Count of Monte Cristo

After lunch, Monte Cristo and Lin Ke were in the study.

Jacob is back.He brought news from Villefort's family that his eldest daughter, Valentine, was ill, and that the doctor had rushed, and that the situation might not be well.

Edmund knew that it was Madame de Villefort's fault. He was about to speak when the servant announced that Montlain was coming.

When Monte Cristo went out, Menglian's face was covered with sweat, and his expression was painful.

"Maximilian, what's the matter with you?"

"Did something happen to the family?" Lin Ke asked.

Meng Lien shook his head, "Master Earl, so you are our family's benefactor! Thank you, Earl, thank you!" There were tears in his eyes and he wanted to say a few more words, but he didn't know how to say, "I am very grateful Ashamed, I have not gone home to tell my sister and brother-in-law. I should be very happy and happy to thank you, you are our benefactor."

Monte Cristo sent tea.

Montlain said, "But please forgive me, I can't be so happy..."

"You needn't. Maximilian, you are my friend. Can you tell me what happened to you?"

He seemed to be unable to say, "I just left a house where the god of death will enter, and ran to you."

"Are you from M. Morcerf's house?" asked Monte Cristo.

"No, yes," Montlain held his head in his hands, as if he couldn't bear the weight, "My love, she...she's going to die..."

"You have a lover?" Monte Cristo asked in amazement, "Who is it, and from which family?"

"Yes, you know her too. Her family is being persecuted by the god of death. Now the god of death has come to her, but I can't protect her. I am so incompetent and helpless."

"Yes?"

"Yes, count, do you guess who I mean? Poor Valentine, the angel of God is being tormented by the devil! I would like to replace her! I love her with my life and everything-- I love her madly—I would give my life's blood for a tear of hers—I love Valentine Villefort, the one they are murdering now! Do you understand me? I love her , ask God for me, how can I save her?"

Monte Cristo trembled, he turned around, revealing his emotions, but Lin Ke kept asking: "Is it Valentine Villefort, the daughter of Prosecutor Villefort?"

"Dear friend, it's her, she is an angel given to me by God, but now she is leaving me!" Maximilian's voice was full of pain, and his eyes were full of tears.

"My God! You love Valentine!—the daughter of that damned family!" Monte Cristo twitched his cheeks. He did not expect events to develop in this way!Montaigne was suddenly frightened by Monte Cristo's roar.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment, and a strange atmosphere permeated the study for a moment.Maximilian raised his head, his pained and twisted expression stunned the two of them.

"Can't the doctor save her?" asked Monte Cristo.

"I hate the result, but I have to answer. That kind of death is by no means a natural death!"

"What is it?"

"Poison, medicine! The devil is hiding in her home!"

"Really?" said Monte Cristo, with a slight cough which would help him to conceal his expression, or his expression when he was listening. "Where did you hear that?"

"Yes, my dear count, I heard it. The doctor also said that if another person died in this way, he must complain to the law."

Monte Cristo was very calm in his obedience, at least on the surface.

Maximilian said, "I want to save my Valentine! If she dies, I can't live alone!" Maximilian's face showed a look of terrible pain, and he grabbed Monte Cristo's hand. hand.

"You're going for a woman—"

"I do it for my love, God!"

Monte Cristo and Linko looked at each other, "Come, come," the count continued, "have a man's courage, be strong, and don't lose hope, because I am here, and I can do something for you."

"God, I know you can save me!"

Monte Cristo took his head in both hands.What did the angel of light or the god of darkness say to that vengeful and at the same time magnanimous mind?That only God knows.

"I can do many things for you, my friend," answered the count. "Go, don't worry, I won't let you have regrets."

Maximilian has full confidence in him! "Oh, Earl, you can save my angel." Maximilian's voice was full of surprise.

Monte Cristo looked up again. "Maximilian," he said, "go home. I command you not to move, not to do anything, not to let a trace of sorrow appear in your face. I will give you the news. Yes. Go!"

Lin Ke sent the wobbly Maximilian back to his sister's house.

Monte Cristo left and started to act. He took out his medicine box, disguised himself and went out.

Maximilian has been waiting for his news, he believes in the ability of Monte Cristo, in his heart he is almost omnipotent.

But three days later, what he waited for was the news of Valentine's death, and the funeral will be held two days later!

Maximilian was heartbroken and grief-stricken, his expression was numb and he was almost speechless.

He went to Valentine's funeral with his last breath, and fell unconscious after the funeral.

Prosecutor Villefort was all white, and his eyes were dull and lifeless, and the people of Paris sympathized with him.They all persuaded him to go out and leave his home, maybe the god of death would let him go, but he almost put the last bit of energy into his work, paralyzing himself with heavy work!

Meanwhile, while a string of misfortunes befell the Comte de Masself and the Prosecutor Villefort, their friend, the Baron Danglars, was doing well.

The day after the funeral, many members of Parisian high society received invitations from him.Engagement banquet of his daughter Eugenie Danglars and Prince Cavalcanti.Viscount Cavalcanti has been making a big splash at Parisian parties lately.To paraphrase a word, he rushed into Parisian society like a gust of wind.

The engagement banquet was held on Sunday.

On Saturday morning Monte Cristo went to Danglars' bank with several checks to be cashed.He needed a sum of 500 million in cash, which Tanglars happily cashed in, and he also gave Viscount Cavalcanti [-] in cash.

Sunday is coming soon.

At six o'clock that night, the big living room was full of people who smelled the aroma. People were attracted by an irresistible desire to see if there was anything new.

A high-society banquet is a collection of famous flowers, which attracts frivolous butterflies, hungry ravenous bees, and buzzing drones.

The gilded moldings of the hall walls were densely packed with lights; and the furniture, which was of no use but to boast of wealth, shone brightly.Mademoiselle Eugenie was elegantly dressed, in a well-fitting gown of white silk.Her only ornament was a white rose half inserted in her jade-black hair, and she lacked a single jewel.

Mr. Danglars was surrounded by a group of Treasury officers and persons connected with the Treasury, and was explaining to them a new principle of taxation, to be implemented when circumstances compelled the Government to invite him into the Ministry.André Garments is introducing new luxury to Paris' fashionable upper class.

Among the noisy and laughing crowd, the voice of the master of ceremonies can be heard at any time, announcing the name of a financial tycoon, military official or literary celebrity; Minor commotion.The Count of Monte Cristo was dressed in black, as simple and plain as he always was.On entering he saw Lady and Mr. Danglars, and opposite him the Viscount Cavalcanti—they called him the Prince of Cornwallcanti.Today he found that his father also came and was surrounded by everyone.

Five minutes later, the lawyers of both parties arrived, and they put the drafted documents on the table for signing; Velvet table rug.One of the lawyers sat down, the rest stood.They were about to read the marriage contract that half the Parisians who attended the ceremony would sign.Everyone was looking for a good place for themselves, the ladies formed a circle, and the gentlemen took a relatively distant position, commenting on André's nervousness, Mr. Danglars' concentration, and Eugenie's calmness. And the gracious attitude of the Baroness.

During the reading of the engagement contract there was complete silence.

But as soon as the marriage contract was read, the living rooms became even more noisy; the millions of dollars that were about to belong to the unmarried couple, the gifts that were placed in a large room, and the diamonds of the future bride were full of envy everywhere. the sound of.

The lawyer motioned for people to be quiet. He picked up a pen, raised it above his head, and said solemnly: "Everyone, the marriage contract has begun to be signed."

People are waiting with bated breath.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.

The guests looked out—some gendarmes had entered.A man at the front holds a document in his hand.

"Excuse me, we need to find someone."

Everyone was surprised.

"Who?" asked Baron Danglars, signing.

Andre pricked up his ears.

The gendarme sneered, "I'm afraid your wedding banquet will be ruined."

Danglars exclaimed, "What do you mean by these words?"

"Do you still remember the theft and murder that happened at the Count of Monte Cristo's house?" Andre turned pale and walked towards the door. People were all focused on the gendarme and didn't notice him at all.Monte Cristo noticed, but his eyes were averted.

Danglars nodded, "Yes." He stared at the gendarme, "but what does this have to do with me?"

"Then—" the gendarme stopped, "My lord, let you tell the story."

The Count of Monte Cristo nodded, and everyone pricked up their ears. "Yes. His clothes were taken off to examine his wounds and thrown in a corner. It was later picked up by court officers, but they left out one of his vests."

"Well! I found this vest today. It is covered with blood and has a hole in its heart. It contains a letter addressed to Baron Danglars."

People were shocked!

"Give it to me!" cried Danglars. "What is the matter?"

"Yes, it was indeed written to you. Although the letter was covered with blood, I recognized your name under the blood." Monte Cristo replied in a sound of surprise.

Danglars said: "Is not the man who was killed a convict?"

"Yes," answered the count, "a murderer named Caderousse."

Danglars turned slightly pale.

Viscount Cavalcanti had disappeared.

The gendarme waited for the Count of Monte Cristo to finish, and asked, "Which of you is Andrea Cavalcanti?"

The baroness had now signed and returned the pen to the lawyer. "Prince Cavalcanti!" said the latter, "Prince Cavalcanti, where are you?"

Panic shouts could be heard all over the room.They searched and asked each other.

"Who is Andrea Cavalcanti?" asked Danglars in the utmost astonishment.

"A convict escaped from the prison at Toulon."

"What crime did he commit?"

"He is charged," said the gendarme in his indifferent voice, "with the murder of a man called Caderousse, who was his companion in chains, and who was accused of fleeing from the house of the Count of Monte Cristo." killed him in time."

Monte Cristo cast a quick glance about him.Andre was gone.