基督山伯爵 英文版 The Count of Monte Cristo
大仲马 Alexandre Dumas père
Chapter 46 Page 2
"Not at all."
"Plainly enough. Messrs. Thomson & French set no bounds totheir engagements while those of M. Danglars have theirlimits; he is a wise man, according to his own showing."
"Monsieur," replied the banker, drawing himself up with ahaughty air, "the extent of my resources has never yet beenquestioned."
"It seems, then, reserved for me," said Monte Cristo coldly,"to be the first to do so."
"By what right, sir?"
"By right of the objections you have raised, and theexplanations you have demanded, which certainly must havesome motive."
Once more Danglars bit his lips. It was the second time hehad been worsted, and this time on his own ground. Hisforced politeness sat awkwardly upon him, and approachedalmost to impertinence. Monte Cristo on the contrary,preserved a graceful suavity of demeanor, aided by a certaindegree of simplicity he could assume at pleasure, and thuspossessed the advantage.
"Well, sir," resumed Danglars, after a brief silence, "Iwill endeavor to make myself understood, by requesting youto inform me for what sum you propose to draw upon me?"
The banker thought the time had come for him to take theupper hand. So throwing himself back in his arm-chair, hesaid, with an arrogant and purse-proud air, -- "Let me begof you not to hesitate in naming your wishes; you will thenbe convinced that the resources of the house of Danglars,however limited, are still equal to meeting the largestdemands; and were you even to require a million" --
"I beg your pardon," interposed Monte Cristo.
"I said a million," replied Danglars, with the confidence ofignorance.
"But could I do with a million?" retorted the count. "Mydear sir, if a trifle like that could suffice me, I shouldnever have given myself the trouble of opening an account. Amillion? Excuse my smiling when you speak of a sum I am inthe habit of carrying in my pocket-book or dressing-case."And with these words Monte Cristo took from his pocket asmall case containing his visiting-cards, and drew forth twoorders on the treasury for 500,000 francs each, payable atsight to the bearer. A man like Danglars was whollyinaccessible to any gentler method of correction. The effectof the present revelation was stunning; he trembled and wason the verge of apoplexy. The pupils of his eyes, as hegazed at Monte Cristo dilated horribly.
"Come, come," said Monte Cristo, "confess honestly that youhave not perfect confidence in Thomson & French. Iunderstand, and foreseeing that such might be the case, Itook, in spite of my ignorance of affairs, certainprecautions. See, here are two similar letters to that youhave yourself received; one from the house of Arstein &Eskeles of Vienna, to Baron Rothschild, the other drawn byBaring of London, upon M. Laffitte. Now, sir, you have butto say the word, and I will spare you all uneasiness bypresenting my letter of credit to one or other of these twofirms." The blow had struck home, and Danglars was entirelyvanquished; with a trembling hand he took the two lettersfrom the count, who held them carelessly between finger andthumb, and proceeded to scrutinize the signatures, with aminuteness that the count might have regarded as insulting,had it not suited his present purpose to mislead the banker."Oh, sir," said Danglars, after he had convinced himself ofthe authenticity of the documents he held, and rising as ifto salute the power of gold personified in the man beforehim, -- "three letters of unlimited credit! I can be nolonger mistrustful, but you must pardon me, my dear count,for confessing to some degree of astonishment."
"Nay," answered Monte Cristo, with the most gentlemanly air,"'tis not for such trifling sums as these that your bankinghouse is to be incommoded. Then, you can let me have somemoney, can you not?"
"Whatever you say, my dear count; I am at your orders."
"Why," replied Monte Cristo, "since we mutually understandeach other -- for such I presume is the case?" Danglarsbowed assentingly. "You are quite sure that not a lurkingdoubt or suspicion lingers in your mind?"
"Oh, my dear count," exclaimed Danglars, "I never for aninstant entertained such a feeling towards you."
"No, you merely wished to be convinced, nothing more; butnow that we have come to so clear an understanding, and thatall distrust and suspicion are laid at rest, we may as wellfix a sum as the probable expenditure of the first year,suppose we say six millions to" --
"Six millions!" gasped Danglars -- "so be it."
"Then, if I should require more," continued Monte Cristo ina careless manner, "why, of course, I should draw upon you;but my present intention is not to remain in France morethan a year, and during that period I scarcely think I shallexceed the sum I mentioned. However, we shall see. Be kindenough, then, to send me 500,000 francs to-morrow. I shallbe at home till midday, or if not, I will leave a receiptwith my steward."
"The money you desire shall be at your house by ten o'clockto-morrow morning, my dear count," replied Danglars. "Howwould you like to have it? in gold, silver, or notes?"
"Half in gold, and the other half in bank-notes, if youplease," said the count, rising from his seat.
"I must confess to you, count," said Danglars, "that I havehitherto imagined myself acquainted with the degree of allthe great fortunes of Europe, and still wealth such as yourshas been wholly unknown to me. May I presume to ask whetheryou have long possessed it?"
"It has been in the family a very long while," returnedMonte Cristo, "a sort of treasure expressly forbidden to betouched for a certain period of years, during which theaccumulated interest has doubled the capital. The periodappointed by the testator for the disposal of these richesoccurred only a short time ago, and they have only beenemployed by me within the last few years. Your ignorance onthe subject, therefore, is easily accounted for. However,you will be better informed as to me and my possessions erelong." And the count, while pronouncing these latter words,accompanied them with one of those ghastly smiles that usedto strike terror into poor Franz d'Epinay.
"With your tastes, and means of gratifying them," continuedDanglars, "you will exhibit a splendor that must effectuallyput us poor miserable millionaires quite in the shade. If Imistake not you are an admirer of paintings, at least Ijudged so from the attention you appeared to be bestowing onmine when I entered the room. If you will permit me, I shallbe happy to show you my picture gallery, composed entirelyof works by the ancient masters -- warranted as such. Not amodern picture among them. I cannot endure the modern schoolof painting."
"You are perfectly right in objecting to them, for this onegreat fault -- that they have not yet had time to becomeold."
"Or will you allow me to show you several fine statues byThorwaldsen, Bartoloni, and Canova? -- all foreign artists,for, as you may perceive, I think but very indifferently ofour French sculptors."
"You have a right to be unjust to them, monsieur; they areyour compatriots."
"But all this may come later, when we shall be better knownto each other. For the present, I will confine myself (ifperfectly agreeable to you) to introducing you to theBaroness Danglars -- excuse my impatience, my dear count,but a client like you is almost like a member of thefamily." Monte Cristo bowed, in sign that he accepted theproffered honor; Danglars rang and was answered by a servantin a showy livery. "Is the baroness at home?" inquiredDanglars.
"Yes, my lord," answered the man.
"And alone?"
"No, my lord, madame has visitors."
"Have you any objection to meet any persons who may be withmadame, or do you desire to preserve a strict incognito?"
"No, indeed," replied Monte Cristo with a smile, "I do notarrogate to myself the right of so doing."
"And who is with madame? -- M. Debray?" inquired Danglars,with an air of indulgence and good-nature that made MonteCristo smile, acquainted as he was with the secrets of thebanker's domestic life.
"Yes, my lord," replied the servant, "M. Debray is withmadame." Danglars nodded his head; then, turning to MonteCristo, said, "M. Lucien Debray is an old friend of ours,and private secretary to the Minister of the Interior. Asfor my wife, I must tell you, she lowered herself bymarrying me, for she belongs to one of the most ancientfamilies in France. Her maiden name was De Servieres, andher first husband was Colonel the Marquis of Nargonne."
"I have not the honor of knowing Madame Danglars; but I havealready met M. Lucien Debray."
"Ah, indeed?" said Danglars; "and where was that?"
"At the house of M. de Morcerf."
"Ah, ha, you are acquainted with the young viscount, areyou?"
"We were together a good deal during the Carnival at Rome."
"True, true," cried Danglars. "Let me see; have I not heardtalk of some strange adventure with bandits or thieves hidin ruins, and of his having had a miraculous escape? Iforget how, but I know he used to amuse my wife and daughterby telling them about it after his return from Italy."
"Her ladyship is waiting to receive you, gentlemen," saidthe servant, who had gone to inquire the pleasure of hismistress. "With your permission," said Danglars, bowing, "Iwill precede you, to show you the way."
"By all means," replied Monte Cristo; "I follow you."