The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 53 (1/2)
”But I was robbed of that!”
Fernando rose from his chair
”Pern to the matters we have under consideration I came to offer you peace or war Peace ereues, ”I do not understand you”
”When the Society proposes a compact, when, as I have just done to you, she unveils her secret designs, she holds in reserve a weapon which places at her mercy the man of whom she wished to make an ally, and whom she does not choose to have for an adversary”
”I! I an adversary of the Society of Jesus! You cannotis possible, Marquis This is our ultimatum--either you will accept the proposals I havein my hands within five days the n whose success is certain, or within five days a certain person will place in the hands of the Procureur de Roi papers which will be your ruin”
”What do you ereues was livid as he asked this question
”They are notes, forged by the Vicoer! Impossible!”
”I assure you that it is only too true Onceyou to remember that my devotion to the Society is unalterable
But a million--you know!”
”You understand,” repeated Vellebri, ”it is a million that is demanded?”
”Yes, I know Grant ive you five days, as I said, at the end of which time the proposition I have named must be presented to the Chamber of Peers”
”I will present it”
”But the Society will not peruarantee And now, good-ereues petition the Italian to reereues sank back in his chair, utterly crushed For a few ed in the hope of a proud future, and now, knowing that he could not raise a million, he felt that he was in deeper perplexity than ever
Cyprien now appeared
”Youfor a moment Write to the Society that before five days have elapsed you will have fulfilled the conditions imposed”
”That would be folly!”
”Is not Fanfar in prison?”
”What of that? He will not be condees, possibly not--but by us”
Fongereues held himself more erect
”Tell hed