The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (best book club books .TXT) π
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Edmond DantΓ¨s is a young man about to be made captain of a cargo vessel and marry his sweetheart. But he is arrested at his pre-wedding feast, having been falsely accused of being a Bonapartist. Thrown into the notorious ChΓ’teau dβIf prison, he eventually meets an ancient inmate who teaches him language, science, and passes hints of a hidden fortune. When Edmond makes his way out of prison, he plots to reward those who stood by him (his old employer, for one), and to seek revenge on the men who betrayed him: one who wrote the letter that denounced him, one that married his fiancΓ©e in his absence, and one who knew DantΓ¨s was innocent but stood idly by and did nothing.
The Count of Monte Cristo is another of Alexandre Dumasβ thrilling adventure stories, possibly more popular even than The Three Musketeers. Originally serialized in a French newspaper over the course of a year-and-a-half, it was enormously popular after its publication in book form, and has never been out of print since. Its timeless story of adventure, historical drama, romance, revenge, and Eastern mystery has been the source of over forty movies and TV series.
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- Author: Alexandre Dumas
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Morrel was preparing to fulfil his commission. Beauchamp had meanwhile drawn the box of pistols from the carriage.
βStop, gentlemen,β said Albert; βI have two words to say to the Count of Monte Cristo.β
βIn private?β asked Morrel.
βNo, sir; before all who are here.β
Albertβs 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.
βWhat does he want with me?β said Monte Cristo.
βI do not know, but he wishes to speak to you.β
βAh?β said Monte Cristo, βI trust he is not going to tempt me by some fresh insult!β
βI do not think that such is his intention,β said Morrel.
The count advanced, accompanied by Maximilian and Emmanuel. His calm and serene look formed a singular contrast to Albertβs 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.
βApproach, gentlemen,β said Albert; βI 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
βProceed, sir,β said the count.
βSir,β said Albert, at first with a tremulous voice, but which gradually became firmer, βI 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 Mondegoβs 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.β
Had a thunderbolt fallen in the midst of the spectators of this unexpected scene, it would not have surprised them more than did Albertβs declaration. As for Monte Cristo, his eyes slowly rose towards heaven with an expression of infinite gratitude. He could not understand how Albertβs 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.
βNow, sir,β said Albert, βif 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 deathβ βthat angel came from heaven, if not to make us friends (which, alas, fatality renders impossible), at least to make us esteem each other.β
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.
βGentlemen,β said he, βM. 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,β added he, drawing himself up as if he would challenge both friends and enemies, βI shall endeavor to correct his mistake.β
βWhat happened during the night?β asked Beauchamp of ChΓ’teau-Renaud; βwe appear to make a very sorry figure here.β
βIn truth, what Albert has just done is either very despicable or very noble,β replied the baron.
βWhat can it mean?β said Debray to Franz.
βThe 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.β
As for Monte Cristo, his head was bent down, his arms were powerless. Bowing under the weight of twenty-four yearsβ 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 sonβs 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 manβs heart every feeling of filial piety.
βProvidence still,β murmured he; βnow only am I fully convinced of being the emissary of God!β
XCI Mother and SonThe 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.
βIndeed, my dear friend,β said Beauchamp first, who had either the most feeling or the least dissimulation, βallow me to congratulate you; this is a very unhoped-for conclusion of a very disagreeable affair.β
Albert remained silent and wrapped in thought. ChΓ’teau-Renaud contented himself with tapping his boot with his flexible cane.
βAre we not going?β said he, after this embarrassing silence.
βWhen you please,β replied Beauchamp; βallow me only to compliment M. de Morcerf, who has given proof today of rare chivalric generosity.β
βOh, yes,β said ChΓ’teau-Renaud.
βIt is magnificent,β continued Beauchamp, βto be able to exercise so much self-control!β
βAssuredly; as for me, I should have been incapable of it,β said ChΓ’teau-Renaud, with most significant coolness.
βGentlemen,β interrupted Albert, βI think you did not understand that something very serious had passed between M. de Monte Cristo and myself.β
βPossibly, possibly,β said Beauchamp immediately; βbut 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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