The Count of Monte Cristo, Part Three. Александр Дюма
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Monte Cristo)
You’ll excuse me—?
MONTE CRISTO
Certainly.
(Albert leaves.)
MORCERF
Madame the Countess was dressing sir, when my son informed her we had the joy of receiving your visit. She will be down and will be here in ten minutes.
MONTE CRISTO
It’s a great honor for me, Count, to be from the day of my arrival put in touch with a man whose merit equals his reputation and about whom, Fortune, justly for once, has made no error. But hasn’t it yet, in the plains of Mitidja and in the mountains of Atlas, a Marshall’s baton to offer you?
MORCERF
Oh, I left the service, sir. Named Peer of France under the Restoration, I was in the first Algerian Campaign. I could still pretend to a superior office if the elder Royal branch were still on the throne, but the events which occurred forced me to give my resignation. When one has earned one’s epaulets on the battlefield one doesn’t know how to maneuver in the slippery terrain of the salons; I gave up the sword; I am thrown into politics I am devoted to industry. I study the useful arts. During the twenty years I was in the service, I had that intention but I never had the time.
MONTE CRISTO
It’s ideas like these, Count, which show the superiority of your nation over other countries. Gentlemen drawn from an illustrious house, possessing a great fortune, you at first consented to earn your first promotions as an obscure soldier—this is very rare! Then, after becoming a general, a peer of France you agree to begin a second apprenticeship without any ambition other than to be useful one day to your fellow creatures. Ah, sir—that is truly fine; I will say more—it is sublime!
MORCERF
(bowing)
Sir!
MONTE CRISTO
Alas, we don’t do it that way in Italy. We are born according to our race and type; and we even cling to foliage and feudal vineyards, and often remain useless all our lives.
MORCERF
But, sir, for a man of your merit, Italy is not a fatherland and France extends her arms to you—answer her call. France treats its own children badly, but it welcomes foreigners grandly.
MONTE CRISTO
Oh, sir, it’s clear you don’t know me. My aspirations are not worldly. I desire no honors and take only those which can be placed on a passport.
MORCERF
You have been master of your future and you have chosen a way strewn with flowers.
MONTE CRISTO
Exactly, sir.
(The Countess enters. She has heard these last words. She shivers and leans on the casing of the door.)
MORCERF
(without seeing her)
If I weren’t afraid of tiring you, sir, I would have taken you to the Senate. There is a curious sitting today for anyone who doesn’t know our modern Senators.
MONTE CRISTO
I would be very grateful, sir, if you would renew this offer another time, today, they flattered me with the hope of being presented to the Countess, and I will wait—
(seeing the Countess)
But pardon—isn’t this she, herself?
MORCERF
(to Monte Cristo)
Yes.
(rising, to Mercédès)
What’s the matter? You are horribly pale? Are you sick?
(Monte Cristo remains motionless—hand on his heart.)
MERCÉDÈS
No, sir, but I experienced a strong emotion I admit in seeing for the first time the one but for whose intervention we should have been in tears and in mourning.
(advancing towards Monte Cristo)
Sir, I owe you the life of my son, and for this good deed, I bless you. Now, I thank you for this pleasure you do me in giving me the occasion to thank you as I have blessed you—meaning from the bottom of my heart.
MONTE CRISTO
(bowing)
Madame, you reward me very generously for a quite simple action. To save a man, to spare a father from torment, to spare the sensibility of a woman, is not to do a good deed, but merely to accomplish an act of humanity.
MERCÉDÈS
It is lucky for my son, sir, to have you for a friend and I thank God who has arranged things so.
MORCERF
Madame, I have already made my excuses to the Count for being obliged to leave him, and you will repeat them, I beg you. But we have an extraordinary sitting—it opens at 10:00 and at 11:00 I must speak.
MERCÉDÈS
Go, sir, I will try to make our guest forget your absence.
MORCERF
(bowing)
Count.
MONTE CRISTO
Sir!
(Morcerf leaves.)
MERCÉDÈS
(in an emotional tone)
Will the Count of Monte Cristo, do us the honor of spending the rest of the day with us?
MONTE CRISTO
Thanks, Madame, and you see in me, believe me, one who cannot appreciate your offer more. But I left my traveling carriage at your door. How did I settle in Paris? I am unaware. Where am I staying? I hardly know. It’s a slight uncertainty, I know, but nonetheless appreciable.
MERCÉDÈS
We will have this pleasure another time, at least, you will promise me.
(ringing)
Tell my son that the Count is going to leave.
(to a servant)
MONTE CRISTO
(regarding the Count’s portrait)
This is a portrait of the Count de Morcerf, Madame?
MERCÉDÈS
Yes, sir.
MONTE CRISTO
He’s wearing a Greek uniform?
MERCÉDÈS
My husband was, for three years in the service of Ali Pasha of Janina—he was one of his last followers to remain faithful to him and he proudly admits that our small fortune came to us through the liberality of that great man who remembered him at the moment of his death.
MONTE CRISTO
(bowing to Mercédès side)
As for this one, Madame?
MERCÉDÈS
You are looking at mine—mine when I was young, alas.
MONTE CRISTO
It’s a fantasy costume you were wearing there, if I am not deceived—that of the Catalan Colony in the environs of Marseille.
MERCÉDÈS
Yes—the Count once saw me in this costume, and since our marriage, he wanted this pictures as a souvenir.
MONTE CRISTO
I understand—whoever has seen you in this costume must never forget you.
ALBERT