登陆注册
5382900000265

第265章

Major Cavalcanti.

Both the count and Baptistin had told the truth when they announced to Morcerf the proposed visit of the major, which had served Monte Cristo as a pretext for declining Albert's invitation.Seven o'clock had just struck, and M.Bertuccio, according to the command which had been given him, had two hours before left for Auteuil, when a cab stopped at the door, and after depositing its occupant at the gate, immediately hurried away, as if ashamed of its employment.

The visitor was about fifty-two years of age, dressed in one of the green surtouts, ornamented with black frogs, which have so long maintained their popularity all over Europe.He wore trousers of blue cloth, boots tolerably clean, but not of the brightest polish, and a little too thick in the soles, buckskin gloves, a hat somewhat resembling in shape those usually worn by the gendarmes, and a black cravat striped with white, which, if the proprietor had not worn it of his own free will, might have passed for a halter, so much did it resemble one.Such was the picturesque costume of the person who rang at the gate, and demanded if it was not at No.30 in the Avenue des Champs-Elysees that the Count of Monte Cristo lived, and who, being answered by the porter in the affirmative, entered, closed the gate after him, and began to ascend the steps.

The small and angular head of this man, his white hair and thick gray mustaches, caused him to be easily recognized by Baptistin, who had received an exact description of the expected visitor, and who was awaiting him in the hall.

Therefore, scarcely had the stranger time to pronounce his name before the count was apprised of his arrival.He was ushered into a simple and elegant drawing-room, and the count rose to meet him with a smiling air."Ah, my dear sir, you are most welcome; I was expecting you.""Indeed," said the Italian, "was your excellency then aware of my visit?""Yes; I had been told that I should see you to-day at seven o'clock.""Then you have received full information concerning my arrival?""Of course."

"Ah, so much the better, I feared this little precaution might have been forgotten.""What precaution?"

"That of informing you beforehand of my coming.""Oh, no, it has not."

"But you are sure you are not mistaken."

"Very sure."

"It really was I whom your excellency expected at seven o'clock this evening?""I will prove it to you beyond a doubt."

"Oh, no, never mind that," said the Italian; "it is not worth the trouble.""Yes, yes," said Monte Cristo.His visitor appeared slightly uneasy."Let me see," said the count; "are you not the Marquis Bartolomeo Cavalcanti?""Bartolomeo Cavalcanti," joyfully replied the Italian; "yes, I am really he.""Ex-major in the Austrian service?"

"Was I a major?" timidly asked the old soldier.

"Yes," said Monte Cristo "you were a major; that is the title the French give to the post which you filled in Italy.""Very good," said the major, "I do not demand more, you understand" --"Your visit here to-day is not of your own suggestion, is it?" said Monte Cristo.

"No, certainly not."

"You were sent by some other person?"

"Yes."

"By the excellent Abbe Busoni?"

"Exactly so," said the delighted major.

"And you have a letter?"

"Yes, there it is."

"Give it me, then;" and Monte Cristo took the letter, which he opened and read.The major looked at the count with his large staring eyes, and then took a survey of the apartment, but his gaze almost immediately reverted to the proprietor of the room."Yes, yes, I see.`Major Cavalcanti, a worthy patrician of Lucca, a descendant of the Cavalcanti of Florence,'" continued Monte Cristo, reading aloud, "`possessing an income of half a million.'" Monte Cristo raised his eyes from the paper, and bowed."Half a million,"said he, "magnificent!"

"Half a million, is it?" said the major.

"Yes, in so many words; and it must be so, for the abbe knows correctly the amount of all the largest fortunes in Europe.""Be it half a million.then; but on my word of honor, I had no idea that it was so much.""Because you are robbed by your steward.You must make some reformation in that quarter.""You have opened my eyes," said the Italian gravely; "I will show the gentlemen the door." Monte Cristo resumed the perusal of the letter: --"`And who only needs one thing more to make him happy.'""Yes, indeed but one!" said the major with a sigh.

"`Which is to recover a lost and adored son.'""A lost and adored son!"

"`Stolen away in his infancy, either by an enemy of his noble family or by the gypsies.'""At the age of five years!" said the major with a deep sigh, and raising his eye to heaven.

"Unhappy father," said Monte Cristo.The count continued: --"`I have given him renewed life and hope, in the assurance that you have the power of restoring the son whom he has vainly sought for fifteen years.'" The major looked at the count with an indescribable expression of anxiety."I have the power of so doing," said Monte Cristo.The major recovered his self-possession."So, then," said he, "the letter was true to the end?""Did you doubt it, my dear Monsieur Bartolomeo?""No, indeed; certainly not; a good man, a man holding religious office, as does the Abbe Busoni, could not condescend to deceive or play off a joke; but your excellency has not read all.""Ah, true," said Monte Cristo "there is a postscript.""Yes, yes," repeated the major, "yes -- there -- is -- a --postscript."

"`In order to save Major Cavalcanti the trouble of drawing on his banker, I send him a draft for 2,000 francs to defray his travelling expenses, and credit on you for the further sum of 48,000 francs, which you still owe me.'" The major awaited the conclusion of the postscript, apparently with great anxiety."Very good," said the count.

"He said `very good,'" muttered the major, "then -- sir" --replied he.

"Then what?" asked Monte Cristo.

"Then the postscript" --

"Well; what of the postscript?"

同类推荐
  • 请缨日记

    请缨日记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 兜率龟镜集

    兜率龟镜集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • TRANSFORMATION

    TRANSFORMATION

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 明伦汇编交谊典师友部

    明伦汇编交谊典师友部

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 明熹宗七年都察院实录

    明熹宗七年都察院实录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 快穿:女配上位手册

    快穿:女配上位手册

    快穿是一份三高职业——高逼格、高竞争、高bug别人在宇宙空间站里苦搬砖,咱有时空执掌者在这开后门。卿痕在心里笑得嘚瑟。独享一个看起来十分危险大妖孽的‘关爱’,背靠大树好乘凉哇。妖孽美丽且危险。但卿痕决定好好傍住这颗大树,努力地去攻略任务中的各色男主。霸道总裁啦、冷面明星啦、腹黑帝王啦等等,都是小case~只是攻略的过程中,怎么觉得有点不对呢。姑娘我在位面中混得风生水起,就是在妖孽面前直不起腰来!不要贴我那么近啊,表脸!卿痕炸毛:“excuseme,有话好好说,你能不能不要缠着我?”妖孽男微笑:“我们的缘分,很久以前就已经缔结。”【内容正剧有男主1v1】
  • 拿来就用的博弈论

    拿来就用的博弈论

    我们博,就是博那个我们所期待的结果;我们弈,也是期望能够推动对手往我们期待的方向移动。我们学习博弈,就是为了让我们的人生顺利地朝着我们期望的目标行进。研究博弈理论以及其中的各种均衡,是经济学家们的事。但是,把博弈论中的精髓拿来为我所用,争取获得每一次竞争和选择的胜利,是我们每个人都要关注的事情。
  • 战神傲苍天

    战神傲苍天

    凌修是个部门经理,旅行途中遇海上龙卷,被卷入风暴之中生死不知,醒来后发现穿越到了异世界-玉桓大陆……且看凌修如何一步步成长为一代枭雄,灭仇家,屠天魔,踏天道,入神境……
  • 崧泽之光

    崧泽之光

    以古文化和水文化为特色的青浦,有着丰厚的历史文化底蕴。早在六千多年前,上海最早的外来移民来到了境内的崧泽、福泉山等地聚居,他们在这块土地上辛勤劳动、繁衍生息,创造了灿烂的古代文化,开创了上海历史文明的先河。如今,地处申城西大门的青浦,正从“上海之源”迈向“上海之门”,大力塑造“海纳百川、追求卓越、开明睿智、大气谦和”的新形象,文化软实力和城市竞争力进一步提高。《崧泽之光》,带你领略“上海之源”的文化魅力,感受传承历史文脉的时代价值。
  • 在西藏想你

    在西藏想你

    刘兆林的情感散文,写人物有光泽,有风趣,也有智慧。收在“笔情”一辑里的篇章,他写文坛的马加老人,于平易的生活琐事间充满了会心的理解和挖掘,有的细节,轻描淡写,滋味隽永。他写君子之风的学者彭定安先生,文字清浅明朗,近距离透视,不枝不蔓。尽管对于常情的描写不容易像亲情、私情、友情那样感人,但他对于社会常情那种无私的关注和真诚并富勇气表达,也很难能。“乘美以游心”,这是刘兆林情感散文追求的为文之道。朴素自然,大方无华。这让他既摆脱了雕虫小技,也完成了精神上的一次超越和洗礼。收入本书中的文章,或深情写意,或娓娓道来,或意趣横生,或情思飞扬,显示了一位成熟作家对情感世界的独特捕捉和品味。
  • 为谁结婚

    为谁结婚

    小说里写到的都是现在年轻人普遍遇到非常尖锐的现实问题——只能靠在外漂泊来获得生存;高房价对婚恋产生了巨大冲击;因为工作、房子等现实因素造成分居情况;因为房子、育儿、养老等问题,逃离北上广深。婚姻双方拉开差距后痛苦选择、艰难地处理相互间的关系;“责任”对于幸福的意义。
  • 金锁流珠引

    金锁流珠引

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 开在时间夹缝里的花

    开在时间夹缝里的花

    《开在时间夹缝里的花》收录了作者自2005年以来的有关乡村女子描写的六个中短篇小说,作者表叙她们的生存。温文尔雅的人所喜欢一种华美高贵圆润,而不喜欢这一种丑陋坚硬低俗,而乡村是少有温润与华贵的,即使有也掩盖于无知愚昧里。那是不被接收的一种气质,亦是不被人呼吸的一种气息,是沉滞于曾经觉醒乡下人心中凝固的悲哀。
  • 列那狐的故事(语文新课标课外必读第十二辑)

    列那狐的故事(语文新课标课外必读第十二辑)

    语文新课标指定了中小学生的阅读书目,对阅读的数量、内容、质量以及速度都提出了明确的要求,这对于提高广大学生的阅读写作能力,培养语文素养,促进终身学习等具有深远的意义。
  • 重生之不朽帝君

    重生之不朽帝君

    【玄幻神作,火爆追读】一梦千年,重生少年!铸最强根基,威震九霄,横扫诸天!帝小贱书友群:229719460欢迎大家加入。