Volume I Part 48 (1/2)
”To Algiers? But why am I not allowed to accoer, and--”
Haydee became suddenly silent She noticed that her husband's eye, re her little head she whispered:
”Forgive me I know that I dare not leave Spero”
Monte-Cristo trembled The most difficult was to come yet
”Haydee,” he then said, softly, ”you cannot accompany me I shall explain to you immediately why it cannot be Not because you dare not leave Spero--”
He stopped short The expression of terror in Haydee's beautiful eyes benumbed him
”What do you”You do not intend to rob me of my last consolation, do you?”
”Compose yourself, Haydee Remember the words which you uttered just now Yes, I leave you, and take Spero withwife, with panting breast; ”oh, my lord and master, that you cannot really mean! You do not wish to kill me, and--”
”Haydee, you once told me your life is in e Here is my poniard Killwife pulled a dagger sparkling with diamonds out of her waist, and offered it to Monte-Cristo
”Strike!” she said, with faltering voice ”What good am I in this world if you and Spero leave ? Take my heart out of me, but leave me Spero”
She knelt at Monte-Cristo's feet, and embraced his knee
Suddenly her eye flashed, and she cried, animated with fresh hopes:
”Indeed, my beloved, I think you only intended to try me You will not crush me; you will be persuaded Oh, make an end of this torment Tell me that you do not wish my death”
”Haydee,” replied Monte-Cristo, with stern forehead, ”you know that I only fulfilme to smooth the path for me, you refuse to bear your share of the burden”
”I do not understand you,” uttered Haydee
”I must depart, and Spero has to accompany me; but if I do not consent, my dear Haydee, for you to accompany us, it is for the reason that you have a mission to fulfil here”
Haydee remained on her knees, but her tears ceased
Oh, what mastery did not this man exercise over her! The heart was ready to break, and yet she could not do otherwise; she was obliged to obey him
”Haydee,” remarked Monte-Cristo, quietly, ”surely you do not believe that I give you pain unless co wife, throwing herself in his arms
”Speak, what is to happen?”
”Listen Behold, ten years ago I brought you to Monte-Cristo, and there disclosed to you uilty, and you told htly At that time I vowed to be efficacious henceforth wherever I am able to protect the innocent in order to atone in case I carried eance were Mercedes and her son You know the love I bestowed upon this Catalonian, and I have not concealed fro disappointed in her furnished o, the murderer of your father