Part 5 (2/2)
Then, with the swiftness of a flash of lightning, the husband was replaced by the father, and Monte-Cristo, for the first time since Haydee's shrieks had awakened him from his dream, thought of his children. Where were they and what had happened to them? The Count felt a cold perspiration break out upon his forehead, and a feeling of unspeakable dread took entire possession of him. Haydee demanded immediate attention, but Esperance and Zuleika must instantly be found and rescued. At the top of his voice Monte-Cristo shouted for Ali, but no reply was returned. Fearing to leave Haydee for even a moment, the Count strode about the library like a caged wild animal, still holding her in his arms. He shouted again and again until he was hoa.r.s.e, calling distractedly upon Esperance, Zuleika and all the servants in turn.
At last an answering shout came suddenly from the lawn, and old Alexis, followed by several fishermen, leaped into the library through an open window.
Resigning Haydee to Alexis, the Count, accompanied by the fishermen, fairly flew to the apartment of his children, situated on a corridor in another portion of the palace. There Esperance and Zuleika were discovered gagged and bound; they lay upon the floor of their chamber, while Ali, who had been treated in like manner, was extended near them.
To release the prisoners was but the work of a moment, and then it was learned that all the servants under Ali were confined in their dormitory. They, as well as Monte-Cristo's children and the Nubian, had been suddenly seized by a party of rough-looking Greeks, evidently a portion of Benedetto's band.
Meanwhile the flames had spread from Haydee's chamber to the adjoining quarters of the edifice, and the entire palace seemed doomed, for to check the conflagration appeared impossible, but so happy had the Count been made by the recovery of his son and daughter, unharmed, that he gave himself no concern about the probable destruction of his magnificent property.
Seizing his children, he directed Ali and the fishermen to release the captive servants, and hastily returned to the library. As he entered the room Haydee uttered a low groan and opened her eyes; she was lying on a divan, where old Alexis had placed her. Esperance and Zuleika sprang to her side; she took each by the hand, and as she did so they saw the wound in her breast. Zuleika burst into tears. Esperance compressed his lips and grew deadly pale.
”My loved ones,” said Haydee, faintly, ”I feel that I am about to leave you forever, perhaps in a few moments. Be good children and obey your father in all things. Esperance, Zuleika, stoop and kiss me.”
They did as she desired; her lips were already purple and cold; the stamp of death was upon her features. Suddenly her frame was convulsed and her eyes a.s.sumed a gla.s.sy look.
”Monte-Cristo, my husband, where are you?” she said, in a broken voice.
”Here, Haydee,” answered the Count, approaching.
He strove to appear calm, but could not control his emotion.
”Nearer, nearer, Edmond,” said Haydee, growing weaker and weaker.
The Count sank on his knees beside his dying wife and put his arms about her neck.
”Oh! Haydee, Haydee,” he sobbed; ”thrice accursed be the infamous wretch who has done this!”
”Edmond, my children, farewell,” gasped Haydee; ”I am going to a better land!”
The death rattle was in her throat; she raised herself with a mighty effort, gazed lovingly at her husband and children, and strove to speak again, but could not; then a flickering shade of violet pa.s.sed over her countenance, and she fell back dead.
Esperance and Zuleika stood as if stunned; Monte-Cristo was overwhelmed with grief and despair.
”The whole palace is in flames! Save yourselves, save yourselves!”
cried a fisherman, rus.h.i.+ng into the library, followed by his companions, Ali and the servants.
Monte-Cristo leaped to his feet, seizing the corpse of Haydee and raising it in his arms. Ali grasped Esperance and Zuleika, and the entire party hastened from the burning edifice. They were not an instant too soon, for as they quitted the library the tempest of fire burst into it, accompanied by torrents of smoke. The fishermen and servants, commanded by the Nubian, had made every effort to save the doomed mansion, but in vain.
Monte-Cristo and his children found refuge in the hut of Alexis, to which Haydee's body was reverently borne.
The wife of Monte-Cristo was buried on the Island of Salmis, and over her remains her husband erected a ma.s.sive monument.
Shortly afterwards the Count, Esperance and Zuleika, attended by the faithful Ali, quitted the Island and took pa.s.sage on a vessel bound for France.
CHAPTER IV.
THE NEWS FROM ALGERIA.
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