Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
as civilized as a Parisian; the smell of an Havana is `
` disagreeable to her, but the tobacco of the East is a most `
` delicious perfume, you know." `
` `
` Ali left the room. The cups of coffee were all prepared, `
` with the addition of sugar, which had been brought for `
` Albert. Monte Cristo and Haidee took the beverage in the `
` original Arabian manner, that is to say, without sugar. `
` Haidee took the porcelain cup in her little slender fingers `
` and conveyed it to her mouth with all the innocent `
` artlessness of a child when eating or drinking something `
` which it likes. At this moment two women entered, bringing `
` salvers filled with ices and sherbet, which they placed on `
` two small tables appropriated to that purpose. "My dear `
` host, and you, signora," said Albert, in Italian, "excuse my `
` apparent stupidity. I am quite bewildered, and it is natural `
` that it should be so. Here I am in the heart of Paris; but a `
` moment ago I heard the rumbling of the omnibuses and the `
` tinkling of the bells of the lemonade-sellers, and now I `
` feel as if I were suddenly transported to the East; not such `
` as I have seen it, but such as my dreams have painted it. `
` Oh, signora, if I could but speak Greek, your conversation, `
` added to the fairy-scene which surrounds me, would furnish `
` an evening of such delight as it would be impossible for me `
` ever to forget." `
` `
` "I speak sufficient Italian to enable me to converse with `
` you, sir," said Haidee quietly; "and if you like what is `
` Eastern, I will do my best to secure the gratification of `
` your tastes while you are here." `
` `
` "On what subject shall I converse with her?" said Albert, in `
` a low tone to Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Just what you please; you may speak of her country and of `
` her youthful reminiscences, or if you like it better you can `
` talk of Rome, Naples, or Florence." `
` `
` "Oh," said Albert, "it is of no use to be in the company of `
` a Greek if one converses just in the same style as with a `
` Parisian; let me speak to her of the East." `
` `
` "Do so then, for of all themes which you could choose that `
` will be the most agreeable to her taste." Albert turned `
` towards Haidee. "At what age did you leave Greece, signora?" `
` asked he. `
` `
` "I left it when I was but five years old," replied Haidee. `
` `
` "And have you any recollection of your country?" `
` `
` "When I shut my eyes and think, I seem to see it all again. `
` The mind can see as well as the body. The body forgets `
` sometimes -- but the mind never forgets." `
` `
` "And how far back into the past do your recollections `
` extend?" `
` `
` "I could scarcely walk when my mother, who was called `
` Vasiliki, which means royal," said the young girl, tossing `
` her head proudly, "took me by the hand, and after putting in `
` our purse all the money we possessed, we went out, both `
` covered with veils, to solicit alms for the prisoners, `
` saying, `He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.' `
` Then when our purse was full we returned to the palace, and `
` without saying a word to my father, we sent it to the `
` convent, where it was divided amongst the prisoners." `
` `
` "And how old were you at that time?" `
` `
` "I was three years old," said Haidee. `
` `
` "Then you remember everything that went on about you from `
` the time when you were three years old?" said Albert. `
` `
` "Everything." `
` `
` "Count," said Albert, in a low tone to Monte Cristo, "do `
` allow the signora to tell me something of her history. You `
` prohibited my mentioning my father's name to her, but `
` perhaps she will allude to him of her own accord in the `
` course of the recital, and you have no idea how delighted I `
` should be to hear our name pronounced by such beautiful `
` lips." Monte Cristo turned to Haidee, and with an expression `
` of countenance which commanded her to pay the most implicit `
` attention to his words, he said in Greek, -- "Tell us the `
` fate of your father; but neither the name of the traitor nor `
` the treason." Haidee sighed deeply, and a shade of sadness `
` clouded her beautiful brow. `
` `
` "What are you saying to her?" said Morcerf in an undertone. `
` `
` "I again reminded her that you were a friend, and that she `
` need not conceal anything from you." `
` `
` "Then," said Albert, "this pious pilgrimage in behalf of the `
` prisoners was your first remembrance; what is the next?" `
` `
` "Oh, then I remember as if it were but yesterday sitting `
` under the shade of some sycamore-trees, on the borders of a `
` lake, in the waters of which the trembling foliage was `
` reflected as in a mirror. Under the oldest and thickest of `
` these trees, reclining on cushions, sat my father; my mother `
` was at his feet, and I, childlike, amused myself by playing `
` with his long white beard which descended to his girdle, or `
` with the diamond-hilt of the scimitar attached to his `
` girdle. Then from time to time there came to him an Albanian `
` who said something to which I paid no attention, but which `
` he always answered in the same tone of voice, either `Kill,' `
` or `Pardon.'" `
` `
` "It is very strange," said Albert, "to hear such words `
` proceed from the mouth of any one but an actress on the `
` stage, and one needs constantly to be saying to one's self, `
` `This is no fiction, it is all reality,' in order to believe `
` it. And how does France appear in your eyes, accustomed as `
` they have been to gaze on such enchanted scenes?" `
` `
` "I think it is a fine country," said Haidee, "but I see `
` France as it really is, because I look on it with the eyes `
` of a woman; whereas my own country, which I can only judge `
` of from the impression produced on my childish mind, always `
` seems enveloped in a vague atmosphere, which is luminous or `
` otherwise, according as my remembrances of it are sad or `
` joyous." `
` `
` "So young," said Albert, forgetting at the moment the `
` Count's command that he should ask no questions of the slave `
` herself, "is it possible that you can have known what `
` suffering is except by name?" `
` `
` Haidee turned her eyes towards Monte Cristo, who, making at `
` the same time some imperceptible sign, murmured, -- "Go on." `
` `
` "Nothing is ever so firmly impressed on the mind as the `
` memory of our early childhood, and with the exception of the `
` two scenes I have just described to you, all my earliest `
` reminiscences are fraught with deepest sadness." `
` `
` "Speak, speak, signora," said Albert, "I am listening with `
` the most intense delight and interest to all you say." `
` `
` Haidee answered his remark with a melancholy smile. "You `
` wish me, then, to relate the history of my past sorrows?" `
` said she. `
` `
` "I beg you to do so," replied Albert. `
` `
` "Well, I was but four years old when one night I was `
` suddenly awakened by my mother. We were in the palace of `
` Yanina; she snatched me from the cushions on which I was `
` sleeping, and on opening my eyes I saw hers filled with `
` tears. She took me away without speaking. When I saw her `
` weeping I began to cry too. `Hush, child!' said she. At `
` other times in spite of maternal endearments or threats, I `
` had with a child's caprice been accustomed to indulge my `
` feelings of sorrow or anger by crying as much as I felt `
` inclined; but on this occasion there was an intonation of `
` such extreme terror in my mother's voice when she enjoined `
` me to silence, that I ceased crying as soon as her command `
` was given. She bore me rapidly away. `
` `
` "I saw then that we were descending a large staircase; `
` around us were all my mother's servants carrying trunks, `
` bags, ornaments, jewels, purses of gold, with which they `
` were hurrying away in the greatest distraction. `
` `
` "Behind the women came a guard of twenty men armed with long `
` guns and pistols, and dressed in the costume which the `
` Greeks have assumed since they have again become a nation. `
` You may imagine there was something startling and ominous," `
` said Haidee, shaking her head and turning pale at the mere `
` remembrance of the scene, "in this long file of slaves and `
` women only half-aroused from sleep, or at least so they `
` appeared to me, who was myself scarcely awake. Here and `
` there on the walls of the staircase, were reflected gigantic `
` shadows, which trembled in the flickering light of the `
` pine-torches till they seemed to reach to the vaulted roof `
` above. `
` `
` "`Quick!' said a voice at the end of the gallery. This voice `
` made every one bow before it, resembling in its effect the `
` wind passing over a field of wheat, by its superior strength `
` forcing every ear to yield obeisance. As for me, it made me `
` tremble. This voice was that of my father. He came last, `
` clothed in his splendid robes and holding in his hand the `
` carbine which your emperor presented him. He was leaning on `
` the shoulder of his favorite Selim, and he drove us all `
` before him, as a shepherd would his straggling flock. My `
` father," said Haidee, raising her head, "was that `
` illustrious man known in Europe under the name of Ali `
` Tepelini, pasha of Yanina, and before whom Turkey trembled." `
` `
` Albert, without knowing why, started on hearing these words `
` pronounced with such a haughty and dignified accent; it `
` appeared to him as if there was something supernaturally `
` gloomy and terrible in the expression which gleamed from the `
` brilliant eyes of Haidee at this moment; she appeared like a `
` Pythoness evoking a spectre, as she recalled to his mind the `
` remembrance of the fearful death of this man, to the news of `
` which all Europe had listened with horror. "Soon," said `
`
` disagreeable to her, but the tobacco of the East is a most `
` delicious perfume, you know." `
` `
` Ali left the room. The cups of coffee were all prepared, `
` with the addition of sugar, which had been brought for `
` Albert. Monte Cristo and Haidee took the beverage in the `
` original Arabian manner, that is to say, without sugar. `
` Haidee took the porcelain cup in her little slender fingers `
` and conveyed it to her mouth with all the innocent `
` artlessness of a child when eating or drinking something `
` which it likes. At this moment two women entered, bringing `
` salvers filled with ices and sherbet, which they placed on `
` two small tables appropriated to that purpose. "My dear `
` host, and you, signora," said Albert, in Italian, "excuse my `
` apparent stupidity. I am quite bewildered, and it is natural `
` that it should be so. Here I am in the heart of Paris; but a `
` moment ago I heard the rumbling of the omnibuses and the `
` tinkling of the bells of the lemonade-sellers, and now I `
` feel as if I were suddenly transported to the East; not such `
` as I have seen it, but such as my dreams have painted it. `
` Oh, signora, if I could but speak Greek, your conversation, `
` added to the fairy-scene which surrounds me, would furnish `
` an evening of such delight as it would be impossible for me `
` ever to forget." `
` `
` "I speak sufficient Italian to enable me to converse with `
` you, sir," said Haidee quietly; "and if you like what is `
` Eastern, I will do my best to secure the gratification of `
` your tastes while you are here." `
` `
` "On what subject shall I converse with her?" said Albert, in `
` a low tone to Monte Cristo. `
` `
` "Just what you please; you may speak of her country and of `
` her youthful reminiscences, or if you like it better you can `
` talk of Rome, Naples, or Florence." `
` `
` "Oh," said Albert, "it is of no use to be in the company of `
` a Greek if one converses just in the same style as with a `
` Parisian; let me speak to her of the East." `
` `
` "Do so then, for of all themes which you could choose that `
` will be the most agreeable to her taste." Albert turned `
` towards Haidee. "At what age did you leave Greece, signora?" `
` asked he. `
` `
` "I left it when I was but five years old," replied Haidee. `
` `
` "And have you any recollection of your country?" `
` `
` "When I shut my eyes and think, I seem to see it all again. `
` The mind can see as well as the body. The body forgets `
` sometimes -- but the mind never forgets." `
` `
` "And how far back into the past do your recollections `
` extend?" `
` `
` "I could scarcely walk when my mother, who was called `
` Vasiliki, which means royal," said the young girl, tossing `
` her head proudly, "took me by the hand, and after putting in `
` our purse all the money we possessed, we went out, both `
` covered with veils, to solicit alms for the prisoners, `
` saying, `He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.' `
` Then when our purse was full we returned to the palace, and `
` without saying a word to my father, we sent it to the `
` convent, where it was divided amongst the prisoners." `
` `
` "And how old were you at that time?" `
` `
` "I was three years old," said Haidee. `
` `
` "Then you remember everything that went on about you from `
` the time when you were three years old?" said Albert. `
` `
` "Everything." `
` `
` "Count," said Albert, in a low tone to Monte Cristo, "do `
` allow the signora to tell me something of her history. You `
` prohibited my mentioning my father's name to her, but `
` perhaps she will allude to him of her own accord in the `
` course of the recital, and you have no idea how delighted I `
` should be to hear our name pronounced by such beautiful `
` lips." Monte Cristo turned to Haidee, and with an expression `
` of countenance which commanded her to pay the most implicit `
` attention to his words, he said in Greek, -- "Tell us the `
` fate of your father; but neither the name of the traitor nor `
` the treason." Haidee sighed deeply, and a shade of sadness `
` clouded her beautiful brow. `
` `
` "What are you saying to her?" said Morcerf in an undertone. `
` `
` "I again reminded her that you were a friend, and that she `
` need not conceal anything from you." `
` `
` "Then," said Albert, "this pious pilgrimage in behalf of the `
` prisoners was your first remembrance; what is the next?" `
` `
` "Oh, then I remember as if it were but yesterday sitting `
` under the shade of some sycamore-trees, on the borders of a `
` lake, in the waters of which the trembling foliage was `
` reflected as in a mirror. Under the oldest and thickest of `
` these trees, reclining on cushions, sat my father; my mother `
` was at his feet, and I, childlike, amused myself by playing `
` with his long white beard which descended to his girdle, or `
` with the diamond-hilt of the scimitar attached to his `
` girdle. Then from time to time there came to him an Albanian `
` who said something to which I paid no attention, but which `
` he always answered in the same tone of voice, either `Kill,' `
` or `Pardon.'" `
` `
` "It is very strange," said Albert, "to hear such words `
` proceed from the mouth of any one but an actress on the `
` stage, and one needs constantly to be saying to one's self, `
` `This is no fiction, it is all reality,' in order to believe `
` it. And how does France appear in your eyes, accustomed as `
` they have been to gaze on such enchanted scenes?" `
` `
` "I think it is a fine country," said Haidee, "but I see `
` France as it really is, because I look on it with the eyes `
` of a woman; whereas my own country, which I can only judge `
` of from the impression produced on my childish mind, always `
` seems enveloped in a vague atmosphere, which is luminous or `
` otherwise, according as my remembrances of it are sad or `
` joyous." `
` `
` "So young," said Albert, forgetting at the moment the `
` Count's command that he should ask no questions of the slave `
` herself, "is it possible that you can have known what `
` suffering is except by name?" `
` `
` Haidee turned her eyes towards Monte Cristo, who, making at `
` the same time some imperceptible sign, murmured, -- "Go on." `
` `
` "Nothing is ever so firmly impressed on the mind as the `
` memory of our early childhood, and with the exception of the `
` two scenes I have just described to you, all my earliest `
` reminiscences are fraught with deepest sadness." `
` `
` "Speak, speak, signora," said Albert, "I am listening with `
` the most intense delight and interest to all you say." `
` `
` Haidee answered his remark with a melancholy smile. "You `
` wish me, then, to relate the history of my past sorrows?" `
` said she. `
` `
` "I beg you to do so," replied Albert. `
` `
` "Well, I was but four years old when one night I was `
` suddenly awakened by my mother. We were in the palace of `
` Yanina; she snatched me from the cushions on which I was `
` sleeping, and on opening my eyes I saw hers filled with `
` tears. She took me away without speaking. When I saw her `
` weeping I began to cry too. `Hush, child!' said she. At `
` other times in spite of maternal endearments or threats, I `
` had with a child's caprice been accustomed to indulge my `
` feelings of sorrow or anger by crying as much as I felt `
` inclined; but on this occasion there was an intonation of `
` such extreme terror in my mother's voice when she enjoined `
` me to silence, that I ceased crying as soon as her command `
` was given. She bore me rapidly away. `
` `
` "I saw then that we were descending a large staircase; `
` around us were all my mother's servants carrying trunks, `
` bags, ornaments, jewels, purses of gold, with which they `
` were hurrying away in the greatest distraction. `
` `
` "Behind the women came a guard of twenty men armed with long `
` guns and pistols, and dressed in the costume which the `
` Greeks have assumed since they have again become a nation. `
` You may imagine there was something startling and ominous," `
` said Haidee, shaking her head and turning pale at the mere `
` remembrance of the scene, "in this long file of slaves and `
` women only half-aroused from sleep, or at least so they `
` appeared to me, who was myself scarcely awake. Here and `
` there on the walls of the staircase, were reflected gigantic `
` shadows, which trembled in the flickering light of the `
` pine-torches till they seemed to reach to the vaulted roof `
` above. `
` `
` "`Quick!' said a voice at the end of the gallery. This voice `
` made every one bow before it, resembling in its effect the `
` wind passing over a field of wheat, by its superior strength `
` forcing every ear to yield obeisance. As for me, it made me `
` tremble. This voice was that of my father. He came last, `
` clothed in his splendid robes and holding in his hand the `
` carbine which your emperor presented him. He was leaning on `
` the shoulder of his favorite Selim, and he drove us all `
` before him, as a shepherd would his straggling flock. My `
` father," said Haidee, raising her head, "was that `
` illustrious man known in Europe under the name of Ali `
` Tepelini, pasha of Yanina, and before whom Turkey trembled." `
` `
` Albert, without knowing why, started on hearing these words `
` pronounced with such a haughty and dignified accent; it `
` appeared to him as if there was something supernaturally `
` gloomy and terrible in the expression which gleamed from the `
` brilliant eyes of Haidee at this moment; she appeared like a `
` Pythoness evoking a spectre, as she recalled to his mind the `
` remembrance of the fearful death of this man, to the news of `
` which all Europe had listened with horror. "Soon," said `
`