Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.75-117
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`
` Chapter 75 `
` A Signed Statement. `
` `
` Noirtier was prepared to receive them, dressed in black, and `
` installed in his arm-chair. When the three persons he `
` expected had entered, he looked at the door, which his valet `
` immediately closed. `
` `
` "Listen," whispered Villefort to Valentine, who could not `
` conceal her joy; "if M. Noirtier wishes to communicate `
` anything which would delay your marriage, I forbid you to `
` understand him." Valentine blushed, but did not answer. `
` Villefort, approaching Noirtier -- "Here is M. Franz `
` d'Epinay," said he; "you requested to see him. We have all `
` wished for this interview, and I trust it will convince you `
` how ill-formed are your objections to Valentine's marriage." `
` `
` Noirtier answered only by a look which made Villefort's `
` blood run cold. He motioned to Valentine to approach. In a `
` moment, thanks to her habit of conversing with her `
` grandfather, she understood that he asked for a key. Then `
` his eye was fixed on the drawer of a small chest between the `
` windows. She opened the drawer, and found a key; and, `
` understanding that was what he wanted, again watched his `
` eyes, which turned toward an old secretary which had been `
` neglected for many years and was supposed to contain nothing `
` but useless documents. "Shall I open the secretary?" asked `
` Valentine. `
` `
` "Yes," said the old man. `
` `
` "And the drawers?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Those at the side?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "The middle one?" `
` `
` "Yes." Valentine opened it and drew out a bundle of papers. `
` "Is that what you wish for?" asked she. `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` She took successively all the other papers out till the `
` drawer was empty. "But there are no more," said she. `
` Noirtier's eye was fixed on the dictionary. "Yes, I `
` understand, grandfather," said the young girl. `
` `
` He pointed to each letter of the alphabet. At the letter S `
` the old man stopped her. She opened, and found the word `
` "secret." `
` `
` "Ah, is there a secret spring?" said Valentine. `
` `
` "Yes," said Noirtier. `
` `
` "And who knows it?" Noirtier looked at the door where the `
` servant had gone out. "Barrois?" said she. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Shall I call him?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` Valentine went to the door, and called Barrois. Villefort's `
` impatience during this scene made the perspiration roll from `
` his forehead, and Franz was stupefied. The old servant came. `
` "Barrois," said Valentine, "my grandfather has told me to `
` open that drawer in the secretary, but there is a secret `
` spring in it, which you know -- will you open it?" `
` `
` Barrois looked at the old man. "Obey," said Noirtier's `
` intelligent eye. Barrois touched a spring, the false bottom `
` came out, and they saw a bundle of papers tied with a black `
` string. `
` `
` "Is that what you wish for?" said Barrois. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Shall I give these papers to M. de Villefort?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "To Mademoiselle Valentine?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "To M. Franz d'Epinay?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` Franz, astonished, advanced a step. "To me, sir?" said he. `
` `
` "Yes." Franz took them from Barrois and casting a glance at `
` the cover, read: -- `
` `
` "`To be given, after my death, to General Durand, who shall `
` bequeath the packet to his son, with an injunction to `
` preserve it as containing an important document.' `
` `
` "Well, sir," asked Franz, "what do you wish me to do with `
` this paper?" `
` `
` "To preserve it, sealed up as it is, doubtless," said the `
` procureur. `
` `
` "No," replied Noirtier eagerly. `
` `
` "Do you wish him to read it?" said Valentine. `
` `
` "Yes," replied the old man. "You understand, baron, my `
` grandfather wishes you to read this paper," said Valentine. `
` `
` "Then let us sit down," said Villefort impatiently, "for it `
` will take some time." `
` `
` "Sit down," said the old man. Villefort took a chair, but `
` Valentine remained standing by her father's side, and Franz `
` before him, holding the mysterious paper in his hand. `
` "Read," said the old man. Franz untied it, and in the midst `
` of the most profound silence read: `
` `
` "`Extract from the Report of a meeting of the Bonapartist `
` Club in the Rue Saint-Jacques, held February 5th, 1815.'" `
` `
` Franz stopped. "February 5th, 1815!" said he; "it is the day `
` my father was murdered." Valentine and Villefort were dumb; `
` the eye of the old man alone seemed to say clearly, "Go on." `
` `
` "But it was on leaving this club," said he, "my father `
` disappeared." Noirtier's eye continued to say, "Read." He `
` resumed: -- `
` `
` "`The undersigned Louis Jacques Beaurepaire, `
` lieutenant-colonel of artillery, Etienne Duchampy, general `
` of brigade, and Claude Lecharpal, keeper of woods and `
` forests, Declare, that on the 4th of February, a letter `
` arrived from the Island of Elba, recommending to the `
` kindness and the confidence of the Bonapartist Club, General `
` Flavien de Quesnel, who having served the emperor from 1804 `
` to 1814 was supposed to be devoted to the interests of the `
` Napoleon dynasty, notwithstanding the title of baron which `
` Louis XVIII. had just granted to him with his estate of `
` Epinay. `
` `
` "`A note was in consequence addressed to General de Quesnel, `
` begging him to be present at the meeting next day, the 5th. `
` The note indicated neither the street nor the number of the `
` house where the meeting was to be held; it bore no `
` signature, but it announced to the general that some one `
` would call for him if he would be ready at nine o'clock. The `
` meetings were always held from that time till midnight. At `
` nine o'clock the president of the club presented himself; `
` the general was ready, the president informed him that one `
` of the conditions of his introduction was that he should be `
` eternally ignorant of the place of meeting, and that he `
` would allow his eyes to be bandaged, swearing that he would `
` not endeavor to take off the bandage. General de Quesnel `
` accepted the condition, and promised on his honor not to `
` seek to discover the road they took. The general's carriage `
` was ready, but the president told him it was impossible for `
` him to use it, since it was useless to blindfold the master `
` if the coachman knew through what streets he went. "What `
` must be done then?" asked the general. -- "I have my `
` carriage here," said the president. `
` `
` "`"Have you, then, so much confidence in your servant that `
` you can intrust him with a secret you will not allow me to `
` know?" `
` `
` "`"Our coachman is a member of the club," said the `
` president; "we shall be driven by a State-Councillor." `
` `
` "`"Then we run another risk," said the general, laughing, `
` "that of being upset." We insert this joke to prove that the `
` general was not in the least compelled to attend the `
` meeting, but that he came willingly. When they were seated `
` in the carriage the president reminded the general of his `
` promise to allow his eyes to be bandaged, to which he made `
` no opposition. On the road the president thought he saw the `
` general make an attempt to remove the handkerchief, and `
` reminded him of his oath. "Sure enough," said the general. `
` The carriage stopped at an alley leading out of the Rue `
` Saint-Jacques. The general alighted, leaning on the arm of `
` the president, of whose dignity he was not aware, `
` considering him simply as a member of the club; they went `
` through the alley, mounted a flight of stairs, and entered `
` the assembly-room. `
` `
` "`"The deliberations had already begun. The members, `
` apprised of the sort of presentation which was to be made `
` that evening, were all in attendance. When in the middle of `
` the room the general was invited to remove his bandage, he `
` did so immediately, and was surprised to see so many `
` well-known faces in a society of whose existence he had till `
`
` Chapter 75 `
` A Signed Statement. `
` `
` Noirtier was prepared to receive them, dressed in black, and `
` installed in his arm-chair. When the three persons he `
` expected had entered, he looked at the door, which his valet `
` immediately closed. `
` `
` "Listen," whispered Villefort to Valentine, who could not `
` conceal her joy; "if M. Noirtier wishes to communicate `
` anything which would delay your marriage, I forbid you to `
` understand him." Valentine blushed, but did not answer. `
` Villefort, approaching Noirtier -- "Here is M. Franz `
` d'Epinay," said he; "you requested to see him. We have all `
` wished for this interview, and I trust it will convince you `
` how ill-formed are your objections to Valentine's marriage." `
` `
` Noirtier answered only by a look which made Villefort's `
` blood run cold. He motioned to Valentine to approach. In a `
` moment, thanks to her habit of conversing with her `
` grandfather, she understood that he asked for a key. Then `
` his eye was fixed on the drawer of a small chest between the `
` windows. She opened the drawer, and found a key; and, `
` understanding that was what he wanted, again watched his `
` eyes, which turned toward an old secretary which had been `
` neglected for many years and was supposed to contain nothing `
` but useless documents. "Shall I open the secretary?" asked `
` Valentine. `
` `
` "Yes," said the old man. `
` `
` "And the drawers?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Those at the side?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "The middle one?" `
` `
` "Yes." Valentine opened it and drew out a bundle of papers. `
` "Is that what you wish for?" asked she. `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` She took successively all the other papers out till the `
` drawer was empty. "But there are no more," said she. `
` Noirtier's eye was fixed on the dictionary. "Yes, I `
` understand, grandfather," said the young girl. `
` `
` He pointed to each letter of the alphabet. At the letter S `
` the old man stopped her. She opened, and found the word `
` "secret." `
` `
` "Ah, is there a secret spring?" said Valentine. `
` `
` "Yes," said Noirtier. `
` `
` "And who knows it?" Noirtier looked at the door where the `
` servant had gone out. "Barrois?" said she. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Shall I call him?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` Valentine went to the door, and called Barrois. Villefort's `
` impatience during this scene made the perspiration roll from `
` his forehead, and Franz was stupefied. The old servant came. `
` "Barrois," said Valentine, "my grandfather has told me to `
` open that drawer in the secretary, but there is a secret `
` spring in it, which you know -- will you open it?" `
` `
` Barrois looked at the old man. "Obey," said Noirtier's `
` intelligent eye. Barrois touched a spring, the false bottom `
` came out, and they saw a bundle of papers tied with a black `
` string. `
` `
` "Is that what you wish for?" said Barrois. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Shall I give these papers to M. de Villefort?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "To Mademoiselle Valentine?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "To M. Franz d'Epinay?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` Franz, astonished, advanced a step. "To me, sir?" said he. `
` `
` "Yes." Franz took them from Barrois and casting a glance at `
` the cover, read: -- `
` `
` "`To be given, after my death, to General Durand, who shall `
` bequeath the packet to his son, with an injunction to `
` preserve it as containing an important document.' `
` `
` "Well, sir," asked Franz, "what do you wish me to do with `
` this paper?" `
` `
` "To preserve it, sealed up as it is, doubtless," said the `
` procureur. `
` `
` "No," replied Noirtier eagerly. `
` `
` "Do you wish him to read it?" said Valentine. `
` `
` "Yes," replied the old man. "You understand, baron, my `
` grandfather wishes you to read this paper," said Valentine. `
` `
` "Then let us sit down," said Villefort impatiently, "for it `
` will take some time." `
` `
` "Sit down," said the old man. Villefort took a chair, but `
` Valentine remained standing by her father's side, and Franz `
` before him, holding the mysterious paper in his hand. `
` "Read," said the old man. Franz untied it, and in the midst `
` of the most profound silence read: `
` `
` "`Extract from the Report of a meeting of the Bonapartist `
` Club in the Rue Saint-Jacques, held February 5th, 1815.'" `
` `
` Franz stopped. "February 5th, 1815!" said he; "it is the day `
` my father was murdered." Valentine and Villefort were dumb; `
` the eye of the old man alone seemed to say clearly, "Go on." `
` `
` "But it was on leaving this club," said he, "my father `
` disappeared." Noirtier's eye continued to say, "Read." He `
` resumed: -- `
` `
` "`The undersigned Louis Jacques Beaurepaire, `
` lieutenant-colonel of artillery, Etienne Duchampy, general `
` of brigade, and Claude Lecharpal, keeper of woods and `
` forests, Declare, that on the 4th of February, a letter `
` arrived from the Island of Elba, recommending to the `
` kindness and the confidence of the Bonapartist Club, General `
` Flavien de Quesnel, who having served the emperor from 1804 `
` to 1814 was supposed to be devoted to the interests of the `
` Napoleon dynasty, notwithstanding the title of baron which `
` Louis XVIII. had just granted to him with his estate of `
` Epinay. `
` `
` "`A note was in consequence addressed to General de Quesnel, `
` begging him to be present at the meeting next day, the 5th. `
` The note indicated neither the street nor the number of the `
` house where the meeting was to be held; it bore no `
` signature, but it announced to the general that some one `
` would call for him if he would be ready at nine o'clock. The `
` meetings were always held from that time till midnight. At `
` nine o'clock the president of the club presented himself; `
` the general was ready, the president informed him that one `
` of the conditions of his introduction was that he should be `
` eternally ignorant of the place of meeting, and that he `
` would allow his eyes to be bandaged, swearing that he would `
` not endeavor to take off the bandage. General de Quesnel `
` accepted the condition, and promised on his honor not to `
` seek to discover the road they took. The general's carriage `
` was ready, but the president told him it was impossible for `
` him to use it, since it was useless to blindfold the master `
` if the coachman knew through what streets he went. "What `
` must be done then?" asked the general. -- "I have my `
` carriage here," said the president. `
` `
` "`"Have you, then, so much confidence in your servant that `
` you can intrust him with a secret you will not allow me to `
` know?" `
` `
` "`"Our coachman is a member of the club," said the `
` president; "we shall be driven by a State-Councillor." `
` `
` "`"Then we run another risk," said the general, laughing, `
` "that of being upset." We insert this joke to prove that the `
` general was not in the least compelled to attend the `
` meeting, but that he came willingly. When they were seated `
` in the carriage the president reminded the general of his `
` promise to allow his eyes to be bandaged, to which he made `
` no opposition. On the road the president thought he saw the `
` general make an attempt to remove the handkerchief, and `
` reminded him of his oath. "Sure enough," said the general. `
` The carriage stopped at an alley leading out of the Rue `
` Saint-Jacques. The general alighted, leaning on the arm of `
` the president, of whose dignity he was not aware, `
` considering him simply as a member of the club; they went `
` through the alley, mounted a flight of stairs, and entered `
` the assembly-room. `
` `
` "`"The deliberations had already begun. The members, `
` apprised of the sort of presentation which was to be made `
` that evening, were all in attendance. When in the middle of `
` the room the general was invited to remove his bandage, he `
` did so immediately, and was surprised to see so many `
` well-known faces in a society of whose existence he had till `
`