Part 40 (2/2)
The Italian was now a prey to singular excitement; he grew pale and flushed by turns, finally rising and pacing the salon in great agitation.
”Count,” said he, abruptly, when he could command his voice, ”you are a man of the world and a cosmopolitan, and, of course, you know that one often commits folly, especially when the ardent and uncontrollable blood of youth is rus.h.i.+ng through his veins. With this explanation, imperfect though it be, I must ask you to rest satisfied, for it is utterly out of my power to give you any other, or to enter into the details of the unfortunate affair which has brought you here. I a.s.sure you, however, that I am altogether blameless in the matter; investigation will abundantly establish the truth of what I say.”
”I will make that investigation.”
”I regret that I can neither empower you to do so nor aid you in it!”
”What am I to understand by that?”
”Simply what I say.”
”You are, doubtless, aware that my son makes grave accusations against you, that he accuses you, in fact, of a dastardly crime.”
”Esperance is mistaken, my dear Count; I swear to you that he is mistaken and that I am as innocent as he is!”
”But Luigi Vampa may have a different tale to tell!”
”Luigi Vampa!” cried the Viscount, coming instantly to a dead halt, and a sudden pallor overspreading his entire visage.
”Yes, Luigi Vampa; I have written to him and in two weeks will have his answer!”
”For Esperance's sake, for my sake, for your daughter's sake, destroy that answer as soon as received and without reading it!” exclaimed the young Italian, wildly, his pallor increasing to such a degree that his face resembled that of a corpse.
”Should I be mad enough to do so,” said M. Dantes, calmly, ”with it all hope of your marriage with Zuleika would peris.h.!.+”
”Oh! do not say that, do not say that!” groaned Ma.s.setti. ”What would life be worth to me without Zuleika's love!”
”Then deserve that love by clearing yourself, by proving that your record will bear the light of day!”
”I have sworn to you that I am innocent! Is not that enough?”
”No,” replied M. Dantes, coldly. ”I must have proof to support your oath.”
”Then you believe me guilty in spite of all! This is the worst blow yet!”
”It is in your power to completely justify yourself; at least, so you give me to understand, and yet your refusal will forever separate you from the woman you love!”
”You fill me with despair!” said Ma.s.setti, in a smothered voice, sinking upon a sofa. ”I fain would reveal everything to you, but an awful oath of silence stands between me and the revelation.”
”Then I must wait for Vampa's answer, and shape my course by that!” said M. Dantes, firmly.
”That answer will destroy both Esperance and myself!” replied the Viscount, in a hoa.r.s.e whisper.
”We shall see,” returned the Deputy, rising and resuming his cloak; as he stood at the door of the salon with his hat in his hand, he added: ”I thought you all a man should be, Viscount, and that you would make Zuleika happy, but my convictions have been sadly shaken. I came here thinking that love for woman was all powerful in the heart of man, that it would induce you to speak, even in the face of an oath, perhaps violently and iniquitously administered; I was wrong; farewell!”
M. Dantes turned slowly and took his departure, leaving Giovanni Ma.s.setti on the sofa plunged in grief and dismay.
<script>