007 - The Count of Monte Cristo - The Examination

Episode Transcript

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Chapter seven of the Count of MonteCristo by Alexandre Duma. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain. Chapterseven the examination. No sooner had Villefort
left the salon than he assumed thegrave air of a man who holds the
balance of life and death in hishands. Now, in spite of the

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nobility of his countenance, the commandof which, like a finished actor,
he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for
him to assume an air of judicialseverity, except the recollection of the line
of politics his father had adopted,and which might interfere unless he acted with
the greatest prudence. With his owncareer, Gerard de Villefort was as happy

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as a man could be. Alreadyrich, he held a high official situation,
though only twenty seven, He wasabout to marry a young and charming
woman, whom he left not passionatelybut reasonably as became a deputy attorney of
the king. And besides her personalattractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle

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de Saint Meran's family possessed considerable politicalinfluence, which they would of course exert
in his favor. The dowry ofhis wife amounted to fifty thousand crowns,
and he had, besides the prospectof seeing her fortune increased to half a
million at her father's death. Theseconsiderations naturally gave Villefort a feeling of such

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complete felicity that his mind was fairlydazzled in its contemplation. At the door,
he met the Commissary of Police,who was waiting for him. The
sight of this officer recalled Villefort fromthe third heaven to earth. He composed
his face as we before described,and said, I have read a le

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letter, sir, and you haveacted rightly in arresting this man. Now
inform me what you have discovered concerninghim and the conspiracy. We know nothing
as yet of the conspiracy, monsieur. All the papers found have been sealed
up and placed on your desk.The prisoner himself is named Edmond Dante mate

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on board the three Master, thePharaohen, trading in cotton with Alexandrea and
Smiona, and belonging to morrel And, son of Marseilles. Before he entered
the merchant service. Had he everserved in the Marines. Oh no,
monsieur, he is very young,how old nineteen or twenty at the most

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at this moment, and as Villeforthad arrived at the corner of the Rue
du Conseil, a man who seemedto have been waiting for him approached.
It was Monsieur Morrel. Oh,Monsieur de Villefort, cried, he,
I am delighted to see you.Some of your people have committed the strangest
mistake. They have just arrested EdmondDante, mate of my vessel. I

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know it, Monsieur replied Villefort,and I am now going to examine him.
Oh, said Morrel, carried awayby his friendship. You do not
know him, and I do.He is the most estimable, the most
trustworthy creature in the world. AndI will venture to say there is not
a better seamen in all the merchantservice. Oh, Monsieur de Villefort,

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I beseech your indulgence for him.Villefort, as we have seen, belonged
to the aristocratic party at Marseilles,Morrel to the Plebeian. The first was
a Royalist, the other suspected ofbonapartism. Villefort looked disdainfully at Morrel and
replied, you are aware, monsieur, that a man may be estimable and

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trustworthy in private life, and thebest seamen in the merchant service, and
yet be politically speaking a great criminal. Is it not true? The magistrate
laid emphasis on these words as ifhe wished to apply them to the owner
himself, while his eyes seemed toplunge into the heart of one who interceding

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for another, had himself need ofindulgence. Morrel, reddened for his own
conscience, was not quite clear onpolitics. Besides, what Dante had told
him of his interview with the GrandMarshal and what the Emperor had said to
him embarrassed him. He replied,however, I entreat you, Monsieur de

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Villefort, be as you always are, kind and equitable, and give him
back to us soon. This giveus sounded revolutionary in the deputy's ears.
Aha murmured, he is Dante then, a member of some caronary society,
that his protector thus employs the collectivefarm he was if I recollect arrested in

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a tavern in company with great manyothers. Then he added, Monsieur,
you may rest assured. I shallperform my duty impartially, and that if
he be innocent, you shall nothave appealed to me in vain should he,
however, be guilty in his presentepoch, impunity would furnish a dangerous

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example, and I must do myduty. As he had now arrived at
the door of his own house,which adjoined the Palais de Justice, he
entered after having coldly saluted the shipowner, who stood as if petrified, on
the spot where Villefort had left him. The anti chamber was full of police

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agents and gendarmes, in the midstof whom carefully watched, but calm and
smiling stood the prisoner. Villefort traversedthe anti chamber, cast a side glance
at Dante, and, taking apacket which gendarmes offered him, disappeared,
saying, bring in the prisoner.Rapid has had been Villefort's glance. It

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had served to give him an ideaof the man he was about to interrogate.
He had recognized intelligence in the highforehead, courage in the dark eye,
and bent brow, and frankness inthe thick lips that showed a set
of pearly teeth. Villefort's first impressionwas favorable, but he had been so

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often warned to mistrust first impulses thathe applied the maxim to the impression forgetting
the difference between the two words,he stifled. Therefore, the feelings of
compassion that were rising, composed hisfeatures, and sat down, grim and
somber at his desk an instant afterDante entered. He was pale, but

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calm and collected, and, salutinghis judge with easy politeness, looked round
for a seat, as if hehad been in Monsieur Morrel's salon. It
was then that he encountered for thefirst time Villefort's look that look peculiar to
the magistrate, who, while seemingto read the thoughts of others, betrays

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nothing of his own. Who andwhat are you? Demanded Villefort, turning
over a pile of papers containing informationrelative to the prisoner that a police agent
had given to him on his entry, and that already in an hour's time,
had swelled to voluminous proportions thanks tothe corrupt espionage of which the accused

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is always made the victim. Myname is Edmond, Dantes, replied the
young man, calmly, I ammate of the pharaon belonging to Messrs Morrel
and Son. Your age, continuedVillefort, nineteen, returned Dantes, what
were you doing at the moment youwere arrested. I was at the festival

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of my marriage, Monsieur, saidthe young man, his voice slightly tremulous.
So great was the contrast between thathappy moment and the painful ceremony he
was now undergoing. So great wasthe contrast between the somber aspect of Monsieur
de Villefort and the radiant face ofMercedes. You were at the festival of

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your marriage, said the deputy,shuddering in spite of himself. Yes,
Monsieur, I am on the pointof marrying a young girl I have been
attached to for three years. Villefort, impassive as he was, was struck
with this coincidence, and the tremulousvoice of Dante, surprised in the midst
of his happiness, struck a sympatheticchord in his own bosom. He also

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was on the point of being married, and he was summoned from his own
happiness to destroy that of another.This philosophic reflection thought, he will make
a great sensation at Monsieur de SaintMaran's, and he arranged mentally while Dantes
awaited further questions. The antithesis bywhich orators often create a reputation for eloquence.

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When this speech was arranged, Villefortturned to Dantes. Go on,
Sir, said he what would youhave me say? Give all the information
in your power. Tell me onwhich point you desire information, and I
will tell you all I know.Only, he added, with a smile,

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I warn you I know very little. Have you served under the usurper
I was about to be mustered intothe Royal Marines when he fell. It
is reported your political opinions are extreme, said Villefort, who had never heard
anything of the kind, but wasnot sorry to make this inquiry as if

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it were an accusation my political opinions, replied Dante. Alas, Sir,
I never had any opinions. Iam hardly nineteen. I know nothing.
I have no part to play.If I obtained the situation I desire,
I shall owe it to Monsieur Morrel. Thus all my opinions, I will

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not say it public but private,are confined to these three sentiments. I
love my father, I respect missieonMorrel, and I adore Mercedes. This,
Sir, is all I can tellyou, And you see how uninteresting
it is. As Dantes spoke,Villefort gazed at his ingenuous and open countenance,

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and recollected the words of Renee,who, without knowing who the culprit
was, had besought his indulgence forhim. With the deputy's knowledge of crime
and criminals, every word the youngman uttered convinced him more and more of
his innocence. This lad for hewas scarcely a man, simple, natural,

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eloquent, with that eloquence of theheart never found when sought for,
full of affection for everybody. Becausehe was happy, and because happiness renders
even the wicked good, extended hisaffection even to his judge. Spite of
Villefort's severe look and stern accent,Dantes seemed full of kindness. Pardieu said

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Villefort, he is a noble fellow. I hope I shall gain Renee's favor
easily by obeying the first command sheever imposed on me. I shall have
at least a pressure of the handin public and a sweet kiss in private.
Full of this idea, Villefort's facebecame so joyous that when he turned

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to Dante, the latter, whohad watched the change on his physiognomy,
was smiling also, Sir, saidVillefort, have you any enemies? At
least that you know I have enemies, replied Dantes. My position is not
sufficiently elevated for that. As formy disposition, that is perhaps somewhat too

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hasty, but I have striven torepress it. I have had ten or
twelve sailors under me, and ifyou question them, they will tell you
that they love and respect me,not as a father, for I am
too young, but as an elderbrother. But you may have excited jealousy.

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You are about to become captain atnineteen, an elevated post. You
are about to marry a pretty girlwho loves you, and these two pieces
of good fortune may have excited theenvy of some one. You are right.
You know men better than I do, and what you say may possibly
be the case. I confess,but if such persons are among my acquaintances,

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I prefer not to know it,because then I should be forced to
aid them. You are wrong.You should always strive to see clearly around
you. You seem a worthy youngman. I will depart from the strict
line of my duty to aid youin discovering the author of this accusation.
Here is the paper, do youknow the writing? As he spoke?

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Villefort drew the letter from his pocketand presented it to Dantes. Dantes read
it. A cloud passed over hisbrow as he said, no, monsieur,
I do not know the writing,and yet it is tolerably plain.
Whoever did it writes well, Iam very fortunate, added he looking gratefully

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at Villefort to be examined by sucha man as you. For this envious
person is a real enemy. Andby the rapid glance that the young man's
eyes shot forth, Villefort saw howmuch energy lay hid beneath his mildness.
Now, said the deputy, answerme frankly, not as a prisoner to
a judge, but as one manto another who takes an interest in him.

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What truth is there in the accusationcontained in this anonymous letter? And
Villefort threw disdainfully on his desk theletter Dantes had just given back to him.
None at all. I will tellyou the real facts. I swear
by my honor as a sailor,by my love font Mescedes, by the

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life of my father, speak,monsieur, said Villefort. Then internally,
if Renee could see me, Ihope she would be satisfied and would no
longer call me a decapitator. Well, when we quitted Naples, Captain le
Clear was attacked with a brain fever. As we had no doctor onboard,

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and he was so anxious to arriveat Elba that he would not touch at
any other part. His disorder roseto such height that at the end of
the third day, feeling he wasdying, he called me to him,
My dear Dantes, said he swearto perform what I am going to tell

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you, for it is a maof the deepest importance. I swear,
Captain replied I. Well, asafter my death the command devots on you
as mate, assume the command andbear up for the island of Elba.
Disembark at Porto Ferrao. Ask forthe Grand Marshal give him this letter.

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Perhaps they will give you another letterand charge you with a commission. You
will accomplish what I was to havedone, and derive all the honor and
profit from it. I will doit, Captain, but perhaps I shall
not be admitted to the Grand Marshal'spresence as easily as you expect. Here

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is a ring that will obtain audienceof him and remove every difficulty, said
the Captain. At these words,he gave me a ring. It was
time two hours after your delirious.The next day he died. And what
did you do then? What Iought to have done, and what everyone

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would have done in my place?Every where the last requests of a dying
man are sacred, but with asailor, the last requests of his superior
are commands. I sailed for theisland of Elba, where I arrived the
next day. I ordered everybody toremain on board and went on shore alone.

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As I had expected. I foundsome difficulty in obtaining access to the
Grand Marshal, but I sent thering and I had received from the Captain
to him, and was instantly admitted. He questioned me concerning Captain Leclaire's death,
and, as the latter had toldme, gave me a letter to
carry on to a person in Paris. I undertook it because it was what

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my captain had bade me do.I landed here, regulated the affairs of
the vers, and hastened to visitmy affianced bride, whom I found more
lovely than ever. Thanks to MinsieurMorrel, all the forms were got over
in a word. I was toldas I told you at my marriage feast,

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and I should have been married inan hour and tomorrow I intended to
start for Paris had I not beenarrested on this charge, which you,
as well as I now see tobe unjust. Ah, said Villefort,
this seems to be the truth.If you have been culpable, it was
imprudence, and this imprudence was inobedience to the orders of your captain.

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I give up this letter you havebrought from Elba, and pass your word.
You will appear should be required,and go and rejoin your friends.
I am free, then, sir, cried Dante joyfully. Yes, but
first give me this letter. Youhave it already, for it was taken
from me with some others which Isee in that pack. Stop a moment,

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said the deputy, as Dantes tookhis hat and gloves. To whom
is it addressed to Monsieur noirtier arue a coqueron Paris. Had a thunderbolt
fallen into the room, Villefort couldnot have been more stupefied. He sank
into his seat, and, hastilyturning over the packet, drew forth the

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fatal letter, at which he glancedwith an expression of terror. Monsieur Noirtier
rue coqueronn numereaux tres, murmured,he growing still paler, Yes, said
Dantes. Do you know him,no, replied Villefort, A faithful servant

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of the king does not know conspirators. It is a conspiracy, then asked
Dantes, who, after believing himselffree, now began to feel a tenfold
alarm. I have, however,already told you, sir, I was
entirely ignorant of the contents of theletter. Yes, but you know the

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name of the person to whom itwas addressed, said Villefort. I was
forced to read the address to knowto whom to give it. Have you
shown this letter to any one,asked Villefort, becoming still more pale,
to no one, on my honor. Everybody is ignorant that you are the

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bearer of a letter from the islandof elbas and addressed to Monsieur Noirtier.
Everybody except the person who gave itto me. And that was too much,
far too much, murmured Villefort.Villefort's brow darkened more and more,
his white lips and clinched teeth filledDantes with apprehension. After reading the letter,

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Villefort covered his face with his hands. Oh said Dantes timidly, What
is the matter? Villefort made noanswer, but raised his head at the
expiration of a few seconds and againperused the letter. And you say that
you are ignorant of the contents ofthis letter. I give you my word

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of honor, Sir, said Dantes. But what is the matter? You
are ill? Shall I ring forassistance? Shall I call? No?
Said Villefort, rising hastily. Staywhere you are. It is for me
to give orders here, not you, monsieur, replied Dantes proudly. It
was only to summon assistance for you. I want none. It was a

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temporary indisposition. Attend to yourself answerme. Dantes waited, expecting a question,
but in vain Villefort fell back onhis chair, passed his hand over
his brow, moist with perspiration,and for the third time read the letter.

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Oh if he knows the contents ofthis murmured he, And that Noirtier
is the father of Villefort, Iam lost. And he fixed his eyes
upon Edmond, as if he wouldhave penetrated his thoughts. Oh, it
is impossible to doubt, cried he. Suddenly, in Heaven's name, cried

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the unhappy young man. If youdoubt me, question me, I will
answer you. Villefort made a violenteffort, and in a tone he strove
to render firm. Sir said he, I am no longer able as I
hoped to restore you immediately to liberty. Before doing so, I must consult

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the trial justice. What my ownfeeling is You already know, oh,
monsieur, cried Dantes, you havebeen rather a friend than a judge.
Well, I must detain you sometime longer, but I will strive to
make it as short as possible.The principal charge against you is this letter.
And you see Villefort approached the fire, cast it in and waited until

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it was entirely consumed. You seeI destroy it, oh, exclaimed Dantes.
You are goodness itself. Listen,continued Villefort. You can now have
confidence in me after what I havedone. Oh, command, and I
will obey. Listen. This isnot a command, but advice I give

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you. Speak and I will followyour advice. I shall detain you until
this evening in the Palais de Justice. Should any one else interigate, you
say to him what you have saidto me, But do not breathe a
word of this letter. I promiseit was Villefort, who seemed to entry,

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and the prisoner who reassured him.You see, continued he, glancing
toward the grate, where fragments ofburnt paper fluttered in the flames. The
letter is destroyed. You and Ialone know of its existence. Should you
therefore be questioned, deny all knowledgeof it. Deny it boldly, and

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you are saved. Be satisfied.I will deny it. It was the
only letter you add. It wasswear it, I swear it. Villefort
rang. A police agent entered.Villefort whispered some words in his ear,
to which the officer replied by amotion of his head. Follow him,

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said Villefort to Dante. Dantes salutedVillefort and retired. Harvey had the door
closed when Villefort threw himself, halffainting into a chair. Alas Alas murmur
he if the procureur himself had beenat Marseilles, I should have been ruined.

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This accrusted letter would have destroyed allmy hopes. Oh, my father,
must you pascree always interfere with mysuccesses? Suddenly a light passed over
his face, a smile played roundhis set mouth, and his haggard eyes
were fixed in thought. This willdo said he, and from this letter,

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which might have ruined me, Iwill make my fortune now to the
work I have in hand. And, after having assured himself that the prisoner
was gone, the Deputy Procureur hastenedto the house of his betrothed. End

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of chapter seven.