The Count of Monte Cristo

command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity. Except the recollection of the

onal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran's family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor. The dowry of his wife amounted to fifty thousand crowns, and he

the third heaven to earth; he composed his face, as we have before described, and said, "I have read the letter, sir, an

aced on your desk. The prisoner himself is named Edmond Dantès, mate on board the three-master the P

rchant service, had he ev

sieur, he is

w o

r twenty at

rner of the Rue des Conseils, a man, who seemed to hav

u. Some of your people have committed the strangest mistake

plied Villefort, "and I am

estimable, the most trustworthy creature in the world, and I will venture to say, there is not a

es, Morrel to the plebeian; the first was a royalist, the other suspected

thy in private life, and the best seaman in the merchant service,

, interceding for another, had himself need of indulgence. Morrel reddened, for his own conscience was not quite clear on politics; besides, what Dantès h

, kind and equitable, and give him back to us soon." T

in a tavern, in company with a great many others." Then he added, "Monsieur, you may rest assured I shall perform my duty impartially, and that if he be innocent

0

, on the spot where Villefort had left him. The antechamber was full of police agents and gendarmes, in the midst of whom, carefully watched, but calm and smiling, stood th

ad been so often warned to mistrust first impulses, that he applied the maxim to the impression, forgetting the difference between the two words. He stifled, therefore, the feelings of compassion that were rising, composed his features, and sat down, grim and sombre, at his desk. An instant after Dantès entered. He was pa

he prisoner, that a police agent had given to him on his entry, and that, already, in an hour's time, had swell

young man calmly; "I am mate of the Pha

continued

" returne

ng at the moment y

o great was the contrast between that happy moment and the painful ceremony he was now undergoing; so

ur marriage?" said the deputy,

happiness, struck a sympathetic chord in his own bosom—he also was on the point of being married, and he was summoned from his own happiness to destroy that of another. "This philosophic reflection, " thought he, "will make a great

0

sir, " s

ld you ha

information

, and I will tell all I know; only, " added he

rved under t

stered into the Royal

Villefort, who had never heard anything of the kind, but was

sir, is all I can tell you, and you see how uninteresting it is." As Dantès spoke, Villefort gazed at his ingenuous and open countenance, and recollected the words of Renée, who, without knowing who the culprit was, had besought his indulgence for him. With the deputy's knowledge of crime and criminals, every word the young man uttered convinced him more and more of h

mposed on me. I shall have at least a pressure of the hand in public, and a sweet kiss in private." Full of this idea, Villefort's

"have you any enemies, a

rhaps, somewhat too hasty; but I have striven to repress it. I have had ten or twelve sailors under me, and if you quest

teen—an elevated post; you are about to marry a pretty girl, who loves you;

bly be the case, I confess; but if such persons are among my acquaintance

ine of my duty to aid you in discovering the author of this accusation. Here is the paper; do you know the writing?" As he spoke

added he, looking gratefully at Villefort, "to be examined by such a man as you; for this envious person is a real enemy."

r who takes an interest in him, what truth is there in the accusation contained in this anonymous l

s. I swear by my honor as a sailor, by my l

ly, "If Renée could see me, I hope she would be sa

at Elba, that he would not touch at any other port, his disorder rose to such a height, that at the end of the third day, feeling he was dying

captain, '

isembark at Porto-Ferrajo, ask for the grand-marshal, give him this letter—perhaps they will give you another letter, an

shall not be admitted to the grand-mars

difficulty, ' said the captain. At these words he gave me a ring.

did you

in obtaining access to the grand-marshal; but I sent the ring I had received from the captain to him, and was instantly admitted. He questioned me concerning Captain Leclere's death; and, as the latter had told me, gave me a letter to carry on to a person in Paris. I undertook it because it was what my captain had bade me do. I landed here, regulated the affairs o

this imprudence was in obedience to the orders of your captain. Give up this letter you have brought

n, sir?" cried

rst give me

as taken from me with some oth

y, as Dantès took his hat and gl

efort could not have been more stupefied. He sank into his seat, and hastily turning over

ron, No. 13, " murmured

Dantès; "do y

faithful servant of the kin

1

free, now began to feel a tenfold alarm. "I have, however, already t

of the person to whom it was

d the address to kno

to anyone?" asked Villefor

ne, on m

e bearer of a letter from the Island o

pt the person wh

rkened more and more, his white lips and clenched teeth filled Dantès with appr

efort made no answer, but raised his head at the expir

are ignorant of the co

antès; "but what is the matter? You are ill

ly; "stay where you are. It is for

s proudly, "it was only to

waited, expecting a question, but in vain. Villefort fell back on his chair, passed his

Noirtier is the father of Villefort, I am lost!" And he fixed h

le to doubt it, " c

doubt me, question me; I will answer you." Villefort made

ore you immediately to liberty; before doing so, I must consul

ntès, "you have been rath

1

as possible. The principal charge against you is this letter, and you see——" Vill

, I dest

Dantès, "you are

; "you can now have confidence

nd, and I

ot a command, but

will follow

ice. Should anyone else interrogate you, say to him what you

who seemed to entreat, and t

red in the flames, "the letter is destroyed; you and I alone know of its existence; should

ied; I wil

only lette

wa

ear

wear

fort whispered some words in his ear, to whic

d Villefort and retired. Hardly had the door closed wh

letter would have destroyed all my hopes. Oh, my father, must your past career always interfere with my successes?"

ake my fortune. Now to the work I have in hand." And after having assured himself tha