon his return to the hotel, Franz found Albert in hisdressing-gown and slippers, listlessly extended on a sofa,smoking a cigar. "My dear fellow." cried he, springing up,"is it really you? Why, I did not expect to see you beforeto-morrow."
"My dear Albert," replied Franz, "I am glad of thisopportunity to tell you, once and forever, that youentertain a most erroneous notion concerning Italian women.I should have thought the continual failures you have metwith in all your own love affairs might have taught youbetter by this time."
"Upon my soul, these women would puzzle the very Devil toread them aright. Why, here -- they give you their hand --they press yours in return -- they keep up a whisperingconversation -- permit you to accompany them home. Why, if aParisian were to indulge in a quarter of these marks offlattering attention, her reputation would be gone forever."
"And the very reason why the women of this fine country putso little restraint on their words and actions, is becausethey live so much in public, and have really nothing toconceal. Besides, you must have perceived that the countesswas really alarmed."
"At what? At the sight of that respectable gentleman sittingopposite to us in the same box with the lovely Greek girl?Now, for my part, I met them in the lobby after theconclusion of the piece; and hang me, if I can guess whereyou took your notions of the other world from. I can assureyou that this hobgoblin of yours is a deuced fine-lookingfellow -- admirably dressed. Indeed, I feel quite sure, fromthe cut of his clothes, they are made by a first-rate Paristailor -- probably Blin or Humann. He was rather too pale,certainly; but then, you know, paleness is always lookedupon as a strong proof of aristocratic descent anddistinguished breeding." Franz smiled; for he wellremembered that Albert particularly prided himself on theentire absence of color in his own complexion.
"Well, that tends to confirm my own ideas," said Franz,"that the countess's suspicions were destitute alike ofsense and reason. Did he speak in your hearing? and did youcatch any of his words?"
"I did; but they were uttered in the Romaic dialect. I knewthat from the mixture of Greek words. I don't know whether Iever told you that when I was at college I was rather --rather strong in Greek."
"He spoke the Romaic language, did he?"
"I think so."
"That settles it," murmured Franz. "'Tis he, past alldoubt."
"What do you say?"
"Nothing, nothing. But tell me, what were you thinking aboutwhen I came in?"
"Oh, I was arranging a little surprise for you."
"Indeed. Of what nature?"
"Why, you know it is quite impossible to procure acarriage."
"Certainly; and I also know that we have done all that humanmeans afforded to endeavor to get one."
"Now, then, in this difficulty a bright idea has flashedacross my brain." Franz looked at Albert as though he hadnot much confidence in the suggestions of his imagination."I tell you what, Sir Franz," cried Albert, "you deserve tobe called out for such a misgiving and incredulous glance asthat you were pleased to bestow on me just now."
"And I promise to give you the satisfaction of a gentlemanif your scheme turns out as ingenious as you assert."
"Well, then, hearken to me."
"I listen."
"You agree, do you not, that obtaining a carriage is out ofthe question?"
"I do."
"Neither can we procure horses?"
"True; we have offered any sum, but have failed."
"Well, now, what do you say to a cart? I dare say such athing might be had."
"Very possibly."
"And a pair of oxen?"
"As easily found as the cart."
"Then you see, my good fellow, with a cart and a couple ofoxen our business can be managed. The cart must betastefully ornamented; and if you and I dress ourselves asNeapolitan reapers, we may get up a striking tableau, afterthe manner of that splendid picture by Leopold Robert. Itwould add greatly to the effect if the countess would joinus in the costume of a peasant from Puzzoli or Sorrento. Ourgroup would then be quite complete, more especially as thecountess is quite beautiful enough to represent a madonna."
"Well," said Franz, "this time, Albert, I am bound to giveyou credit for having hit upon a most capital idea."
exclaimed mine host, "I did not think it likely!
"And quite a national one, too," replied Albert withgratified pride. "A mere masque borrowed from our ownfestivities. Ha, ha, ye Romans! you thought to make us,unhappy strangers, trot at the heels of your processions,like so many lazzaroni, because no carriages or horses areto be had in your beggarly city. But you don't know us; whenwe can't have one thing we invent another."
"And have you communicated your triumphant idea to anybody?"
"Only to our host. Upon my return home I sent for him, and Ithen explained to him what I wished to procure. He assuredme that nothing would be easier than to furnish all Idesired. One thing I was sorry for; when I bade him have thehorns of the oxen gilded, he told me there would not betime, as it would require three days to do that; so you seewe must do without this little superfluity."
"And where is he now?"
"Who?"
"Our host."
"Gone out in search of our equipage, by to-morrow it mightbe too late."
"Then he will be able to give us an answer to-night."
"Oh, I expect him every minute." At this instant the dooropened, and the head of Signor Pastrini appeared."Permesso?" inquired he.
"Certainly -- certainly," cried Franz. "Come in, mine host."
"Now, then," asked Albert eagerly, "have you found thedesired cart and oxen?"
"Better than that!" replied Signor Pastrini, with the air ofa man perfectly well satisfied with himself.
"Take care, my worthy host," said Albert, "better is a sureenemy to well."
"Let your excellencies only leave the matter to me,"returned Signor Pastrini in a tone indicative of unboundedself-confidence.
"But what have you done?" asked Franz. "Speak out, there's aworthy fellow."
"Your excellencies are aware," responded the landlord,swelling with importance, "that the Count of Monte Cristo isliving on the same floor with yourselves!"
"I should think we did know it," exclaimed Albert, "since itis owing to that circumstance that we are packed into thesesmall rooms, like two poor students in the back streets ofParis."
"When, then, the Count of Monte Cristo, hearing of thedilemma in which you are placed, has sent to offer you seatsin his carriage and two places at his windows in the PalazzoRospoli." The friends looked at each other with unutterablesurprise.
"But do you think," asked Albert, "that we ought to acceptsuch offers from a perfect stranger?"
"What sort of person is this Count of Monte Cristo?" askedFranz of his host. "A very great nobleman, but whetherMaltese or Sicilian I cannot exactly say; but this I know,that he is noble as a Borghese and rich as a gold-mine."
"It seems to me," said Franz, speaking in an undertone toAlbert, "that if this person merited the high panegyrics ofour landlord, he would have conveyed his invitation throughanother channel, and not permitted it to be brought to us inthis unceremonious way. He would have written -- or" --
At this instant some one knocked at the door. "Come in,"said Franz. A servant, wearing a livery of considerablestyle and richness, appeared at the threshold, and, placingtwo cards in the landlord's hands, who forthwith presentedthem to the two young men, he said, "Please to deliverthese, from the Count of Monte Cristo to Viscomte Albert deMorcerf and M. Franz d'Epinay. The Count of Monte Cristo,"continued the servant, "begs these gentlemen's permission towait upon them as their neighbor, and he will be honored byan intimation of what time they will please to receive him."
"Faith, Franz," whispered Albert, "there is not much to findfault with here."
"Tell the count," replied Franz, "that we will do ourselvesthe pleasure of calling on him." The servant bowed andretired.
"That is what I call an elegant mode of attack," saidAlbert, "You were quite correct in what you said, SignorPastrini. The Count of Monte Cristo is unquestionably a manof first-rate breeding and knowledge of the world."
"Then you accept his offer?" said the host.
"Of course we do," replied Albert. "Still, I must own I amsorry to be obliged to give up the cart and the group ofreapers -- it would have produced such an effect! And wereit not for the windows at the Palazzo Rospoli, by way ofrecompense for the loss of our beautiful scheme, I don'tknow but what I should have held on by my original plan.What say you, Franz?"
"Oh, I agree with you; the windows in the Palazzo Rospolialone decided me." The truth was, that the mention of twoplaces in the Palazzo Rospoli had recalled to Franz theconversation he had overheard the preceding evening in theruins of the Colosseum between the mysterious unknown andthe Transteverin, in which the stranger in the cloak hadundertaken to obtain the freedom of a condemned criminal;and if this muffled-up individual proved (as Franz felt surehe would) the same as the person he had just seen in theTeatro Argentino, then he should be able to establish hisidentity, and also to prosecute his researches respectinghim with perfect facility and freedom. Franz passed thenight in confused dreams respecting the two meetings he hadalready had with his mysterious tormentor, and in wakingspeculations as to what the morrow would produce. The nextday must clear up every doubt; and unless his near neighborand would-be friend, the Count of Monte Cristo, possessedthe ring of Gyges, and by its power was able to renderhimself invisible, it was very certain he could not escapethis time. Eight o'clock found Franz up and dressed, whileAlbert, who had not the same motives for early rising, wasstill soundly asleep. The first act of Franz was to summonhis landlord, who presented himself with his accustomedobsequiousness.
"Pray, Signor Pastrini," asked Franz, "is not some executionappointed to take place to-day?"
"Yes, your excellency; but if your reason for inquiry isthat you may procure a window to view it from, you are muchtoo late."
"Oh, no," answered Franz, "I had no such intention; and evenif I had felt a wish to witness the spectacle, I might havedone so from Monte Pincio -- could I not?"
"Ah!" exclaimed mine host, "I did not think it likely yourexcellency would have chosen to mingle with such a rabble asare always collected on that hill, which, indeed, theyconsider as exclusively belonging to themselves."
"Very possibly I may not go," answered Franz; "but in case Ifeel disposed, give me some particulars of to-day'sexecutions."
"What particulars would your excellency like to hear?"
"Why, the number of persons condemned to suffer, theirnames, and description of the death they are to die."
"That happens just lucky, your excellency! Only a fewminutes ago they brought me the tavolettas."
"What are they?"
"Sort of wooden tablets hung up at the corners of streetsthe evening before an execution, on which is pasted up apaper containing the names of the condemned persons, theircrimes, and mode of punishment. The reason for so publiclyannouncing all this is, that all good and faithful Catholicsmay offer up their prayers for the unfortunate culprits,and, above all, beseech of heaven to grant them a sincererepentance."
"And these tablets are brought to you that you may add yourprayers to those of the faithful, are they?" asked Franzsomewhat incredulously.
"Oh, dear, no, your excellency! I have not time foranybody's affairs but my own and those of my honorableguests; but I make an agreement with the man who pastes upthe papers, and he brings them to me as he would theplaybills, that in case any person staying at my hotelshould like to witness an execution, he may obtain everyrequisite information concerning the time and place etc."
"Upon my word, that is a most delicate attention on yourpart, Signor Pastrini," cried Franz.
"Why, your excellency," returned the landlord, chuckling andrubbing his hands with infinite complacency, "I think I maytake upon myself to say I neglect nothing to deserve thesupport and patronage of the noble visitors to this poorhotel."
"I see that plainly enough, my most excellent host, and youmay rely upon me to proclaim so striking a proof of yourattention to your guests wherever I go. Meanwhile, oblige meby a sight of one of these tavolettas."
"Nothing can be easier than to comply with your excellency'swish," said the landlord, opening the door of the chamber;"I have caused one to be placed on the landing, close byyour apartment." Then, taking the tablet from the wall, hehanded it to Franz, who read as follows: --
"`The public is informed that on Wednesday, February 23d,being the first day of the Carnival, executions will takeplace in the Piazza del Popolo, by order of the Tribunal ofthe Rota, of two persons, named Andrea Rondola, and Peppino,otherwise called Rocca Priori; the former found guilty ofthe murder of a venerable and exemplary priest, named DonCesare Torlini, canon of the church of St. John Lateran; andthe latter convicted of being an accomplice of the atrociousand sanguinary bandit, Luigi Vampa, and his band. Thefirst-named malefactor will be subjected to the mazzuola,the second culprit beheaded. The prayers of all goodChristians are entreated for these unfortunate men, that itmay please God to awaken them to a sense of their guilt, andto grant them a hearty and sincere repentance for theircrimes.'"
This was precisely what Franz had heard the evening beforein the ruins of the Colosseum. No part of the programmediffered, -- the names of the condemned persons, theircrimes, and mode of punishment, all agreed with his previousinformation. In all probability, therefore, the Transteverinwas no other than the bandit Luigi Vampa himself, and theman shrouded in the mantle the same he had known as "Sinbadthe Sailor," but who, no doubt, was still pursuing hisphilanthropic expedition in Rome, as he had already done atPorto-Vecchio and Tunis. Time was getting on, however, andFranz deemed it advisable to awaken Albert; but at themoment he prepared to proceed to his chamber, his friendentered the room in perfect costume for the day. Theanticipated delights of the Carnival had so run in his headas to make him leave his pillow long before his usual hour."Now, my excellent Signor Pastrini," said Franz, addressinghis landlord, "since we are both ready, do you think we mayproceed at once to visit the Count of Monte Cristo?"
"Most assuredly," replied he. "The Count of Monte Cristo isalways an early riser; and I can answer for his having beenup these two hours."
"Then you really consider we shall not be intruding if wepay our respects to him directly?"
"Oh, I am quite sure. I will take all the blame on myself ifyou find I have led you into an error."
"Well, then, if it be so, are you ready, Albert?"
"Perfectly."
"Let us go and return our best thanks for his courtesy."
Then you accept his offer?" ?
"Yes, let us do so." The landlord preceded the friendsacross the landing, which was all that separated them fromthe apartments of the count, rang at the bell, and, upon thedoor being opened by a servant, said, "I signori Francesi."
The domestic bowed respectfully, and invited them to enter.They passed through two rooms, furnished in a luxuriousmanner they had not expected to see under the roof of SignorPastrini, and were shown into an elegantly fitted-updrawing-room. The richest Turkey carpets covered the floor,and the softest and most inviting couches, easy-chairs, andsofas, offered their high-piled and yielding cushions tosuch as desired repose or refreshment. Splendid paintings bythe first masters were ranged against the walls,intermingled with magnificent trophies of war, while heavycurtains of costly tapestry were suspended before thedifferent doors of the room. "If your excellencies willplease to be seated," said the man, "I will let the countknow that you are here."
And with these words he disappeared behind one of thetapestried portieres. As the door opened, the sound of aguzla reached the ears of the young men, but was almostimmediately lost, for the rapid closing of the door merelyallowed one rich swell of harmony to enter. Franz and Albertlooked inquiringly at each other, then at the gorgeousfurnishings of the apartment. Everything seemed moremagnificent at a second view than it had done at their firstrapid survey.
"Well," said Franz to his friend, "what think you of allthis?"
"Why, upon my soul, my dear fellow, it strikes me that ourelegant and attentive neighbor must either be somesuccessful stock-jobber who has speculated in the fall ofthe Spanish funds, or some prince travelling incog."
"Hush, hush!" replied Franz; "we shall ascertain who andwhat he is -- he comes!" As Franz spoke, he heard the soundof a door turning on its hinges, and almost immediatelyafterwards the tapestry was drawn aside, and the owner ofall these riches stood before the two young men. Albertinstantly rose to meet him, but Franz remained, in a manner,spellbound on his chair; for in the person of him who hadjust entered he recognized not only the mysterious visitantto the Colosseum, and the occupant of the box at the TeatroArgentino, but also his extraordinary host of Monte Cristo.