Volume I Part 4 (2/2)
”Nothing, not even you,” answered Morrel, firmly
”Well, then, let it be so,” said Monte-Cristo sternly, as he took a greenish, strongly s pastil from a box cut from an opal
”It is hashi+sh Death is painless and recalls to the person taking it the most beautiful memories of his life”
Maximilian embraced his friend and sed the pastil
The effect onderful A delightful languor took possession of Maximilian All the scenes of his childhood ca Suddenly the back part of the room appeared to open and a female form strode toward him with arms outstretched; it was the purified form of his beloved
”Oh, hoeet is such a death,” whispered Maxiure strode nearer to hi forehead
”My poor lover,” murmured a well-known voice
”Valentine,” exclai, you are alive! I clasp you in my arms, only to dieyou new life; it is no dream, we are at the realization of our hopes, we are united on earth forever”
Gradually Maximilian became conscious He lay in the arms of his beloved Valentine and his faithful friend Monte-Cristo stood near him
”Valentine and Maximilian,” said the count sole shall separate you; I give you life back again, I now join your hands in the bonds which nothing can separate but the grave! May God bless you both as I do”
Overpowered with emotion the newly united couple sank at the feet of this curious man to thank him from the depths of their hearts
Monte-Cristo lifted Valentine tenderly fro to her said:
”I shall leave you alone now, and go back to my apartments, where my wife, the Countess of Monte-Cristo, awaits one the two lovers e irl to a divan, and asked her to tell hirave
”I was,” related Valentine, ”as you know, very ill; but yet I hoped to becoht, as I lay on my bed of sickness, a door which I had never before perceived was opened A man entered and approached my bed; I was just about to scream when I perceived that the spectre was none other than the Count of Monte-Cristo, who ns to radually poisoned by randparents Barrois in the saiven me an antidote But the means he had were not sufficient to shi+eld ed me to drink a potion, which would put me in a trance for the space of three days I took the potion which the count gaveI lay thus I do not know, but when I woke I foundbeside me A new and powerful potion restored htnecessary to a journey After I had rested for a few days, I rode to Marseilles with the count, and from there to this lonely island, where I have found you, my dear Maximilian”
A new embrace ended this conversation, and they both left the apartain for his trouble
They went to the grotto and asked Jacopo, who had brought Maximilian to the island, where the count was
”I have a letter for both of you from my master”
”Where is the Count of Monte-Cristo?” they both asked simultaneously
”He has just left the island with his wife and his servant, Ali You can still see the shi+p over there,” replied Jacopo, pointing to a small boat on which could be described three persons It was the count, Haydee, and Ali Maximilian quickly opened the letter, which read as follows:
”MY DEAR MAXIMILIAN--A shi+p is lying at anchor for you Jacopo will bring you to Livorno, where Monsieur Noirtier awaits his grandchild, whom he wishes to bless before you lead her to the altar Everything you find in this grotto andpresents of a faithful friend, who and hoping May you both live happy and think now and then of your devoted friend,