Scarcely had the count's horses cleared the angle of the boulevard,
than Albert, turning towards the count, burst into a loud fit of
laughter--much too loud in fact not to give the idea of its being rather
forced and unnatural. "Well," said he, "I will ask you the same question
which Charles IX. put to Catherine de Medicis, after the massacre of
Saint Bartholomew, 'How have I played my little part?'"
"To what do you allude?" asked Monte Cristo.
"To the installation of my rival at M. Danglars'."
"What rival?"
"Ma foi, what rival? Why, your protege, M. Andrea Cavalcanti!"
"Ah, no joking, viscount, if you please; I do not patronize M.
Andrea--at least, not as concerns M. Danglars."
"And you would be to blame for not assisting him, if the young man
really needed your help in that quarter, but, happily for me, he can
dispense with it."
"What, do you think he is paying his addresses?"
"I am certain of it; his languishing looks and modulated tones when
addressing Mademoiselle Danglars fully proclaim his intentions. He
aspires to the hand of the proud Eugenie."
"What does that signify, so long as they favor your suit?"
"But it is not the case, my dear count: on the contrary. I am repulsed
on all sides."
"What!"
"It is so indeed; Mademoiselle Eugenie scarcely answers me, and
Mademoiselle d'Armilly, her confidant, does not speak to me at all."
"But the father has the greatest regard possible for you," said Monte
Cristo.
"He? Oh, no, he has plunged a thousand daggers into my heart,
tragedy-weapons, I own, which instead of wounding sheathe their points
in their own handles, but daggers which he nevertheless believed to be
real and deadly."
"Jealousy indicates affection."
"True; but I am not jealous."
"He is."
"Of whom?--of Debray?"
"No, of you."
"Of me? I will engage to say that before a week is past the door will be
closed against me."
"You are mistaken, my dear viscount."
"Prove it to me."
"Do you wish me to do so?"
"Yes."
"Well, I am charged with the commission of endeavoring to induce the
Comte de Morcerf to make some definite arrangement with the baron."
"By whom are you charged?"
"By the baron himself."
"Oh," said Albert with all the cajolery of which he was capable. "You
surely will not do that, my dear count?"
"Certainly I shall, Albert, as I have promised to do it."
"Well," said Albert, with a sigh, "it seems you are determined to marry
me."
"I am determined to try and be on good terms with everybody, at all
events," said Monte Cristo. "But apropos of Debray, how is it that I
have not seen him lately at the baron's house?"
"There has been a misunderstanding."
"What, with the baroness?"
"No, with the baron."
"Has he perceived anything?"
"Ah, that is a good joke!"
"Do you think he suspects?" said Monte Cristo with charming artlessness.
"Where have you come from, my dear count?" said Albert.
"From Congo, if you will."
"It must be farther off than even that."
"But what do I know of your Parisian husbands?"
"Oh, my dear count, husbands are pretty much the same everywhere; an
individual husband of any country is a pretty fair specimen of the whole
race."
"But then, what can have led to the quarrel between Danglars and Debray?
They seemed to understand each other so well," said Monte Cristo with
renewed energy.
"Ah, now you are trying to penetrate into the mysteries of Isis, in
which I am not initiated. When M. Andrea Cavalcanti has become one of
the family, you can ask him that question." The carriage stopped. "Here
we are," said Monte Cristo; "it is only half-past ten o'clock, come in."
"Certainly I will."
"My carriage shall take you back."
"No, thank you; I gave orders for my coupe to follow me."
"There it is, then," said Monte Cristo, as he stepped out of the
carriage. They both went into the house; the drawing-room was lighted
up--they went in there. "You will make tea for us, Baptistin," said the
count. Baptistin left the room without waiting to answer, and in
two seconds reappeared, bringing on a waiter all that his master had
ordered, ready prepared, and appearing to have sprung from the ground,
like the repasts which we read of in fairy tales. "Really, my dear
count," said Morcerf, "what I admire in you is, not so much your riches,
for perhaps there are people even wealthier than yourself, nor is it
only your wit, for Beaumarchais might have possessed as much,--but it
is your manner of being served, without any questions, in a moment, in
a second; it is as if they guessed what you wanted by your manner of
ringing, and made a point of keeping everything you can possibly desire
in constant readiness."
"What you say is perhaps true; they know my habits. For instance, you
shall see; how do you wish to occupy yourself during tea-time?"
"Ma foi, I should like to smoke."
Monte Cristo took the gong and struck it once. In about the space of a
second a private door opened, and Ali appeared, bringing two chibouques
filled with excellent latakia. "It is quite wonderful," said Albert.
"Oh no, it is as simple as possible," replied Monte Cristo. "Ali knows I
generally smoke while I am taking my tea or coffee; he has heard that I
ordered tea, and he also knows that I brought you home with me; when I
summoned him he naturally guessed the reason of my doing so, and as he
comes from a country where hospitality is especially manifested through
the medium of smoking, he naturally concludes that we shall smoke in
company, and therefore brings two chibouques instead of one--and now the
mystery is solved."
"Certainly you give a most commonplace air to your explanation, but
it is not the less true that you--Ah, but what do I hear?" and Morcerf
inclined his head towards the door, through which sounds seemed to issue
resembling those of a guitar.
"Ma foi, my dear viscount, you are fated to hear music this evening; you
have only escaped from Mademoiselle Danglars' piano, to be attacked by
Haidee's guzla."
"Haidee--what an adorable name! Are there, then, really women who bear
the name of Haidee anywhere but in Byron's poems?"
"Certainly there are. Haidee is a very uncommon name in France, but is
common enough in Albania and Epirus; it is as it you said, for example,
Chastity, Modesty, Innocence,--it is a kind of baptismal name, as you
Parisians call it."
"Oh, that is charming," said Albert, "how I should like to hear my
countrywomen called Mademoiselle Goodness, Mademoiselle Silence,
Mademoiselle Christian Charity! Only think, then, if Mademoiselle
Danglars, instead of being called Claire-Marie-Eugenie, had been named
Mademoiselle Chastity-Modesty-Innocence Danglars; what a fine effect
that would have produced on the announcement of her marriage!"
"Hush," said the count, "do not joke in so loud a tone; Haidee may hear
you, perhaps."
"And you think she would be angry?"
"No, certainly not," said the count with a haughty expression.
"She is very amiable, then, is she not?" said Albert.
"It is not to be called amiability, it is her duty; a slave does not
dictate to a master."
"Come; you are joking yourself now. Are there any more slaves to be had
who bear this beautiful name?"
"Undoubtedly."
"Really, count, you do nothing, and have nothing like other people.
The slave of the Count of Monte Cristo! Why, it is a rank of itself in
France, and from the way in which you lavish money, it is a place that
must be worth a hundred thousand francs a year."
"A hundred thousand francs! The poor girl originally possessed much
more than that; she was born to treasures in comparison with which those
recorded in the 'Thousand and One Nights' would seem but poverty."
"She must be a princess then."
"You are right; and she is one of the greatest in her country too."
"I thought so. But how did it happen that such a great princess became a
slave?"
"How was it that Dionysius the Tyrant became a schoolmaster? The fortune
of war, my dear viscount,--the caprice of fortune; that is the way in
which these things are to be accounted for."
"And is her name a secret?"
"As regards the generality of mankind it is; but not for you, my dear
viscount, who are one of my most intimate friends, and on whose silence
I feel I may rely, if I consider it necessary to enjoin it--may I not do
so?"
"Certainly; on my word of honor."
"You know the history of the pasha of Yanina, do you not?"
"Of Ali Tepelini? [*] Oh, yes; it was in his service that my father made
his fortune."
"True, I had forgotten that."
* Ali Pasha, "The Lion," was born at Tepelini, an Albanian
village at the foot of the Klissoura Mountains, in 1741. By
diplomacy and success in arms he became almost supreme ruler
of Albania, Epirus, and adjacent territory. Having aroused
the enmity of the Sultan, he was proscribed and put to death
by treachery in 1822, at the age of eighty.--Ed.
"Well, what is Haidee to Ali Tepelini?"
"Merely his daughter."
"What? the daughter of Ali Pasha?"
"Of Ali Pasha and the beautiful Vasiliki."
"And your slave?"
"Ma foi, yes."
"But how did she become so?"
"Why, simply from the circumstance of my having bought her one day, as I
was passing through the market at Constantinople."
"Wonderful! Really, my dear count, you seem to throw a sort of magic
influence over all in which you are concerned; when I listen to you,
existence no longer seems reality, but a waking dream. Now, I am perhaps
going to make an imprudent and thoughtless request, but"--
"Say on."
"But, since you go out with Haidee, and sometimes even take her to the
opera"--
"Well?"
"I think I may venture to ask you this favor."
"You may venture to ask me anything."
"Well then, my dear count, present me to your princess."
"I will do so; but on two conditions."
"I accept them at once."
"The first is, that you will never tell any one that I have granted the
interview."
"Very well," said Albert, extending his hand; "I swear I will not."
"The second is, that you will not tell her that your father ever served
hers."
"I give you my oath that I will not."
"Enough, viscount; you will remember those two vows, will you not? But
I know you to be a man of honor." The count again struck the gong. Ali
reappeared. "Tell Haidee," said he, "that I will take coffee with her,
and give her to understand that I desire permission to present one of my
friends to her." Ali bowed and left the room. "Now, understand me," said
the count, "no direct questions, my dear Morcerf; if you wish to know
anything, tell me, and I will ask her."
"Agreed." Ali reappeared for the third time, and drew back the
tapestried hanging which concealed the door, to signify to his master
and Albert that they were at liberty to pass on. "Let us go in," said
Monte Cristo.
Albert passed his hand through his hair, and curled his mustache, then,
having satisfied himself as to his personal appearance, followed the
count into the room, the latter having previously resumed his hat and
gloves. Ali was stationed as a kind of advanced guard, and the door was
kept by the three French attendants, commanded by Myrtho. Haidee was
awaiting her visitors in the first room of her apartments, which was the
drawing-room. Her large eyes were dilated with surprise and expectation,
for it was the first time that any man, except Monte Cristo, had been
accorded an entrance into her presence. She was sitting on a sofa placed
in an angle of the room, with her legs crossed under her in the Eastern
fashion, and seemed to have made for herself, as it were, a kind of
nest in the rich Indian silks which enveloped her. Near her was
the instrument on which she had just been playing; it was elegantly
fashioned, and worthy of its mistress. On perceiving Monte Cristo, she
arose and welcomed him with a smile peculiar to herself, expressive at
once of the most implicit obedience and also of the deepest love. Monte
Cristo advanced towards her and extended his hand, which she as usual
raised to her lips.
Albert had proceeded no farther than the door, where he remained rooted
to the spot, being completely fascinated by the sight of such surpassing
beauty, beheld as it was for the first time, and of which an inhabitant
of more northern climes could form no adequate idea.
"Whom do you bring?" asked the young girl in Romaic, of Monte Cristo;
"is it a friend, a brother, a simple acquaintance, or an enemy."
"A friend," said Monte Cristo in the same language.
"What is his name?"
"Count Albert; it is the same man whom I rescued from the hands of the
banditti at Rome."
"In what language would you like me to converse with him?"
Monte Cristo turned to Albert. "Do you know modern Greek," asked he.
"Alas, no," said Albert; "nor even ancient Greek, my dear count; never
had Homer or Plato a more unworthy scholar than myself."
"Then," said Haidee, proving by her remark that she had quite understood
Monte Cristo's question and Albert's answer, "then I will speak either
in French or Italian, if my lord so wills it."
Monte Cristo reflected one instant. "You will speak in Italian," said
he. Then, turning towards Albert,--"It is a pity you do not understand
either ancient or modern Greek, both of which Haidee speaks so fluently;
the poor child will be obliged to talk to you in Italian, which will
give you but a very false idea of her powers of conversation." The
count made a sign to Haidee to address his visitor. "Sir," she said to
Morcerf, "you are most welcome as the friend of my lord and master."
This was said in excellent Tuscan, and with that soft Roman accent which
makes the language of Dante as sonorous as that of Homer. Then, turning
to Ali, she directed him to bring coffee and pipes, and when he had left
the room to execute the orders of his young mistress she beckoned Albert
to approach nearer to her. Monte Cristo and Morcerf drew their seats
towards a small table, on which were arranged music, drawings, and vases
of flowers. Ali then entered bringing coffee and chibouques; as to M.
Baptistin, this portion of the building was interdicted to him. Albert
refused the pipe which the Nubian offered him. "Oh, take it--take it,"
said the count; "Haidee is almost as civilized as a Parisian; the smell
of an Havana is disagreeable to her, but the tobacco of the East is a
most delicious perfume, you know."
Ali left the room. The cups of coffee were all prepared, with the
addition of sugar, which had been brought for Albert. Monte Cristo and
Haidee took the beverage in the original Arabian manner, that is to
say, without sugar. Haidee took the porcelain cup in her little slender
fingers and conveyed it to her mouth with all the innocent artlessness
of a child when eating or drinking something which it likes. At this
moment two women entered, bringing salvers filled with ices and sherbet,
which they placed on two small tables appropriated to that purpose.
"My dear host, and you, signora," said Albert, in Italian, "excuse my
apparent stupidity. I am quite bewildered, and it is natural that it
should be so. Here I am in the heart of Paris; but a moment ago I heard
the rumbling of the omnibuses and the tinkling of the bells of the
lemonade-sellers, and now I feel as if I were suddenly transported to
the East; not such as I have seen it, but such as my dreams have painted
it. Oh, signora, if I could but speak Greek, your conversation, added
to the fairy-scene which surrounds me, would furnish an evening of such
delight as it would be impossible for me ever to forget."
"I speak sufficient Italian to enable me to converse with you, sir,"
said Haidee quietly; "and if you like what is Eastern, I will do my best
to secure the gratification of your tastes while you are here."
"On what subject shall I converse with her?" said Albert, in a low tone
to Monte Cristo.
"Just what you please; you may speak of her country and of her youthful
reminiscences, or if you like it better you can talk of Rome, Naples, or
Florence."
"Oh," said Albert, "it is of no use to be in the company of a Greek if
one converses just in the same style as with a Parisian; let me speak to
her of the East."
"Do so then, for of all themes which you could choose that will be the
most agreeable to her taste." Albert turned towards Haidee. "At what age
did you leave Greece, signora?" asked he.
"I left it when I was but five years old," replied Haidee.
"And have you any recollection of your country?"
"When I shut my eyes and think, I seem to see it all again. The mind can
see as well as the body. The body forgets sometimes--but the mind never
forgets."
"And how far back into the past do your recollections extend?"
"I could scarcely walk when my mother, who was called Vasiliki, which
means royal," said the young girl, tossing her head proudly, "took me by
the hand, and after putting in our purse all the money we possessed, we
went out, both covered with veils, to solicit alms for the prisoners,
saying, 'He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.' Then when our
purse was full we returned to the palace, and without saying a word to
my father, we sent it to the convent, where it was divided amongst the
prisoners."
"And how old were you at that time?"
"I was three years old," said Haidee.
"Then you remember everything that went on about you from the time when
you were three years old?" said Albert.
"Everything."
"Count," said Albert, in a low tone to Monte Cristo, "do allow
the signora to tell me something of her history. You prohibited my
mentioning my father's name to her, but perhaps she will allude to him
of her own accord in the course of the recital, and you have no idea
how delighted I should be to hear our name pronounced by such beautiful
lips." Monte Cristo turned to Haidee, and with an expression of
countenance which commanded her to pay the most implicit attention to
his words, he said in Greek,--"Tell us the fate of your father; but
neither the name of the traitor nor the treason." Haidee sighed deeply,
and a shade of sadness clouded her beautiful brow.
"What are you saying to her?" said Morcerf in an undertone.
"I again reminded her that you were a friend, and that she need not
conceal anything from you."
"Then," said Albert, "this pious pilgrimage in behalf of the prisoners
was your first remembrance; what is the next?"
"Oh, then I remember as if it were but yesterday sitting under the shade
of some sycamore-trees, on the borders of a lake, in the waters of which
the trembling foliage was reflected as in a mirror. Under the oldest and
thickest of these trees, reclining on cushions, sat my father; my mother
was at his feet, and I, childlike, amused myself by playing with his
long white beard which descended to his girdle, or with the diamond-hilt
of the scimitar attached to his girdle. Then from time to time there
came to him an Albanian who said something to which I paid no attention,
but which he always answered in the same tone of voice, either 'Kill,'
or 'Pardon.'"
"It is very strange," said Albert, "to hear such words proceed from the
mouth of any one but an actress on the stage, and one needs constantly
to be saying to one's self, 'This is no fiction, it is all reality,' in
order to believe it. And how does France appear in your eyes, accustomed
as they have been to gaze on such enchanted scenes?"
"I think it is a fine country," said Haidee, "but I see France as it
really is, because I look on it with the eyes of a woman; whereas my own
country, which I can only judge of from the impression produced on my
childish mind, always seems enveloped in a vague atmosphere, which is
luminous or otherwise, according as my remembrances of it are sad or
joyous."
"So young," said Albert, forgetting at the moment the Count's command
that he should ask no questions of the slave herself, "is it possible
that you can have known what suffering is except by name?"
Haidee turned her eyes towards Monte Cristo, who, making at the same
time some imperceptible sign, murmured,--"Go on."
"Nothing is ever so firmly impressed on the mind as the memory of our
early childhood, and with the exception of the two scenes I have just
described to you, all my earliest reminiscences are fraught with deepest
sadness."
"Speak, speak, signora," said Albert, "I am listening with the most
intense delight and interest to all you say."
Haidee answered his remark with a melancholy smile. "You wish me, then,
to relate the history of my past sorrows?" said she.
"I beg you to do so," replied Albert.
"Well, I was but four years old when one night I was suddenly awakened
by my mother. We were in the palace of Yanina; she snatched me from
the cushions on which I was sleeping, and on opening my eyes I saw hers
filled with tears. She took me away without speaking. When I saw her
weeping I began to cry too. 'Hush, child!' said she. At other times in
spite of maternal endearments or threats, I had with a child's caprice
been accustomed to indulge my feelings of sorrow or anger by crying as
much as I felt inclined; but on this occasion there was an intonation
of such extreme terror in my mother's voice when she enjoined me to
silence, that I ceased crying as soon as her command was given. She bore
me rapidly away.
"I saw then that we were descending a large staircase; around us were
all my mother's servants carrying trunks, bags, ornaments, jewels,
purses of gold, with which they were hurrying away in the greatest
distraction.
"Behind the women came a guard of twenty men armed with long guns and
pistols, and dressed in the costume which the Greeks have assumed since
they have again become a nation. You may imagine there was something
startling and ominous," said Haidee, shaking her head and turning pale
at the mere remembrance of the scene, "in this long file of slaves and
women only half-aroused from sleep, or at least so they appeared to
me, who was myself scarcely awake. Here and there on the walls of
the staircase, were reflected gigantic shadows, which trembled in the
flickering light of the pine-torches till they seemed to reach to the
vaulted roof above.
"'Quick!' said a voice at the end of the gallery. This voice made every
one bow before it, resembling in its effect the wind passing over a
field of wheat, by its superior strength forcing every ear to yield
obeisance. As for me, it made me tremble. This voice was that of my
father. He came last, clothed in his splendid robes and holding in his
hand the carbine which your emperor presented him. He was leaning on
the shoulder of his favorite Selim, and he drove us all before him, as
a shepherd would his straggling flock. My father," said Haidee, raising
her head, "was that illustrious man known in Europe under the name of
Ali Tepelini, pasha of Yanina, and before whom Turkey trembled."
Albert, without knowing why, started on hearing these words pronounced
with such a haughty and dignified accent; it appeared to him as if there
was something supernaturally gloomy and terrible in the expression which
gleamed from the brilliant eyes of Haidee at this moment; she appeared
like a Pythoness evoking a spectre, as she recalled to his mind the
remembrance of the fearful death of this man, to the news of which all
Europe had listened with horror. "Soon," said Haidee, "we halted on our
march, and found ourselves on the borders of a lake. My mother pressed
me to her throbbing heart, and at the distance of a few paces I saw my
father, who was glancing anxiously around. Four marble steps led down to
the water's edge, and below them was a boat floating on the tide.
"From where we stood I could see in the middle of the lake a large blank
mass; it was the kiosk to which we were going. This kiosk appeared to me
to be at a considerable distance, perhaps on account of the darkness
of the night, which prevented any object from being more than partially
discerned. We stepped into the boat. I remember well that the oars
made no noise whatever in striking the water, and when I leaned over to
ascertain the cause I saw that they were muffled with the sashes of our
Palikares. [*] Besides the rowers, the boat contained only the women, my
father, mother, Selim, and myself. The Palikares had remained on the
shore of the lake, ready to cover our retreat; they were kneeling on the
lowest of the marble steps, and in that manner intended making a rampart
of the three others, in case of pursuit. Our bark flew before the wind.
'Why does the boat go so fast?' asked I of my mother.
* Greek militiamen in the war for independence.--Ed.
"'Silence, child! Hush, we are flying!' I did not understand. Why
should my father fly?--he, the all-powerful--he, before whom others were
accustomed to fly--he, who had taken for his device, 'They hate me; then
they fear me!' It was, indeed, a flight which my father was trying
to effect. I have been told since that the garrison of the castle of
Yanina, fatigued with long service"--
Here Haidee cast a significant glance at Monte Cristo, whose eyes
had been riveted on her countenance during the whole course of her
narrative. The young girl then continued, speaking slowly, like a person
who is either inventing or suppressing some feature of the history which
he is relating. "You were saying, signora," said Albert, who was paying
the most implicit attention to the recital, "that the garrison of
Yanina, fatigued with long service"--
"Had treated with the Serasker [*] Koorshid, who had been sent by the
sultan to gain possession of the person of my father; it was then that
Ali Tepelini--after having sent to the sultan a French officer in whom
he reposed great confidence--resolved to retire to the asylum which he
had long before prepared for himself, and which he called kataphygion,
or the refuge."
"And this officer," asked Albert, "do you remember his name, signora?"
Monte Cristo exchanged a rapid glance with the young girl, which was
quite unperceived by Albert. "No," said she, "I do not remember it just
at this moment; but if it should occur to me presently, I will tell
you." Albert was on the point of pronouncing his father's name, when
Monte Cristo gently held up his finger in token of reproach; the young
man recollected his promise, and was silent.
* A Turkish pasha in command of the troops of a province.--
Ed.
"It was towards this kiosk that we were rowing. A ground-floor,
ornamented with arabesques, bathing its terraces in the water, and
another floor, looking on the lake, was all which was visible to the
eye. But beneath the ground-floor, stretching out into the island, was
a large subterranean cavern, to which my mother, myself, and the women
were conducted. In this place were together 60,000. pouches and 200
barrels; the pouches contained 25,000,000 of money in gold, and the
barrels were filled with 30,000. pounds of gunpowder.
"Near the barrels stood Selim, my father's favorite, whom I mentioned to
you just now. He stood watch day and night with a lance provided with
a lighted slowmatch in his hand, and he had orders to blow up
everything--kiosk, guards, women, gold, and Ali Tepelini himself--at
the first signal given by my father. I remember well that the slaves,
convinced of the precarious tenure on which they held their lives,
passed whole days and nights in praying, crying, and groaning. As for
me, I can never forget the pale complexion and black eyes of the young
soldier, and whenever the angel of death summons me to another world,
I am quite sure I shall recognize Selim. I cannot tell you how long we
remained in this state; at that period I did not even know what time
meant. Sometimes, but very rarely, my father summoned me and my mother
to the terrace of the palace; these were hours of recreation for me, as
I never saw anything in the dismal cavern but the gloomy countenances of
the slaves and Selim's fiery lance. My father was endeavoring to pierce
with his eager looks the remotest verge of the horizon, examining
attentively every black speck which appeared on the lake, while my
mother, reclining by his side, rested her head on his shoulder, and I
played at his feet, admiring everything I saw with that unsophisticated
innocence of childhood which throws a charm round objects insignificant
in themselves, but which in its eyes are invested with the greatest
importance. The heights of Pindus towered above us; the castle of Yanina
rose white and angular from the blue waters of the lake, and the immense
masses of black vegetation which, viewed in the distance, gave the idea
of lichens clinging to the rocks, were in reality gigantic fir-trees and
myrtles.
"One morning my father sent for us; my mother had been crying all the
night, and was very wretched; we found the pasha calm, but paler than
usual. 'Take courage, Vasiliki,' said he; 'to-day arrives the firman of
the master, and my fate will be decided. If my pardon be complete, we
shall return triumphant to Yanina; if the news be inauspicious, we must
fly this night.'--'But supposing our enemy should not allow us to do
so?' said my mother. 'Oh, make yourself easy on that head,' said Ali,
smiling; 'Selim and his flaming lance will settle that matter. They
would be glad to see me dead, but they would not like themselves to die
with me.'
"My mother only answered by sighs to consolations which she knew did not
come from my father's heart. She prepared the iced water which he was in
the habit of constantly drinking,--for since his sojourn at the kiosk
he had been parched by the most violent fever,--after which she anointed
his white beard with perfumed oil, and lighted his chibouque, which he
sometimes smoked for hours together, quietly watching the wreaths of
vapor that ascended in spiral clouds and gradually melted away in the
surrounding atmosphere. Presently he made such a sudden movement that I
was paralyzed with fear. Then, without taking his eyes from the object
which had first attracted his attention, he asked for his telescope.
My mother gave it him, and as she did so, looked whiter than the
marble against which she leaned. I saw my father's hand tremble. 'A
boat!--two!--three!' murmured my, father;--'four!' He then arose,
seizing his arms and priming his pistols. 'Vasiliki,' said he to my
mother, trembling perceptibly, 'the instant approaches which will decide
everything. In the space of half an hour we shall know the emperor's
answer. Go into the cavern with Haidee.'--'I will not quit you,' said
Vasiliki; 'if you die, my lord, I will die with you.'--'Go to Selim!'
cried my father. 'Adieu, my lord,' murmured my mother, determining
quietly to await the approach of death. 'Take away Vasiliki!' said my
father to his Palikares.
"As for me, I had been forgotten in the general confusion; I ran toward
Ali Tepelini; he saw me hold out my arms to him, and he stooped down and
pressed my forehead with his lips. Oh, how distinctly I remember that
kiss!--it was the last he ever gave me, and I feel as if it were still
warm on my forehead. On descending, we saw through the lattice-work
several boats which were gradually becoming more distinct to our view.
At first they appeared like black specks, and now they looked like birds
skimming the surface of the waves. During this time, in the kiosk at my
father's feet, were seated twenty Palikares, concealed from view by an
angle of the wall and watching with eager eyes the arrival of the boats.
They were armed with their long guns inlaid with mother-of-pearl and
silver, and cartridges in great numbers were lying scattered on the
floor. My father looked at his watch, and paced up and down with a
countenance expressive of the greatest anguish. This was the scene which
presented itself to my view as I quitted my father after that last kiss.
My mother and I traversed the gloomy passage leading to the cavern.
Selim was still at his post, and smiled sadly on us as we entered. We
fetched our cushions from the other end of the cavern, and sat down by
Selim. In great dangers the devoted ones cling to each other; and, young
as I was, I quite understood that some imminent danger was hanging over
our heads."
Albert had often heard--not from his father, for he never spoke on the
subject, but from strangers--the description of the last moments of the
vizier of Yanina; he had read different accounts of his death, but the
story seemed to acquire fresh meaning from the voice and expression of
the young girl, and her sympathetic accent and the melancholy expression
of her countenance at once charmed and horrified him. As to Haidee,
these terrible reminiscences seemed to have overpowered her for a
moment, for she ceased speaking, her head leaning on her hand like a
beautiful flower bowing beneath the violence of the storm; and her eyes
gazing on vacancy indicated that she was mentally contemplating the
green summit of the Pindus and the blue waters of the lake of Yanina,
which, like a magic mirror, seemed to reflect the sombre picture
which she sketched. Monte Cristo looked at her with an indescribable
expression of interest and pity.
"Go on," said the count in the Romaic language.
Haidee looked up abruptly, as if the sonorous tones of Monte Cristo's
voice had awakened her from a dream; and she resumed her narrative.
"It was about four o'clock in the afternoon, and although the day was
brilliant out-of-doors, we were enveloped in the gloomy darkness of the
cavern. One single, solitary light was burning there, and it appeared
like a star set in a heaven of blackness; it was Selim's flaming lance.
My mother was a Christian, and she prayed. Selim repeated from time to
time the sacred words: 'God is great!' However, my mother had still
some hope. As she was coming down, she thought she recognized the French
officer who had been sent to Constantinople, and in whom my father
placed so much confidence; for he knew that all the soldiers of the
French emperor were naturally noble and generous. She advanced some
steps towards the staircase, and listened. 'They are approaching,' said
she; 'perhaps they bring us peace and liberty!'--'What do you fear,
Vasiliki?' said Selim, in a voice at once so gentle and yet so proud.
'If they do not bring us peace, we will give them war; if they do not
bring life, we will give them death.' And he renewed the flame of his
lance with a gesture which made one think of Dionysus of Crete. [*] But
I, being only a little child, was terrified by this undaunted courage,
which appeared to me both ferocious and senseless, and I recoiled with
horror from the idea of the frightful death amidst fire and flames which
probably awaited us.
* The god of fruitfulness in Grecian mythology. In Crete he
was supposed to be slain in winter with the decay of
vegetation and to revive in the spring. Haidee's learned
reference is to the behavior of an actor in the Dionysian
festivals.--Ed.
"My mother experienced the same sensations, for I felt her tremble.
'Mamma, mamma,' said I, 'are we really to be killed?' And at the
sound of my voice the slaves redoubled their cries and prayers and
lamentations. 'My child,' said Vasiliki, 'may God preserve you from ever
wishing for that death which to-day you so much dread!' Then, whispering
to Selim, she asked what were her master's orders. 'If he send me
his poniard, it will signify that the emperor's intentions are not
favorable, and I am to set fire to the powder; if, on the contrary, he
send me his ring, it will be a sign that the emperor pardons him, and
I am to extinguish the match and leave the magazine untouched.'--'My
friend,' said my mother, 'when your master's orders arrive, if it is the
poniard which he sends, instead of despatching us by that horrible death
which we both so much dread, you will mercifully kill us with this same
poniard, will you not?'--'Yes, Vasiliki,' replied Selim tranquilly.
"Suddenly we heard loud cries; and, listening, discerned that they
were cries of joy. The name of the French officer who had been sent
to Constantinople resounded on all sides amongst our Palikares; it
was evident that he brought the answer of the emperor, and that it was
favorable."
"And do you not remember the Frenchman's name?" said Morcerf, quite
ready to aid the memory of the narrator. Monte Cristo made a sign to him
to be silent.
"I do not recollect it," said Haidee.
"The noise increased; steps were heard approaching nearer and nearer:
they were descending the steps leading to the cavern. Selim made ready
his lance. Soon a figure appeared in the gray twilight at the entrance
of the cave, formed by the reflection of the few rays of daylight which
had found their way into this gloomy retreat. 'Who are you?' cried
Selim. 'But whoever you may be, I charge you not to advance another
step.'--'Long live the emperor!' said the figure. 'He grants a full
pardon to the Vizier Ali, and not only gives him his life, but restores
to him his fortune and his possessions.' My mother uttered a cry of joy,
and clasped me to her bosom. 'Stop,' said Selim, seeing that she was
about to go out; 'you see I have not yet received the ring,'--'True,'
said my mother. And she fell on her knees, at the same time holding me
up towards heaven, as if she desired, while praying to God in my behalf,
to raise me actually to his presence."
And for the second time Haidee stopped, overcome by such violent emotion
that the perspiration stood upon her pale brow, and her stifled voice
seemed hardly able to find utterance, so parched and dry were her throat
and lips. Monte Cristo poured a little iced water into a glass, and
presented it to her, saying with a mildness in which was also a shade of
command,--"Courage."
Haidee dried her eyes, and continued: "By this time our eyes, habituated
to the darkness, had recognized the messenger of the pasha,--it was
a friend. Selim had also recognized him, but the brave young man only
acknowledged one duty, which was to obey. 'In whose name do you come?'
said he to him. 'I come in the name of our master, Ali Tepelini.'--'If
you come from Ali himself,' said Selim, 'you know what you were charged
to remit to me?'--'Yes,' said the messenger, 'and I bring you his ring.'
At these words he raised his hand above his head, to show the token;
but it was too far off, and there was not light enough to enable Selim,
where he was standing, to distinguish and recognize the object presented
to his view. 'I do not see what you have in your hand,' said Selim.
'Approach then,' said the messenger, 'or I will come nearer to you, if
you prefer it.'--'I will agree to neither one nor the other,' replied
the young soldier; 'place the object which I desire to see in the ray of
light which shines there, and retire while I examine it.'--'Be it so,'
said the envoy; and he retired, after having first deposited the token
agreed on in the place pointed out to him by Selim.
"Oh, how our hearts palpitated; for it did, indeed, seem to be a ring
which was placed there. But was it my father's ring? that was the
question. Selim, still holding in his hand the lighted match, walked
towards the opening in the cavern, and, aided by the faint light which
streamed in through the mouth of the cave, picked up the token.
"'It is well,' said he, kissing it; 'it is my master's ring!' And
throwing the match on the ground, he trampled on it and extinguished it.
The messenger uttered a cry of joy and clapped his hands. At this signal
four soldiers of the Serasker Koorshid suddenly appeared, and Selim
fell, pierced by five blows. Each man had stabbed him separately, and,
intoxicated by their crime, though still pale with fear, they sought all
over the cavern to discover if there was any fear of fire, after which
they amused themselves by rolling on the bags of gold. At this moment
my mother seized me in her arms, and hurrying noiselessly along numerous
turnings and windings known only to ourselves, she arrived at a private
staircase of the kiosk, where was a scene of frightful tumult and
confusion. The lower rooms were entirely filled with Koorshid's troops;
that is to say, with our enemies. Just as my mother was on the point of
pushing open a small door, we heard the voice of the pasha sounding in
a loud and threatening tone. My mother applied her eye to the crack
between the boards; I luckily found a small opening which afforded me a
view of the apartment and what was passing within. 'What do you want?'
said my father to some people who were holding a paper inscribed with
characters of gold. 'What we want,' replied one, 'is to communicate to
you the will of his highness. Do you see this firman?'--'I do,' said my
father. 'Well, read it; he demands your head.'
"My father answered with a loud laugh, which was more frightful than
even threats would have been, and he had not ceased when two reports of
a pistol were heard; he had fired them himself, and had killed two men.
The Palikares, who were prostrated at my father's feet, now sprang up
and fired, and the room was filled with fire and smoke. At the same
instant the firing began on the other side, and the balls penetrated the
boards all round us. Oh, how noble did the grand vizier my father look
at that moment, in the midst of the flying bullets, his scimitar in his
hand, and his face blackened with the powder of his enemies! and how he
terrified them, even then, and made them fly before him! 'Selim, Selim!'
cried he, 'guardian of the fire, do your duty!'--'Selim is dead,'
replied a voice which seemed to come from the depths of the earth, 'and
you are lost, Ali!' At the same moment an explosion was heard, and the
flooring of the room in which my father was sitting was suddenly torn up
and shivered to atoms--the troops were firing from underneath. Three or
four Palikares fell with their bodies literally ploughed with wounds.
"My father howled aloud, plunged his fingers into the holes which the
balls had made, and tore up one of the planks entire. But immediately
through this opening twenty more shots were fired, and the flame,
rushing up like fire from the crater of a volcano, soon reached the
tapestry, which it quickly devoured. In the midst of all this frightful
tumult and these terrific cries, two reports, fearfully distinct,
followed by two shrieks more heartrending than all, froze me with
terror. These two shots had mortally wounded my father, and it was he
who had given utterance to these frightful cries. However, he remained
standing, clinging to a window. My mother tried to force the door, that
she might go and die with him, but it was fastened on the inside. All
around him were lying the Palikares, writhing in convulsive agonies,
while two or three who were only slightly wounded were trying to
escape by springing from the windows. At this crisis the whole flooring
suddenly gave way, my father fell on one knee, and at the same moment
twenty hands were thrust forth, armed with sabres, pistols, and
poniards--twenty blows were instantaneously directed against one man,
and my father disappeared in a whirlwind of fire and smoke kindled by
these demons, and which seemed like hell itself opening beneath his
feet. I felt myself fall to the ground, my mother had fainted."
Haidee's arms fell by her side, and she uttered a deep groan, at the
same time looking towards the count as if to ask if he were satisfied
with her obedience to his commands. Monte Cristo arose and approached
her, took her hand, and said to her in Romaic, "Calm yourself, my dear
child, and take courage in remembering that there is a God who will
punish traitors."
"It is a frightful story, count," said Albert, terrified at the paleness
of Haidee's countenance, "and I reproach myself now for having been so
cruel and thoughtless in my request."
"Oh, it is nothing," said Monte Cristo. Then, patting the young girl on
the head, he continued, "Haidee is very courageous, and she sometimes
even finds consolation in the recital of her misfortunes."
"Because, my lord," said Haidee eagerly, "my miseries recall to me the
remembrance of your goodness."
Albert looked at her with curiosity, for she had not yet related what he
most desired to know,--how she had become the slave of the count. Haidee
saw at a glance the same expression pervading the countenances of her
two auditors; she exclaimed, 'When my mother recovered her senses we
were before the serasker. 'Kill,' said she, 'but spare the honor of the
widow of Ali.'--'It is not to me to whom you must address yourself,'
said Koorshid.
"'To whom, then?'--'To your new master.'
"'Who and where is he?'--'He is here.'
"And Koorshid pointed out one who had more than any contributed to the
death of my father," said Haidee, in a tone of chastened anger. "Then,"
said Albert, "you became the property of this man?"
"No," replied Haidee, "he did not dare to keep us, so we were sold to
some slave-merchants who were going to Constantinople. We traversed
Greece, and arrived half dead at the imperial gates. They were
surrounded by a crowd of people, who opened a way for us to pass,
when suddenly my mother, having looked closely at an object which was
attracting their attention, uttered a piercing cry and fell to the
ground, pointing as she did so to a head which was placed over the
gates, and beneath which were inscribed these words:
"'This is the head of Ali Tepelini Pasha of Yanina.' I cried bitterly,
and tried to raise my mother from the earth, but she was dead! I was
taken to the slave-market, and was purchased by a rich Armenian. He
caused me to be instructed, gave me masters, and when I was thirteen
years of age he sold me to the Sultan Mahmood."
"Of whom I bought her," said Monte Cristo, "as I told you, Albert, with
the emerald which formed a match to the one I had made into a box for
the purpose of holding my hashish pills."
"Oh, you are good, you are great, my lord!" said Haidee, kissing the
count's hand, "and I am very fortunate in belonging to such a master!"
Albert remained quite bewildered with all that he had seen and heard.
"Come, finish your cup of coffee," said Monte Cristo; "the history is
ended."
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