登陆注册
5382900000374

第374章

Mademoiselle de Villefort took from the hands of Barrois, who was sent out, the lemonade which M.Noirtier had every morning, and he has escaped by a miracle.Mademoiselle de Villefort is the culprit -- she is the poisoner! To you, as the king's attorney, I denounce Mademoiselle de Villefort, do your duty.""Doctor, I resist no longer -- I can no longer defend myself -- I believe you; but, for pity's sake, spare my life, my honor!""M.de Villefort," replied the doctor, with increased vehemence, "there are occasions when I dispense with all foolish human circumspection.If your daughter had committed only one crime, and I saw her meditating another, I would say `Warn her, punish her, let her pass the remainder of her life in a convent, weeping and praying.' If she had committed two crimes, I would say, `Here, M.de Villefort, is a poison that the prisoner is not acquainted with, -- one that has no known antidote, quick as thought, rapid as lightning, mortal as the thunderbolt; give her that poison, recommending her soul to God, and save your honor and your life, for it is yours she aims at; and I can picture her approaching your pillow with her hypocritical smiles and her sweet exhortations.Woe to you, M.de Villefort, if you do not strike first!' This is what I would say had she only killed two persons but she has seen three deaths, -- has contemplated three murdered persons, -- has knelt by three corpses! To the scaffold with the poisoner -- to the scaffold! Do you talk of your honor? Do what I tell you, and immortality awaits you!"Villefort fell on his knees."Listen," said he; "I have not the strength of mind you have, or rather that which you would not have, if instead of my daughter Valentine your daughter Madeleine were concerned." The doctor turned pale.

"Doctor, every son of woman is born to suffer and to die; Iam content to suffer and to await death.""Beware," said M.d'Avrigny, "it may come slowly; you will see it approach after having struck your father, your wife, perhaps your son."Villefort, suffocating, pressed the doctor's arm."Listen,"cried he; "pity me -- help me! No, my daughter is not guilty.If you drag us both before a tribunal I will still say, `No, my daughter is not guilty; -- there is no crime in my house.I will not acknowledge a crime in my house; for when crime enters a dwelling, it is like death -- it does not come alone.' Listen.What does it signify to you if I am murdered? Are you my friend? Are you a man? Have you a heart? No, you are a physician! Well, I tell you I will not drag my daughter before a tribunal, and give her up to the executioner! The bare idea would kill me -- would drive me like a madman to dig my heart out with my finger-nails! And if you were mistaken, doctor -- if it were not my daughter -- if I should come one day, pale as a spectre, and say to you, `Assassin, you have killed my child!' -- hold -- if that should happen, although I am a Christian, M.d'Avrigny, I should kill myself.""Well," said the doctor, after a moment's silence, "I will wait." Villefort looked at him as if he had doubted his words."Only," continued M.d'Avrigny, with a slow and solemn tone, "if any one falls ill in your house, if you feel yourself attacked, do not send for me, for I will come no more.I will consent to share this dreadful secret with you, but I will not allow shame and remorse to grow and increase in my conscience, as crime and misery will in your house.""Then you abandon me, doctor?"

"Yes, for I can follow you no farther, and I only stop at the foot of the scaffold.Some further discovery will be made, which will bring this dreadful tragedy to a close.

Adieu."

"I entreat you, doctor!"

"All the horrors that disturb my thoughts make your house odious and fatal.Adieu, sir.""One word -- one single word more, doctor! You go, leaving me in all the horror of my situation, after increasing it by what you have revealed to me.But what will be reported of the sudden death of the poor old servant?""True," said M.d'Avrigny; "we will return." The doctor went out first, followed by M.de Villefort.The terrified servants were on the stairs and in the passage where the doctor would pass."Sir," said d'Avrigny to Villefort, so loud that all might hear, "poor Barrois has led too sedentary a life of late; accustomed formerly to ride on horseback, or in the carriage, to the four corners of Europe, the monotonous walk around that arm-chair has killed him -- his blood has thickened.He was stout, had a short, thick neck; he was attacked with apoplexy, and I was called in too late.By the way," added he in a low tone, "take care to throw away that cup of syrup of violets in the ashes."The doctor, without shaking hands with Villefort, without adding a word to what he had said, went out, amid the tears and lamentations of the whole household.The same evening all Villefort's servants, who had assembled in the kitchen, and had a long consultation, came to tell Madame de Villefort that they wished to leave.No entreaty, no proposition of increased wages, could induce them to remain;to every argument they replied, "We must go, for death is in this house." They all left, in spite of prayers and entreaties, testifying their regret at leaving so good a master and mistress, and especially Mademoiselle Valentine, so good, so kind, and so gentle.Villefort looked at Valentine as they said this.She was in tears, and, strange as it was, in spite of the emotions he felt at the sight of these tears, he looked also at Madame de Villefort, and it appeared to him as if a slight gloomy smile had passed over her thin lips, like a meteor seen passing inauspiciously between two clouds in a stormy sky.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 邪王的神医萌妃

    邪王的神医萌妃

    他们相隔千年,却意外相遇,她曾是他在这个世界里感受到的唯一温暖,他曾是她在这个世界里的最爱。相爱容易,相守太难,几经离别,生死不弃,宁负天下不负卿!是相信真爱?还是相信宿命既定的姻缘?男主很腹黑,入坑需谨慎~
  • 我是生活小能人

    我是生活小能人

    本书归纳了儿童生活中各种小常识,总结了各种儿童生活技巧,帮助解决儿童可能遇见的各种生活难题,提高孩子的独立生活能力。本书主要适用对象为小学生、家长和小学教师,也可作为小学生社会实践课的补充教材使用。
  • 培养青少年树立榜样的故事(青少年健康成长大课堂)

    培养青少年树立榜样的故事(青少年健康成长大课堂)

    一滴水可以折射阳光的光辉,一本好书可以滋润美好的心灵。健康的身心、丰富的情感、较强的实践能力、优良的品质、过硬的特殊技能、良好的习惯、深厚的文化底蕴及必要的合作素质等,是青少年朋友在成长道路上顺利前进所需要的最基础、最必要的条件,为青少年朋友们从自身着眼、开创成功指明了方向。社会是一幅斑驳陆离的图画,人生是一条蜿蜒扭动的曲线。知识是智慧和能力的基础。知识能够守护生命,是保护自己的盔甲。
  • 跟随勇敢的心:我最难忘的读书之旅(修订版)

    跟随勇敢的心:我最难忘的读书之旅(修订版)

    记住一些词,记住一些人和书的名字,会有助予生活。谨以此书纪念那些“透过眼前浓雾而看到了远方”的人。他们曾携着电、裹着雷,闯进一个青年不眠的思想之夜:为反乌托邦咯血而死的奥威尔;战争中当逃兵的“德国良心”伯尔;苏军炮塔下镌写“布拉格精神”的克里玛;见证俄罗斯伟大精神夜晚的巴纳耶夫;与精神“鼠疫”殊死搏斗的加缪;替百万亡灵起诉“古拉格”的索尔仁尼琴;孤独讲述“人,岁月,生活”的爱伦堡……稿纸的背后,是流亡、牢狱、枪声,是过早逼近的坟墓和匆匆竖起的纪念碑。
  • 飞碟未解之谜(世界未解之谜精编)

    飞碟未解之谜(世界未解之谜精编)

    本书是《世界未解之谜精编》系列之一,该系列精心收集了众多千奇百怪、扑朔迷离的世界未解之谜,内容涉及宇宙、生物、地理、飞碟、人体、恐龙、宝藏、百慕大、历史、金字塔、文化等多个领域,书中令人耳目一新和不可思议的未解之谜,给予了人类新的思索。人类究竟创造了多少奇迹,又留下了多少谜团,有待我们进一步探索和研究……我们深信,通过不断的努力,未知一定会变为已知。让无数探寻声化做利刃,刺破一桩桩人类千年未解之谜。
  • 超少年密码之时空彼端

    超少年密码之时空彼端

    那天,三位少女拾起最后的希望,踏上三条不同的路线,前往同样的汇聚点。一张照片,白衣少年,暖心微笑……回忆起一见钟情、二次心动的她,泪中带笑的拥入他的怀抱。冰激凌店,薄荷笑颜,那句“先生”再次回响耳边……薄荷冰激凌的清凉萦绕在鼻尖,她笑着靠在他的肩膀。熟悉的站点,公车再次停靠在眼前……又一次踏进这辆公车,目光交汇间,身旁的少年已与自己十指相牵……初夏的风徐徐吹过,十里长街树影婆娑……一步一步揭开的阴谋,一点一滴的时光,一环扣一环的命运……“我们会走到最后对吗?”“没有最后,只有永远。”“对!我们要一起走到永远!”《超少年密码II:时空彼端》又名《超少女密匙》
  • 说剑吟

    说剑吟

    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。
  • 师尊在上,萌徒在下

    师尊在上,萌徒在下

    龙二是龙家唯一有真龙之血的少主,天命神龙。十岁时,仙门围剿,她被封在湖底,只能眼睁睁看着至亲血染莲池。八年后,她为救慕非白,不惜屠司徒满门。换来的,却是海上宫殿被剿和慕非白的一句,只愿,生死不复相见!龙之一族,向上为神,向下为魔。神不容我,我便成魔!“本尊在此立誓!本尊与慕非白,此生此世,十生十世,恩断义绝,再无瓜葛!”……百年后。人人都道,仙师慕非白,宠徒无度,纵徒上瘾!“问世间情为何物,直教龙生死相许。”某糯米团摇头晃脑。龙二抽了抽嘴角,觉得有必要进行一下思想教育,却不妨被人揽腰,“乖徒,有事我们榻上谈。”“一日为师,终生为……”“我在上!”“还记得拜师时怎么说的?!”“……师尊在上。”“乖。”糯米团看了眼紧闭的房门,敲锣打鼓,昭告仙门,“恭喜爹爹,喜提娘亲!”
  • 巴黎的鳞爪:徐志摩游记(再读徐志摩)

    巴黎的鳞爪:徐志摩游记(再读徐志摩)

    徐志摩去过许多地方。从南方到北方,从中国到欧洲,在他留下足迹的地方,他也留下了不少韵味无穷的记游华章。其中最值得称道的,是他的欧游漫录,包括西伯利亚旅行见闻,意大利的情思,巴黎、伦敦的感怀,等等。美丽的风光,拨动着他的心弦;风土人情,让他感悟到东西方文化的差异;所遇见的不同的人,则更触动着他思想深处的种种观念。而去国怀乡的感念,思亲念友的牵挂,也融会在那行踪记录的字里行间。给读者留下了一幕幕过目难忘的精美景色。《巴黎的鳞爪:徐志摩游记(再读徐志摩)》收录了他的欧游漫录游记作品。包括《雨后虹》、《印度洋上的秋思》、《杭州记游》、《我所知道的康桥》等。徐志摩是个情感丰富的人,喜欢借自然风光以述怀。
  • 射雕英雄传(全四册)(纯文字新修版)

    射雕英雄传(全四册)(纯文字新修版)

    《射雕英雄传》又名《大漠英雄传》,是“射雕三部曲”之一,下接《神雕侠侣》和《倚天屠龙记》。这部小说历史背景突出,场景纷繁,气势宏伟,具有鲜明的“英雄史诗”风格。在人物创造与情节安排上,它打破了传统武侠小说一味传奇,将人物作为情节附庸的模式,坚持以创造个性化的人物形象为中心,坚持人物统帅故事,按照人物性格的发展需要及其内在可能性、必然性来设置情节,从而使这部小说达到了事虽奇人却真的妙境。