012 - The Count of Monte Cristo - Father and Son

Episode Transcript

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Chapter twelve of the Count of MonteCristo by Alexandre Dummin. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain. Chaptertwelve, Father and Son Monsieur Noirtier,
For it was indeed he who entered, looked after the servant until the door

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was closed, and then, fearingno doubt that he might be overheard in
the ante chamber, he opened thedoor again. Nor was the precaution useless,
as appeared from the rapid retreat ofGermains, who proved that he was
not exempt from the sin which ruinedour first parents. Monsieur Noirtier then took

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the trouble to close and bolt theante chamber door, then that of the
bedchamber, and then extended his handto Villefort, who had followed all his
motions with surprise which he could notconceal. Well. Now, my dear
Gerrards, said he to the youngman, with a very significant look.

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Do you know you seem as ifyou were not very glad to see me,
my dear father, said Villefort.I am, on the contrary,
delighted, but I so little expectedyour visit that it has somewhat overcome me.
But my dear fellow replied Monsieur Noirtier, seating himself. I might say

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the same thing to you when youannounce to me your wedding for the twenty
eighth of February, and on thethird March you turn up here in Paris.
And if I have come, mydear father, said Gerard, drawing
closer to Monsieur Noirtier, do notcomplain, for it is for you that

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I came, and my journey willbe your salvation. Ah. Indeed,
said Monsieur Noirtier, stretching himself outat his ease in the chair. Really,
pray, tell me all about it, for it must be interesting.
Father, you have heard speak ofa certain bonapartist clube in the Rue Saint

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Jacques, number fifty three. Yes, I am vice president. Father.
Your coolness makes me shudder. Why, my dear boy, when a man
has been proscribed by the mountaineers,has escaped from Paris and akat been hunted

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over the plains of Bordeaux by Robespierre'sbloodhounds, he becomes accustomed to most things.
But go on, what about theclub in Rue Saint Jacques. Why
they induced General Cannell to go there? And General Cannell, who quitted his
own house at nine o'clock in theevening, was found next day in the

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Seine. And who told you thisfine story? The king himself. Well,
then, in return for your story, continued Noratier, I will tell
you another, My dear father,I think I already know what you are

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about to tell me. Ah,you have heard of the landing of the
Emperor. Not so loud, father, I entreat you for your own sake
as well as mine. Yes,I heard this news and knew it even
before you could. For three daysago I posted from Marseilles to Paris with
all possible speed, half desperate atthe enforced delay. Three days ago.

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You are crazy? Why three daysago the Emperor had not landed, No
matter, I was aware of hisintention. How did you know about it?
By a letter addressed to you fromthe island of Elba, to me

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to you, and which I discoveredin the pocket book of the messenger.
Had that letter fallen into the handsof another, you, my dear father,
would probably ere this have been shot. Villefort's father laughed, ha ah,
come, come, said he willthe restoration adopt imperial methods. So
promptly shut, my dear boy,What an idea. Where is the letter

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you speak of? I know youtoo well to suppose you would allow such
a thing to pass you. Iburnt it for fear that even a fragment
should remain, For that letter musthave led to your condemnation and the destruction
of your future prospects, replied Noirtier. Yes, I can easily comprehend that.

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But I have nothing to fear,while I have you to protect me.
I do better than that, sir, I save you. You do.
Why really, the thing becomes moreand more dramatic, explain yourself.
I must refer again to the clubin Rue Saint Jacques. It appears that

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this club is rather a bore tothe police. Why didn't they search more
vigilantly? They would have found.They have not found. But they are
on the track. Yes, thatthe usual phrase. I am quite familiar
with it. When the police isat fault, it declares that it is

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on the track, and the government, who patiently awaits the day when it
comes to say with a sneaking airthat the track is lost. Yes,
but they have found a corpse.The general has been killed. And in
all countries they call that a murder. A murdered you call it. Why

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there is nothing to prove that thegeneral was murdered. People have found every
day in the Seine having thrown themselvesin or having been drowned from not knowing
how to swim. Father, youknew very well that the General was not
a man to drown himself in despair. And people do not bathe in the

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sein in the month of January.No, no, do not be deceived.
This was murder in every sense ofthe word. And who thus designated
it? The King himself? TheKing I thought he was philosopher enough to
allow that there was no murder inpolitics. In politics, my dear fellow,

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you know as well as I do, there are no men but ideas,
no feelings but interests. In politics, we do not kill a man.
We only remove an obstacle, Thatis all. Would you like to
know our matters have progressed, well, I will tell you. It was

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thought reliance might be placed in GeneralKennel. He was recommended to us from
the island of Elba. One ofus went to him and invited him to
the Rue Saint Jacques, where hewould find some friends. He came there
and the plan was unfolded to himfor leaving Elba, the projected landing,

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et cetera. When he had heardand comprehended all to the fullest extent,
he replied that he was a royalist. Then all looked at each other.
He was made to take an oath, and did so, but with such
an ill grace that it was reallytempting providence to swear him. And yet

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in spite of that, the generalwas allowed to depart free, perfectly free.
Yet he did not return home.What could that mean? Why,
my dear fellow, that on leavingus he lost his way? That's all
a murder? Really, Villefort,you surprise me, you a deputy procureur,

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to found an accusation on such badpremises. Did I ever say to
you when you were fulfilling your characteras a royalist and cut off the head
of one of my party, Myson, you have committed a murder,
no, I said, very well, sir, you have gained the victory.

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To morrow, perchance it will beour turn. But father, take
care. When our turn comes,our revenge will be sweeping. I do
not understand you. You rely onthe usurper's return. We do. You
are mistaken. He will not advancetwo leagues into the interior of France,

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without being followed, tracked, andcaught like a wild beast. My dear
fellow, the Emperor is at thismoment on the way to Grenoble. On
the tenth or twelfth he will beat Leon, and on the twentieth or
twenty fifth at Paris. The peoplerise, yes, to go and meet

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him. He has but a handfulof men with him, and armies will
be despatched against him. Yes,to escort him into the capital. Really,
my dear Gerard, you are buta child. You think yourself well
informed, because the telegraph has toldyou three days after the landing the usurper

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has landed at Cannes with several men. He is pursued. But where is
he? What is he doing?You do not know at all. And
in this way they will chase himto parry without drawing a trigger. Grenobyl
and Leon are faithful cities and willoppose him to an impassable barrier. Grenobyl

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will open her gates to him withenthusiasm. All Leon will hasten to welcome
him. Believe me, we areas well informed as you, and our
police are as good as your own. Would you like a proof of it?
Well? You wish to conceal yourjourney from me, And yet I

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knew of your arrival half an hourafter you had passed the barrier. You
gave your direction to no one butyour Postif yet I have your redress,
and in proof I am here thevery instant you are going to sit at
table ring, then, if youplease for a second knife, fork and

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plate, and we will dine together. Indeed, replied Villefort, looking at
his father with astonishment. You reallydo seem very well informed. Eh.
The thing is simply enough. Youare in power of only the means that

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money produces. We who are inexpectation, have those with devotion prompts?
Devotion? Said Villfort with a sneer. Yes, devotion, for that is
I believe the phrase for hopeful ambition. And Villefort's father extended his hand to

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the bell rope to summon the servantwhom his son had men. Villefort caught
his arm. Wait, my dearfather, said the young man, one
word more say on. However stupidthe Royalist police may be, they do
know one terrible thing. And whatis that? The description of the man

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who, on the morning of theday when General Kenel disappeared, presented himself
at his house. Oh, theadmirable police have found that out, have
they? And what may be thatdescription? Dark complexion, hair, eyebrows
and whiskers, black blue frock coatbuttoned up to the chin, rosette of

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an officer of the Legion of Honorin his buttonhole a hat with wide brim
and a cane. Ah, thatis it, said Noirtier. And why
then have they not laid hands onhim, because yesterday or the day before,
they lost sight of him at thecorner of the rue coqueronn didn't I

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say that your police were good fornothing? Yes, but they may catch
him yet, true, said Noirtier, looking carelessly around him. True,
if this person were not on hisguard as he is, and he added
with a smile, he will consequentlymake a few changes in his personal appearance.

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At these words, he rose andput off his frock coat and cravat,
went towards a table on which helay his son's toilet articles, lathered
his face, took a razor,and with a firm hand, cut off
the compromising whiskers. Villefort watched himwith alarm, not devoid of admiration.

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His whiskers cut off Noirtier gave anotherturn to his hair, took instead of
his black cravat a colored neckerchief,which lay at the top of an open
portmanteau, put on in lieu OF'sblue and high buttoned frock coat, a
coat of Villefores of dark brown andcut away in front, tried on before

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the glass, and narrow brimmed hatof his son's, which appeared to fit
him perfectly, And leaving his canein the corner where he had deposited it,
he took up a small bamboo switch, cut the air with it once
or twice, and walked about withthat easy swagger which has one of his
principal characteristics. Well, he said, turning towards his wondering son, when

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his disguise was completed. Well doyou think your police or will recognize me
now? No, father stammered Villefort. At least I hope not. And
now, my dear boy continued Noirtier, I rely on your prudence to remove

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all the things which I leave inyour care. Oh rely on me,
said Villefort. Yes, yes,and now I believe you are right and
that you have really saved my life. Be assured I will return the favor
hereafter Villefort shook his head. Youare not convinced yet. I hope at

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least that you may be mistaken.Shall you see the king again? Perhaps
would you pass in his eyes fora prophet. Prophets of evil are not
in favor at the court father,true, but some day they do them
justice, And supposing a second restoration, you would then pass for a great

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man. Well, what should Isay to the King? Say to him,
you are deceived as to the feelingin France, as to the opinions
of the towns, and the prejudicesof the army. He whom in Paris
you call the Corsican ogre, whoat Nevere is styled the usurper, is

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already saluted as a bonaparte at Lyonsand emperor at Grenoble. You think he
is tracked, pursued, captured.He is advancing as rapidly as his own
eagles. The soldiers you believe tobe, dying with hunger, worn out
with fatigue, ready to desert,gather like atoms of snow about rolling ball

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as it hastens onward. Sire,go leave France to its reil master,
to him who acquired it not bypurchase, but by right of conquest.
Go, sire, not that youincur any risk, for your adversary is

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powerful enough to show you mercy.But because it would be humiliating for a
grandson of Saint Louis to owe hislife to the man of Arcola Marengo Austolitz.
Tell him this, Gerard, orrather tell him nothing. Keep your
journey a secret. Do not boastof what you have come to Paris to

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do or have done. Return withall speed, enter Marseille at night,
and your house by the back door, and there remain quiet, submissive,
secret, and above all inoffensive.For this time I swear to you we

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shall act like powerful men who knowtheir enemies. Go, my son,
Go, my dear Gerard, andbuy your obedience to my paternal orders.
If you prefer it friendly counsels,or we will keep you in your place.
This will be added Noirtier, witha smile. One means by which

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you may, as second time,save me if the political balance should someday
take another turn and cast you aloftwhile urling me down. Adieu, my
dear Gerrard, and at your nextjourney a light at my door. Noirtier

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left the room when he had finishedwith the same calmness that had characterized him
during the whole of this remarkable andtrying conversation. Villefort pale and agitated,
ran to the window, put asidethe curtain, and saw him pass cool
and collected by two or three illlooking men at the corner of the street,
who were there perhaps to arrest aman with black whiskers and the blue

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frock coat and hat with broad brim. Villefort stood watching, breathless until his
father had disappeared at the rue Boussis. Then he turned to the various articles
he had left behind him, putthe black cravat and blue frock coat at
the bottom of the portmanteau, threwthe hat into a dark closet, broke

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the cane into small bits and flungit in the fire, put on his
traveling cap, and calling his valet, checked with a look the thousand questions
he was ready to ask, paidhis bill, sprang into his carriage,
which was ready learned at Lyons thatBonaparte had entered Grenable, and in the

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midst of the tumult which prevailed alongthe road, at length reached Marseilles.
A prey to all the hopes andfears which enter into the heart of man
with ambition and its first successes.End of chapter twelve,