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at his disposal?”

Morrel was preparing to fulfil his commission. Beauchamp had meanwhile drawn the box of pistols from the carriage.

β€œStop, gentlemen,” said Albert; β€œI have two words to say to the Count of Monte Cristo.”

β€œIn private?” asked Morrel.

β€œNo, sir; before all who are here.”

Albert’s witnesses looked at each other. Franz and Debray exchanged some words in a whisper, and Morrel, rejoiced at this unexpected incident, went to fetch the count, who was walking in a retired path with Emmanuel.

β€œWhat does he want with me?” said Monte Cristo.

β€œI do not know, but he wishes to speak to you.”

β€œAh?” said Monte Cristo, β€œI trust he is not going to tempt me by some fresh insult!”

β€œI do not think that such is his intention,” said Morrel.

The count advanced, accompanied by Maximilian and Emmanuel. His calm and serene look formed a singular contrast to Albert’s grief-stricken face, who approached also, followed by the other four young men.

When at three paces distant from each other, Albert and the count stopped.

β€œApproach, gentlemen,” said Albert; β€œI wish you not to lose one word of what I am about to have the honor of saying to the Count of Monte Cristo, for it must be repeated by you to all who will listen to it, strange as it may appear to you.”

β€œProceed, sir,” said the count.

β€œSir,” said Albert, at first with a tremulous voice, but which gradually became firmer, β€œI reproached you with exposing the conduct of M. de Morcerf in Epirus, for guilty as I knew he was, I thought you had no right to punish him; but I have since learned that you had that right. It is not Fernand Mondego’s treachery towards Ali Pasha which induces me so readily to excuse you, but the treachery of the fisherman Fernand towards you, and the almost unheard-of miseries which were its consequences; and I say, and proclaim it publicly, that you were justified in revenging yourself on my father, and I, his son, thank you for not using greater severity.”

Had a thunderbolt fallen in the midst of the spectators of this unexpected scene, it would not have surprised them more than did Albert’s declaration. As for Monte Cristo, his eyes slowly rose towards heaven with an expression of infinite gratitude. He could not understand how Albert’s fiery nature, of which he had seen so much among the Roman bandits, had suddenly stooped to this humiliation. He recognized the influence of MercΓ©dΓ¨s, and saw why her noble heart had not opposed the sacrifice she knew beforehand would be useless.

β€œNow, sir,” said Albert, β€œif you think my apology sufficient, pray give me your hand. Next to the merit of infallibility which you appear to possess, I rank that of candidly acknowledging a fault. But this confession concerns me only. I acted well as a man, but you have acted better than man. An angel alone could have saved one of us from death⁠—that angel came from heaven, if not to make us friends (which, alas, fatality renders impossible), at least to make us esteem each other.”

Monte Cristo, with moistened eye, heaving breast, and lips half open, extended to Albert a hand which the latter pressed with a sentiment resembling respectful fear.

β€œGentlemen,” said he, β€œM. de Monte Cristo receives my apology. I had acted hastily towards him. Hasty actions are generally bad ones. Now my fault is repaired. I hope the world will not call me cowardly for acting as my conscience dictated. But if anyone should entertain a false opinion of me,” added he, drawing himself up as if he would challenge both friends and enemies, β€œI shall endeavor to correct his mistake.”

β€œWhat happened during the night?” asked Beauchamp of ChΓ’teau-Renaud; β€œwe appear to make a very sorry figure here.”

β€œIn truth, what Albert has just done is either very despicable or very noble,” replied the baron.

β€œWhat can it mean?” said Debray to Franz.

β€œThe Count of Monte Cristo acts dishonorably to M. de Morcerf, and is justified by his son! Had I ten Yaninas in my family, I should only consider myself the more bound to fight ten times.”

As for Monte Cristo, his head was bent down, his arms were powerless. Bowing under the weight of twenty-four years’ reminiscences, he thought not of Albert, of Beauchamp, of ChΓ’teau-Renaud, or of any of that group; but he thought of that courageous woman who had come to plead for her son’s life, to whom he had offered his, and who had now saved it by the revelation of a dreadful family secret, capable of destroying forever in that young man’s heart every feeling of filial piety.

β€œProvidence still,” murmured he; β€œnow only am I fully convinced of being the emissary of God!”

XCI Mother and Son

The Count of Monte Cristo bowed to the five young men with a melancholy and dignified smile, and got into his carriage with Maximilian and Emmanuel. Albert, Beauchamp, and ChΓ’teau-Renaud remained alone. Albert looked at his two friends, not timidly, but in a way that appeared to ask their opinion of what he had just done.

β€œIndeed, my dear friend,” said Beauchamp first, who had either the most feeling or the least dissimulation, β€œallow me to congratulate you; this is a very unhoped-for conclusion of a very disagreeable affair.”

Albert remained silent and wrapped in thought. ChΓ’teau-Renaud contented himself with tapping his boot with his flexible cane.

β€œAre we not going?” said he, after this embarrassing silence.

β€œWhen you please,” replied Beauchamp; β€œallow me only to compliment M. de Morcerf, who has given proof today of rare chivalric generosity.”

β€œOh, yes,” said ChΓ’teau-Renaud.

β€œIt is magnificent,” continued Beauchamp, β€œto be able to exercise so much self-control!”

β€œAssuredly; as for me, I should have been incapable of it,” said ChΓ’teau-Renaud, with most significant coolness.

β€œGentlemen,” interrupted Albert, β€œI think you did not understand that something very serious had passed between M. de Monte Cristo and myself.”

β€œPossibly, possibly,” said Beauchamp immediately; β€œbut every simpleton would not be able to understand your heroism, and sooner or later you will find yourself compelled to explain

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