IT WAS, indeed, Maximilian Morrel, who had passed a wretched existence since the previous day. With the instinct peculiar1 to lovers he had anticipated after the return of Madame de Saint-Méran and the death of the marquis, that something would occur at M. de Villefort's in connection with his attachment2 for Valentine. His presentiments3 were realized, as we shall see, and his uneasy forebodings had goaded4 him pale and trembling to the gate under the chestnut-trees. Valentine was ignorant of the cause of this sorrow and anxiety, and as it was not his accustomed hour for visiting her, she had gone to the spot simply by accident or perhaps through sympathy. Morrel called her, and she ran to the gate. "You here at this hour?" said she. "Yes, my poor girl," replied Morrel; "I come to bring and to hear bad tidings."
"This is, indeed, a house of mourning," said Valentine; "speak, Maximilian, although the cup of sorrow seems already full."
"Dear Valentine," said Morrel, endeavoring to conceal5 his own emotion, "listen, I entreat6 you; what I am about to say is very serious. When are you to be married?"
"I will tell you all," said Valentine; "from you I have nothing to conceal. This morning the subject was introduced, and my dear grandmother, on whom I depended as my only support, not only declared herself favorable to it, but is so anxious for it, that they only await the arrival of M. d'Epinay, and the following day the contract will be signed."
A deep sigh escaped the young man, who gazed long and mournfully at her he loved.
"Alas8," replied he, "it is dreadful thus to hear my condemnation10 from your own lips. The sentence is passed, and, in a few hours, will be executed; it must be so, and I will not endeavor to prevent it. But, since you say nothing remains11 but for M. d'Epinay to arrive that the contract may be signed, and the following day you will be his, to-morrow you will be engaged to M. d'Epinay, for he came this morning to Paris." Valentine uttered a cry.
"I was at the house of Monte Cristo an hour since," said Morrel; "we were speaking, he of the sorrow your family had experienced, and I of your grief, when a carriage rolled into the court-yard. Never, till then, had I placed any confidence in presentiments, but now I cannot help believing them, Valentine. At the sound of that carriage I shuddered13; soon I heard steps on the staircase, which terrified me as much as the footsteps of the commander did Don Juan. The door at last opened; Albert de Morcerf entered first, and I began to hope my fears were vain, when, after him, another young man advanced, and the count exclaimed--'Ah, here is the Baron14 Franz d'Epinay!' I summoned all my strength and courage to my support. Perhaps I turned pale and trembled, but certainly I smiled; and five minutes after I left, without having heard one word that had passed."
"Poor Maximilian!" murmured Valentine.
"Valentine, the time has arrived when you must answer me. And remember my life depends on your answer. What do you intend doing?" Valentine held down her head; she was overwhelmed.
"Listen," said Morrel; "it is not the first time you have contemplated15 our present position, which is a serious and urgent one; I do not think it is a moment to give way to useless sorrow; leave that for those who like to suffer at their leisure and indulge their grief in secret. There are such in the world, and God will doubtless reward them in heaven for their resignation on earth, but those who mean to contend must not lose one precious moment, but must return immediately the blow which fortune strikes. Do you intend to struggle against our ill-fortune? Tell me, Valentine for it is that I came to know."
Valentine trembled, and looked at him with amazement17. The idea of resisting her father, her grandmother, and all the family, had never occurred to her. "What do you say, Maximilian?" asked Valentine. "What do you mean by a struggle? Oh, it would be a sacrilege. What? I resist my father's order, and my dying grandmother's wish? Impossible!" Morrel started. "You are too noble not to understand me, and you understand me so well that you already yield, dear Maximilian. No, no; I shall need all my strength to struggle with myself and support my grief in secret, as you say. But to grieve my father--to disturb my grandmother's last moments--never!"
"You are right," said Morrel, calmly.
"In what a tone you speak!" cried Valentine.
"I speak as one who admires you, mademoiselle."
"Mademoiselle," cried Valentine; "mademoiselle! Oh, selfish man,--he sees me in despair, and pretends he cannot understand me!"
"You mistake--I understand you perfectly18. You will not oppose M. Villefort, you will not displease19 the marchioness, and to-morrow you will sign the contract which will bind20 you to your husband."
"But, mon Dieu, tell me, how can I do otherwise?"
"Do not appeal to me, mademoiselle; I shall be a bad judge in such a case; my selfishness will blind me," replied Morrel, whose low voice and clinched21 hands announced his growing desperation.
"What would you have proposed, Maximilian, had you found me willing to accede22?"
"It is not for me to say."
"You are wrong; you must advise me what to do."
"Do you seriously ask my advice, Valentine?"
"Certainly, dear Maximilian, for if it is good, I will follow it; you know my devotion to you."
"Valentine," said Morrel pushing aside a loose plank23, "give me your hand in token of forgiveness of my anger; my senses are confused, and during the last hour the most extravagant24 thoughts have passed through my brain. Oh, if you refuse my advice"--
"What do you advise?" said Valentine, raising her eyes to heaven and sighing. "I am free," replied Maximilian, "and rich enough to support you. I swear to make you my lawful25 wife before my lips even shall have approached your forehead."
"You make me tremble!" said the young girl.
"Follow me," said Morrel; "I will take you to my sister, who is worthy26 also to be yours. We will embark27 for Algiers, for England, for America, or, if your prefer it, retire to the country and only return to Paris when our friends have reconciled your family." Valentine shook her head. "I feared it, Maximilian," said she; "it is the counsel of a madman, and I should be more mad than you, did I not stop you at once with the word 'Impossible, impossible!'"
"You will then submit to what fate decrees for you without even attempting to contend with it?" said Morrel sorrowfully. "Yes,--if I die!"
"Well, Valentine," resumed Maximilian, "I can only say again that you are right. Truly, it is I who am mad, and you prove to me that passion blinds the most well-meaning. I appreciate your calm reasoning. It is then understood that to-morrow you will be irrevocably promised to M. Franz d'Epinay, not only by that theatrical29 formality invented to heighten the effect of a comedy called the signature of the contract, but your own will?"
"Again you drive me to despair, Maximilian," said Valentine, "again you plunge30 the dagger31 into the wound! What would you do, tell me, if your sister listened to such a proposition?"
"Mademoiselle," replied Morrel with a bitter smile, "I am selfish--you have already said so--and as a selfish man I think not of what others would do in my situation, but of what I intend doing myself. I think only that I have known you not a whole year. From the day I first saw you, all my hopes of happiness have been in securing your affection. One day you acknowledged that you loved me, and since that day my hope of future happiness has rested on obtaining you, for to gain you would be life to me. Now, I think no more; I say only that fortune has turned against me--I had thought to gain heaven, and now I have lost it. It is an every-day occurrence for a gambler to lose not only what he possesses but also what he has not." Morrel pronounced these words with perfect calmness; Valentine looked at him a moment with her large, scrutinizing32 eyes, endeavoring not to let Morrel discover the grief which struggled in her heart. "But, in a word, what are you going to do?" asked she.
"I am going to have the honor of taking my leave of you, mademoiselle, solemnly assuring you that I wish your life may be so calm, so happy, and so fully7 occupied, that there may be no place for me even in your memory."
"Oh!" murmured Valentine.
"Adieu, Valentine, adieu!" said Morrel, bowing.
"Where are you going?" cried the young girl, extending her hand through the opening, and seizing Maximilian by his coat, for she understood from her own agitated33 feelings that her lover's calmness could not be real; "where are you going?"
"I am going, that I may not bring fresh trouble into your family: and to set an example which every honest and devoted34 man, situated35 as I am, may follow."
"Before you leave me, tell me what you are going to do, Maximilian." The young man smiled sorrowfully. "Speak, speak!" said Valentine; "I entreat you."
"Has your resolution changed, Valentine?"
"It cannot change, unhappy man; you know it must not!" cried the young girl. "Then adieu, Valentine!" Valentine shook the gate with a strength of which she could not have been supposed to be possessed36, as Morrel was going away, and passing both her hands through the opening, she clasped and wrung37 them. "I must know what you mean to do!" said she. "Where are you going?"
"Oh, fear not," said Maximilian, stopping at a short distance, "I do not intend to render another man responsible for the rigorous fate reserved for me. Another might threaten to seek M. Franz, to provoke him, and to fight with him; all that would be folly38. What has M. Franz to do with it? He saw me this morning for the first time, and has already forgotten he has seen me. He did not even know I existed when it was arranged by your two families that you should be united. I have no enmity against M. Franz, and promise you the punishment shall not fall on him."
"On whom, then!--on me?"
"On you? Valentine! Oh, heaven forbid! Woman is sacred; the woman one loves is holy."
"On yourself, then, unhappy man; on yourself?"
"I am the only guilty person, am I not?' said Maximilian.
"Maximilian!" said Valentine, "Maximilian, come back, I entreat you!" He drew near with his sweet smile, and but for his paleness one might have thought him in his usual happy mood. "Listen, my dear, my adored Valentine," said he in his melodious39 and grave tone; "those who, like us, have never had a thought for which we need blush before the world, such may read each other's hearts. I never was romantic, and am no melancholy40 hero. I imitate neither Manfred nor Anthony; but without words, protestations, or vows41, my life has entwined itself with yours; you leave me, and you are right in doing so,--I repeat it, you are right; but in losing you, I lose my life.
"The moment you leave me, Valentine, I am alone in the world. My sister is happily married; her husband is only my brother-in-law, that is, a man whom the ties of social life alone attach to me; no one then longer needs my useless life. This is what I shall do; I will wait until the very moment you are married, for I will not lose the shadow of one of those unexpected chances which are sometimes reserved for us, since M. Franz may, after all, die before that time, a thunderbolt may fall even on the altar as you approach it,--nothing appears impossible to one condemned43 to die, and miracles appear quite reasonable when his escape from death is concerned. I will, then, wait until the last moment, and when my misery44 is certain, irremediable, hopeless, I will write a confidential45 letter to my brother-in-law, another to the prefect of police, to acquaint them with my intention, and at the corner of some wood, on the brink46 of some abyss, on the bank of some river, I will put an end to my existence, as certainly as I am the son of the most honest man who ever lived in France."
Valentine trembled convulsively; she loosened her hold of the gate, her arms fell by her side, and two large tears rolled down her cheeks. The young man stood before her, sorrowful and resolute47. "Oh, for pity's sake," said she, "you will live, will you not?"
"No, on my honor," said Maximilian; "but that will not affect you. You have done your duty, and your conscience will be at rest." Valentine fell on her knees, and pressed her almost bursting heart. "Maximilian," said she, "Maximilian, my friend, my brother on earth, my true husband in heaven, I entreat you, do as I do, live in suffering; perhaps we may one day be united."
"Adieu, Valentine," repeated Morrel.
"My God," said Valentine, raising both her hands to heaven with a sublime49 expression, "I have done my utmost to remain a submissive daughter; I have begged, entreated50, implored51; he has regarded neither my prayers, my entreaties52, nor my tears. It is done," cried she, willing away her tears, and resuming her firmness, "I am resolved not to die of remorse53, but rather of shame. Live, Maximilian, and I will be yours. Say when shall it be? Speak, command, I will obey." Morrel, who had already gone some few steps away, again returned, and pale with joy extended both hands towards Valentine through the opening. "Valentine," said he, "dear Valentine, you must not speak thus--rather let me die. Why should I obtain you by violence, if our love is mutual54? Is it from mere55 humanity you bid me live? I would then rather die."
"Truly," murmured Valentine, "who on this earth cares for me, if he does not? Who has consoled me in my sorrow but he? On whom do my hopes rest? On whom does my bleeding heart repose56? On him, on him, always on him! Yes, you are right, Maximilian, I will follow you. I will leave the paternal57 home, I will give up all. Oh, ungrateful girl that I am," cried Valentine, sobbing59, "I will give up all, even my dear old grandfather, whom I had nearly forgotten."
"No," said Maximilian, "you shall not leave him. M. Noirtier has evinced, you say, a kind feeling towards me. Well, before you leave, tell him all; his consent would be your justification60 in God's sight. As soon as we are married, he shall come and live with us, instead of one child, he shall have two. You have told me how you talk to him and how he answers you; I shall very soon learn that language by signs, Valentine, and I promise you solemnly, that instead of despair, it is happiness that awaits us."
"Oh, see, Maximilian, see the power you have over me, you almost make me believe you; and yet, what you tell me is madness, for my father will curse me--he is inflexible61--he will never pardon me. Now listen to me, Maximilian; if by artifice62, by entreaty63, by accident--in short, if by any means I can delay this marriage, will you wait?"
"Yes, I promise you, as faithfully as you have promised me that this horrible marriage shall not take place, and that if you are dragged before a magistrate64 or a priest, you will refuse."
"I promise you by all that is most sacred to me in the world, namely, by my mother."
"We will wait, then," said Morrel.
"Yes, we will wait," replied Valentine, who revived at these words; "there are so many things which may save unhappy beings such as we are."
"I rely on you, Valentine," said Morrel; "all you do will be well done; only if they disregard your prayers, if your father and Madame de Saint-Méran insist that M. d'Epinay should be called to-morrow to sign the contract"--
"Then you have my promise, Maximilian."
"Instead of signing"--
"I will go to you, and we will fly; but from this moment until then, let us not tempt28 providence65, let us not see each other. It is a miracle, it is a providence that we have not been discovered. If we were surprised, if it were known that we met thus, we should have no further resource."
"You are right, Valentine; but how shall I ascertain66?"
"From the notary67, M. Deschamps."
"I know him."
"And for myself--I will write to you, depend on me. I dread9 this marriage, Maximilian, as much as you."
"Thank you, my adored Valentine, thank you; that is enough. When once I know the hour, I will hasten to this spot, you can easily get over this fence with my assistance, a carriage will await us at the gate, in which you will accompany me to my sister's; there living, retired68 or mingling69 in society, as you wish, we shall be enabled to use our power to resist oppression, and not suffer ourselves to be put to death like sheep, which only defend themselves by sighs."
"Yes," said Valentine, "I will now acknowledge you are right, Maximilian; and now are you satisfied with your betrothal70?" said the young girl sorrowfully.
"My adored Valentine, words cannot express one half of my satisfaction." Valentine had approached, or rather, had placed her lips so near the fence, that they nearly touched those of Morrel, which were pressed against the other side of the cold and inexorable barrier. "Adieu, then, till we meet again," said Valentine, tearing herself away. "I shall hear from you?"
"Yes."
"Thanks, thanks, dear love, adieu!" The sound of a kiss was heard, and Valentine fled through the avenue. Morrel listened to catch the last sound of her dress brushing the branches, and of her footstep on the gravel71, then raised his eyes with an ineffable72 smile of thankfulness to heaven for being permitted to be thus loved, and then also disappeared. The young man returned home and waited all the evening and all the next day without getting any message. It was only on the following day, at about ten o'clock in the morning, as he was starting to call on M. Deschamps, the notary, that he received from the postman a small billet, which he knew to be from Valentine, although he had not before seen her writing. It was to this effect:--
"Tears, entreaties, prayers, have availed me nothing. Yesterday, for two hours, I was at the church of Saint-Phillippe du Roule, and for two hours I prayed most fervently73. Heaven is as inflexible as man, and the signature of the contract is fixed74 for this evening at nine o'clock. I have but one promise and but one heart to give; that promise is pledged to you, that heart is also yours. This evening, then, at a quarter to nine at the gate.
"VALENTINE DE VILLEFORT
"P.S.--My poor grandmother gets worse and worse; yesterday her fever amounted to delirium76; to-day her delirium is almost madness. You will be very kind to me, will you not, Morrel, to make me forget my sorrow in leaving her thus? I think it is kept a secret from grandpapa Noirtier, that the contract is to be signed this evening."
Morrel went also to the notary, who confirmed the news that the contract was to be signed that evening. Then he went to call on Monte Cristo and heard still more. Franz had been to announce the ceremony, and Madame de Villefort had also written to beg the count to excuse her not inviting77 him; the death of M. de Saint-Méran and the dangerous illness of his widow would cast a gloom over the meeting which she would regret should be shared by the count whom she wished every happiness. The day before Franz had been presented to Madame de Saint-Méran, who had left her bed to receive him, but had been obliged to return to it immediately after. It is easy to suppose that Morrel's agitation78 would not escape the count's penetrating79 eye. Monte Cristo was more affectionate than ever,--indeed, his manner was so kind that several times Morrel was on the point of telling him all. But he recalled the promise he had made to Valentine, and kept his secret.
The young man read Valentine's letter twenty times in the course of the day. It was her first, and on what an occasion! Each time he read it he renewed his vow42 to make her happy. How great is the power of a woman who has made so courageous80 a resolution! What devotion does she deserve from him for whom she has sacrificed everything! How ought she really to be supremely81 loved! She becomes at once a queen and a wife, and it is impossible to thank and love her sufficiently82. Morrel longed intensely for the moment when he should hear Valentine say, "Here I am, Maximilian; come and help me." He had arranged everything for her escape; two ladders were hidden in the clover-field; a cabriolet was ordered for Maximilian alone, without a servant, without lights; at the turning of the first street they would light the lamps, as it would be foolish to attract the notice of the police by too many precautions. Occasionally he shuddered; he thought of the moment when, from the top of that wall, he should protect the descent of his dear Valentine, pressing in his arms for the first time her of whom he had yet only kissed the delicate hand.
When the afternoon arrived and he felt that the hour was drawing near, he wished for solitude83, his agitation was extreme; a simple question from a friend would have irritated him. He shut himself in his room, and tried to read, but his eye glanced over the page without understanding a word, and he threw away the book, and for the second time sat down to sketch84 his plan, the ladders and the fence. At length the hour drew near. Never did a man deeply in love allow the clocks to go on peacefully. Morrel tormented85 his so effectually that they struck eight at half-past six. He then said, "It is time to start; the signature was indeed fixed to take place at nine o'clock, but perhaps Valentine will not wait for that. Consequently, Morrel, having left the Rue48 Meslay at half-past eight by his timepiece, entered the clover-field while the clock of Saint-Phillippe du Roule was striking eight. The horse and cabriolet were concealed86 behind a small ruin, where Morrel had often waited.
The night gradually drew on, and the foliage87 in the garden assumed a deeper hue88. Then Morrel came out from his hiding-place with a beating heart, and looked through the small opening in the gate; there was yet no one to be seen. The clock struck half-past eight, and still another half-hour was passed in waiting, while Morrel walked to and fro, and gazed more and more frequently through the opening. The garden became darker still, but in the darkness he looked in vain for the white dress, and in the silence he vainly listened for the sound of footsteps. The house, which was discernible through the trees, remained in darkness, and gave no indication that so important an event as the signature of a marriage-contract was going on. Morrel looked at his watch, which wanted a quarter to ten; but soon the same clock he had already heard strike two or three times rectified89 the error by striking half-past nine.
This was already half an hour past the time Valentine had fixed. It was a terrible moment for the young man. The slightest rustling90 of the foliage, the least whistling of the wind, attracted his attention, and drew the perspiration91 to his brow; then he tremblingly fixed his ladder, and, not to lose a moment, placed his foot on the first step. Amidst all these alternations of hope and fear, the clock struck ten. "It is impossible," said Maximilian, "that the signing of a contract should occupy so long a time without unexpected interruptions. I have weighed all the chances, calculated the time required for all the forms; something must have happened." And then he walked rapidly to and fro, and pressed his burning forehead against the fence. Had Valentine fainted? or had she been discovered and stopped in her flight? These were the only obstacles which appeared possible to the young man.
The idea that her strength had failed her in attempting to escape, and that she had fainted in one of the paths, was the one that most impressed itself upon his mind. "In that case," said he, "I should lose her, and by my own fault." He dwelt on this idea for a moment, then it appeared reality. He even thought he could perceive something on the ground at a distance; he ventured to call, and it seemed to him that the wind wafted92 back an almost inarticulate sigh. At last the half-hour struck. It was impossible to wait longer, his temples throbbed93 violently, his eyes were growing dim; he passed one leg over the wall, and in a moment leaped down on the other side. He was on Villefort's premises--had arrived there by scaling the wall. What might be the consequences? However, he had not ventured thus far to draw back. He followed a short distance close under the wall, then crossed a path, hid entered a clump94 of trees. In a moment he had passed through them, and could see the house distinctly. Then Morrel saw that he had been right in believing that the house was not illuminated95. Instead of lights at every window, as is customary on days of ceremony, he saw only a gray mass, which was veiled also by a cloud, which at that moment obscured the moon's feeble light. A light moved rapidly from time to time past three windows of the second floor. These three windows were in Madame de Saint-Méran's room. Another remained motionless behind some red curtains which were in Madame de Villefort's bedroom. Morrel guessed all this. So many times, in order to follow Valentine in thought at every hour in the day, had he made her describe the whole house, that without having seen it he knew it all.
This darkness and silence alarmed Morrel still more than Valentine's absence had done. Almost mad with grief, and determined96 to venture everything in order to see Valentine once more, and be certain of the misfortune he feared, Morrel gained the edge of the clump of trees, and was going to pass as quickly as possible through the flower-garden, when the sound of a voice, still at some distance, but which was borne upon the wind, reached him.
At this sound, as he was already partially97 exposed to view, he stepped back and concealed himself completely, remaining perfectly motionless. He had formed his resolution. If it was Valentine alone, he would speak as she passed; if she was accompanied, and he could not speak, still he should see her, and know that she was safe; if they were strangers, he would listen to their conversation, and might understand something of this hitherto incomprehensible mystery. The moon had just then escaped from behind the cloud which had concealed it, and Morrel saw Villefort come out upon the steps, followed by a gentleman in black. They descended98, and advanced towards the clump of trees, and Morrel soon recognized the other gentleman as Doctor d'Avrigny.
The young man, seeing them approach, drew back mechanically, until he found himself stopped by a sycamore-tree in the centre of the clump; there he was compelled to remain. Soon the two gentlemen stopped also.
"Ah, my dear doctor," said the procureur, "heaven declares itself against my house! What a dreadful death--what a blow! Seek not to console me; alas, nothing can alleviate99 so great a sorrow--the wound is too deep and too fresh! Dead, dead!" The cold sweat sprang to the young man's brow, and his teeth chattered100. Who could be dead in that house, which Villefort himself had called accursed? "My dear M. de Villefort," replied the doctor, with a tone which redoubled the terror of the young man, "I have not led you here to console you; on the contrary"--
"What can you mean?" asked the procureur, alarmed.
"I mean that behind the misfortune which has just happened to you, there is another, perhaps, still greater."
"Can it be possible?" murmured Villefort, clasping his hands. "What are you going to tell me?"
"Are we quite alone, my friend?"
"Yes, quite; but why all these precautions?"
"Because I have a terrible secret to communicate to you," said the doctor. "Let us sit down."
Villefort fell, rather than seated himself The doctor stood before him, with one hand placed on his shoulder. Morrel, horrified101, supported his head with one hand, and with the other pressed his heart, lest its beatings should be heard. "Dead, dead!" repeated he within himself; and he felt as if he were also dying.
"Speak, doctor--I am listening," said Villefort; "strike--I am prepared for everything!"
"Madame de Saint-Méran was, doubtless, advancing in years, but she enjoyed excellent health." Morrel began again to breathe freely, which he had not done during the last ten minutes.
"Grief has consumed her," said Villefort--"yes, grief, doctor! After living forty years with the marquis"--
"It is not grief, my dear Villefort," said the doctor; "grief may kill, although it rarely does, and never in a day, never in an hour, never in ten minutes." Villefort answered nothing, he simply raised his head, which had been cast down before, and looked at the doctor with amazement.
"Were you present during the last struggle?" asked M. d'Avrigny.
"I was," replied the procureur; "you begged me not to leave."
"Did you notice the symptoms of the disease to which Madame de Saint-Méran has fallen a victim?"
"I did. Madame de Saint-Méran had three successive attacks, at intervals102 of some minutes, each one more serious than the former. When you arrived, Madame de Saint-Méran had already been panting for breath some minutes; she then had a fit, which I took to be simply a nervous attack, and it was only when I saw her raise herself in the bed, and her limbs and neck appear stiffened103, that I became really alarmed. Then I understood from your countenance104 there was more to fear than I had thought. This crisis past, I endeavored to catch your eye, but could not. You held her hand--you were feeling her pulse--and the second fit came on before you had turned towards me. This was more terrible than the first; the same nervous movements were repeated, and the mouth contracted and turned purple."
"And at the third she expired."
"At the end of the first attack I discovered symptoms of tetanus; you confirmed my opinion."
"Yes, before others," replied the doctor; "but now we are alone"--
"What are you going to say? Oh, spare me!"
"That the symptoms of tetanus and poisoning by vegetable substances are the same." M. de Villefort started from his seat, then in a moment fell down again, silent and motionless. Morrel knew not if he were dreaming or awake. "Listen, said the doctor; "I know the full importance of the statement I have just made, and the disposition105 of the man to whom I have made it."
"Do you speak to me as a magistrate or as a friend?" asked Villefort.
"As a friend, and only as a friend, at this moment. The similarity in the symptoms of tetanus and poisoning by vegetable substances is so great, that were I obliged to affirm by oath what I have now stated, I should hesitate; I therefore repeat to you, I speak not to a magistrate, but to a friend. And to that friend I say. 'During the three-quarters of an hour that the struggle continued, I watched the convulsions and the death of Madame de Saint-Méran, and am thoroughly106 convinced that not only did her death proceed from poison, but I could also specify107 the poison.'"
"Can it be possible?"
"The symptoms are marked, do you see?--sleep broken by nervous spasms108, excitation of the brain, torpor109 of the nerve centres. Madame de Saint-Méran succumbed110 to a powerful dose of brucine or of strychnine, which by some mistake, perhaps, has been given to her." Villefort seized the doctor's hand. "Oh, it is impossible," said he, "I must be dreaming! It is frightful111 to hear such things from such a man as you! Tell me, I entreat you, my dear doctor, that you may be deceived."
"Doubtless I may, but"--
"But?"
"But I do not think so."
"Have pity on me doctor! So many dreadful things have happened to me lately that I am on the verge112 of madness."
"Has any one besides me seen Madame de Saint-Méran?"
"No."
"Has anything been sent for from a chemist's that I have not examined?"
"Nothing."
"Had Madame de Saint-Méran any enemies?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"Would her death affect any one's interest?"
"It could not indeed, my daughter is her only heiress--Valentine alone. Oh, if such a thought could present itself, I would stab myself to punish my heart for having for one instant harbored it."
"Indeed, my dear friend," said M. d'Avrigny, "I would not accuse any one; I speak only of an accident, you understand,--of a mistake,--but whether accident or mistake, the fact is there; it is on my conscience and compels me to speak aloud to you. Make inquiry113."
"Of whom?--how?--of what?"
"May not Barrois, the old servant, have made a mistake, and have given Madame de Saint-Méran a dose prepared for his master?"
"For my father?"
"Yes."
"But how could a dose prepared for M. Noirtier poison Madame de Saint-Méran?"
"Nothing is more simple. You know poisons become remedies in certain diseases, of which paralysis114 is one. For instance, having tried every other remedy to restore movement and speech to M. Noirtier, I resolved to try one last means, and for three months I have been giving him brucine; so that in the last dose I ordered for him there were six grains. This quantity, which is perfectly safe to administer to the paralyzed frame of M. Noirtier, which has become gradually accustomed to it, would be sufficient to kill another person."
"My dear doctor, there is no communication between M. Noirtier's apartment and that of Madame de Saint-Méran, and Barrois never entered my mother-in-law's room. In short, doctor although I know you to be the most conscientious115 man in the world, and although I place the utmost reliance in you, I want, notwithstanding my conviction, to believe this axiom, errare humanum est."
"Is there one of my brethren in whom you have equal confidence with myself?"
"Why do you ask me that?--what do you wish?"
"Send for him; I will tell him what I have seen, and we will consult together, and examine the body."
"And you will find traces of poison?"
"No, I did not say of poison, but we can prove what was the state of the body; we shall discover the cause of her sudden death, and we shall say, 'Dear Villefort, if this thing has been caused by negligence116, watch over your servants; if from hatred117, watch your enemies.'"
"What do you propose to me, d'Avrigny?" said Villefort in despair; "so soon as another is admitted into our secret, an inquest will become necessary; and an inquest in my house--impossible! Still," continued the procureur, looking at the doctor with uneasiness, "if you wish it--if you demand it, why then it shall be done. But, doctor, you see me already so grieved--how can I introduce into my house so much scandal, after so much sorrow? My wife and my daughter would die of it! And I, doctor--you know a man does not arrive at the post I occupy--one has not been king's attorney twenty-five years without having amassed118 a tolerable number of enemies; mine are numerous. Let this affair be talked of, it will be a triumph for them, which will make them rejoice, and cover me with shame. Pardon me, doctor, these worldly ideas; were you a priest I should not dare tell you that, but you are a man, and you know mankind. Doctor, pray recall your words; you have said nothing, have you?"
"My dear M. de Villefort," replied the doctor, "my first duty is to humanity. I would have saved Madame de Saint-Méran, if science could have done it; but she is dead and my duty regards the living. Let us bury this terrible secret in the deepest recesses119 of our hearts; I am willing, if any one should suspect this, that my silence on the subject should be imputed120 to my ignorance. Meanwhile, sir, watch always--watch carefully, for perhaps the evil may not stop here. And when you have found the culprit, if you find him, I will say to you, 'You are a magistrate, do as you will!'"
"I thank you, doctor," said Villefort with indescribable joy; "I never had a better friend than you." And, as if he feared Doctor d'Avrigny would recall his promise, he hurried him towards the house.
When they were gone, Morrel ventured out from under the trees, and the moon shone upon his face, which was so pale it might have been taken for that of a ghost. "I am manifestly protected in a most wonderful, but most terrible manner," said he; "but Valentine, poor girl, how will she bear so much sorrow?"
As he thought thus, he looked alternately at the window with red curtains and the three windows with white curtains. The light had almost disappeared from the former; doubtless Madame de Villefort had just put out her lamp, and the nightlamp alone reflected its dull light on the window. At the extremity121 of the building, on the contrary, he saw one of the three windows open. A wax-light placed on the mantle-piece threw some of its pale rays without, and a shadow was seen for one moment on the balcony. Morrel shuddered; he thought he heard a sob58.
It cannot be wondered at that his mind, generally so courageous, but now disturbed by the two strongest human passions, love and fear, was weakened even to the indulgence of superstitious122 thoughts. Although it was impossible that Valentine should see him, hidden as he was, he thought he heard the shadow at the window call him; his disturbed mind told him so. This double error became an irresistible123 reality, and by one of the incomprehensible transports of youth, he bounded from his hiding-place, and with two strides, at the risk of being seen, at the risk of alarming Valentine, at the risk of being discovered by some exclamation124 which might escape the young girl, he crossed the flower-garden, which by the light of the moon resembled a large white lake, and having passed the rows of orange-trees which extended in front of the house, he reached the step, ran quickly up and pushed the door, which opened without offering any resistance. Valentine had not seen him. Her eyes, raised towards heaven, were watching a silvery cloud gliding125 over the azure126, its form that of a shadow mounting towards heaven. Her poetic127 and excited mind pictured it as the soul of her grandmother.
Meanwhile, Morrel had traversed the anteroom and found the staircase, which, being carpeted, prevented his approach being heard, and he had regained128 that degree of confidence that the presence of M. de Villefort even would not have alarmed him. He was quite prepared for any such encounter. He would at once approach Valentine's father and acknowledge all, begging Villefort to pardon and sanction the love which united two fond and loving hearts. Morrel was mad. Happily he did not meet any one. Now, especially, did he find the description Valentine had given of the interior of the house useful to him; he arrived safely at the top of the staircase, and while he was feeling his way, a sob indicated the direction he was to take. He turned back, a door partly open enabled him to see his road, and to hear the voice of one in sorrow. He pushed the door open and entered. At the other end of the room, under a white sheet which covered it, lay the corpse129, still more alarming to Morrel since the account he had so unexpectedly overheard. By its side, on her knees, and with her head buried in the cushion of an easy-chair, was Valentine, trembling and sobbing, her hands extended above her head, clasped and stiff. She had turned from the window, which remained open, and was praying in accents that would have affected130 the most unfeeling; her words were rapid, incoherent, unintelligible131, for the burning weight of grief almost stopped her utterance132. The moon shining through the open blinds made the lamp appear to burn paler, and cast a sepulchral133 hue over the whole scene. Morrel could not resist this; he was not exemplary for piety134, he was not easily impressed, but Valentine suffering, weeping, wringing135 her hands before him, was more than he could bear in silence. He sighed, and whispered a name, and the head bathed in tears and pressed on the velvet136 cushion of the chair--a head like that of a Magdalen by Correggio--was raised and turned towards him. Valentine perceived him without betraying the least surprise. A heart overwhelmed with one great grief is insensible to minor137 emotions. Morrel held out his hand to her. Valentine, as her only apology for not having met him, pointed138 to the corpse under the sheet, and began to sob again. Neither dared for some time to speak in that room. They hesitated to break the silence which death seemed to impose; at length Valentine ventured.
"My friend," said she, "how came you here? Alas, I would say you are welcome, had not death opened the way for you into this house."
"Valentine," said Morrel with a trembling voice, "I had waited since half-past eight, and did not see you come; I became uneasy, leaped the wall, found my way through the garden, when voices conversing139 about the fatal event"--
"What voices ?" asked Valentine. Morrel shuddered as he thought of the conversation of the doctor and M. de Villefort, and he thought he could see through the sheet the extended hands, the stiff neck, and the purple lips.
"Your servants," said he, "who were repeating the whole of the sorrowful story; from them I learned it all."
"But it was risking the failure of our plan to come up here, love."
"Forgive me," replied Morrel; "I will go away."
"No," said Valentine, "you might meet some one; stay."
"But if any one should come here"--
The young girl shook her head. "No one will come," said she; "do not fear, there is our safeguard," pointing to the bed.
"But what has become of M. d'Epinay?" replied Morrel.
"M. Franz arrived to sign the contract just as my dear grandmother was dying."
"Alas," said Morrel with a feeling of selfish joy; for he thought this death would cause the wedding to be postponed140 indefinitely. "But what redoubles my sorrow," continued the young girl, as if this feeling was to receive its immediate16 punishment, "is that the poor old lady, on her death-bed, requested that the marriage might take place as soon as possible; she also, thinking to protect me, was acting141 against me."
"Hark!" said Morrel. They both listened; steps were distinctly heard in the corridor and on the stairs.
"It is my father, who has just left his study."
"To accompany the doctor to the door," added Morrel.
"How do you know it is the doctor?" asked Valentine, astonished.
"I imagined it must be," said Morrel. Valentine looked at the young man; they heard the street door close, then M. de Villefort locked the garden door, and returned up-stairs. He stopped a moment in the anteroom, as if hesitating whether to turn to his own apartment or into Madame de Saint-Méran's; Morrel concealed himself behind a door; Valentine remained motionless, grief seeming to deprive her of all fear. M. de Villefort passed on to his own room. "Now," said Valentine, "you can neither go out by the front door nor by the garden." Morrel looked at her with astonishment142. "There is but one way left you that is safe," said she; "it is through my grandfather's room." She rose, "Come," she added.--"Where?" asked Maximilian.
"To my grandfather's room."
"I in M. Noirtier's apartment?"
"Yes."
"Can you mean it, Valentine?"
"I have long wished it; he is my only remaining friend and we both need his help,--come."
"Be careful, Valentine," said Morrel, hesitating to comply with the young girl's wishes; "I now see my error--I acted like a madman in coming in here. Are you sure you are more reasonable?"
"Yes," said Valentine; "and I have but one scruple,--that of leaving my dear grandmother's remains, which I had undertaken to watch."
"Valentine," said Morrel, "death is in itself sacred."
"Yes," said Valentine; "besides, it will not be for long." She then crossed the corridor, and led the way down a narrow staircase to M. Noirtier's room; Morrel followed her on tiptoe; at the door they found the old servant. "Barrois," said Valentine, "shut the door, and let no one come in." She passed first. Noirtier, seated in his chair, and listening to every sound, was watching the door; he saw Valentine, and his eye brightened. There was something grave and solemn in the approach of the young girl which struck the old man, and immediately his bright eye began to interrogate143. "Dear grandfather." said she hurriedly, "you know poor grandmamma died an hour since, and now I have no friend in the world but you." His expressive144 eyes evinced the greatest tenderness. "To you alone, then, may I confide12 my sorrows and my hopes?" The paralytic145 motioned "Yes." Valentine took Maximilian's hand. "Look attentively146, then, at this gentleman." The old man fixed his scrutinizing gaze with slight astonishment on Morrel. "It is M. Maximilian Morrel," said she; "the son of that good merchant of Marseilles, whom you doubtless recollect147."
"Yes," said the old man. "He brings an irreproachable148 name, which Maximilian is likely to render glorious, since at thirty years of age he is a captain, an officer of the Legion of Honor." The old man signified that he recollected149 him. "Well, grandpapa," said Valentine, kneeling before him, and pointing to Maximilian, "I love him, and will be only his; were I compelled to marry another, I would destroy myself."
The eyes of the paralytic expressed a multitude of tumultuous thoughts. "You like M. Maximilian Morrel, do you not, grandpapa?" asked Valentine.
"Yes."
"And you will protect us, who are your children, against the will of my father?"--Noirtier cast an intelligent glance at Morrel, as if to say, "perhaps I may." Maximilian understood him.
"Mademoiselle," said he, "you have a sacred duty to fulfil in your deceased grandmother's room, will you allow me the honor of a few minutes' conversation with M. Noirtier?"
"That is it," said the old man's eye. Then he looked anxiously at Valentine.
"Do you fear he will not understand?"
"Yes."
"Oh, we have so often spoken of you, that he knows exactly how I talk to you." Then turning to Maximilian, with an adorable smile; although shaded by sorrow,--"He knows everything I know," said she.
Valentine arose, placed a chair for Morrel, requested Barrois not to admit any one, and having tenderly embraced her grandfather, and sorrowfully taken leave of Morrel, she went away. To prove to Noirtier that he was in Valentine's confidence and knew all their secrets, Morrel took the dictionary, a pen, and some paper, and placed them all on a table where there was a light.
"But first," said Morrel, "allow me, sir, to tell you who I am, how much I love Mademoiselle Valentine, and what are my designs respecting her." Noirtier made a sign that he would listen.
It was an imposing150 sight to witness this old man, apparently151 a mere useless burden, becoming the sole protector, support, and adviser152 of the lovers who were both young, beautiful, and strong. His remarkably153 noble and austere154 expression struck Morrel, who began his story with trembling. He related the manner in which he had become acquainted with Valentine, and how he had loved her, and that Valentine, in her solitude and her misfortune, had accepted the offer of his devotion. He told him his birth, his position, his fortune, and more than once, when he consulted the look of the paralytic, that look answered, "That is good, proceed."
"And now," said Morrel, when he had finished the first part of his recital155, "now I have told you of my love and my hopes, may I inform you of my intentions?"
"Yes," signified the old man.
"This was our resolution; a cabriolet was in waiting at the gate, in which I intended to carry off Valentine to my sister's house, to marry her, and to wait respectfully M. de Villefort's pardon."
"No," said Noirtier.
"We must not do so?"
"No."
"You do not sanction our project?"
"No."
"There is another way," said Morrel. The old man's interrogative eye said, "What?"
"I will go," continued Maximilian, "I will seek M. Franz d'Epinay--I am happy to be able to mention this in Mademoiselle de Villefort's absence--and will conduct myself toward him so as to compel him to challenge me." Noirtier's look continued to interrogate. "You wish to know what I will do?"
"Yes."
"I will find him, as I told you. I will tell him the ties which bind me to Mademoiselle Valentine; if he be a sensible man, he will prove it by renouncing156 of his own accord the hand of his betrothed, and will secure my friendship, and love until death; if he refuse, either through interest or ridiculous pride, after I have proved to him that he would be forcing my wife from me, that Valentine loves me, and will have no other, I will fight with him, give him every advantage, and I shall kill him, or he will kill me; if I am victorious157, he will not marry Valentine, and if I die, I am very sure Valentine will not marry him." Noirtier watched, with indescribable pleasure, this noble and sincere countenance, on which every sentiment his tongue uttered was depicted158, adding by the expression of his fine features all that coloring adds to a sound and faithful drawing. Still, when Morrel had finished, he shut his eyes several times, which was his manner of saying "No."
"No?" said Morrel; "you disapprove159 of this second project, as you did of the first?"
"I do," signified the old man.
"But what then must be done?" asked Morrel. "Madame de Saint-Méran's last request was, that the marriage might not be delayed; must I let things take their course?" Noirtier did not move. "I understand," said Morrel; "I am to wait."
"Yes."
"But delay may ruin our plan, sir," replied the young man. "Alone, Valentine has no power; she will be compelled to submit. I am here almost miraculously160, and can scarcely hope for so good an opportunity to occur again. Believe me, there are only the two plans I have proposed to you; forgive my vanity, and tell me which you prefer. Do you authorize161 Mademoiselle Valentine to intrust herself to my honor?"
"No."
"Do you prefer I should seek M. d'Epinay?"
"No."
"Whence then will come the help we need--from chance?" resumed Morrel.
"No."
"From you?" "Yes."
"You thoroughly understand me, sir? Pardon my eagerness, for my life depends on your answer. Will our help come from you?"
"Yes."
"You are sure of it?"
"Yes." There was so much firmness in the look which gave this answer, no one could, at any rate, doubt his will, if they did his power. "Oh, thank you a thousand times! But how, unless a miracle should restore your speech, your gesture, your movement, how can you, chained to that arm-chair, dumb and motionless, oppose this marriage?" A smile lit up the old man's face, a strange smile of the eyes in a paralyzed face. "Then I must wait?" asked the young man.
"Yes."
"But the contract?" The same smile returned. "Will you assure me it shall not be signed?"
"Yes," said Noirtier.
"The contract shall not be signed!" cried Morrel. "Oh, pardon me, sir; I can scarcely realize so great a happiness. Will they not sign it?"
"No," said the paralytic. Notwithstanding that assurance, Morrel still hesitated. This promise of an impotent old man was so strange that, instead of being the result of the power of his will, it might emanate162 from enfeebled organs. Is it not natural that the madman, ignorant of his folly, should attempt things beyond his power? The weak man talks of burdens he can raise, the timid of giants he can confront, the poor of treasures he spends, the most humble163 peasant, in the height of his pride, calls himself Jupiter. Whether Noirtier understood the young man's indecision, or whether he had not full confidence in his docility164, he looked uneasily at him. "What do you wish, sir?" asked Morrel; "that I should renew my promise of remaining tranquil165?" Noirtier's eye remained fixed and firm, as if to imply that a promise did not suffice; then it passed from his face to his hands.
"Shall I swear to you, sir?" asked Maximilian.
"Yes?" said the paralytic with the same solemnity. Morrel understood that the old man attached great importance to an oath. He extended his hand.
"I swear to you, on my honor," said he, "to await your decision respecting the course I am to pursue with M. d'Epinay."
"That is right," said the old man.
"Now," said Morrel, "do you wish me to retire?"
"Yes."
"Without seeing Mademoiselle Valentine?"
"Yes."
Morrel made a sign that he was ready to obey. "But," said he, "first allow me to embrace you as your daughter did just now." Noirtier's expression could not be understood. The young man pressed his lips on the same spot, on the old man's forehead, where Valentine's had been. Then he bowed a second time and retired. He found outside the door the old servant, to whom Valentine had given directions. Morrel was conducted along a dark passage, which led to a little door opening on the garden, soon found the spot where he had entered, with the assistance of the shrubs166 gained the top of the wall, and by his ladder was in an instant in the clover-field where his cabriolet was still waiting for him. He got in it, and thoroughly wearied by so many emotions, arrived about midnight in the Rue Meslay, threw himself on his bed and slept soundly.
那人果然是马西米兰·莫雷尔。自从前一天起。他一直愁肠百结。凭着情人们所特有的本能，在侯爵去世和圣·梅朗夫人回来以后，他预料到维尔福先生的家里准会发生那种与他对瓦朗蒂娜的爱情利害攸关的事情。我们马上就会看到，他的预感的确变成了现实。使他脸色苍白、浑身战栗地来到栗子树下铁门前的，也不再仅仅是一种不安的感觉。瓦朗蒂娜并不知道莫雷尔在等她，以前是他不会这个时候来的，所以她到花园里来，纯粹是一种巧合，或说得更确切些，是一种心灵感应的奇迹。一听见莫雷尔喊她，她就向门口跑去。
“这个时候来了？”她说。
“是的，我可怜的瓦朗蒂娜，”莫雷尔答道，“我带来了坏消息并且准备再听到坏消息的。”
“这么说，这实在是座不吉利的宅子了！”瓦朗蒂娜说，“说吧，马西米兰，虽然现在这些悲痛也已经让人受不了了。”
“亲爱的瓦朗蒂娜，”莫雷尔竭力掩饰自己的激动情绪，说，“好好听着，我求求你，我要说的这件事是很严肃的。他们打算什么时候为你办婚事。
“我把一切都告诉你，”瓦朗蒂娜说，“对你，我什么都不必隐瞒。我的婚事今天早上他们就谈到了，我那亲爱的外婆，我本来以为她可以帮助我的，但她不但赞成这门亲事，而且希望赶快办成，他们只等伊皮奈先生一到，第二天就签订婚约。”
年轻人痛苦地长叹了一声，悲哀地凝望着姑娘。“唉！”他用低沉的声音说，“太可怕了，听自己所爱的女人平静地说出：‘你行刑的时间已经定了，几小时以后就要执行。但这无关紧要必须如此，我不愿意插身其间来阻止它。’啊，既然如你所说的，一切只等伊皮奈先生一到就可以了结，在他到后的第二天，婚书就要签订，你就将属于他那么你明天就和伊皮奈先生订婚吧。因为今天早晨他已经来到巴黎了。”
瓦朗蒂娜喊了一声。
“一小时以前，我在基督山家里，”莫雷尔说，“我们正在聊天，他谈论你家里所遭到的不幸，我谈论你的伤心，那时一辆马车辚辚地驶进前庭。在那以前，我从来不相信有‘预感’存在，但现在我却不能不相信了，瓦朗蒂娜。听到那辆马车的声音，我就打了一个寒颤，接着我就听到楼梯上响起脚步声，觉得我当时就象死囚听到监斩官的脚步声一样。门开了，第一个进来的是阿尔贝·马尔塞夫，我还在心里极力对自己说预感是错误的、但他的后面又进来一个年轻人，伯爵喊道：‘啊！弗兰兹·伊皮奈男爵阁下！’的时候，我集中自己的全部力量和勇气来支撑自己。或许我的脸色是惨白的，也许我在发抖，但我确信我的嘴唇上始终保持着微笑。五分钟以后我就告辞了，在那五分钟里面，我一个字也没有听到——我感到自己彻底垮了！”
“可怜的马西米兰！”瓦朗蒂娜喃喃地说。
“瓦朗蒂娜，现在已经到了你答复我的时间了。要记住，生与死都由你决定。你打算怎么办？”
瓦朗蒂娜低垂下头，她悲痛欲绝，方寸大乱。
“听着！”莫雷尔说，“目前的情况非常严重已经迫在眉睫，这种情况你当然不会是第一次考虑到。现在不是悲哀的时候，那些喜欢慢慢地用痛苦来消磨时间、用吞咽泪水来打发日子的人，才肯干这种事。世界上的确有这种人，在人世间逆来顺受，上帝无疑的会在天上补偿他们。但在那些有抗争意识的人，他们就决不会浪费一刻宝贵的时间，他会立即对命运之神的打击予以还击。你是否预备和我们的厄运抗争？告诉我吧，瓦朗蒂娜，我就是为问你这话而来的。”
瓦朗蒂娜浑身颤抖，一双惊恐的大眼睛凝视着莫雷尔。去和她的父亲、她的外祖母以及她的整个家庭作对，对于这种念头她从来没有想到过。“你说什么，马西梅朗？”瓦朗蒂娜问道。“你所谓奋斗是什么意思？哦，这是亵渎神灵的呀！什么！让我违背我父亲和我那垂死的外祖母的意愿不可能的！”
莫雷尔吓了一跳。“你高贵的心地，不会不了解我，你对我了解得非常清楚，而我眼看着你忍受了这么久，亲爱的马西米兰。不！我要用我的全部力量来和我自己奋斗，象你所说的那样饮干我的眼泪。要让我父亲伤心，让临终的外婆在离开人世前不得安宁，绝对不行！”
“您说得很有道理。”莫雷尔冷漠地说。
“上帝呀！你怎么用这种口气对我说话！”瓦朗蒂娜愠怒地说。
“是用一个崇拜你的人的口气来对你说话，小姐。”
“小姐！”马西米兰喊道，“小姐！噢，自私自利的人呀！你看到我的处境是绝望的，却假装不理解我。”
“您错了，我十分了解您。您不愿意反抗维尔福先生；您不愿意让侯爵夫人伤心；明天您就要签订婚约，把自己交给您的丈夫。”
“上帝啊！你告诉我，不然我又有什么办法可想呢？”
“别来问我，小姐。这种事情叫我判断是很不公正的，我的自私心会使我变得盲目的。”莫雷尔回答，他那种沙哑的声音和攥紧的拳头证明他已愈来愈愤怒了。
“如果我愿意接受你的建议，莫雷尔，那么你以为我应该怎么办呢？回答我。不要只对我说‘你错了’，你必须给我出个主意呀。”
“你说这句话是很认真的吗，瓦朗蒂娜，你真的要我给你出主意？”
“当然罗，亲爱的马西米兰，如果你的建议可行，我就照你说的做，你知道我对你的爱是始终不渝的。”
“瓦朗蒂娜，莫雷尔扳开了一块的门上一块松动的木板，说，“把你的手伸给我，证明你宽恕了我刚才发脾气。我的心里乱极了，在过去的一小时里各种失去理智的念头。在我的头脑里打转。如果你拒绝了我的建议”
“你建议我怎么做呢？”瓦朗蒂娜抬起头来叹了一口气。
“我是自由的，”马西米兰答道，“养得起你。我发誓在我吻你的额头以前使你成为我合法的妻子。”
“你的话让我听了要发抖！”那个年轻姑娘说。
“跟我走吧！”莫雷尔说，“我带你到我的妹妹那儿，她也配得上做你的妹妹。我们乘船到阿尔及利亚，到英国，到美国去，如你愿意的话，我们到乡下去住，等到我们的朋友们为我们说情，你家里人回心转意以后再回到巴黎来也可以。”
瓦朗蒂娜摇摇头。“我怕，马西米兰，”她说，“这是个发疯的主意，如果我不断然阻止你，我就比你更疯了。不可能的，莫雷尔，不可能的！”
“那么你愿意对命运之神屈服，甚至连反抗都不想了！”莫雷尔神情黯淡地说。
“是的——哪怕我是因此死去！”
“好吧，瓦朗蒂娜，”马西米兰说，“我再讲一遍，你说得对。是我疯了，而你向我证明了热情可以使最理智的头脑变得盲目。而你能够丝毫不受热情的影响而理智地思考，为这我谢谢你。那么事情就是这样定了明天，你就要无可挽回地接受弗兰兹·伊皮奈先生，把你们连结在一起的不仅仅只签订婚约那种用来增加喜剧效力的演戏似的仪式，而是你自己的意愿，是不是？”
“你又在把我向绝望的深渊里推，马西米兰，”瓦朗蒂娜说，“你又在用刀子剜我的心了！如果你的妹妹听从了这样的一个计划？告诉我，你会怎么办？”
“小姐，”莫雷尔苦笑着说，“我是自私自利的，您已经这样说过的了。而作为一个自私自利的人，我不去想别人处在我的地位会怎么做，而只考虑我自己准备怎么做。我只想我和您认识已整整一年了。从我初次看见您的那天起，我就把我的一切快乐和希望都寄托在一种可能性上，希望我能赢得您的爱情。有一天，您承认您是受我的。从那一天起，我的希望就是有一天能拥有您，我把这看得比生命还重要。现在，我不再想了。我只是说，命运之神已转过身来攻击我。我以为可以赢得天堂，但我输了。这在一个赌徒这是平凡的日常事情，他不但可以把他所有的东西输掉，而且也可把他本来没有的东西输掉。”
莫雷尔的态度十分平静。瓦朗蒂娜用她那一对敏锐的大眼睛望着他，竭力不让莫雷尔发现在她心里挣扎着的悲痛。
“但是，一句话，你打算怎么办？”她问。
“我打算问您告别了，小姐，上帝听到我说的话，明白我的心，我请他作证，证明我的确希望您过得宁静，快乐，充实，使您不会再有时间想到我。”
“哦！”瓦朗蒂娜喃喃地说。
“别了，瓦朗蒂娜，别了！”莫雷尔鞠了一躬说。
“你到哪儿去？”那姑娘一面喊，一面从铁门的缺口里伸出手来，抓住马西米兰的衣服，根据自己的激动的情绪，她知道莫雷尔的平静态度不是真的——“你到哪儿去？”
“我要去走一条路，避免再给您的家庭增加麻烦，我要给一切忠诚专一的男子作一个榜样，让他们知道当处于我这种境地的时候，应该怎样做。”
“在你离开以前，告诉我你要去做什么，马西米兰。”
“年轻人悲哀地笑了一下。
“说呀！说呀！”瓦朗蒂娜说，“我求求你。”
“您的决定改变了吗，瓦朗蒂娜！”
“那是不能改变的，不幸的人呵！你知道那是一定不能改变的！”姑娘喊道。
“那么告别了，瓦朗蒂娜！”
瓦朗蒂娜拼命摇那扇门，她想不到自己竟能有这样大的力气，而当莫雷尔转身要离开的时候，她把两只手都从缺口里伸出来，双手使劲地转动她的手臂。“我一定要知道你要去做什么？”她说。“你到哪儿去？”
“哦，别担心！”马西米兰站在离铁门几步以外说，“这是我自己命运寒涩，我并不想叫别人为此来负责。要是换了别人，他或许会威胁你去找弗兰兹先生，向他挑衅，和他决斗，那都是丧失理智的行为。弗兰兹先生跟这件事毫无关系。今天早晨他第一次见
收听单词发音 |
1
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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presentiments
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| n.（对不祥事物的）预感( presentiment的名词复数 ) | |
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goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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displease
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| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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accede
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| v.应允，同意 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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44
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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54
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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56
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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57
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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58
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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65
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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notary
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| n.公证人，公证员 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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betrothal
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| n. 婚约, 订婚 | |
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gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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80
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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supremely
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| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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83
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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84
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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rectified
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| [医]矫正的，调整的 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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94
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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96
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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101
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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102
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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103
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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104
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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105
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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106
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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107
specify
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| vt.指定，详细说明 | |
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108
spasms
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| n.痉挛( spasm的名词复数 )；抽搐；（能量、行为等的）突发；发作 | |
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109
torpor
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| n.迟钝；麻木；（动物的）冬眠 | |
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110
succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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111
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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112
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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113
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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114
paralysis
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| n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症) | |
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115
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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116
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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118
amassed
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| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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imputed
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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121
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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122
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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123
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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125
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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126
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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sepulchral
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| adj.坟墓的，阴深的 | |
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piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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135
wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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143
interrogate
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| vt.讯问，审问，盘问 | |
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144
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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paralytic
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| adj. 瘫痪的 n. 瘫痪病人 | |
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146
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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147
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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148
irreproachable
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| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
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149
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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151
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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152
adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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153
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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154
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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155
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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156
renouncing
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的现在分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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157
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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158
depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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159
disapprove
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| v.不赞成，不同意，不批准 | |
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160
miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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161
authorize
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| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
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162
emanate
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| v.发自，来自，出自 | |
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163
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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164
docility
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| n.容易教，易驾驶，驯服 | |
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165
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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166
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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