基督山伯爵 英文版 The Count of Monte Cristo
大仲马 Alexandre Dumas père
Chapter 53 Page 1
Robert le Diable.
The pretext of an opera engagement was so much the morefeasible, as there chanced to be on that very night a morethan ordinary attraction at the Academie Royale. Levasseur,who had been suffering under severe illness, made hisreappearance in the character of Bertrand, and, as usual,the announcement of the most admired production of thefavorite composer of the day had attracted a brilliant andfashionable audience. Morcerf, like most other young men ofrank and fortune, had his orchestra stall, with thecertainty of always finding a seat in at least a dozen ofthe principal boxes occupied by persons of his acquaintance;he had, moreover, his right of entry into the omnibus box.Chateau-Renaud rented a stall beside his own, whileBeauchamp, as a journalist, had unlimited range all over thetheatre. It happened that on this particular night theminister's box was placed at the disposal of Lucien Debray,who offered it to the Comte de Morcerf, who again, upon hismother's rejection of it, sent it to Danglars, with anintimation that he should probably do himself the honor ofjoining the baroness and her daughter during the evening, inthe event of their accepting the box in question. The ladiesreceived the offer with too much pleasure to dream of arefusal. To no class of persons is the presentation of agratuitous opera-box more acceptable than to the wealthymillionaire, who still hugs economy while boasting ofcarrying a king's ransom in his waistcoat pocket.
Danglars had, however, protested against showing himself ina ministerial box, declaring that his political principles,and his parliamentary position as member of the oppositionparty would not permit him so to commit himself; thebaroness had, therefore, despatched a note to Lucien Debray,bidding him call for them, it being wholly impossible forher to go alone with Eugenie to the opera. There is nogainsaying the fact that a very unfavorable constructionwould have been put upon the circumstance if the two womenhad gone without escort, while the addition of a third, inthe person of her mother's admitted lover, enabledMademoiselle Danglars to defy malice and ill-nature. Onemust take the world as one finds it.
The curtain rose, as usual, to an almost empty house, itbeing one of the absurdities of Parisian fashion never toappear at the opera until after the beginning of theperformance, so that the first act is generally playedwithout the slightest attention being paid to it, that partof the audience already assembled being too much occupied inobserving the fresh arrivals, while nothing is heard but thenoise of opening and shutting doors, and the buzz ofconversation. "Surely," said Albert, as the door of a box onthe first circle opened, "that must be the Countess G----."
"And who is the Countess G---- ?" inquired Chateau-Renaud.
"What a question! Now, do you know, baron, I have a greatmind to pick a quarrel with you for asking it; as if all theworld did not know who the Countess G---- was."
"Ah, to be sure," replied Chateau-Renaud; "the lovelyVenetian, is it not?"
"Herself." At this moment the countess perceived Albert, andreturned his salutation with a smile. "You know her, itseems?" said Chateau-Renaud.
"Franz introduced me to her at Rome," replied Albert.
"Well, then, will you do as much for me in Paris as Franzdid for you in Rome?"
"With pleasure."
There was a cry of "Shut up!" from the audience. Thismanifestation on the part of the spectators of their wish tobe allowed to hear the music, produced not the slightesteffect on the two young men, who continued theirconversation. "The countess was present at the races in theChamp-de-Mars," said Chateau-Renaud.
"To-day?"
"Yes."
"Bless me, I quite forgot the races. Did you bet?"
"Oh, merely a paltry fifty louis."
"And who was the winner?"
"Nautilus. I staked on him."
"But there were three races, were there not?"
"Yes; there was the prize given by the Jockey Club -- a goldcup, you know -- and a very singular circumstance occurredabout that race."
"What was it?"
"Oh, shut up!" again interposed some of the audience.
"Why, it was won by a horse and rider utterly unknown on thecourse."
"Is that possible?"
"True as day. The fact was, nobody had observed a horseentered by the name of Vampa, or that of a jockey styledJob, when, at the last moment, a splendid roan, mounted by ajockey about as big as your fist, presented themselves atthe starting-post. They were obliged to stuff at leasttwenty pounds weight of shot in the small rider's pockets,to make him weight; but with all that he outstripped Arieland Barbare, against whom he ran, by at least three wholelengths."
"And was it not found out at last to whom the horse andjockey belonged?"
"No."
"You say that the horse was entered under the name ofVampa?"
"Exactly; that was the title."
"Then," answered Albert, "I am better informed than you are,and know who the owner of that horse was."
"Shut up, there!" cried the pit in chorus. And this time thetone and manner in which the command was given, betokenedsuch growing hostility that the two young men perceived, forthe first time, that the mandate was addressed to them.Leisurely turning round, they calmly scrutinized the variouscountenances around them, as though demanding some oneperson who would take upon himself the responsibility ofwhat they deemed excessive impertinence; but as no oneresponded to the challenge, the friends turned again to thefront of the theatre, and affected to busy themselves withthe stage. At this moment the door of the minister's boxopened, and Madame Danglars, accompanied by her daughter,entered, escorted by Lucien Debray, who assiduouslyconducted them to their seats.
"Ha, ha," said Chateau-Renaud, "here comes some friends ofyours, viscount! What are you looking at there? don't yousee they are trying to catch your eye?" Albert turned round,just in time to receive a gracious wave of the fan from thebaroness; as for Mademoiselle Eugenie, she scarcelyvouchsafed to waste the glances of her large black eyes evenupon the business of the stage. "I tell you what, my dearfellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "I cannot imagine whatobjection you can possibly have to Mademoiselle Danglars --that is, setting aside her want of ancestry and somewhatinferior rank, which by the way I don't think you care verymuch about. Now, barring all that, I mean to say she is adeuced fine girl!"
"Handsome, certainly," replied Albert, "but not to my taste,which I confess, inclines to something softer, gentler, andmore feminine."
"Ah, well," exclaimed Chateau-Renaud, who because he hadseen his thirtieth summer fancied himself duly warranted inassuming a sort of paternal air with his more youthfulfriend, "you young people are never satisfied; why, whatwould you have more? your parents have chosen you a bridebuilt on the model of Diana, the huntress, and yet you arenot content."
And, indeed, it required but one glance at MademoiselleDanglars to comprehend the justness of Morcerf's remark --she was beautiful, but her beauty was of too marked anddecided a character to please a fastidious taste; her hairwas raven black, but its natural waves seemed somewhatrebellious; her eyes, of the same color as her hair, weresurmounted by well-arched brows, whose great defect,however, consisted in an almost habitual frown, while herwhole physiognomy wore that expression of firmness anddecision so little in accordance with the gentler attributesof her sex -- her nose was precisely what a sculptor wouldhave chosen for a chiselled Juno. Her mouth, which mighthave been found fault with as too large, displayed teeth ofpearly whiteness, rendered still more conspicuous by thebrilliant carmine of her lips, contrasting vividly with hernaturally pale complexion. But that which completed thealmost masculine look Morcerf found so little to his taste,was a dark mole, of much larger dimensions than these freaksof nature generally are, placed just at the corner of hermouth; and the effect tended to increase the expression ofself-dependence that characterized her countenance. The restof Mademoiselle Eugenie's person was in perfect keeping withthe head just described; she, indeed, reminded one of Diana,as Chateau-Renaud observed, but her bearing was more haughtyand resolute. As regarded her attainments, the only fault tobe found with them was the same that a fastidiousconnoisseur might have found with her beauty, that they weresomewhat too erudite and masculine for so young a person.She was a perfect linguist, a first-rate artist, wrotepoetry, and composed music; to the study of the latter sheprofessed to be entirely devoted, following it with anindefatigable perseverance, assisted by a schoolfellow, -- ayoung woman without fortune whose talent promised to developinto remarkable powers as a singer. It was rumored that shewas an object of almost paternal interest to one of theprincipal composers of the day, who excited her to spare nopains in the cultivation of her voice, which might hereafterprove a source of wealth and independence. But this counseleffectually decided Mademoiselle Danglars never to commitherself by being seen in public with one destined for atheatrical life; and acting upon this principle, thebanker's daughter, though perfectly willing to allowMademoiselle Louise d'Armilly (that was the name of theyoung virtuosa) to practice with her through the day, tookespecial care not to be seen in her company. Still, thoughnot actually received at the Hotel Danglars in the light ofan acknowledged friend, Louise was treated with far morekindness and consideration than is usually bestowed on agoverness.
The curtain fell almost immediately after the entrance ofMadame Danglars into her box, the band quitted the orchestrafor the accustomed half-hour's interval allowed between theacts, and the audience were left at liberty to promenade thesalon or lobbies, or to pay and receive visits in theirrespective boxes. Morcerf and Chateau-Renaud were amongstthe first to avail themselves of this permission. For aninstant the idea struck Madame Danglars that this eagernesson the part of the young viscount arose from his impatienceto join her party, and she whispered her expectations to herdaughter, that Albert was hurrying to pay his respects tothem. Mademoiselle Eugenie, however, merely returned adissenting movement of the head, while, with a cold smile,she directed the attention of her mother to an opposite boxon the first circle, in which sat the Countess G---- , andwhere Morcerf had just made his appearance. "So we meetagain, my travelling friend, do we?" cried the countess,extending her hand to him with all the warmth and cordialityof an old acquaintance; "it was really very good of you torecognize me so quickly, and still more so to bestow yourfirst visit on me."
"Be assured," replied Albert, "that if I had been aware ofyour arrival in Paris, and had known your address, I shouldhave paid my respects to you before this. Allow me tointroduce my friend, Baron de Chateau-Renaud, one of the fewtrue gentlemen now to be found in France, and from whom Ihave just learned that you were a spectator of the races inthe Champ-de-Mars, yesterday." Chateau-Renaud bowed to thecountess.
"So you were at the races, baron?" inquired the countesseagerly.
"Yes, madame."
; so, by way of getting out ofthe scrape, I said, `Ask Morcerf.
"Well, then," pursued Madame G---- with considerableanimation, "you can probably tell me who won the Jockey Clubstakes?"
"I am sorry to say I cannot," replied the baron; "and I wasjust asking the same question of Albert."
"Are you very anxious to know, countess?" asked Albert.
"To know what?"
"The name of the owner of the winning horse?"
"Excessively; only imagine -- but do tell me, viscount,whether you really are acquainted with it or no?"
"I beg your pardon, madame, but you were about to relatesome story, were you not? You said, `only imagine,' -- andthen paused. Pray continue."
"Well, then, listen. You must know I felt so interested inthe splendid roan horse, with his elegant little rider, sotastefully dressed in a pink satin jacket and cap, that Icould not help praying for their success with as muchearnestness as though the half of my fortune were at stake;and when I saw them outstrip all the others, and come to thewinning-post in such gallant style, I actually clapped myhands with joy. Imagine my surprise, when, upon returninghome, the first object I met on the staircase was theidentical jockey in the pink jacket! I concluded that, bysome singular chance, the owner of the winning horse mustlive in the same hotel as myself; but, as I entered myapartments, I beheld the very gold cup awarded as a prize tothe unknown horse and rider. Inside the cup was a smallpiece of paper, on which were written these words -- `FromLord Ruthven to Countess G---- .'"
"Precisely; I was sure of it," said Morcerf.
"Sure of what?"
"That the owner of the horse was Lord Ruthven himself."
"What Lord Ruthven do you mean?"
"Why, our Lord Ruthven -- the Vampire of the SalleArgentino!"
"Is it possible?" exclaimed the countess; "is he here inParis?"
"To be sure, -- why not?"
"And you visit him? -- meet him at your own house andelsewhere?"
"I assure you he is my most intimate friend, and M. deChateau-Renaud has also the honor of his acquaintance."
"But why are you so sure of his being the winner of theJockey Club prize?"
"Was not the winning horse entered by the name of Vampa?"
"What of that?"
"Why, do you not recollect the name of the celebrated banditby whom I was made prisoner?"
"Oh, yes."
"And from whose hands the count extricated me in sowonderful a manner?"
"To be sure, I remember it all now."
"He called himself Vampa. You see, it's evident where thecount got the name."
"But what could have been his motive for sending the cup tome?"
"In the first place, because I had spoken much of you tohim, as you may believe; and in the second, because hedelighted to see a countrywoman take so lively an interestin his success."
"I trust and hope you never repeated to the count all thefoolish remarks we used to make about him?"
"I should not like to affirm upon oath that I have not.Besides, his presenting you the cup under the name of LordRuthven" --
"Oh, but that is dreadful! Why, the man must owe me afearful grudge."
"Does his action appear like that of an enemy?"
"No; certainly not."
"Well, then" --
"And so he is in Paris?"
"Yes."
"And what effect does he produce?"
"Why," said Albert, "he was talked about for a week; thenthe coronation of the queen of England took place, followedby the theft of Mademoiselle Mars's diamonds; and so peopletalked of something else."
"My good fellow," said Chateau-Renaud, "the count is yourfriend and you treat him accordingly. Do not believe whatAlbert is telling you, countess; so far from the sensationexcited in the Parisian circles by the appearance of theCount of Monte Cristo having abated, I take upon myself todeclare that it is as strong as ever. His first astoundingact upon coming amongst us was to present a pair of horses,worth 32,000 francs, to Madame Danglars; his second, thealmost miraculous preservation of Madame de Villefort'slife; now it seems that he has carried off the prize awardedby the Jockey Club. I therefore maintain, in spite ofMorcerf, that not only is the count the object of interestat this present moment, but also that he will continue to beso for a month longer if he pleases to exhibit aneccentricity of conduct which, after all, may be hisordinary mode of existence."
"Perhaps you are right," said Morcerf; "meanwhile, who is inthe Russian ambassador's box?"
"Which box do you mean?" asked the countess.
"The one between the pillars on the first tier -- it seemsto have been fitted up entirely afresh."
"Did you observe any one during the first act?" askedChateau-Renaud.
"Where?"
"In that box."
"No," replied the countess, "it was certainly empty duringthe first act;" then, resuming the subject of their previousconversation, she said, "And so you really believe it wasyour mysterious Count of Monte Cristo that gained theprize?"
"I am sure of it."
"And who afterwards sent the cup to me?"
"Undoubtedly."
"But I don't know him," said the countess; "I have a greatmind to return it."
meanwhile, who is inthe ?
"Do no such thing, I beg of you; he would only send youanother, formed of a magnificent sapphire, or hollowed outof a gigantic ruby. It is his way, and you must take him asyou find him." At this moment the bell rang to announce thedrawing up of the curtain for the second act. Albert rose toreturn to his place. "Shall I see you again?" asked thecountess. "At the end of the next act, with your permission,I will come and inquire whether there is anything I can dofor you in Paris?"
"Pray take notice," said the countess, "that my presentresidence is 22 Rue de Rivoli, and that I am at home to myfriends every Saturday evening. So now, you are bothforewarned." The young men bowed, and quitted the box. Uponreaching their stalls, they found the whole of the audiencein the parterre standing up and directing their gaze towardsthe box formerly possessed by the Russian ambassador. A manof from thirty-five to forty years of age, dressed in deepblack, had just entered, accompanied by a young womandressed after the Eastern style. The lady was surpassinglybeautiful, while the rich magnificence of her attire drewall eyes upon her. "Hullo," said Albert; "it is Monte Cristoand his Greek!"
The strangers were, indeed, no other than the count andHaidee. In a few moments the young girl had attracted theattention of the whole house, and even the occupants of theboxes leaned forward to scrutinize her magnificent diamonds.The second act passed away during one continued buzz ofvoices -- one deep whisper -- intimating that some great anduniversally interesting event had occurred; all eyes, allthoughts, were occupied with the young and beautiful woman,whose gorgeous apparel and splendid jewels made a mostextraordinary spectacle. Upon this occasion an unmistakablesign from Madame Danglars intimated her desire to see Albertin her box directly the curtain fell on the second act, andneither the politeness nor good taste of Morcerf wouldpermit his neglecting an invitation so unequivocally given.At the close of the act he therefore went to the baroness.Having bowed to the two ladies, he extended his hand toDebray. By the baroness he was most graciously welcomed,while Eugenie received him with her accustomed coldness.
"My dear fellow," said Debray, "you have come in the nick oftime. There is madame overwhelming me with questionsrespecting the count; she insists upon it that I can tellher his birth, education, and parentage, where he came from,and whither he is going. Being no disciple of Cagliostro, Iwas wholly unable to do this; so, by way of getting out ofthe scrape, I said, `Ask Morcerf; he has got the wholehistory of his beloved Monte Cristo at his fingers' ends;'whereupon the baroness signified her desire to see you."