Part 90 (1/2)
”Mother,” said the young ent and i”
”Well,” replied Mercedes, sighing, ”go, Albert; I will not make you a slave to your filial piety” Albert pretended he did not hear, bowed to his mother, and quitted her Scarcely had he shut her door, when Mercedes called a confidential servant, and ordered hi, and to co for her lady's maid, and, weak as she was, she dressed, in order to be ready for whatever ht happen The footman's mission was an easy one Albert went to his rooht Beauchamp arrived; he had seen Chateau-Renaud, who had promised to be in the orchestra before the curtain was raised Both got into Albert's coupe; and, as the young , he called aloud, ”To the opera” In his i of the performance
Chateau-Renaud was at his post; apprised by Beauchamp of the circumstances, he required no explanation froe his father was so natural that Chateau-Renaud did not seek to dissuade hi his assurances of devotion Debray was not yet come, but Albert knew that he seldom lost a scene at the opera Albert wandered about the theatre until the curtain was drawn up He hoped to meet with M de Monte Cristo either in the lobby or on the stairs The bell summoned him to his seat, and he entered the orchestra with Chateau-Renaud and Beauchamp But his eyes scarcely quitted the box between the colu the whole of the first act At last, as Albert was looking at his watch for about the hundredth ti of the second act the door opened, and Monte Cristo entered, dressed in black, and, leaning over the front of the box, looked around the pit Morrel followed him, and looked also for his sister and brother in-law; he soon discovered them in another box, and kissed his hand to them
The count, in his survey of the pit, encountered a pale face and threatening eyes, which evidently sought to gain his attention He recognized Albert, but thought it better not to notice hiry and discohts to his colass, and looked another way Although apparently not noticing Albert, he did not, however, lose sight of him, and when the curtain fell at the end of the second act, he saw him leave the orchestra with his two friends Then his head was seen passing at the back of the boxes, and the count knew that the approaching stor cheerfully with Morrel, but he ell prepared for whatround, saw Albert, pale and tre, followed by Beauchamp and Chateau-Renaud
”Well,” cried he, with that benevolent politeness which distinguished his salutation from the common civilities of the world, ”, M de Morcerf” The countenance of this s, expressed the most perfect cordiality Morrel only then recollected the letter he had received fro any reason, he begged hi terrible was brooding
”We are not coe hypocritical expressions of politeness, or false professions of friendshi+p,” said Albert, ”but to de voice was scarcely audible ”An explanation at the opera?” said the count, with that cal eye which characterize the ood ”Little acquainted as I aht this the place for such a demand”
”Still, if people will shut themselves up,” said Albert, ”and cannot be seen because they are bathing, dining, or asleep, we must avail ourselves of the opportunity whenever they are to be seen”
”I am not difficult of access, sir; for yesterday, if my memory does not deceive me, you were at my house”
”Yesterday I was at your house, sir,” said the youngthese words Albert had raised his voice so as to be heard by those in the adjoining boxes and in the lobby Thus the attention of many was attracted by this altercation ”Where are you come from, sir? You do not appear to be in the possession of your senses”
”Provided I understand your perfidy, sir, and succeed in ed, I shall be reasonable enough,” said Albert furiously
”I do not understand you, sir,” replied Monte Cristo; ”and if I did, your tone is too high I aht to raise my voice above another's Leave the box, sir!” Monte Cristo pointed towards the door with the nity ”Ah, I shall kno toin his convulsed grasp the glove, which Monte Cristo did not lose sight of
”Well, well,” said Monte Cristo quietly, ”I see you wish to quarrel with ive you one piece of advice, which you will do well to keep in e Display is not beco to every one, M de Morcerf”
At this naroup of spectators of this scene They had talked of no one but Morcerf the whole day Albert understood the allusion in a love at the count, when Morrel seized his hand, while Beaucha the scene would surpass the lie, held hi forward in his chair, love fro love thrown, and will return it to you wrapped around a bullet Now leave me or I will summon my servants to throw you out at the door”
Wild, almost unconscious, and with eyes inflamed, Albert stepped back, and Morrel closed the door Monte Cristo took up his glass again as if nothing had happened; his face was like marble, and his heart was like bronze Morrel whispered, ”What have you done to hi--at least personally,” said Monte Cristo
”But there e scene”
”The Count of Morcerf's adventure exasperates the youngto 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”
”Then,” said Morrel, ”I understand it all, and this scene was premeditated”
”How so?”
”Yes Albert wrote to request ht be a witness to the insult he meant to offer you”
”Probably,” said Monte Cristo with his imperturbable tranquillity
”But what shall you do with him?”
”With whom?”
”With Albert”
”What shall I do with Albert? As certainly, Maximilian, as I now press your hand, I shall kill hi” Morrel, in his turn, took Monte Cristo's hand in both of his, and he shuddered to feel how cold and steady it was
”Ah, Count,” said he, ”his father loves him so much!”
”Do not speak to er he had betrayed; ”I will make him suffer” Morrel, amazed, let fall Monte Cristo's hand ”Count, count!” said he
”Dear Maximilian,” interrupted the count, ”listen how adorably Duprez is singing that line,-- 'O Mathilde! idole de mon ame!'
”I was the first to discover Duprez at Naples, and the first to applaud him Bravo, bravo!” Morrel saas useless to say more, and refrained The curtain, which had risen at the close of the scene with Albert, again fell, and a rap was heard at the door
”Come in,” said Monte Cristo with a voice that betrayed not the least e, M Beauchamp,” said Monte Cristo, as if this was the first ti; ”be seated”
Beaucha down, ”Sir,” said he, ”I just now accompanied M de Morcerf, as you saw”
”And that , ”that you had, probably, just dined together I am happy to see, M Beauchamp, that you are more sober than he was”
”Sir,” said M Beauchaer, and I co done so, entirely on my own account, be it understood, I would add that I believe you too gentle your connection with Yanina Then I will add tords about the young Greek girl” Monte Cristo , ”there are all my hopes about to be destroyed”
”How so?” asked Beauchamp
”Doubtless you wish to make me appear a very eccentric character I am, in your opinion, a Lara, a Manfred, a Lord Ruthven; then, just as I a at the climax, you defeat your own end, and seek tome down to your own level, and dehable”
”Yet,” replied Beauchahtily, ”there are occasions when probity coe man, ”the Count of Monte Crisobws to none but the Count of Monte Cristo himself Say no more, I entreat you I do what I please, M Beauchamp, and it is alell done”
”Sir,” replied the young man, ”honest uaranties”
”I auaranty,” replied Monte Cristo,look; ”we have both blood in our veins which ish to shed--that is our uaranty Tell the viscount so, and that to-morrow, before ten o'clock, I shall see what color his is”
”Then I have only to ements for the duel,” said Beauchamp
”It is quite immaterial to me,” said Monte Cristo, ”and it was very unnecessary to disturb ht with the sword or pistol, in the colonies with the carbine, in Arabia with the dagger Tell your client that, although I am the insulted party, in order to carry out my eccentricity, I leave him the choice of arms, and will accept without discussion, without dispute, anything, even co lots, which is always stupid, but with ain”
”Sure to gain!” repeated Beaucha with amazehtly shrugging his shoulders; ”otherwise I would not fight with M de Morcerf I shall kill hi at my house let me know the ar”
”Pistols, then, at eight o'clock, in the Bois de Vincennes,” said Beaucha with an arrogant braggadocio or a supernatural being