The Count of Monte Cristo, Part Three. Александр Дюма
(falling into an armchair)
It was just in time, I was suffocating.
ALBERT
What! You are leaving us already, my dear Count?
MONTE CRISTO
I gave my reasons for my prompt departure to the Countess—reasons which she kindly appreciated.
ALBERT
Go on then, I won’t keep you longer. I don’t want our gratitude to become an indication of an importunity. But I beg you, let me try to render you in Paris the same hospitality I received from you in Rome. Let me put my coach and my horses at your disposal until you have time to obtain your own equipage.
MONTE CRISTO
A thousand thanks for your kindness Vicomte, but I think that if Mr. Bertuccio my Intendant has been agreeably employed during the five days he preceded me here, I shall find at the door a carriage fully harnessed. Only tell me, am I far from the Rue Mont Blanc?
ALBERT
A hundred paces. Are you going to the Rue Mont Blanc after leaving here?
MONTE CRISTO
Yes, to the home of Mr. Danglars, a banker.
MERCÉDÈS
(excitedly)
You know Mr. Danglars?
MONTE CRISTO
No, Madame, not at all. I know no one. I have letters of credit drawn on him—is he good?
ALBERT
Excellent.
(half voice)
He is my future father-in-law.
MONTE CRISTO
Oh! As that’s the case! My money relations and my relations of friendship won’t leave the family.
ALBERT
Thanks.
MONTE CRISTO
(bowing)
Madame.
ALBERT
(wanting to accompany him)
Allow me, dear Count—
MONTE CRISTO
(stopping him)
Oh—for goodness sake.
(Monte Cristo leaves)
ALBERT
(turning to Mercédès)
Ah! My God—what’s wrong? Do you feel ill?
MERCÉDÈS
In fact, I am a little indisposed. These roses, these tuberoses, these orange flowers, release, during the first hot spell to which they are unaccustomed, very violent perfumes that I’m not used to.
ALBERT
Germain! Germain! Remove these flowers right away.
MERCÉDÈS
What’s this name of Monte Cristo that the Count bears. Is it a family name, or place name or simply a title?
ALBERT
It’s a title, I think, mother, that’s all.
MERCÉDÈS
His manners are excellent, at least so far as I can judge from the short time he spent here.
ALBERT
Perfect, mother.
MERCÉDÈS
You saw, my dear Albert—pardon—it’s a mother’s question I am asking you—you saw Monte Cristo in his home?
ALBERT
Yes.
MERCÉDÈS
You are worldly, full of tact, extraordinary at your age. Tell me, do you think the Count is what he appears?
ALBERT
And what does he appear to be mother?
MERCÉDÈS
You said it yourself, just now—a great lord.
ALBERT
I will admit to you I don’t have a fixed opinion about him. I think he’s Maltese.
MERCÉDÈS
I don’t ask you about his origins—I am asking you about his person.
ALBERT
But you ought to be able to see. Thirty-five or thirty-six, mother.
MERCÉDÈS
(to herself)
Thirty-five or thirty-six—it’s impossible. Did you notice how pale he is?
ALBERT
Yes, and I asked him the cause of this pallor—he told me that having been taken by the Barberry pirates, he was a prisoner for a long time in a dungeon.
MERCÉDÈS
Prisoner! And this man is friendly to you, Albert?
ALBERT
I believe so, mother.
MERCÉDÈS
And you like him, too?
ALBERT
Yes, although this friendship, I admit it, is mixed with a kind of terror.
MERCÉDÈS
Albert, I’ve always put you on guard against new acquaintances—now you are a man and can give me advice yourself. Still, I will repeat to you: be careful.
ALBERT
Still, for the advice to be profitable to me there must be something for me to be on guard against. The Count doesn’t gamble. The Count only drinks water. The Count is declared to be so rich that if he sneezes he would only cover me with money. What should I fear from the Count?
MERCÉDÈS
You are right and my fears are crazy, especially as they are for a man who has saved your life when he could have let you perish. But you know, my dear Albert, a mother’s heart is full of vague fears. Has the Count ever taken your hand?
ALBERT
Never, and I’ve noticed it.
MERCÉDÈS
Has he ever called you his friend?
ALBERT
Never.
MERCÉDÈS
Yet has he ever eaten at the same table with you, when you were his guest—when he was yours?
ALBERT
Never and even today as you saw—
MERCÉDÈS
Yes, yes, I saw—listen, I am giving a ball in three days, bring the Count, it’s important.
ALBERT
I will bring him, mother—I don’t think he will refuse to come.
MERCÉDÈS
If he comes, the rest is my concern and I will know what to do about it. Goodbye, Albert. Try to get the Count to be your friend.
CURTAIN
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