Calico Illustrated Classics: The Count of Monte Cristo
The Pharaon has arrived today and Fernand has been dismissed When is the wedding Danglars asked It is not yet fixed murmured Mondego No but it will be said Caderousse as surely as Dantes will be captain of the Pharaon Danglars said to Mondego Here is a marriage that does not make everybody happy It drives me to despair said Mondego You appear a good sort of fellow and I should like to help you Danglars said If the walls of a prison were between Edmond and Mercedes they would be separated Absence serves as well as death Why should they put Dantes in prison He has neither robbed nor killed nor murdered asked Caderousse Have you something to get Dantes arrested asked Mondego Find the means and I will execute it provided it does not kill him Waiter called Danglars bring pen ink and paper The waiter did as he was told Danglars 10
wrote these lines with his left hand to disguise his writing Monsieur the public prosecutor is informed by a friend of the throne that Edmond Dantes mate of the ship Pharaon has been entrusted with a letter from the usurper for the Bonapartist committee in Paris Proof of this crime will be found on him at his father’s apartment or in his cabin on board the ship Yes that’s all settled Only it will be an infamous shame exclaimed Caderousse What I do and say is only in jest Danglars said as he squeezed the letter up and tossed it All right said Caderousse Dantes is my friend and I won’t have him ill-used Who thinks of doing so asked Danglars rising Certainly neither I nor Fernand It is time to return Danglars led Caderousse away He glanced back to see Mondego pick up the crumbled paper put it in his pocket and rush away 11
3 The Marriage Feast A feast had been prepared at the hotel La Reserve to celebrate the engagement of Edmond and Mercedes The balcony was filled with impatient guests dressed in their finest to honor the day The couple arrived with Dantes’s father and Mondego who was wearing his usual menacing smile Monsieur Morrel came forward to meet them He escorted Mercedes up the wooden steps to the chamber where the feast was waiting Father said Mercedes to old Dantes sit on my right On my left I will place he who has been like a brother to me She pointed to 12
Mondego with a gentle smile and dancing jet black eyes On the opposite side of the table Edmond joyfully seated Monsieur Morrel on his right and Danglars on his left In the midst of the celebration and feasting came three sharp knocks on the chamber door I demand admittance in the name of the law said a loud voice The door opened and a magistrate presented himself followed by four soldiers and a corporal Who among you answers to the name Edmond Dantes Dantes advanced I am he Edmond Dantes replied the magistrate I arrest you in the name of the law Me What for I pray Old Dantes rushed forward to throw himself at the feet of the magistrate and beg for mercy The officer kindly said My worthy friend calm your fear Your son has probably neglected some form in registering his cargo It is likely he will be set at liberty after he has given the information required 13
